WX4SNO
Active member
Okay...back during the Christmas season I ordered a new wood stove and some electric heaters for my future garage from Northern Tool. The promo at the time was gift cards toward a future purchase, of which I have $125 to spend at their store. The thought at the time was I was going to use it on a new oiled air compressor from them. I am in a predicament as they are currently having a sale on their air compressors and air tools and I only have till May 1 before the gift cards expire (and not sure when or if there will be another sale before then). So, I have three thoughts on how to spend this and want some advice/opinions.
1.) North Star 3 HP, 60-Gallon [$569-$125= $444]
2.) North Star 2 HP, 20-Gallon [$479-$125= $354]
3.) Kobalt 3.7 HP, 60-Gallon [$499-10% military= $449] and use NT gift card toward auto-rewind air reel, electrical reel, and/or filter/regulator
I am not a mechanic and don't plan on doing much other than maybe loosening lug nuts and maybe in the future using a cutting wheel or angle grinder...maybe (BIG maybe) a plasma cutter but only for small stuff. Compressor and air tools will not be used every day, just occasionally. I do plan to install a automatic drain valve on whatever I buy, along with a air/water separator and filter along the line.
The 20 gallon unit appeals to me for portability but I am planning on having a small room to house a compressor anyhow and piping lines throughout the garage, so probably don't need it on wheels...but you never know. And it runs on 120-volts. Only issue I don't like is the drain..it's not directly in the bottom of the unit.
The Kobalt route would get me more for the money, but not sure how good their compressors are. I know I guy that has this same one sitting under a metal car port for 8 years and no problems yet...uses it to work on his old cars all the time. Lowe's is just down the road too.
The 60 gallon from North Star was the one I was originally thinking of getting...but nearest NT is an hour away each way and thinking of warranty issues in the future. Plus they are heavy, so transport/unloading is going to be a factor. (Can two strong guys unload one of these things and use a dolly to move it into position?) I think this one is made better than the Kobalt...seems to be anyhow. I know Puma makes it, just re-labeled as North Star as the IR is a near-exact clone too. I hear the Kobalt is a re-brand of Campbell-Hausfeld.
Thoughts on this? No need for an expensive unit like Quincy or the like...but what would you all do for an occasional user like me...
1.) North Star 3 HP, 60-Gallon [$569-$125= $444]
2.) North Star 2 HP, 20-Gallon [$479-$125= $354]
3.) Kobalt 3.7 HP, 60-Gallon [$499-10% military= $449] and use NT gift card toward auto-rewind air reel, electrical reel, and/or filter/regulator
I am not a mechanic and don't plan on doing much other than maybe loosening lug nuts and maybe in the future using a cutting wheel or angle grinder...maybe (BIG maybe) a plasma cutter but only for small stuff. Compressor and air tools will not be used every day, just occasionally. I do plan to install a automatic drain valve on whatever I buy, along with a air/water separator and filter along the line.
The 20 gallon unit appeals to me for portability but I am planning on having a small room to house a compressor anyhow and piping lines throughout the garage, so probably don't need it on wheels...but you never know. And it runs on 120-volts. Only issue I don't like is the drain..it's not directly in the bottom of the unit.
The Kobalt route would get me more for the money, but not sure how good their compressors are. I know I guy that has this same one sitting under a metal car port for 8 years and no problems yet...uses it to work on his old cars all the time. Lowe's is just down the road too.
The 60 gallon from North Star was the one I was originally thinking of getting...but nearest NT is an hour away each way and thinking of warranty issues in the future. Plus they are heavy, so transport/unloading is going to be a factor. (Can two strong guys unload one of these things and use a dolly to move it into position?) I think this one is made better than the Kobalt...seems to be anyhow. I know Puma makes it, just re-labeled as North Star as the IR is a near-exact clone too. I hear the Kobalt is a re-brand of Campbell-Hausfeld.
Thoughts on this? No need for an expensive unit like Quincy or the like...but what would you all do for an occasional user like me...