Craftsman Pro 3.2hp Compressor Negative Reviews?

[hezamhm]

Hello everyone.

I'm still trying to figure out what air compressor I need. I'm leaning towards this one from Craftsman:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00918419000P

But under the reviews tab. It seems that so many people are having problems with this unit. Could it be that bad of a compressor? I've had good experience so far with Craftsman products and their customer service has served me well locally.

Any members with actual experience that can chime in? I need this unit to live many years with the right maintenence of course.

 

[W-Cummins]

Sounds like a dam fine unit to me, I can't understand why over half of the 20 reviews say the pump/compressor died. I think they must just have a problem with the fine products that craftsman puts out. Remember even after it pukes the pump and the warranty expires you can still place the machine in your living room as a conversation starter/hat/coat rack... ( as long as you can over look the rough castings, bad paint, and welding splatter the other complainers mentioned.... oh wait that guy was one of the few that liked the machine and rated it well )

Yes here is an example of the many years of use you can expect to receive with the right maintenance....

"I have had this compressor for just over a year and the pump has been replaced three times. The first pump lasted almost a year. The second pump was defective right out of the box. The third pump lasted a few months before it started blowing oil out the top of the pump. I thought about getting a warranty, but then who wants sears to keep coming out and replacing the same part the whole time you have the warranty. I wish I could write a better review, because I really like craftsman tools. My dad has a craftsman compressor that has lasted 16 years with heavy use, and so I thought I would upgrade to something bigger. Sorry, but I wish this compressor had a better pump. Sorry Devibliss, guess you need to build better compressor pump for craftsman."

Just remember to stock a few spare pumps as they seem to be a "maintenance item" on this compressor!

So even though I don't own one, I don't think I would buy one either. But your luck could be better and you never know you could be one the lucky ones and give it 5 stars.

William...

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

It looks similar to one a friend owns and used quite heavily. (commercially) Its pump died after a couple of years.

I picked up a replacement pump on Ebay (neither one of us has the time to rebuild) and the local rebuilder wanted more then the whole compressor. He has paid me and replaced it, but wants to manifold the two tanks together, and have both operable so one can be taken down for service.

The pump is an aluminum one, I believe it is sleeved though. Not as heavy duty as the cast iron ones. (don't have the service life of them) If it is the same, it is the same pump as on some Porter Cable and DeWalt units as well.

 

[ovilla]

For something that size it's best to skip the Sears stuff and go with something more trusted like an IR product.

 

[Ramblur]

Ha ha, That looks really similar to the one my wife bought me 10 yrs. ago.
(Yes, I Love her) Difference is back then they tried to pass off the motor
as 5 hp. Truth is it has a harder and harder time keeping up with anything
these days(mine was originally rated at 12.0 SCFM@100PSIG).Probably
not much longer till I can get a REAL compressor but as it was a gift from
my wife,I'll run it till it pukes. I will say the powdercoat finish was and still
is excellent,thats the best I can say for it. Save your $ for a real compressor.

 

[SteveU]

I would get an Eaton, Quincy, IR, Rol-Air, Devair, or similar, they are more money up front but the money you will save by not having to replace pumps every few months will make them cheaper in the long run. Not to mention breathing all that oil mist can't be good for you.

 

[johnny1290]

Buy a good used industrial compressor off craigslist. You can get them all day long here in los angeles.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Buy a good used industrial compressor off craigslist. You can get them all day long here in los angeles.

That can depend on your area. Most of the ones I see for sale locally, are too small, or have the tank rusted out.

On one of the woodworking forums today, someone posted the Porter Cable version of that one, on closeout, for $260ish at Lowes. You may save some money and get the same specs that way, if it will meet your needs.

Good luck.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Most Craftsman Pro's are a gimmick to get you to pay more.

Check the CFM rating. 90% of the C-Pro compressors put out LESS cfm than their regular, cheaper, counterpart.

