Compressor debate. Kobalt vs. Husky

[Major Ramifications]

Yes, the Husky is a CH unit. We sell and service reconditioned Campbell Hausfeld products. The one the OP posted used to have an American pump on it, but now the pump is chinese. It is a VERY quiet unit and the only warranty issues I've seen with them is an occasional motor replacement.

On the two 110V outlets to get 220V, yes, this will work just fine. The two outlets need to be on different legs of the 220 coming into the house, but it shouldn't be too hard to find two convienent sources on two different legs. The only issue would be that the circuits you use couldn't have too much of a load on them other than the compressor. This would be a temporary solution, it's just not that difficult to run a dedicated 220V circuit for the compressor.

 

[scarrylarry]

Hi Fellas
Don't know how many of you on this thread replied to the thread I started on Air Compressors http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68195 but aside from the two compressors mentioned I see a lot of overlapping questions.I'm not dense, but it seems to get all a little too confusing for me.Okay your probably saying then, "don't buy a compressor!"
But you have some fellas saying buy big tanks,don't but big tanks because it takes longer to fill them up,I'm just using this one statement as an example.there's a heck of a deal on a used Husky Pro in my neck of the woods but not sure I would risk buying used as I would not know what to look for when buying used,ie. used/if that meant abused.Heres a link to the used one.http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/tls/1829620462.html
all thoughts would be appreciated!
scarrylarry

Sorry to the OP if I'm butting in on your thread,just seems we have some of the same questions!

 

[Skin]

unless you dont mind waiting a few minutes for every 20-30 seconds of work you can get done you need a large tank. Granted you will have to wait longer for the recharge but the benefit is you have access to substantially more air so you get more work time in. The negative is you end up waiting much longer while it recharges. In the end both scenerios **** especially if you're doing something that needs a constant reliable flow of air.

Either way it will be bad for the health of the pump as its going to be running pretty much continuously while doing something like grinding with or without a larger air reserve. Thats generally the argument against hooking up to a substantially larger tank to a tiny pump, because it will exceed the duty rating of the pump and eventually it will die. Personally i dont see how that matters if the pump is going to be running continuously anyway while you drain it in a matter of seconds with air hungry tools.

Realistically speaking i wouldnt use a 30gal for anymore than ratchets, nailers, and some very light cutting and grinding.

If you want more without waiting and abusing your equipment you need a good strong pump which means 220-240v.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

unless you dont mind waiting a few minutes for every 20-30 seconds of work you can get done you need a large tank. Granted you will have to wait longer for the recharge but the benefit is you have access to substantially more air so you get more work time in. The negative is you end up waiting much longer while it recharges. In the end both scenerios **** especially if you're doing something that needs a constant reliable flow of air.

Either way it will be bad for the health of the pump as its going to be running pretty much continuously while doing something like grinding with or without a larger air reserve. Thats generally the argument against hooking up to a substantially larger tank to a tiny pump, because it will exceed the duty rating of the pump and eventually it will die. Personally i dont see how that matters if the pump is going to be running continuously anyway while you drain it in a matter of seconds with air hungry tools.

Realistically speaking i wouldnt use a 30gal for anymore than ratchets, nailers, and some very light cutting and grinding.

If you want more without waiting and abusing your equipment you need a good strong pump which means 220-240v.

I was curious about the fill-up time so I timed mine (the one pictured in post #30). It took it 4 minutes and 39 seconds to fill the tank after I drained it to zero pressure...

I don't think the smaller compressors are designed to do anything more than running nailers, impacts, ratchets and grinders (on a sporadic basis). Using it with my right angle die grinder, I don't find it lacking or struggling to keep up. It certainly wouldn't run anything that required more air. It works extremly well for what it is...

 

[muddinguy]

so what's the scoop on the HF compressors ?? Ive been lookin for a vid of one running to see how loud the direct drive is..

 

[padronanniversary]

I was curious about the fill-up time so I timed mine (the one pictured in post #30). It took it 4 minutes and 39 seconds to fill the tank after I drained it to zero pressure...

I don't think the smaller compressors are designed to do anything more than running nailers, impacts, ratchets and grinders (on a sporadic basis). Using it with my right angle die grinder, I don't find it lacking or struggling to keep up. It certainly wouldn't run anything that required more air. It works extremly well for what it is...

Wow, it took 4 mins on that tank ? My neighbors IR took about 90 secs from 0 to 175 on a 60 gallon. I guess it is all about pump

 

[JASTECH]

I just bought 2 new comps. A Rigid 175psi twin tank and a Dewalt verticle 20gal. who are they made by and are they any good? I do have a huge vert. 220v comp. but not hooked up as I have to move to TX so need to sell this house and acreage.

