Help decide on a compressor?

[AntiqueVises]

Im looking to buy an air compressor for my home shop. I have a 1/2" impact and would like to buy a couple air ratchets and maybe a die grinder and air hammer. I use occasionally on weekends and evenings.

Im looking to keep it under $750, and I've found a couple that I need some real world reviews on.

Theres this one at lowes
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-3-7-H...al-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor/3370356

And another at northern tool i was interested in
http://m.northerntool.com/products/shop~tools~product_200641297_200641297?hotline=false

Anyone else have any other recommendations?

 

[AntiqueVises]

I like the northstar, but it would be a lot simpler to pick the kobalt one up at lowes versus paying extra for shipping from northern tool


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[redmondjp]

No offense, but have you done a search on this topic here? There are about a million (as my 7-year-old son would say ) existing compressor advice threads that have beat this horse to death.

You really can't go very wrong with any of the box-store 60-gallon splash-lubricated compressors, which will meet your needs just fine.

 

[Markfothebeast]

I have a Husky 60 gallon, 3.7hp 240v. A home depot brand. Can be had for $500 or less. I believe it puts out 14cfm. Never had any problems running out of air. By far more than enough output and capacity for my air tools. I also use sandblasters but that's where I'd need something with more CFM. I can work on vehicles all day with air tools and it might kick on once or twice. And it is loud as all hell.

I figure i can always upgrade the pump and motor if I need more CFM. I have extra tanks if I need added capacity. But the compressor takes about 8 minutes to fill and the pump head gets up to 315 degrees after 10 minutes. The reason why I ran cooler lines before the tank.

I have no experience with the Kobalt. But anything under $750 is of similar quality. I passed on the Ingersol Rand unit I really wanted after reading all the poor reviews. Northern Hydraulic seemed a bit expensive in my opinion. There are a lot of guys that seemed to have luck with the larger Harbor Freight compressors.

My Husky 60 gal and one of the Kobalt units are identical. I believe they are a Campbell Hausfield. But it depends on which unit.

A quick tip for new low end compressors: remove all OEM fittings and re-tape or you'll have small leaks everywhere. And replace the air release valve on the bottom of the tank with a 90 and ball valve. Mine stopped sealing.

 

[Markfothebeast]

I'm pretty sure that Kobalt is the same unit as my Husky. Same specs. The pump looks identical. But I have a big plastic shroud. Those pumps are loud.

The North Star unit looks like it is better quality. But it lacks the CFM the Kobalt unit puts out. CFM is the biggest factor in my opinion.

I'd go for the Kobalt and put the extra dollars in a decent water separator, intercooler, ball valves, plumbing, 1/2" line and fittings, etc. I probably dumped $300 into just the extras.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[AntiqueVises]

thanks guys, i searched and didnt find much about the smaller northstar units

im going with the kobalt from lowes

who makes the best rubber air hoses? i like the heavy duty red ones ive used at previous jobs but i have no idea who makes them?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Markfothebeast]

thanks guys, i searched and didnt find much about the smaller northstar units

im going with the kobalt from lowes

who makes the best rubber air hoses? i like the heavy duty red ones ive used at previous jobs but i have no idea who makes them?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Harbor Freight makes a heavy duty red rubber hose that i think is great quality. The vinyl/PVC hose I had before was garbage. Menards also has some decent hose at a good price. Not sure about lowes. I wish I would have went with 1/2" fittings and hose vs 3/8". But it might be tougher to lug around 1/2" in an engine compartment. That's why it's nice to plumb in multiple fittings with ball valves off a main line.

The fitting that exits the tank is 3/4", if it is similar to mine. I plumbed a 3/4" copper MPT adapter off the tank to copper piping with a main 3/4" WOG ball valve. Than a flexible elbow to the wall piping (to minimize wall vibration) which runs to the separator and finally a 1/2" ball valve that is directly threaded to the hose. With air tools I don't think you'll need as much demand for air flow though. I prefer 1/2" hose and fittings due to the restriction in both 1/4" and 3/8" quick connects. The copper 3/4" helps cool the air before it hits the separator. Even with 2 separators I still tend to see moisture, especially when the pump has run for awhile.

