60 gallon compressor opinions

[mrpizza]

Hello all, I am buying a new compressor. I have it narrowed down to the Kobalt 60 gallon, or the Husky 60 gallon. Two very similar compressors. However, the kobalt is 499 and the husky 449. The kobalt puts out about 1 more cfm than the husky at 90 psi, and has a tiny bit higher rated motor. So is that enough to justify the 50 dollar more price? I am leaning towards the kobalt, but its whatever. Lets see some opinions!

Also, is their extended protection plan worth the 50 bucks for two years, 100 for four?

 

[dodge610]

Have you checked the HF compressor yet I figure the other 2 are probably japoon so you might as well check the HF one too.

 

[mrpizza]

Yeah, but that one is quite a bit more than the Kobalt one. I think the big US General is mostly American made or assembled, I have seen it discussed on here.

 

[larry_g]

After all the extensive research and study just have your wife pick the one whose color best fits her liking. Either will do the job and either has about the same chance for long term life or sudden failure. Operationally you will never notice the difference.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[RangerDaleXp]

The CFM on those compressors are not accurate saying at around 11 CFM and are more likely to be 8 or 9 CFM. Yes they will deliver the 11 CFM until the pump can not keep up anymore. They Run around a 3 hp motor based on the amperage. When you look into bare replacement pumps they show a different story at around 8 to 9 CFM. All these compressor companies use fuzzy math when they print all the lies on the sides of the tanks......

 

[Major Ramifications]

Either of those are fine, as is the US General at HF.

I don't know about the Kobalt, but the Husky is made by Campbell Hausfeld (the Kobalt could be as well, or it could be Coleman or Devilbiss, I haven't been keeping up). The new Huskys use chinese pumps but the rest of the stuff is from North America usually. CH is a good company to deal with if you ever need parts of service.
The last time I checked, the US Generals at HF had italian pumps and name-brand motors. But it's been a while since I checked.

 

[kartracer55]

Husky. The Kobalt's always seemed to be cheap.

 

[Pro-Painter]

If your interested in the Kobalt, you should check out the Morgan series sold by Northern tool. They are refurbished Kobalt compressors. The 60 gallon is normally $299 however, they are sold out of it right now. But for $499 you can upgrade to the 14cfm 80-gallon. They also do free site to store shipping and offer an extended no questions asked 3-year replacement warranty for an extra fee (well worth it)

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200396621_200396621

 

[Dahammer72]

The Kobalt claims to have 3.7 "running" HP. Key word being running. But it also says it has a 15 amp motor. I'd bet if you look at the ID label on the motor, you'd find "SPL" beside horsepower and not 3.7.

The Husky claims to have 3.2 "running" HP. It doesn't list the amperage, but it's a safe bet that it also has a 15 amp motor.

They are basically the same spec wise, except the Kobalt has a max PSI of 155 where the Husky is 135. The Kobalt may struggle to build 155 PSI with only a 15 amp motor on it. It may also run a little hotter than the Husky.

If you have a TSC near you, they carry the 3 hp Campbell Hausfeld for $469. It would be basically the same as the other 2.

Harbour Freight runs there 3 hp 60gal compressor on sale for $399 (Item #3848), if you can find it in your store. My store never has them anymore, so it may be discontinued, not sure. http://www.harborfreight.com/35-hp-60-gallon-130-psi-compressor-3848.html

I think all of them have the outlet on the side except for the HF one, if that's an issue with you.

I just bought a new Puma 6060V, which is also a 60 gallon 3hp compressor like the ones you are looking at. It came with an Emerson continuous duty 15 amp motor. They are built in Memphis, TN, but I think the pumps are imported from China. I got it because I was able to get it at wholesale through a friend, otherwise I would have probably gotten the Harbour Freight one. The first thing I did was test it to see what the actual CFM is. It boosts that it's 12cfm @ 90psi. I found it to be 10.8cfm from kickin (95psi) to kickout (135psi). I will tell you that it can not keep up with Harbour Freights die grinder, which is suppose to be 4cfm (yeah right).

 

[mrpizza]

The reason I want to shop at lowes or home depot is I get 10% off for military. SO the kobalt will come out to 485 after tax, the husky a at 438. I have looked at the one at trator supply, but I don't get a discount there. The kobalt one I think it just a rebrand of the CH one at tractor supply. The metal tag on the tank of the Kobalt says Campbell Hausfeld, its just spray painted over. I think I am going to get the Kobalt, it has a two cylinder pump I believe.