Thanks, JASTECH

 

[Skin]

Wow, it took 4 mins on that tank ? My neighbors IR took about 90 secs from 0 to 175 on a 60 gallon. I guess it is all about pump

and motor. Your friend must have some incredibly beefy compressor [3-4 stage 3 phase would be my guess]. My 60 takes a bit over 3 minutes to fill to 175 and thats with a 5HP motor swinging a pump that puts out 16CFM @ 175. Usually i dont fill it to capacity though since its more than enough air at 125psi to run air tools [regulated down to 90-100] and hardly switches on anyway.

 

[bmrisko]

OP, I was in the same situation as you and went with the Kobalt 30 gallon. I have been extremely happy with it and will eventually step up to a 60 or 80 gallon when I purchase a house. I can then sell the 30 gallon or keep it around when I need more mobility.

 

[SM Racing]

I used to use one of these Kobalt compressors at a company I worked for a couple of years ago. It was loud as hell and tended to make more water than air. I was not impressed with it. I certainly wouldn't buy it for home use.

 

[bmrisko]

I used to use one of these Kobalt compressors at a company I worked for a couple of years ago. It was loud as hell and tended to make more water than air. I was not impressed with it. I certainly wouldn't buy it for home use.

It is definitely quieter than the oil-free Craftsman that my dad has. Was it in a really humid shop or something, which may explain all the water you were seeing...

 

[mrholeshot]

Wow, it took 4 mins on that tank ? My neighbors IR took about 90 secs from 0 to 175 on a 60 gallon. I guess it is all about pump

He must be using a 454 chevy hooked to 4 3V pumps running at 8000 rpm.lol

 

[muddinguy]

Does anyone have a video of the HF compressor running ?? I really wanna know how loud that direct drive is if it's as loud as or close to an oiless one im running FAR FAR away !

 

[Ben Iv]

I have had my kobalt for over 3 years now and it has been great. Its a 60 gallon that they dont make anymore i gave 700 for it only reason i didnt get an 80 gallon was space. for your situation id get the one your looking at then upgrade when you get your own place.

 

[mrholeshot]

I actually downsized my compressor from 80 down to 30, 220 to 110. Backwards thinking in most peoples eyes. The most CFM used tool is a 90 degree die grinder and my compressor keeps up quite nice with it. My Impact guns use just short busrt so I don't need anything any bigger than my kobalt 30 gallon V-twin. I love it because it's quiet unlike my big 80 gallon. Just like anything else you need to size the tool around what you do. If you were building bird houses and using a brad gun you don't need a compressor that pumps 37cfm at 175psi. Then on the other end of that spectum is a 2 gallon Pancake compressor won't cut it doing truck tires with a 1" impact gun.

Another reason I downsized is that often times I go to friends houses and help them with their cars. I can just roll my compressor in my trailer and have air. I like having a compressor thats portable. If I was using a DA sander or something of that nature I would have kept to 80. I just got tiired of hearing that thing run and having to pump 80 gallons of air for small jobs. Buy according to your needs and be realistic. The biggest thing to look for is CFM rating. I once had a CH compress with nothing but a 13 gallon tank but it had a 5 hp motor and pumped 9.9 CFM@90psi. Thats quite impressive for such a compact compressor. If you have a small garage it pays to use space wisely

 

[79firebird]

i say husky compressor i has my 2.5hp 26 gal one hooked onto a 80 and 100 gallon tank to do painting and what not had no probs lasted me over 7 years now. still have it moveing it to my small shop and got me a new 5hp 80 gal 220 husky fills up in 3 min. My ex partner has had 5 kobalts in the last 3 years they keep on dieing on him. All replaced under warrenty tho.

 

[JASTECH]

Anybody know who makes the Rigid and DeWalt compressors?

Thanks, JASTECH

 

[muddinguy]

well this is my air source for a little while..

I'm probably gonna pick up one of the HF models to get me by.. my buddy lives 2 miles down the rd and has a 80 gallon 2 stage CH i can fill my tank with.. good enough for tires i dont think it'd last long on air tools

 

[griff99]

Sorry to dredge up an older thread but I went to Lowe's today to buy and the Kobalt 30-gallon was marked up to $429. I went home and on the website it was still listed at $399, so I printed out the page and went back, after a discussion with the manager of the tools department he agreed to match the $399 price, I then asked him to accept one of their 10% off coupons, at first he resisted but then I explained that other Lowe's have done this for me in the past, price matched plus accepted the coupon. He called the store manager and he agreed so I got it for $359.10, only downside is it won't be at the store until Wednesday. Now here is the upside, he never took my coupon, he just took my word for it, it was sitting in my wallet but he never asked for it and I never offered so I guess I get to use it on some other purchase.

