Kobalt 2 stage air compressor

[redriderjr326]

I have been looking for an air compressor for a while now and settled on this.
It’s a Kobalt Model number 905519. It is a 2 stage. As far as I can tell it is made by Cambell Hausfeld. It retails for $450 currently.

The unit I bought today had been used and returned...I picked it up for $350, I couldn’t pass up the savings. Bought some new oil for it and hoping everything is good with it. I have 90 days to return it if any issues.

The interesting thing is there is no information about this unit on the internet and you can’t find it on Lowe’s website. Anyways, I’m pumped with this find and thought some others might be able to find this compressor useful without breaking the bank.

 

[TommyK]

Nice find. Let us know how it works out.

 

[ouimetnick]

dual piston V shaped, but not 2 stage.

 

[Citation]

dual piston V shaped, but not 2 stage.

It's a true two stage, not just two cylinder.

 

[Bretny]

Prob not 2 stage. Its got the same cfm as the husky version and they say nothing about 2 stage. Its also the same cfm as a oilless.

At $350 for a used compressor thats prety pricy when you can double your cfm and tank size for $100 more.

 

[sberry]

Says it's 2 on the tag. It is small though.

 

[FTG-05]

175 psi = 2 stage?

 

[dogdog]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Campbell-Hausfeld-30-Gallon-Portable-Compressor2HP-2-Stage-120V/1000528965

It says 2 stage, when I was looking at it about a months ago, I thought they were mis-print or something...the actual compressor was not at the display, only the price tag....

 

[Citation]

Once you look at the pluming it's obviously a two stage. One cylinder's output feeds into the other's input. Single stage V twins typically have two air cleaners and a common output manifold. This is definitely a two stage. How good that is vs the more traditional twin cylinder single stage compressors in this market segment I'm not sure. It does have a bit more tank pressure but slightly lower flow at 90 psi. I suspect marketing distinction is much of it. Either way, on paper, this looks like a great 120v compressor.

 

[Citation]

Prob not 2 stage. Its got the same cfm as the husky version and they say nothing about 2 stage. Its also the same cfm as a oilless.

At $350 for a used compressor thats prety pricy when you can double your cfm and tank size for $100 more.

I agree that the near $400 120v compressors seem like a poor but compered to a 60 gallon 240v for about the same money. ****, sadly, some of us don't have easy access to 240v power in the garage. For some this is as good as it gets.

 

[redriderjr326]

So far I’m happy with it. It is definatly plumbed from the first cylinder into the second. For my needs, it is more than enough. Just finished replacing front brake rotors on my wife’s Acura MDX and it worked great.

On a side note, for those of you discussing 120/240, this compressor can also be wired up as a 240.

I also didn’t go for a bigger compressor because I wanted one that is portable. My little shop I have was built on the opposite side of the garages on the house. I figured being able to move it would do me wonders vs bolted to the floor.

 

[Bretny]

For air impact use its more than enough. The extra psi will wake those things up for sure.

Voltage has nothing to do with how portable it is. I dont even think it will do any more cfm if wired 240v..will it?

 

[Citation]

If that Kobalt is like the CH compressor I have the village change just means half the current draw which in some cases could be a nice benefit.

 

[sberry]

It will not make any more air on 240. As long as you are not tripping a breaker all is well.

 

[cgv69]

Looks like a nice compressor for the money to me. Sure a bigger tank would be nice but some of us need the flexibility of portable 110v unit

 

[Davefr]

Looks like a nice compressor for the money to me. Sure a bigger tank would be nice but some of us need the flexibility of portable 110v unit

There's a lot to like with these compressors.
- Portability
- Dual voltage
- Quiet
- Compact
- Cast Iron, belt driven, oil lubricated pumps
- 2 stage

They'll do most everything except high CFM AND high duty cycle. (like DA sanding.) However for the few tools they won't run, there's usually the option of electric or Lithium.

 

[cgv69]

I wonder if that compressor could handle a small HVLP gun? Not for spraying a whole car or anything like that but for smaller projects?

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

That's a great air compressor for all the reasons listed above.
Being able to move it around easily and it not eating up lots of floor space is a great thing.
I have the craftsman oiless version of that compressor. I have had it for about 20 years, and we have used it for all sorts of things.

From running air impacts, spraying miles of trim with lacquer, to airing up tires.
Everyone gets hung up on using a compressor for a sander, but most people don't actually do much body work.

It is a great compromise between actual output and space.
The best part is you can hang shelves on the wall above it and hide the thing.

Here is just a small portion of the cabinetry we have sprayed with the unit, and here it is tucked away in the corner of the shop.

