Compressor suggestion/question (Husky/Kobalt)

[DerStig]

I think you are missing an important point. The oil lubricated compressor will last a lifetime. And if you ever upgrade, it will have resale value far beyond what the oil-less compressor will have. I have disassembled a number of broken, worn out oil-less compressors. Many use a Teflon piston ring on a lightweight piston.

After my hardly used Campbell Hausfeld 2 gallon oil less compressor failed, I disassembled it. I found a replacement motor-compressor available for $20 on ebay. After looking at what was inside, I threw the whole thing in the trash. Not worth fixing it.

I had only used this unit for 2 years and only to inflate bicycle tires and bang in a few staples. So here is the reality: I spent $70 for the CH compressor that landed in the trash and another $200 for the Makita MAC700 that replaced it. Lesson learned.

As others have stated here, you do not need more than 100PSI to run your jack.

I'm not missing that point. I am saying this thing will see on average a few minutes of usage every week at the most. I cannot justify 2.5 times more when it has 2 years of warranty to begin with (and an extra year with my AMEX). The price difference is massive $267 vs $775 (which has a delivery fee whereas Husky is a local pick up and fits in my car).

Its not like this one is $267 and the other one is only $100 more. Its 2.5-3 times more!

I have no other choice, do you have an alternative? If so, I m all ears. If I had 240v, then its a different discussion because $700 gets you 3-4hp proper compressor, but thats not the case.

 

[LX-Markham]

I m all ears.

You asked what the difference was between the oiless and the oiled compressors and why the price difference, and what people would suggest to get. So take it for what it's worth.

 

[md21722]

The problem with going used from craigslist is I need to rent a truck to carry it. Unless its closeby, on average it will cost me $70-100. On top of that I need to worry about lifting it to the truck and lowering it without tilting it.

I will check craigslist and see if there is a high quality brand 30 gal available.

You can tilt it. You just need to be mindful that oil may leak out and let what didn't settle to the bottom before you start it. Some sellers will deliver. Sometimes for free and sometimes they will want some money. I would say largely depends on sale price and location. If the ad doesn't say "no delivery" then I say its fair to ask.

 

[forAK]

You can tilt it. You just need to be mindful that oil may leak out and let what didn't settle to the bottom before you start it. Some sellers will deliver. Sometimes for free and sometimes they will want some money. I would say largely depends on sale price and location. If the ad doesn't say "no delivery" then I say its fair to ask.

What ever happened to "a friend with a truck"?

 

[redmondjp]

No worries about tilting it - so long as you keep the crankcase breather above the oil level. When you get to your destination, let it sit for awhile and the oil will drain back. Then check the oil level to be sure.

 

[DerStig]

Got the husky 30 gal 175 psi today. First impressions:

- Cannot tell the difference between the "ultra quiet" california air tools which was 70 db and this one which is 78 db
- It takes a while to fill the tank
- While it weighs 100 lbs, its very balanced (not like the oiled unit which weighs 150 lbs and its extremely top heavy and tilts).
- It has so much air SO MUCH that I dont know how anyone would run out of air in my shoes
- Using the bottom drain, it took almost 10 minutes to drain the tank!
- It has two quick connectors
- Does not leak at all so far

Overall I am very happy with it. I almost bought the $200 more expensive oiled unit but after seeing it in person, I decided against it. That thing is not portable at all and is very unstable. It also has a belt and having a 6 year old girl at home, even though the belt is covered with a mesh metal, its still scary. I had read in local news paper that a young girl not much older than mine died a very terrible death when her hair was pulled into his father's compressor. Every time I think about it I get goose bumps. Anyways, just wanted to give an update.

Thanks for helping me out and patiently answering my questions.

 

[99LeCouch]

If you want to get the best out of that compressor, upgrade the quick connects and every other connector on your hoses and tools to high-flow fittings. Like Milton V-style, or other high-flow fittings. I did that on my 30 gallon compressor. It made a noticeable difference in how my air tools, specifically the impact guns, ran.

Also, the cheap air tools are air hogs. With only 30 gallons of air to play with, using it efficiently is the name of the game.

 

[trx125]

I bought my Husky 30gal 175psi compressor about 3 weeks ago. I went from a 60gal 5hp 175psi Craftsman professional to a smaller CH 8gal 150psi about 8 years ago. The Craftsman was nice, but my shop was destroyed by storms and I had no room or the power in my garage to use the bigger compressor, so I opted for the smaller CH and made it work. After 8 hard years use of the CH started to fail. I upgraded to the Husky and so far I'm not disappointed. I use it for impacts, nail guns, die grinders, cut off tools and air drills and has yet to leave me lacking.