 

[pipsters]

Can you stack the 10% movers coupon on top of the discount as well?

A guy on here recently bought the same Kobalt one, said it took 13 mins to pressurize, running the numbers that is like 6.5 CFM, the 120v Harbor Freight 29 gal one did 5.9 CFM average. My Sears Craftsman 120v does around 8 CFM...not sure I would trust the numbers on the Kobalt.

Those are all average CFMs of course from 0 to 150 psi give or take but at least gives you a good comparison.

 

[mrpizza]

Im not sure if you can stack discounts. If so I'll be all over that.


Edit: Just called the store, they will NOT combine discounts, its one or the other.


Looks like they are identical. The husky pump turns 1070RPM, so not crazy fast. It is also twin cylinder. Same as the Kobalt. Im going with the Husky, I'll save 50 bucks.

Any serious qualms against the husky?

 

[pipsters]

The benefit with the Kobalt is 155 psi. It'll hold about 15% more air and you have the ability to turn up your regulator to bust something off with an impact if 100-120 psi isn't having an effect. If the pumps are the same or similar it's possible the Husky might last longer only because of the lower pressure.

ETA: The Kobalt compressors I was looking at came with a 3 year warranty on the entire item no extra cost, does the Husky?

 

[cide1]

I own the Kobalt, and have been very happy. It seems to be well made, refills pretty quick. It handles everything I do just fine with impacts, ratchets, grinders etc. When blasting it almost keeps up with my 100 lb blaster, but every 25-30 minutes I'll take a few minute break to make sure I'm not running it constantly. Doing this, I have blasted for several hours in a row with no issues.

I think it is a great value. I got mine on sale at christmas 2 years ago for $299. To be any better, your probably looking at a 2 stage 80 gallon which would be a lot more money.

Be careful bringing it home. I had mine strapped upright with bags of sand holding the palet, and it fell over in a slow turn putting a dent in the top of the cab of my truck. If I did it again, I would lay it down on its side, and let it sit upright a day st home before turning it on.

 

[PT Doc]

Keep in mind the duty cycle of the comp. many people will just run it however long they want without regard for specs of the comp. just because it can do it, doesn't mean it was designed to do so and that also doesnt mean you will have a comp that lasts a long time. Just a thought.

 

[mrpizza]

I'll check the warranty on the Husky. That and the higher pressure of the Kobalt may be a deciding factor if the Husky doesn't have a good warranty. I plan on taking it apart and putting it in my Jeep Liberty.

 

[pipsters]

You could always rent their truck for 75 mins for $19

 

[mrpizza]

You could always rent their truck for 75 mins for $19

I didn't think of that!

 

[Pro-Painter]

You got to watch out for the truck rentals. I rented a truck from home depot once to deliver some drywall to my house. I put approx 35 miles on the truck, and had it for about an hour. It ended up costing me over $100 to get the truck. The $19 a day" is only the truck rental price. You still got to pay for mileage, gas, insurance, highway use tax, etc. Not to mention they put a $250 hold deposit on my credit card for 5 days.
I will never again rent a HD truck. I will get a U-haul truck first.

 

[Slick111]

Anybody have any info on the internals of big Puma compressors.Such as reed valves steel rods aluminum heads etc.I have looked high and low for any specs on there construction but cant get in to there web site my local dealer dont know any thing other than whats in the sales brochure have not looked at one in person any one in the know ?

 

[PT Doc]

I looked at puma a while back and ound it wired that there was very little info/specs.

 

[Dahammer72]

Anybody have any info on the internals of big Puma compressors.Such as reed valves steel rods aluminum heads etc.I have looked high and low for any specs on there construction but cant get in to there web site my local dealer dont know any thing other than whats in the sales brochure have not looked at one in person any one in the know ?

I have a exploded view and parts list of the pump, as well as the rest of the compressor, that came with mine. Not sure exactly what you are looking for though. The pump on mine is cast iron. The cylinder is suppose to be solid cast, not sleeved. The head is also cast. Not sure about the reed valves, but I recall my guy saying the valve assembles are easily swapped as a single unit. Parts are suppose to be readily available for the pumps, as well.

 

[mrpizza]

Ended up getting the Husky. There is a four year warranty on it, and I got it for 445 out the door. Very happy with it, I broke it down into pieces and put it in my jeep, worked out great.