 

[ImportTuner]

Sorry to dredge up an older thread but I went to Lowe's today to buy and the Kobalt 30-gallon was marked up to $429. I went home and on the website it was still listed at $399, so I printed out the page and went back, after a discussion with the manager of the tools department he agreed to match the $399 price, I then asked him to accept one of their 10% off coupons, at first he resisted but then I explained that other Lowe's have done this for me in the past, price matched plus accepted the coupon. He called the store manager and he agreed so I got it for $359.10, only downside is it won't be at the store until Wednesday. Now here is the upside, he never took my coupon, he just took my word for it, it was sitting in my wallet but he never asked for it and I never offered so I guess I get to use it on some other purchase.

I always wondered about thos Kobalt 30 gallon compressors; how loud or quiet are they? Good price though

 

[griff99]

I always wondered about thos Kobalt 30 gallon compressors; how loud or quiet are they? Good price though

I'll let you know after I pick it up, they had 4 coming in on a truck tomorrow, so I should be able to pick it up either tomorrow, or Thursday, life gets in the way on Wednesday....

 

[nhmercracer]

^ Waiting for your input.

First post!

 

[griff99]

Okay I got the Kobalt home tonight, it is currently going through its 30 minute break-in, but it is very quiet, my basis for comparison is my 4.5 gallon Porter-Cable oil-less compressor. When that was running I almost needed to wear hearing protection.

Another observation, it took a little longer than I expected to fill the tank, but again that is because my only experience has been with my 4.5 gallon.

 

[muddinguy]

Ok i finally bought it.. picked up the Kobalt 30 gallon tonight.. im so pissed that i dont have 220 cause the 60 gallon was sooo close in price.

 

[griff99]

Ok i finally bought it.. picked up the Kobalt 30 gallon tonight.. im so pissed that i dont have 220 cause the 60 gallon was sooo close in price.

Close in base price yes, but you would need to buy the shut-off valve, the regulator, a gauge for the regulator, a larger filter (I bought the 1/4 inch one, the 3/8 is about 2x the price), plus either hard-wire it or buy the 220V cord. Not that any of these items are very expensive but they do add up and it makes the price difference quite a bit more. Just some of the rational I used when I bought the 30-gallon a couple of weeks ago.

 

[muddinguy]

Close in base price yes, but you would need to buy the shut-off valve, the regulator, a gauge for the regulator, a larger filter (I bought the 1/4 inch one, the 3/8 is about 2x the price), plus either hard-wire it or buy the 220V cord. Not that any of these items are very expensive but they do add up and it makes the price difference quite a bit more. Just some of the rational I used when I bought the 30-gallon a couple of weeks ago.

very true..

well i ran it through break in today and wow does it have a start up draw on power.. it shut my fluorescent lights off when it kicked on.. running it was fine just that start up draw.. may look into a capacitor or something.
it also took about 10 min to fill up from zero but im thinkin it'll be better cause i had a leak in my air lines

in its new home (damn my phone takes HORRIBLE pics)

Im also gonna have this up in the loft of the garage on a shut off valve below so i can only put it in the loop when i need a lot of volume

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Hey guys I am new here, just signed up, basically because I have this exact same question. I have been bouncing back and forth between the Husky and the Kobalt, and I think I have decided on the Kobalt. Something about the extra 20PSI seems like it would be able to do more "work". I could wire my garage for 220, but I simply don't see the need. I definitely don't have the "talent" to do any fabricating or painting, and so my primary tools for this unit will be an impact and a air ratchet. I am wondering though about Lushdrunk's post where it states they are all made by Sanborn/Coleman. I knew that Campbell Hausfeld = Husky, and that Devilbiss = Craftsman, and that Coleman = Kobalt, but are they really all made by Coleman? I know everyone is in bed with everyone else these days but I thought there were at least a few companies actually still making "stuff", am I wrong here?

Thanks and I look forward to learning a lot here.

P.S. Anyone else notice that while everyone else is lowering their prices, HD just upped theirs on the Huskys? The 30-gallon jumped near me from $389 to $416.

Yes I noticed this as well. I was on the website waiting to have my store carry the Husky one and was all excited that it was $379 here in VA... then I go back on line and it's $416... BS!

I am in the same debate.. I was going to get the Kobalt one but honestly the Husky one I think is better and it's Campbell Hausfeld... I can only fit a 30gallon tank in my current garage but I'd rather have that then a coleman compressor(kolbalt)...

Plus all the reviews I've read point the one above as a better buy... or at least it WAS until the price jump... but still, I think it is.. plus the extra PSI of the kolbalt is there a point? Most air tools don't need to be cracked up to over 150psi.... at least none of my air ratches or impact guns...

-Nigel

 

[griff99]

More pressure results in more air shoved into the same amount of space, remember the ideal gas law, PV = nRT, so as pressure increases, and volume is constant, the other side of the equation has to increase in order to match up, thus you end up with more molecules of air in the tank, granted there will also probably be some sort of temperature increase as well, but either way you can do more "work" with a higher pressure unit. Plus it gives you more room between where you run your tool and where the compressor kicks in. The Kobalt seems to kick back in around 110-120 PSI, not sure about the Husky.

