Is this compressor junk or good?

[rayzor32]

Need a quick answer searches turned up very little info. They are on sale this weekend and with 20% off would be about 100 bucks. I would be using it at home for light automotive work, impact guns, air ratchets, die grinders, air hammers etc. The reviews are all over the place, it seems that you need to take the ball valve and regulator off and replace it with a larger ball valve and its good to go. Anyone have any experience with these??? Would this be a good deal or should I just wait and save some more cash and buy a more serious unit?


http://www.harborfreight.com/3-hp-2...rce=multi&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3910B

 

[Jay87T]

JUNK,....guy go on craigs list or kijji, and pick up a big old used one, for a couple 100 bucks..dont waste ur time on that **** there.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Personally, I wouldn't say it's junk. For the price it would be good for light and sporadic use but for what you're describing I think you'd regret buying it. You need something that will put out a lot more volume than that will.

 

[pipsters]

Need a quick answer searches turned up very little info. They are on sale this weekend and with 20% off would be about 100 bucks. I would be using it at home for light automotive work, impact guns, air ratchets, die grinders, air hammers etc. The reviews are all over the place, it seems that you need to take the ball valve and regulator off and replace it with a larger ball valve and its good to go. Anyone have any experience with these??? Would this be a good deal or should I just wait and save some more cash and buy a more serious unit?


http://www.harborfreight.com/3-hp-2...rce=multi&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3910B

First I had the same idea in mind when I was looking at air compressors to buy. Same usage as you.

That is the exact unit I bought, got it to my house, then subsequently returned it.

The reason I returned it wasn't because I thought it wouldn't fit my needs (although later I found out it wouldn't really). I returned it because I closely examined HF's 2 year extended warranty program and the fine print only allows ONE replacement if it breaks. It's not covered after you get a new one, no matter if it happens at the 1 year and 1 day time frame or 1 year and 11 months. They would not stand behind it.

To address your issue. It will work, but not really do a good job. For $100 that isn't that bad of a deal for light work. If you are looking in that sort of price range I would really consider a used craigslist unit with a larger tank @ higher pressure.

To address the CFM output. You won't get any unit that will run those things you mentioned constantly in your price range, or even quadruple it. Those things all take 20+ CFM under load (5 cfm "average" consumption is 25% duty cycle). Your best bet is storage, with a higher PSI compressor and a bigger one. I would consider, at minimum, a 20-30 gallon take in the 150 PSI range.

With 21 gallons @ 115 PSI you will QUICKLY run out of stored air especially using the impact and die grinder. 115 psi at the regulator, even wide open, probably won't even give you 90 psi at the tool head. I set my 150 psi tank @ 115-ish to give me 90 psi and it unloads it quickly from my 25 gallon tank. Maybe 10-12 seconds with my impact running wide open (but that is enough to get the nut off).

 

[alamerang]

I bought the baby brother to that one with the 8 gallon tank and basically the same compressor head and motor. Its works ok for light automotive use but my air ratchets seem to unload it quickly and it definitely will not keep up with your die grinders or a sander or anything that requires any significant volume. I am actually looking for something much bigger. But if you are in need of one right away then I guess any compressor is better than no compressor.

 

[Danglerb]

Doesn't seem that different from the Craftsman I bought a couple years ago for $175, and I have had no real issues with it "keeping up" with impacts or anything else I use. Some specific tools use a LOT of air and tend to be operated continuously, blast cabinets, grinders, etc. If you use those types of tools a lot, then you may need a monster compressor, but filling tires, impacts, nail guns, are all LOW duty cycle tools and should work with almost any size compressor.

Something to keep in mind with any compressor, usually its easy to replace just the part that fails, motor, switch, hose, whatever with a better grade and good to go again.

 

[cheap bastard]

That compressor is a bit, OK a lot small for any real die grinder work. Even an air chisel will work it hard if you're putting any real time in with it.

 

[pipsters]

Searching CL in Buffalo, someone is selling the same compressor for $65...

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/tls/1984973677.html

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

cheap ones will die soon due to poor motor parts.