 

[Slick111]

I have a exploded view and parts list of the pump, as well as the rest of the compressor, that came with mine. Not sure exactly what you are looking for though. The pump on mine is cast iron. The cylinder is suppose to be solid cast, not sleeved. The head is also cast. Not sure about the reed valves, but I recall my guy saying the valve assembles are easily swapped as a single unit. Parts are suppose to be readily available for the pumps, as well.

Well thats a help just testing the waters for a bigger quality compressor any info on the RPM of the pump its self only thing I could find was the Baldor motor is 1750 RPM which very is good.Thanks a lot

 

[pipsters]

You got to watch out for the truck rentals. I rented a truck from home depot once to deliver some drywall to my house. I put approx 35 miles on the truck, and had it for about an hour. It ended up costing me over $100 to get the truck. The $19 a day" is only the truck rental price. You still got to pay for mileage, gas, insurance, highway use tax, etc. Not to mention they put a $250 hold deposit on my credit card for 5 days.
I will never again rent a HD truck. I will get a U-haul truck first.

Wow either you got stiffed, someone lied to you, or you are embellishing waaaaaaaaay too much.

I literally within the past 4 days rented the HD truck twice to also haul drywall.

$19 is 75 mins. That hasn't ever changed. I don't recall what the per hour fee after that is, a quick Google search will tell, but the daily rental is $69 according to my receipt.

You don't pay for mileage. You only pay for gas.

They take a $25.00 hold fee on your CC that you get back immediately as a credit (minus charges which for me was $19 + tax) when you check back in so around $3 in my case.

First day they said don't worry about the gas as they forgot to check the level and second day didn't even move the peg from where I circled where it was so I didn't even put any in.

No idea about insurance and highway use tax, I just used my regular car insurance and highway use tax is strictly a registration thing so not sure how you paid for that either. If so that is a state thing and not a HD thing.

 

[pipsters]

Ended up getting the Husky. There is a four year warranty on it, and I got it for 445 out the door. Very happy with it, I broke it down into pieces and put it in my jeep, worked out great.

That's a great price, amazed it fit in your jeep! I once loaded a 56" 2-foot wide tool box in the back of my wagon though, swallowed it whole even shut the lift gate. The guys at the shop were amazed, they though I'd have to rent a truck for sure!

 

[fordbroncodave]

my take on air compressors, don't buy the husky or it will end up like the one i have. see picture. its the red one...

here is a list of cheap compressors i would accept to use:

morgan series
industrial air
coleman powermate
sanborn
blackmax

 

[mrpizza]

It is a campbell hausfeld compressor with the husky name slapped on it. Same thing with the kobalt. With a four-year warranty I am not too concerned, if it breaks they'll fix it.

 

[pipsters]

According to the reviews on the HD web site only the tank was warrantied for 4 years, the motor was much less. Any documentation on that? Was the 4 years for the entire thing? If so that is a great deal. If it hasn't broke in 4 years chances are it will last quite a while.

 

[Jack Olsen]

You got to watch out for the truck rentals. I rented a truck from home depot once to deliver some drywall to my house. I put approx 35 miles on the truck, and had it for about an hour. It ended up costing me over $100 to get the truck. The $19 a day" is only the truck rental price. You still got to pay for mileage, gas, insurance, highway use tax, etc. Not to mention they put a $250 hold deposit on my credit card for 5 days.
I will never again rent a HD truck. I will get a U-haul truck first.

Wow. That's very different from any Home Depot I've been to. I did the $19/75 min thing when I got my Husky Pro compressor -- and then I used the truck to pick up about 3000 pounds of cabinets from another vendor before I returned it to the store. All I paid for was the rental time (I used an extra hour) and the gas. I checked with U-Haul, and the mileage charges alone would have cost me an arm and a leg if I'd rented from them.

 

[mrpizza]

According to the reviews on the HD web site only the tank was warrantied for 4 years, the motor was much less. Any documentation on that? Was the 4 years for the entire thing? If so that is a great deal. If it hasn't broke in 4 years chances are it will last quite a while.

Nothing in the paperwork alluded to a shorter warranty for the motor or pump. The manager at home depot also said it was four years for the whole thing too. I'll double check the papers today.

 

[DekeT]

It is a campbell hausfeld compressor with the husky name slapped on it. Same thing with the kobalt. With a four-year warranty I am not too concerned, if it breaks they'll fix it.

I thought Kobalts were made by Coleman powermate.