Compressor debate. Kobalt vs. Husky

[muddinguy]

lookin at a couple 110v 30 gallon compressor.. Our last experience with Husky blew a fat one BUT it was an oil less compressor and we all know those are good for nothing more than car tires and pool toys..

Short story: I'm renting a house the garage is only wired for 110v. I do quite a bit of fabricating and auto repair.. (1/2 impacts 90* grinders) I might do the occasional sandblasting of small stuff here and there but i have access to the mother of all blasting cabinets at work as well..

so with that out of the way these are the two im debating on..
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...53&cm_sp=45a0b610-a7f4-4b52-b306-36da8b50359c
http://www.lowes.com/pd_221495-1498...s_4294813360_4294937087_?Ns=p_product_price|1
I haven't checked with the tool truck guys yet but im sure they'll be much higher. couldn't find much descent on CL.

Im also trying to figure out some better lighting but that's another thread

 

[fredd7924]

I know you can't step it up to the 220, but this is the Kobalt compressor I have, only listed for $40 more. I have had it for almost 3 years now without any problems, probably use it a few times a week with impact gun, cutoff, air ratchets, and paint gun.

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=sim&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

 

[muddinguy]

I know you can't step it up to the 220, but this is the Kobalt compressor I have, only listed for $40 more. I have had it for almost 3 years now without any problems, probably use it a few times a week with impact gun, cutoff, air ratchets, and paint gun.

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=sim&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

yea ive looked at both the 60 and 80 gallon kobalts..

220 big compressor will come down the road when we buy a house. can use the 110 when i get an enclosed trailer..

 

[Packard V8]

How far is the dryer outlet from the garage? I got by for two years running a heavy-mutha extension cord from the dryer outlet to an air compressor and welder.

jack vines

 

[R6 Racer]

I'll second Packard's suggestion.
If you have any electrical minded buddies enlist there help for a look see. It might turn out to be an easy fix... it's not always hard to find 220. Besides you can get a 60Gal for the same money & that would most definitely worth any hassles you might run into!

Steve

 

[muddinguy]

Laundry room is on the back of the house but i dont like the idea of running an ext cord out the back door.. especially when we have the A/C on in the summer.

are these HF units worth a damn ??
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...on-115-psi-portable-air-compressor-95386.html
or this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-94667.html

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Of the two suggested in the first post, I would pick the Kobalt, if I was buying them today. It looks like a good unit and to me, has decent specs for what it's designed for. That being said, I have the Home Depot model. I've had it about six years and it's been great. I like it for it's portability. I've actually been able to move it to a couple of different places for temporary use, which would be virtually impossible with a larger stationary unit.

 

[haggis]

I'm not sure those Harbor Freight units have enough cfm to run die grinders very well, but you will probably be ok with an impact gun.

 

[Lushdrunk]

Northern tool sells re-manufactured Kobalt compressors under the brand "Morgan Series". The 80 gallon is $529 and the 60 gallon at $299.

I have th 80-gallon model and love it. I abuse it daily, 8 to 10 hours a day doing body work and it has been amazing. It handles all my HVLP spray guns, my Soda blaster and all my air sanders perfectly. They only offer a 1 month warranty for them BUT northern tool sells the 24 month free replacement warranty for $69.99. Something that even Kobalt don't offer. I highly recommend the extended service plan It's cheap insurance . They look 100% brand new when received. I had mine shipped site to store for free. Took about 7 days to get it.
I would much rather have the Morgan remanufactured compressor then a new Kobalt any day. Because you save $350 and get a much better protection plan.

When it comes to compressors the brand has little to do with the quality anymore since most all compressors are made by Sanborn/Colman now. All the Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky , Campbell hausfiled, task force, industrial air, baleair, speedaire, Blue-point, Devilbiss & US general compressors are manufactured my Sanborn/Coleman. Along with many many other store brand name units. Most all are great mid-grade compressors.