I am thinking about picking this up pretty soon.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WESTWARD-Single-Stage-Compressor-4ME96?Pid=search

 

[lipadj46]

I have that compressor and for impacts and air ratchets it is great. You can dial up the pressure to about 125psi. It's slow and loud but for $120 minus 20% then add $30 for a 2 year extended warranty it is worth it to me.

 

[kythri]

The reason I returned it wasn't because I thought it wouldn't fit my needs (although later I found out it wouldn't really). I returned it because I closely examined HF's 2 year extended warranty program and the fine print only allows ONE replacement if it breaks. It's not covered after you get a new one, no matter if it happens at the 1 year and 1 day time frame or 1 year and 11 months. They would not stand behind it.

Slighty off-topic, but it's always funny seeing people slag Harbor Freight or anyone else because they don't get how extended warranties work.

Clue: This is how virtually EVERY extended warranty works. When you buy an 3-year protection plan on your laptop at Best Buy, and you replace the laptop 1yr 1mo into the warranty, you don't get another 1yr 11mo on the new laptop. When you replace your LCD TV 1y 1mo into your 3yr SquareTrade warranty, you don't get another 1y 11mo.

You get the warranty replacement, and then you buy a new warranty for the replacement product, if you want it.

Making HF out to be some unique entity in the world of extended warranties is bogus.

Back to your regular scheduled discussion.

 

[mikebramel]

i have the 8 gal version of the compressor. bought 14 months ago. have used it light (30 min day) through heavy (6 hours straight blasting). it still works fine. it wont keep up with a da sander, grinder, etc. for blasting i used a small nozzle. kept up 60%. impact use with the hf earthquake 1/2" is not so great. it doesnt have enough pressure. it will take the lugs off of any car but wont take them off the rusty trucks. will keep up with the air ratchet for general fastening/unfastening. the compressor has no signs of giving up. NEVER changed the oil. NO air filter. doubt i will make use of the warranty. good luck

 

[pipsters]

Slighty off-topic, but it's always funny seeing people slag Harbor Freight or anyone else because they don't get how extended warranties work.

Clue: This is how virtually EVERY extended warranty works. When you buy an 3-year protection plan on your laptop at Best Buy, and you replace the laptop 1yr 1mo into the warranty, you don't get another 1yr 11mo on the new laptop. When you replace your LCD TV 1y 1mo into your 3yr SquareTrade warranty, you don't get another 1y 11mo.

You get the warranty replacement, and then you buy a new warranty for the replacement product, if you want it.

Making HF out to be some unique entity in the world of extended warranties is bogus.

Back to your regular scheduled discussion.

No HF's extended warranty protection is NOT how virtually every warranty works. Go back and read what I wrote - for items priced under a certain dollar amount (like this compressor), I want to say $500, if you have a problem warranting replacement, and then have an additional problem, you aren't covered. You only get one replacement for the coverage period. That is BS. You should be covered for the entire time you bought the warranty coverage.

With Sears, I bought a 3-year extended warranty. So I am covered for 4 years. Now, I can get a new compressor for as many times as it breaks in those 4 years. THAT is how virtually every warranty program works.

I tried to find the service plan language but HF doesn't even include it on their website...fishy? You bet!

 

[mrchuck]

I just went through the "dance" in buying a new compressor.
Forget about all those "oil-less" types. They produce a screaming noise that will bother you.
Go to Lowes. They have a V-twin cast iron compressor with a 1-1/2 hp 120v motor on a 30 gal tank. It produces plenty of air, quiet, and is priced about 435.00 dollars. If you are a Vet, you get 10% off immediately!
I bought one and it is the BEST in the 120 volt class. Anything bigger requires 220V.
I have lots of the smaller ones, and will sell them at the next garage sale, if I ever have one.

 

[lipadj46]

The compressor in question is not an oil-less compressor. I've always had decent luck with HF compressors in a hobby type duty.

