Best 120v Air compressor for the $$

[mtnwkr]

Is there any better deals than the Kobalt 30gallon vertical, belt drive, 155psi compressor for $430 out the door after 10% off? About to buy this, just wanted to see if there's anything with more CFM in the same price range. I'm renting so no 220 for me.

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...10051&productId=3824207&cId=list#BVRRWidgetID

Any 20% off coupons out there?

I see the Husky is pretty much the same thing but only 135psi vs. 155psi. I'm a weekend warrior, no painting but I do run some air tools and light sandblasting.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Let me get my popcorn ! "Bang for the buck" is always tough.

Depending on your wiring, some 120V compressors may trip the breaker on a 15A circuit, especially on restarts.

Also, it had better be very light sandblasting. Those things use a lot of air (CFM).

 

[CompressorPros.com]

The most you are going to get out of a 120 volt air compressor is somewhere between 6-7 CFM @ 100 psi. Most are going to be for very light duty. theoldwizard1's mentioning of sand blasting is right on. It takes a lot of air...it is not uncommon for the sandblaster to use 2 to 4 times more air than advertised, depending on how they rate it. You should be ok using small impacts, but anything that sands or grinds, you can figure on needing 12-15 cfm.

 

[hotsam]

Sears Outlet has the Ingersoll Rand 20 gallon Garage Mate for ~$380. It's 20 gallon, but it's not oiless and it's belt drive (it's quiet) and IR claims it's continuous duty.

 

[cheechi]

Are you 100% no possible options limited to 120v? You're almost at the price of the Husky or Kobalt 60 gal 240's at that price.

Personally I'd go with either the 33 gal Husky or Cman when it goes on sale. Under $400. Or spending the time/money on the 240v circuit and a little more on the 60, especially for the blasting.

Besides what are you going to be running at 155 or even 135? You don't expect to be running full output from a 120v all the time right? You'll have the regulator set at 90 and may turn it up to 120 from time to time with a unit like that. That unit's psi isn't to run on, it's to fill the tank, no matter what it says on the label.

 

[AndrewH]

Is there any better deals than the Kobalt 30gallon vertical, belt drive, 155psi compressor for $430 out the door after 10% off? About to buy this, just wanted to see if there's anything with more CFM in the same price range. I'm renting so no 220 for me.

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...10051&productId=3824207&cId=list#BVRRWidgetID

Any 20% off coupons out there?

I see the Husky is pretty much the same thing but only 135psi vs. 155psi. I'm a weekend warrior, no painting but I do run some air tools and light sandblasting.

I was going to buy that air compressor, but instead bought the Sanborn 20 gal horizontal, due to space. I also rent. But don't let these guys discourage you, the Sanborn puts out the same CFM as the one you're considering and I can sandblast in my HF blast cabinet almost continuously with great results. If you were to look in the vise thread I do a ton of blasting. Admittedly sometimes if it's really thick rust I have to let the pressure build up for a second. But for the most part I can blast non stop at 90 psi. I don't think you'll regret your purchase, I know I don't.

 

[el_chupo_]

Watch Craigslist for a while. I was about to buy the same compressor you are (The Husky, Kobalt, and SpeedAire models are all CH VT63 compressors, from my research), and I just watched craigslist until I found one. Paid considerably less than $430 (One guy had the same Kobalt you linked at $230, gone in about half a day), but they popped up.

This one may be worth checking out, and haggling over at the pawn shop:

http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/tld/4538457761.html

 

[gary300]

I bought the 30 Gal Husky about 4 years ago and it has been very reliable. It runs my 1/2" impact, air blower, cutoff grinder, angle grinder, air hammer and HVLP spray gun just fine. As stated, you will not run a blast cabinet or DA sander with this compressor, but for the average DIY around the house use it is more than adequate. What ever you get, just make sure it belt driven an NOT oiliness.

 

[AndrewH]

I bought the 30 Gal Husky about 4 years ago and it has been very reliable. It runs my 1/2" impact, air blower, cutoff grinder, angle grinder, air hammer and HVLP spray gun just fine. As stated, you will not run a blast cabinet or DA sander with this compressor, but for the average DIY around the house use it is more than adequate. What ever you get, just make sure it belt driven an NOT oiliness.

That would be incorrect. Do you have a blast cabinet, because I do it daily.

 

[Stuey]

I'm curious as to which one the OP eventually settles on.