Quincy, Ingersoll-rand, Eaton, jenny, and General are about the only ones left that are self made and the quality is much better then that of the Sanborn units.
The Snap-on compressors are made by Ingersoll-rand and the Northern industrial ones are made by Quincy.

But even still, dollar for dollar, CFM for CFM the remanufactured Morgan series can't be beat. I plan to buy another very soon so I can get a even flow of air in my shop without any CFM loss.

60 gallon $299.99

80-gallon 14.4cfm @90psi, 4.7 hp, 15-amp GE motor, 155psi with ANSI approved 175psi tank.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Northern tool sells re-manufactured Kobalt compressors under the brand "Morgan Series". The 80 gallon is $529 and the 60 gallon at $299.

Both of those seem to be a good deal but neither will work the the OP's requirement of 110V...

This Morgan, at $299, would...

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200396622_200396622

 

[Lushdrunk]

Both of those seem to be a good deal but neither will work the the OP's requirement of 110V...

This Morgan, at $299, would...

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200396622_200396622

I failed to read that, sorry.
BUT... I'm not real sure how it works but I know you can some hole run a 220v motor off 120v. I believe it works by running 120v from two circuits via a 12-14 awg extension cords. The 60-gallon is only rated at 12 amps. Most normal circuits are 15-amp.

I'm not an electrician so I'm not 100% sure how or if it works. When I hired an electrician to do my wiring he was telling me I could run my 80 gallon off two 120v sources without rewiring. I ended up running all 4-AWG wire so I could use the welder and paint booth fan on one circuit.
I'm sure a quick google search would tell more info.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Maybe so. But I doubt the OP wants to modify the wiring in his house since he is renting it...

 

[mrholeshot]

lookin at a couple 110v 30 gallon compressor.. Our last experience with Husky blew a fat one BUT it was an oil less compressor and we all know those are good for nothing more than car tires and pool toys..

Short story: I'm renting a house the garage is only wired for 110v. I do quite a bit of fabricating and auto repair.. (1/2 impacts 90* grinders) I might do the occasional sandblasting of small stuff here and there but i have access to the mother of all blasting cabinets at work as well..

so with that out of the way these are the two im debating on..
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...53&cm_sp=45a0b610-a7f4-4b52-b306-36da8b50359c
http://www.lowes.com/pd_221495-1498...s_4294813360_4294937087_?Ns=p_product_price|1
I haven't checked with the tool truck guys yet but im sure they'll be much higher. couldn't find much descent on CL.

Im also trying to figure out some better lighting but that's another thread

I had an 80 gallon unit in my garage. For just what I/m doing it was too big and way too noisy. Each time I went to use it it had to fill the 80 gallon tank. I bought the Kobalt unit you have listed and couldn't be happier with it. It's very quiet for a compressor, pumps enough air to do about anything you want to do short of sandblasting large objects. It seems very well built, It's portable and the cfm rating is a bit under rated. I have absolutly no regrets on buying it. I actually use it more than the 80 gallon because I don't mind turning it on whereas before I'd often bypass the compressor and do something by hand just to keep from hearing it. I loaned it to a friend who painted his car using it. He said it did great. Best 110 compressor I've ever used.

 

[wxm]

I like it for it's portability. I've actually been able to move it to a couple of different places for temporary use, which would be virtually impossible with a larger stationary unit.

+1. I use the compressor for winterize the sprinkler system on the other side of the house. Being portable as well as compatible power (110v) save me from running 100+ ft air hose.

 

[griff99]

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.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I would need to see something to prove his assertion to me, doesn't make sense. If that were the case, the parts people would list them all together, they don't.

Charles

 

[muddinguy]

Both of those seem to be a good deal but neither will work the the OP's requirement of 110V...

This Morgan, at $299, would...

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200396622_200396622

hmmmm I might jump on board with that one... it seems to be the same as the Kobalt i linked to


anyone got any truth to the dual 110v plugs to run a 220v motor ?