 

[AntiqueVises]

so I bought the kobalt compressor

should I use a regulator? if so who makes a good one for a decent price?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[redmondjp]

so I bought the kobalt compressor

should I use a regulator? if so who makes a good one for a decent price?

I wouldn't, for a single-stage. I've been using mine without one for the past 26 years (maximum pressure on mine is about 115 however - if you have a single-stage that goes up to 150psi, then maybe).

 

[AntiqueVises]

I wouldn't, for a single-stage. I've been using mine without one for the past 26 years (maximum pressure on mine is about 115 however - if you have a single-stage that goes up to 150psi, then maybe).

it says 155 psi max, and yep its a single stage

so i take it i need a regulator then? can i put that right off of the outlet hole from the compressor?

 

[redmondjp]

it says 155 psi max, and yep its a single stage

so i take it i need a regulator then? can i put that right off of the outlet hole from the compressor?

You can mount it there, or at the end of the line. There are plenty of air line/piping threads on here to read for ideas. If you are going to use a high-flow tool like an impact wrench, get a regulator that has large ports on it that will not restrict your flow.

 

[AntiqueVises]

You can mount it there, or at the end of the line. There are plenty of air line/piping threads on here to read for ideas. If you are going to use a high-flow tool like an impact wrench, get a regulator that has large ports on it that will not restrict your flow.

yea I've been reading lots of threads about it, but it seems everyone does things a little differently. I'm going to be using an impact, air ratchet and cutoff tools for 99% of my usage. right now I just need the compressor set up then i will work on installing air lines and drops throughout my shop

who makes a decent quality regulator/separator combo that won't restrict my airflow? I'm not looking to spend a fortune but I don't like junk either

 

[redmondjp]

Maybe somebody else can answer that one - I don't use a regulator and my Binks filter unit is probably 60 years old (found it in the scrap pile at a junkyard).

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . . IMHO the airline system should be at HIGH pressure that the compressor can produce.

Put a regulator/filter at the end of one of your drops so that particular tool can have the pressure dialed down if needed.

OP . . . Wilkerson is a good brand of regulator/filter if you can find one cheap on Ebay or CL. Also, you should scour SearsOutlet and Sears.com as might find a bargain there as Sears goes down the drain. Couple years ago, there was screaming deal on close-out prices at Ingersol Rand . . . another good brand you should consider for regulator/filter.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197794

 

[Markfothebeast]

You definitely need a regulator. I saw the same regulator/filter that Harbor Freight sells at Menards for $10. Most, if not 99% of tools require regulated pressure. You also lose a considerable amount of pressure once the air hits the tool. Especially if using quick fittings. That's why I mount a regulator on my HVLP directly.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[AntiqueVises]

OP . . . . IMHO the airline system should be at HIGH pressure that the compressor can produce.



Put a regulator/filter at the end of one of your drops so that particular tool can have the pressure dialed down if needed.



OP . . . Wilkerson is a good brand of regulator/filter if you can find one cheap on Ebay or CL. Also, you should scour SearsOutlet and Sears.com as might find a bargain there as Sears goes down the drain. Couple years ago, there was screaming deal on close-out prices at Ingersol Rand . . . another good brand you should consider for regulator/filter.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197794

so for the time being I am going to be using a 50 ft air hose with Milton v-style quick connects, directly out of the outlet of the air compressor, so should I put the regulator directly off the compressor?

it's going to be a few months before I can run the hard air lines in the shop


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[redmondjp]

Try it w/o the regulator first - you'll lose a fair bit of pressure in the hose and the fittings.