 

[redriderjr326]

So this particular unit that I got, was used upfront. Should I be worried not knowing how it was broken in? If it was done properly? The manual says to run it for 30 minutes with no pressure build up. I have no idea if that happened and what would happen if it didnt?

 

[jeffeverde]

I was looking at that same model today. What's the noise level like? The Lowes description says 87 decibel, which is lawn mower loud. But the only reviewer on Lowes says he's surprised at how quiet it is, and says it's half as loud as his previous compressor.

 

[jeffeverde]

So this particular unit that I got, was used upfront. Should I be worried not knowing how it was broken in? If it was done properly? The manual says to run it for 30 minutes with no pressure build up. I have no idea if that happened and what would happen if it didnt?

Skipping the no-pressure break-in has the bearings and cylinder rings working under load while they're seating in. Worst case is scored cylinder walls or bearing surfaces. But at this point, if any damage was done, it's already happened. You mentioned that you were going to change the oil. If the old oil was clean, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[benny27]

I was looking at that same model today. What's the noise level like? The Lowes description says 87 decibel, which is lawn mower loud. But the only reviewer on Lowes says he's surprised at how quiet it is, and says it's half as loud as his previous compressor.

If you are looking for a quiet compressor look at the Kobalt QUIET TECH 26-Gallon
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-QUI...tric-Vertical-Quiet-Air-Compressor/1000405189

 

[6PTsocket]

Prob not 2 stage. Its got the same cfm as the husky version and they say nothing about 2 stage. Its also the same cfm as a oilless.

At $350 for a used compressor thats prety pricy when you can double your cfm and tank size for $100 more.

Look at his photo. It says "2 stage pump" right on the big label on the tank. I see only one air filter. You can see the pipe going from the first to second cylinder. The maximum psi is 175. It without a doubt a 2 stage.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[redriderjr326]

I was looking at that same model today. What's the noise level like? The Lowes description says 87 decibel, which is lawn mower loud. But the only reviewer on Lowes says he's surprised at how quiet it is, and says it's half as loud as his previous compressor.

I am impressed at how quite it is. You can have a conversation with someone while its going. You may have to raise your voice some but it is much quieter than a little pancake compressor I have used previously.

 

[redriderjr326]

Skipping the no-pressure break-in has the bearings and cylinder rings working under load while they're seating in. Worst case is scored cylinder walls or bearing surfaces. But at this point, if any damage was done, it's already happened. You mentioned that you were going to change the oil. If the old oil was clean, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

The oil was fairly dirty/dark. Wasn’t sure if that was just because it was used a quite a bit or if it was due to break in procedure (or lack thereof)

 

[bubinga]

For air impact use its more than enough. The extra psi will wake those things up for sure.

Voltage has nothing to do with how portable it is. I dont even think it will do any more cfm if wired 240v..will it?

No, no increase.

Sent from my MotoG3 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[rpcraft]

175 psi = 2 stage?

There are many single stage @ 175 PSI now but I would not look beyond that.

 

[Mr_B]

Not bad portable light duty machine, think I would want paid less than 350.
300bucks and oil thrown in seems realistic .
No idea why bought back or what happened to it would concern me for less than 100bucks off by times your serviced it .

 

[3rdgendslmech]

I was at lowes today and FWIW, when I searched online for 60 gallon air compressors they showed NOTHING AT ALL in stock at my local store. Had to stop by anyhow to pick up a few things and walked by the tool corral and they do have 2 stage air compressors. Didn't look at the smaller ones but they had a 60 gallon 2 stage compressor for the same price as what a Kobalt single stage 60 gallon went for ($499.98). Only noticeable differences where the compressors, single stage vs 2 stage, and the pressure ( single stage was 155, 2 stage was 175 psi) same CFM ratings at the same pressures.

 

[rpcraft]

Might have to swing over to my local lowes and take a look for that 2 stage unit and see if they have it at that price. Thanks for pointing it out!!!!

 

[Small Engine]

I'm thinking of getting the 80 gallon one. I need to run a sand blaster and need the cfm.

 

[rpcraft]

Just curious, I am looking at getting one of the HF blast cabinets and doing the upgrades on it. Can anyone speak as to what the recomended CFM would be for that once it is upgraded?

 

[Howard Richman]

I've got the same question. I'd like to do small sandblast projects and saw the new Kobalt 60 gallon 2 stg. 11 cfm compressor at my local Lowes. I'm not sure if a single stage would be better. I might have to go w/ a NorthStar 5 hp. 15cfm 60 gal. for blasting, but not sure if that really nessecery. What advantage is using a pressurized blast pot? the blast pot can be used as little as 6CFM. It's quite confusing.

Howie