I have had mine for a while now and I have zero complaints. Lowe's also bumped the price, I happened to buy mine the day they did, so it was still listed at $399 on their website, but it was $429 in the store, I got them to price match and accept a 10% off coupon so I got it for $359. No complaints.

The Kobalt is a Sanborn unit by the name on the side of the tank. The new Craftsman oil filled units also seem to be Sanborn. I don't think Coleman is making compressors any longer.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Looks like I am going with the Husky... I am traveling up to see my parents and when I checked the price of it there at their local home depot it's $379 instead of the $416 here... Plus I am going to see if I can get 10% off of it from moving and tell them a story or two about how great they are compared to lowes..lol So if I can get it for $350ish then I will be very pleased and that makes it better to me than the lowes if I can save the 100 bucks...

The lowes one looks very well made though as I am staring at it.. the regulator looks like it just flows and everything goes to the right.. the husky one it's all jumbled in the center.

One last question why does the kobalt one have a grill or different sized engine on it? With very similar specs the whole layout of both compressors looks completely different.


-Nigel

 

[usmc_noma]

Is the husky model just 120v only?

 

[pipsters]

Looks like I am going with the Husky... I am traveling up to see my parents and when I checked the price of it there at their local home depot it's $379 instead of the $416 here... Plus I am going to see if I can get 10% off of it from moving and tell them a story or two about how great they are compared to lowes..lol So if I can get it for $350ish then I will be very pleased and that makes it better to me than the lowes if I can save the 100 bucks...

The lowes one looks very well made though as I am staring at it.. the regulator looks like it just flows and everything goes to the right.. the husky one it's all jumbled in the center.

One last question why does the kobalt one have a grill or different sized engine on it? With very similar specs the whole layout of both compressors looks completely different.


-Nigel

Northern Tool sells the 30 gallon rebranded Kobalt for $299

 

[griff99]

Is the husky model just 120v only?

Not supposed to be, but in my local HD stores they had multiple ones with the same part number with different electric motors, some had wiring diagrams to convert them from 120V to 220V others had stickers on the motors that stated 120V only. YMMV.

 

[Joe Mamma]

I hate to dig up an old thread. But I thought some of you may be interested in this.

The 30 gal Lowe's Kobalt compressor that people have been discussing in this thread is on sale this weekend (at least near me it is). Normally it's $429.00, and it's on sale for $343.20. This is the 1.6 HP, 155 psi model (item # 221495).

Also, the Lowe's Kobalt 60 gal compressor is on sale for $379.00, down from the regular price of $479.00. This is the 3.7 HP, 155 psi, 220v model (item # 221565).

Joe Mamma

 

[chevy_cowboy]

I hate to dig up an old thread. But I thought some of you may be interested in this.

The 30 gal Lowe's Kobalt compressor that people have been discussing in this thread is on sale this weekend (at least near me it is). Normally it's $429.00, and it's on sale for $343.20. This is the 1.6 HP, 155 psi model (item # 221495).

Also, the Lowe's Kobalt 60 gal compressor is on sale for $379.00, down from the regular price of $479.00. This is the 3.7 HP, 155 psi, 220v model (item # 221565).

Joe Mamma

I just bought the 30gal last night online, going to pick it up at the store monday. I have a 80gal IR at the shop, but I've been pondering a smaller portable compressor for home for awhile now, the sale just sealed the deal.

 

[mdbeck1]

The wife bought me the Kobalt TQ3126 last weekend. Someone on the board said that it was a rebadged CH, it runs at 155 psi and was over 10 SCFM, and was an 80 gallon unit. I had planned on a 60 gallon unit but.....

Now I have to get it installed and set up. I'm finding some good ideas here. Thanks.

I think that my wife might be a keeper...

 

[Carl B]

Hi mdbeck1:
I'm sure you will be very happy with that compressor for home use. Yes, I'd say your wife is a keeper.. {hope she got it on Sale!! }

I bought a CH 60 gal. 3.5HP ten years ago at Lowes and it cost more then than they do now. Never had a problem with it and it has always supplied all the air I needed.

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[fr0mastaj]

I fired up my new Kobalt 30 gal today for the first time. Did the 30 min break in period...let it cool down for about 20 min and fired it up again. Sad to say, I am kind of disappointed with its performance. It takes just as long (if not slightly longer) to fill up the tank from empty as my 12 year old Craftsman Oil-less 30 gal.

But I'm still going to keep it because it is a much smaller footprint and MUCH quieter. The sound level went from having a Buick with a busted muffler (Cman Oil-less) in the garage to a loud sewing machine (Kobalt).