 

[AntiqueVises]

Try it w/o the regulator first - you'll lose a fair bit of pressure in the hose and the fittings.

what will let me know if i need a regulator once i do try it?
sorry, i've never owned anything larger than a 2 gallon pancake compressor

 

[redmondjp]

what will let me know if i need a regulator once i do try it?
sorry, i've never owned anything larger than a 2 gallon pancake compressor

It depends upon what air tools that you are using. For nailers, you probably want a regulator as it will determine how hard or deep the nails are driven. For rotary air tools, the maximum RPM will be dependent upon the air pressure.

For other tools like an impact gun or blow gun, you will be fine without a regulator.

 

[AntiqueVises]

It depends upon what air tools that you are using. For nailers, you probably want a regulator as it will determine how hard or deep the nails are driven. For rotary air tools, the maximum RPM will be dependent upon the air pressure.



For other tools like an impact gun or blow gun, you will be fine without a regulator.

I will be using a 1/2" impact, a regular and right angle die grinder, an air ratchet, occasionally an air hammer, blow guns for cleaning off the workbench, and tire inflators

 

[redmondjp]

I will be using a 1/2" impact, a regular and right angle die grinder, an air ratchet, occasionally an air hammer, blow guns for cleaning off the workbench, and tire inflators

You'll be just fine without one. The only caution on the die grinders - if you are using a cutoff disc, you could exceed the maximum safe rpm for the disc if you full-throttle the tool in free air. Not a problem when you are cutting, however. Just be smart and wear a face shield, and also wearing safety glasses gives you double protection.

Use a good-quality respirator if you are sanding or grinding as well - do some research online about what it does to your lungs to breathe small particulate matter - you could get COPD 30 years later - my neighbor has this right now - the ambulance was there again two nights ago (4th time this year so far). Not a fun way to go, and you have to take your O2 tank everywhere you go.

 

[AntiqueVises]

You'll be just fine without one. The only caution on the die grinders - if you are using a cutoff disc, you could exceed the maximum safe rpm for the disc if you full-throttle the tool in free air. Not a problem when you are cutting, however. Just be smart and wear a face shield, and also wearing safety glasses gives you double protection.



Use a good-quality respirator if you are sanding or grinding as well - do some research online about what it does to your lungs to breathe small particulate matter - you could get COPD 30 years later - my neighbor has this right now - the ambulance was there again two nights ago (4th time this year so far). Not a fun way to go, and you have to take your O2 tank everywhere you go.

okay thanks! I'll try and hook it up without the regulator and see how it goes. who makes a good ball valve for cutting air off?

 

[md21722]

I use Apollo valves from my local plumbing supply. They are cheaper or the same as the lower quality from valves HD or Lowe's, which would also work.

I do regulate my air so the tools see 90 psi working pressure. I have used Milton and Parker and they are fine. Lots of other brands out there too. I tend to prefer the all metal ones myself. I just don't like plastic that much.

 

[AntiqueVises]

I use Apollo valves from my local plumbing supply. They are cheaper or the same as the lower quality from valves HD or Lowe's, which would also work.

I do regulate my air so the tools see 90 psi working pressure. I have used Milton and Parker and they are fine. Lots of other brands out there too. I tend to prefer the all metal ones myself. I just don't like plastic that much.

i hooked it up today and got the shutoff valve hooked up, need to get a regulator because a couple of my tools had way too much pressure to them

 

[CompressorPros.com]

It's hard to come close to the big box store prices, but if you want a good quality two stage 60 gallon air compressor, the BelAire 216V may work for you. It is a 15 CFM machine and they have a 2 year warranty that covers everything on it.

 

[mikegt4]

Don't limit yourself to the big box stores. Yes they are convenient and you can touch/feel the product but they are built to a (low) price point to appeal to the inexperienced buyer, not to a quality standard.

There are lots of places that offer higher quality machines for not much more money. Usually most big cities will have such places and usually they are also online sellers as well.

Belaire (see post above), C-aire and Jenny are just a few examples.