 

[Homoudont]

I bought this same compressor yesterday for $95 ($120-20%) and bought the 2 year warranty plan at $20. I just put it together a few hours ago and was able to use it to blow some parts off and rotate some tires. I haven't changed a thing and am running 30 weight non detergent motor oil in the thing. I was going to post a review of the compressor after a few months of use.. But here's a one day review which really isn't much. The compressor seems well built built, as well built as my 8 year old 13 gallon Husky compressor. It's just a tad quieter then my husky and porter cable oil-less compressors. Either I put the tires on wrong or their complete junk and will need upgraded. I plan on changing out some of the plumbing and possibly the tires. But other then that it seems as well built as my made in china porter cable and made in china Husky compressor.

 

[...]

I picked up the 240v model of this one for $89 this weekend. Just wanted something to stick in the corner of the garage (where I have an extra 240 plug) to blow off the driveway and for tires ect. I still have my old Devilbiss for the tools.

I swapped out some plumbing, got a hose reel, oil, plug, and I'm only in it for about $125...not too bad.

 

[kythri]

No HF's extended warranty protection is NOT how virtually every warranty works. Go back and read what I wrote - for items priced under a certain dollar amount (like this compressor), I want to say $500, if you have a problem warranting replacement, and then have an additional problem, you aren't covered. You only get one replacement for the coverage period. That is BS. You should be covered for the entire time you bought the warranty coverage.

With Sears, I bought a 3-year extended warranty. So I am covered for 4 years. Now, I can get a new compressor for as many times as it breaks in those 4 years. THAT is how virtually every warranty program works.

I tried to find the service plan language but HF doesn't even include it on their website...fishy? You bet!

I read what you wrote, and what you wrote is, as I said, bogus. You're wrong.

If your compressor breaks during the extended term, you get one replacement, not unlimited replacements. Check your plan details, because that's just not how it works:

From the Sears PurchaseProtect plan details:

TERM. The term of this Agreement ("Term") is three (3) years for Sears’ Craftsman and Kenmore products and two (2) years for all other products. In accordance with Sears’ Return Policy, the Term for home electronics products begins on the 31st day after the date the original product was purchased and the Term for all other products begins on the 91st day after the date the original product was purchased. This Plan will be fulfilled and the Term shall expire as to each Covered Product when a product reimbursement or product exchange is made for that Covered Product after the beginning of the Term. This Agreement is not renewable.

Read that bold bit a few more times. You get ONE replacement under Sears extended warranties, and you get ONE under HF. So, again, THIS IS HOW MOST EXTENDED WARRANTIES/PROTECTION PLANS/SERVICE PLANS OPERATE.

Want to know the other fun part? You're also wrong about the duration of the warranty. It's covered for 3 years starting 91 days after the purchase - not 3 years after the 1 year warranty expires for a total of 4.

You really need to read the fine print.

Now, if you can, show me a plan that provides unlimited replacements under the term.

 

[jdcompman]

Slighty off-topic, but it's always funny seeing people slag Harbor Freight or anyone else because they don't get how extended warranties work.

Clue: This is how virtually EVERY extended warranty works. When you buy an 3-year protection plan on your laptop at Best Buy, and you replace the laptop 1yr 1mo into the warranty, you don't get another 1yr 11mo on the new laptop. When you replace your LCD TV 1y 1mo into your 3yr SquareTrade warranty, you don't get another 1y 11mo.

You get the warranty replacement, and then you buy a new warranty for the replacement product, if you want it.

Making HF out to be some unique entity in the world of extended warranties is bogus.

Back to your regular scheduled discussion.

You're partially wrong on your response as well. Nearly all replacement warranties work like you have described. Extended warranties usually fix the product under the extended warranty period. It's important to denote the difference as many stores sell the different plans for different items.

 

[kythri]

You're partially wrong on your response as well. Nearly all replacement warranties work like you have described. Extended warranties usually fix the product under the extended warranty period. It's important to denote the difference as many stores sell the different plans for different items.

Yes, but we're discussing replacement under those warranties, not repairs, so what I said stands, though I'll clarify slightly:

Virtually every extended warranty/service plan/protection plan/whatever-you-call-it that has a replacement clause provides only a single replacement, and ends the remaining term of the extended warranty when that replacement is provided. They do NOT provide unlimited replacements for the entire term of the plan.