 

[moparmuscle88]

clarke 2hp 110v puts out 5cfm @ 90 psi, and can be "adjusted" to make up to 170 psi

mines a 10 gallon hooked up to a 30 gallon tank so i have a 40 gallon compressor basically. its an oil compressor and it has been abused for 2+ years with no problems whatsoever

 

[moparmuscle88]

forgot to say, that if you can afford it and have the place to put it, and emglo/ingersoll rand wheelbarrow compressor with the honda 5.5 hp motor is the best you can buy if you have the place to run a gas powered compressor

 

[muddinguy]

ha ok after calculating shipping on the Morgan id be the same as buying the KOBALT

 

[Lushdrunk]

I would need to see something to prove his assertion to me, doesn't make sense. If that were the case, the parts people would list them all together, they don't.

Charles

well coleman/powermate is no more, remember a few years ago when ALL the Kobalt store air compressors went on a super sale? That was when Coleman was bought out by Sanborn.

Sanborn is the manufacture of all most all store brand and small brand compressors. But that don't mean their all the same. They build them for each company based on their specs. The craftsman's will have different style compressor pumps and motors then the kobalts or devilbiss or even huskey's. But they are all manufactured by the same overseas company (Sanborn) Almost the whole complete line of Sanborn made compressors are good, are some models and style will be better then others but the over all quality of them is about the same. The key is choosing one that has the features you will most use.

From time to time you can see things they have in common. Like the pressure switches are almost always the same. The motors are always either GE or EATON, and sometimes they share the same pump and/or motor.

Sam's club sells a 80 gallon devilbiss compressor for $1088.99 It has the same 3-cyl pump and motor the Kobalt/morgan 80 gallon units have. Same with the 60 gallon Industrial-Air brand compressor. It has the same 3-cyl pump with a smaller 3.7hp motor for $899.

If you spend some time google searching pumps and motor part numbers you will see the connection. One pump and/or motor will be on many brand name compressors. Their is a website that sells owner manuals that has a complete list of cross over parts from bands. Let me see if I can find it again. IWBB

 

[muddinguy]

Im thinkin for the price i cant really go wrong here
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-94667.html
plus i have a 20% coupon somewhere

 

[djmartins]

Sam's club sells a 80 gallon devilbiss compressor for $1088.99 It has the same 3-cyl pump and motor the Kobalt/morgan 80 gallon units have.

I can't find it on their web page.
Is this something in the store but not on the web?

 

[mrholeshot]

Im thinkin for the price i cant really go wrong here
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-94667.html
plus i have a 20% coupon somewhere

Only 115 PSI though.

 

[lipadj46]

Only 115 PSI though.

Yes I have that compressor, you can turn it up to about 125psi before the pressure valve kicks open. For the $120 it works fine to run impacts but I think blasting or grinding would be a stretch.

 

[mrholeshot]

hard to beat for that kind of money

 

[muddinguy]

thats kinda what im thinkin even if the thing melts down after a yr i got my moneys worth and i got a nice storage tank for my next set up.

 

[lipadj46]

thats kinda what im thinkin even if the thing melts down after a yr i got my moneys worth and i got a nice storage tank for my next set up.

Or you can pay $35 and get the 2 year extended replacement warranty and get a new one if it breaks.

 

[comosc]

Yes I have that compressor, you can turn it up to about 125psi before the pressure valve kicks open. For the $120 it works fine to run impacts but I think blasting or grinding would be a stretch.

I've also had this compressor and yes it works fine running impacts, but was a little too loud due to being direct drive. Returned it, then got the 30 gallon portable kobalt. The 30 gallon was a great compressor and way quieter with belt driven components. Right now I've got the 60 gallon kobalt and love it. Was able to get it for about $319.00 before tax. ($399 price match, originally $439, minus harbor freight 20% off coupon.)