My regular one puts out 6.4 cfm @ 90 p.s.i. The "Pro" model of it put out 5.4 cfm. Sure, the "Pro" goes a few p.s.i. higher at first (my regular still goes up to 160), but after it runs out, it's slower.

Why pay more money for a slower compressor?

 

[logical]

They are even branding some of their oil-free units as "professional" or "industrial" these days......who do they think they are kiddding?

Do a search on the K-mart....errr, I mean Sears site for "professional". You'll get just under 1000 items including a "professional" ironing board, a "professional" martini maker, "professional" blue jeans, "professional" bird feaders and "professional" sump pumps, sandals and garden sheds.

 

[goodfellow]

They are even branding some of their oil-free units as "professional" or "industrial" these days......who do they think they are kiddding?

"Joe Homeowner" that's who. Remember a few years ago when all those Discovery channel shows were all the rage -- Monster Garage, Biker Build-off, OCC, etc. Many box stores and other retailers put new paint jobs on those compressors, added the word "Professional", put a picture of the show's "stars" on the box and marketed the direct drive units to the masses.

For quick sales, they included an air hose, a few Chinese air tools, and an inflator kit. They were selling like crazy. Everyone wanted to be Jesse James (or whoever) and they got to live their fantasy for a while.

Now you can check Craigslist and get these things for pennies on the dollar.

 

[Coach James]

So who makes the C-man compressors?

Coach

 

[RacerX]

Usually they're a devilbiss brand unit. I have a Craftsman 20 gal, 4hp unit that I bought about 20 years ago. It finally locked up after the oil leaked out (unbeknownst to me) but I should have kept a closer eye on it.
Anyway, I was able to do a little internet research and buy the replacement piston online, clean up the crankshaft, hone the affected cylinder with a brake hone and return the unit to service. A few weeks later the reed plates broke and I also ordered them. I think I spent about $30 - $40 on the pump refurb. Purrs like new but I can outrun it easily with any airtool.

Of course for my new garage we're building, I bought an IR Industrial 7.5HP 2 stage 25 CFM 80 gallon upright unit with mag starter from Craigslist. It's under 2 years old and almost brand new. Got it for less than 1/2 the price of a new one. Before that purchase, I was leaning heavily toward an Eaton.

Do yourself a favor, If you are serious about needing a compressor and having it serve you instead of you waiting for it to keep up, get a larger industrial style unit. You'll thank yourself many times over when the compressor works flawlessly day after day (with proper maintenance - always check the oil and change it regularly - also keep the intake filter clean). Just my experience in over 25 years of compressor ownership.

 

[mikeyr]

I would not even bother looking at SEARS for any compressor, reading this thread implies they have stopped overrating their compressors but I would not believe it. They rated a compressor I purchased at 5HP yet it happily ran on a 15amp circuit, uh uh, sure its 5hp. They rated their HP ratings differently then the rest of the industry. As if I did not learn the first time, I then purchased a 5HP airless compressor, not only was it oilless it was also airless, sent it back thinking it was broken and got another one, same thing. Paid $450 sold it for $75 6 weeks later and would have been happy to pay him to get it.

Love my Quincy, it was expensive but it will the last compressor I buy in my lifetime, I full expect my grandchildren to still be using it. And its got AIR !!!

When buying these things look at CFM not HP

 

[Rte66Charlie]

3.2hp seems like an awful small motor to be parked on top of a 60 gal tank.

 

[hezamhm]

No Craftsman compressor for me then.

I haven't seen anybody mention Campbell Hausfeld though. I've heard good things about it from a friend. He says it has good part availability and is pretty dependable. I don't need +20SCFM for my use as I'm leaning towards this one:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916619000P

5HP 80 gal 2-stage, 14.6@90

Ironically, again from Sears! They have ship to store so I avoid freight though.

 

[logical]

3.2hp seems like an awful small motor to be parked on top of a 60 gal tank.

Not if it was/is an actual true 3 HP (doesn't look like it is) . My Eaton 3 HP draws 19.5 amps and puts out the same CFM as almost any other company's so called 5 HP models.
http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/504747/172983.htm