 

[pipsters]

I read what you wrote, and what you wrote is, as I said, bogus. You're wrong.

If your compressor breaks during the extended term, you get one replacement, not unlimited replacements. Check your plan details, because that's just not how it works:

From the Sears PurchaseProtect plan details:



Read that bold bit a few more times. You get ONE replacement under Sears extended warranties, and you get ONE under HF. So, again, THIS IS HOW MOST EXTENDED WARRANTIES/PROTECTION PLANS/SERVICE PLANS OPERATE.

Want to know the other fun part? You're also wrong about the duration of the warranty. It's covered for 3 years starting 91 days after the purchase - not 3 years after the 1 year warranty expires for a total of 4.

You really need to read the fine print.

Now, if you can, show me a plan that provides unlimited replacements under the term.

I'm not sure what program you are quoting from the Sears web site, but the "Master Protection Agreement" I have that I bought the day I returned my HF compressor and bought my Craftsman compressor has none of the language you posted in it.

For starters, not only is my plan renewable, also provides rental reimbursement provided Sears cannot fix it on time, and preventive maintenance (which your link specifically states isn't covered). Under the "Coverage and Term" section, it states products may be "repaired or replaced". "The Term of this MPA...expires on the date set forth in your Sears sales receipt". Nothing about expiring when the item is replaced. And I can elect to have Sears even perform preventive maintenance for me every 12 months.

So please stop with the tone, I read the fine print and the program available at Sears was light years better than HF. Plus I paid just $30 for the 3 year protection program after an additional Sears discount, which was close to the HF "product replacement warranty" or whatever they are calling it. In fact, I have had one small issue with my compressor and Sears sent out a guy to my house to come look at it for me to fix it.

I have no time to scan it in at this time so I can't "prove" I am right, but a google search might bring up some info on it.

 

[strnjss]

my compressor is an 8 gallon 1.3hp Campbell Hausfeld one I got from Costco a few years ago. It came with all kinds of tools, hose reel, a bunch of connectors, impact wrench, paint gun, air ratchet, etc...all for like $200.

In terms of usability, it holds a little over 100 psi in the tank, and can output at that too. Using my impact, it's basically good enough to remove 1 stubborn bolt at a time before it starts refilling again.

It gets the job done, even at only an 8 gallon tank and 100 psi, so I'm sure that 21 gallon one would do it even better.

However, I hate my CH, it's just soaked in oil, oil gets everywhere from it. It's so loud, it probably wakes up the neighbor hood when I use it. While it's filling indoors, I have to leave the room it's so loud. In the winter, or in cold weather, I have to switch it on and off a few times to get it to start up because the motor freezes. It's just a terrible "quality of life" with the stupid thing, but it works!

So I can't imagine a HF model being much better in that regard if those are factors for you. In fact, the motor on the Harbor Freight one looks pretty much exactly the same as the one on my CH, only more powerful (which may mean even louder).

 

[kythri]

I'm not sure what program you are quoting from the Sears web site, but the "Master Protection Agreement" I have that I bought the day I returned my HF compressor and bought my Craftsman compressor has none of the language you posted in it.

I have no time to scan it in at this time so I can't "prove" I am right, but a google search might bring up some info on it.

Funny.

Reminds me of this quote I heard recently:

I tried to find the service plan language but HF doesn't even include it on their website...fishy? You bet!

Interestingly, for the "Master Protection Agreement", you have to:

See store or contact us at 1-800-4-MY-HOME® (1-800-469-4663) for Terms & Conditions details.

KINDA...FISHY? YOU BET!

But hey - feel free to slag off HF for something Sears is doing. You wouldn't get a "tone" if you didn't try to make unwarranted and baseless accusations at a brand or company that you don't like for unfounded and illegitimate reasons. If calling out your spurious claims with fact is a "tone", well, deal with it.

I still don't believe that the MPA gives you unlimited replacements during the term of the warranty, and yes, you're going to have to prove that. If you can do so, I'll send you a cookie.