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Here are a couple pics of my Home Depot unit:





Campbell-Hausfeld is the OEM. Like I said before it's been a good unit and works extremely well for what it's designed for. I've had no issues with it...

 

[premierplayer]

I purchased the 30 gal Kobalt for work several months back. We also had electric limitations which drove the decision.
It's working out fine, no issues.
I do like the quiet operation, our previous unit was a oil-less ear buster.

 

[muddinguy]

I've also had this compressor and yes it works fine running impacts, but was a little too loud due to being direct drive. Returned it, then got the 30 gallon portable kobalt. The 30 gallon was a great compressor and way quieter with belt driven components. Right now I've got the 60 gallon kobalt and love it. Was able to get it for about $319.00 before tax. ($399 price match, originally $439, minus harbor freight 20% off coupon.)

you got the Kobalt for 319 ? price matched against a HF unit ?? i guess i dont understand what you're saying there...

 

[Lushdrunk]

I can't find it on their web page.
Is this something in the store but not on the web?

possibly, Ive never looked on their web site before. It's a real nice devilbiss unit. It has a higher rated tank then the Morgan/Kobalt.
I went to buy it but the Sam's club in Winston Salem did not carry it. Only the one in Charlotte sold it and the Winston-Salem sam's wanted me to pay $200 for shipping to have one brought to their store. By the time I was done getting the run around I just gave up. Then I found the Morgan series a few weeks later. The sam's club model was an "Excel by devilbiss" The true devilbiss branded compressors have higher CFM pumps and higher HP motors then the Kobalt/Morgan.

Here is a picture a similar model by Devilbiss with the same pump as the Morgan/Kobalt unit.
But I figured you just wanted to see the pump on the devilbiss compressors.
so here is one:

Same pump on an Industrial-Air 80 gallon model with the same Kobalt tank.

The pump is made my Eaton (Model number:APP3Y0518S) . They offer two models of the same pump. One is a single stage like one the Kobalt/Morgan the other is a 2-stage that some how takes air from the tank and forces it in one of the cylinders that allows it to use a smaller HP motor I believe.
Single stage:

Two stage:

I cant find a picture of the excel compressor nor a craftsman with the Eaton 3-cyl pump. Most craftsman and devilbiss models have the 2-cyl Eaton pump like this one:

 

[vette-kid]

I have an older version of that Kobalt and its a great compressor! Mine show slightly different specs, but I imagine they are much the same. It was obviously abused in a previous life, but other than putting in a new line from pump to tank, its been trouble free for me. Runs quiet and even doesnt mind being tucked away back where there isnt much airflow (that fan actually moves a good bit of air!).

 

[comosc]

you got the Kobalt for 319 ? price matched against a HF unit ?? i guess i dont understand what you're saying there...

Yes, I talked to a manager and told him my local homedepot and harbor freight were selling 60 gallon air compressors for $399 and asked if I could use a harbor freight coupon on top of the price match. He went ahead and approved, but I think YMMV. My previous 30 gallon kobalt I was able to use the 20% off coupon also.

 

[griff99]

Okay from reading these posts I am now more even more confused, or annoyed, not sure which is the right word. In the picture of the Husky above, it is listed as model number VT6315, which is the same as they are carrying now in the store, but now it is listed as a 30-gallon, also in the pictures it clearly states "Made in USA", which looking at the one at HD the other day it clearly does not. So are the Husky re-branded CH units now made in USA? At my local HD, they have a display model bolted to their floor that is the 60-gallon that does have the "Made in USA" stamp on the pump, and the stickers on the unit are clearly of an older design. So if I were to buy the Husky now what would I get???

Are the Sanborn units made here? Probably not, but what is right?

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

The Husky in my photos above is about five or six years old. The newer ones may be different. For what it's worth if I were buying today, I would go with the Kobalt. I like the design a little better...

