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Air Compressor Recommendations

HomeTheaterMan

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Joined
Apr 3, 2016
Messages
493
Well, my 33 Gallon Craftsman compressor died on me again and this time it looks like the part that failed is discontinued and non existent online. This compressor has also been a lot smaller than I really need, but I've gotten by for the most part. I'm thinking it's time to upgrade and I want to do it soon, as I use my compressor fairly often.

I run an air impact on a regular basis, air ratchet, air cutoff wheel, etc.

I also have a Hunter TC3250 tire machine that I run off of the compressor. This is the big reason I need something decent.

I don't currently paint, but it's something I'd like to experiment in the near future, so I'd like to get something that can run a paint gun. I'd ideally like to paint a car or two.

So knowing this, I need something that will put out a decent cfm. I'm looking at this Kobalt, although I'm not sure if it's quite enough. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-80-Gallon-Electric-Vertical-Air-Compressor/1000528985

What do you guys think? Any other recommendations? Or should I spend a bit more and get something else?
 
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RacerX

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Mar 27, 2007
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377
Location
Caldwell, Tx
Dual stage, over 15cfm.

Looks good to me for what your desired usage is.

Give it a go.

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Citation

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Jan 20, 2016
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Location
Indy
That looks like a Campbell Hausfeld based compressor. I think my father's 4hp Husky is using many of the same parts. I bet it will do quite nicely for personal use. It doesn't have a magnetic starter so I could see real day in day out use being a problem with the pressure switch. Also, I think that pump uses reed valves so again, something I think would be a problem with heavy daily use. But the price is really good.
 

PT Doc

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Nov 12, 2010
Messages
3,197
The Lowe’s seems like a good value. It’s a lot of compressor for the price. How did they pull that off? Cheap pump? Cheap motor?

Tank has to meet specs so there are not too many places to cut corners outside of pump and motor.
 

driz

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Joined
May 22, 2008
Messages
701
Location
Northern NY
That looks like a Campbell Hausfeld based compressor. I think my father's 4hp Husky is using many of the same parts. I bet it will do quite nicely for personal use. It doesn't have a magnetic starter so I could see real day in day out use being a problem with the pressure switch. Also, I think that pump uses reed valves so again, something I think would be a problem with heavy daily use. But the price is really good.



I’ve burned up the pressure switch on my CH once in 18 years. Actually they’re pretty cheap. Iirc I ended up using a matching unit from a well pump of some sort and it’s worked well for years. I certainly can’t complain about my CH and of all places it came from Horrible Freight.


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HomeTheaterMan

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Apr 3, 2016
Messages
493
Thanks guys. I am using this at my house, so it's not being used everyday, although I do probably use my compressor 2 to 3 days of every week, so I use it quite a bit.

I see there is a 60 gallon Quincy for a few hundred more.
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Quincy-Compressor-60-Gallon-Electric-Air-Compressor/50073343

Do you l think it would be worth the extra money, or should I stick with the Kobalt? Any other suggestions I should check out? I don't mind spending more if it's needed, but it's one of those things where I'm not sure it's worth it to me to spend 2x the money for 5% more performance. I also don't want to be replacing this again in a couple of years though. I've learned it's usually better to buy once and cry once.
 

Bretny

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Jul 31, 2017
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Location
Dutchess county NY
I have the 60gal kobalt for about 9 or 10 yrs now. Works well for my needs. Impact, cuttoff wheel, hvlp painting , light/medium needle scaling and i use a small blast cabinet.

The 155psi compressors really wake up air tools over the 135psi.
 

Citation

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Jan 20, 2016
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3,210
Location
Indy
I is my guess that oil free compressors will need their Teflon sealing ring replaced perhaps every decade or so highly dependent on use. In most cases I've seen this doesn't look overly difficult or expensive so I wouldn't avoid an oil free if my duty cycle is less than 50% and I don't use the thing heavily (like it needs to refill say 5+ times during a used session... this btw is all swagging on my part).

If you don't need to move your compressor I think a 60 gallon makes sense vs the belt drive portables. The 60 will have about 2x the flow and 2x the tank. You can start considering things like sand blasters that would be impractical with a 120V compressor. If you have the space and electrical wiring I would definitely go 60 gallon over a 30 gallon 120V model for about the same price. Based on the need I suspect a smaller, cheaper compressor would be fine.

Just looked at the Quincy, that's a lot more compressor than needed and requires 21amps. The 60's i was thinking of were more like this.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-100083906-_-205389936-_-N
 
Last edited:

theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
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43,076
Location
SE MI
Thanks guys. I am using this at my house, so it's not being used everyday, although I do probably use my compressor 2 to 3 days of every week, so I use it quite a bit.

I see there is a 60 gallon Quincy for a few hundred more.
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Quincy-Compressor-60-Gallon-Electric-Air-Compressor/50073343

Do you l think it would be worth the extra money, or should I stick with the Kobalt?
You are in a grey area. If it was a true professional shop, 8-12 hours/day, 6+ days a week, I would go withe the Quincy.

If you were a typical home owner, the Kobalt would be fine.

Big price difference ! If it were me, I would get the Kobalt and spend the money I saved on something else.
 

Citation

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Joined
Jan 20, 2016
Messages
3,210
Location
Indy
I is my guess that oil free compressors will need their Teflon sealing ring replaced perhaps every decade or so highly dependent on use. In most cases I've seen this doesn't look overly difficult or expensive so I wouldn't avoid an oil free if my duty cycle is less than 50% and I don't use the thing heavily (like it needs to refill say 5+ times during a used session... this btw is all swagging on my part).

If you don't need to move your compressor I think a 60 gallon makes sense vs the belt drive portables. The 60 will have about 2x the flow and 2x the tank. You can start considering things like sand blasters that would be impractical with a 120V compressor. If you have the space and electrical wiring I would definitely go 60 gallon over a 30 gallon 120V model for about the same price. Based on the need I suspect a smaller, cheaper compressor would be fine.

Just looked at the Quincy, that's a lot more compressor than needed and requires 21amps. The 60's i was thinking of were more like this.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-100083906-_-205389936-_-N
I think I was confusing compressor threads. It's clear the op wants a bigger compressor. I was thinking if the thread were a different op was asking about smaller compressors.
 
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