 

[comosc]

Okay from reading these posts I am now more even more confused, or annoyed, not sure which is the right word. In the picture of the Husky above, it is listed as model number VT6315, which is the same as they are carrying now in the store, but now it is listed as a 30-gallon, also in the pictures it clearly states "Made in USA", which looking at the one at HD the other day it clearly does not. So are the Husky re-branded CH units now made in USA? At my local HD, they have a display model bolted to their floor that is the 60-gallon that does have the "Made in USA" stamp on the pump, and the stickers on the unit are clearly of an older design. So if I were to buy the Husky now what would I get???

Are the Sanborn units made here? Probably not, but what is right?

My kobalt is a sanborn unit and I don't think all the components are made in the usa as the motor on my unit is made in mexico. There is a sticker on the tank with a us flag that says "Proudly assembled in the USA".

 

[Skin]

lookin at a couple 110v 30 gallon compressor.. Our last experience with Husky blew a fat one BUT it was an oil less compressor and we all know those are good for nothing more than car tires and pool toys..

Short story: I'm renting a house the garage is only wired for 110v. I do quite a bit of fabricating and auto repair.. (1/2 impacts 90* grinders) I might do the occasional sandblasting of small stuff here and there but i have access to the mother of all blasting cabinets at work as well..

so with that out of the way these are the two im debating on..
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...53&cm_sp=45a0b610-a7f4-4b52-b306-36da8b50359c
http://www.lowes.com/pd_221495-1498...s_4294813360_4294937087_?Ns=p_product_price|1
I haven't checked with the tool truck guys yet but im sure they'll be much higher. couldn't find much descent on CL.

Im also trying to figure out some better lighting but that's another thread

I have access to a 30 gal Coleman, i'll tell you right now it doesnt keep up with grinding or cutting and thats with 3/8" hose. It literally drains the tank in a matter of seconds. Ratchets and impacts will cause it to run out of air fast but you should get some actual useful time with them before that happens. If you want to run the higher CFM tools [cutting/grinding/blasting/sanding] without waiting for the compressor to continuously recharge i'd really recommend you look into much larger tank. Purchase the highest quality 110-120v unit you can afford and then purchase the largest cheapest [dont forget sound!] tank you can find and hook them up together. Trust me when i say you will thank yourself for having a drastically increased air supply with such a pitifully low CFM pump. Unfortunetly if you cant afford the power of a high CFM pump you just need to get a big tanks.

As someone else mentioned you can look into gas as an alternative.

Okay from reading these posts I am now more even more confused, or annoyed, not sure which is the right word. In the picture of the Husky above, it is listed as model number VT6315, which is the same as they are carrying now in the store, but now it is listed as a 30-gallon, also in the pictures it clearly states "Made in USA", which looking at the one at HD the other day it clearly does not. So are the Husky re-branded CH units now made in USA? At my local HD, they have a display model bolted to their floor that is the 60-gallon that does have the "Made in USA" stamp on the pump, and the stickers on the unit are clearly of an older design. So if I were to buy the Husky now what would I get???

Are the Sanborn units made here? Probably not, but what is right?

I believe there was a rep from Eaton who stated that if anyone says they still make compressor pumps in the US they're lying. I believe this to be quite true with regards to big box store brands, and of course brands like IR and Eaton who dont hide the fact that their compressors are made overseas, but do wonder about smaller operations like Saylor-Beall.

 

[SM Racing]

A few years ago I was working out of a single car garage. Had no 220. Built an extension cord to get the welder hooked up to the dryer outlet inside the house. Never had a problem with the welder and house running at the same time. The house was always keep super cold, so the AC was running constantly. I maxed the welder out a couple of times during that time.

I think you can check the wiring in the house and if its properly sized a good extension cord will work just fine. I see no reason to buy a cheap compressor now and have to deal with it, only to turn around and buy another one in a few years. I bought an 80Gal IR because I only want to buy my compressor once. Yes it is a big *****, but it will last and I don't have to worry about over running it.

To me it only makes sense to buy the cheapest POS you could afford if you intend on replacing it after a time.