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Kobalt 2018 60 gallon compressor
- Thread starter Bassin56
- Start date
jmhinkle
Well-known member
Meh. 11.0 CFM @ 90 psi is pretty low for a 2 stage compressor. I'd spend the money on the 5HP Harbor Freight one before the Kobalt. 15.8 CFM @ 90 psi is more useful for running air tools or painting than 175 max psi is for anything.
Hybridss
Well-known member
I got one of the 2 stage 60 Gallon Kobalts with a 10% discount for less than $500 ($538.32 with tax). Its pretty quiet and fill times match the rating. I am pretty happy with it. It was between the Kobalt and the HF unit.
But I really could not find the HF CFM rating at 165 psi, which is what really counts. And the HF manual states cut off is actually 150 psi. The fact that it was set to 165 or 150 rather than the standard 175 was also a minor concern. When using a two stage pump the cfm rating at max psi will tell the story of efficiency of the pump. The Kobalt is a decent 10.7 CFM at 175 PSI. Will the HF pump efficiently to 175? Is it efficient at 150? Not sure.
The pump on the Kobalt 60 gallon I believe is the same pump on the 80 Gallon Kobalt, but with a 5 hp motor (like the HF) The rating of that pump with a 5 HP motor/pulley is
16.0 @ 40
15.8 @ 90
15.6 @ 175
Thats a pretty efficient 2 stage pump, as it should be.
My research seemed to indicate the HF pump was probably being overclocked a bit to achieve the cfm numbers but for one reason of another its limited to 150 or 165 psi. Either pump efficiency or tank psi rating.
The Kobalt 60 is defiantly slowed down a bit to use the 3.7 hp motor. The pump is capable of much more. As a result I would expect long pump life and less noise.
I think both units are a good value and the above is really splitting hairs IMO. But overlay that over the cost of each unit plus your requirements to help decide. I can say I am quite happy with the Kobalt and found it to be the best value out there. And if and when the motor goes you can bet it will get a 5 HP motor pulley combo (which can be had for about $250) and that should spice things up a bit.
But I really could not find the HF CFM rating at 165 psi, which is what really counts. And the HF manual states cut off is actually 150 psi. The fact that it was set to 165 or 150 rather than the standard 175 was also a minor concern. When using a two stage pump the cfm rating at max psi will tell the story of efficiency of the pump. The Kobalt is a decent 10.7 CFM at 175 PSI. Will the HF pump efficiently to 175? Is it efficient at 150? Not sure.
The pump on the Kobalt 60 gallon I believe is the same pump on the 80 Gallon Kobalt, but with a 5 hp motor (like the HF) The rating of that pump with a 5 HP motor/pulley is
16.0 @ 40
15.8 @ 90
15.6 @ 175
Thats a pretty efficient 2 stage pump, as it should be.
My research seemed to indicate the HF pump was probably being overclocked a bit to achieve the cfm numbers but for one reason of another its limited to 150 or 165 psi. Either pump efficiency or tank psi rating.
The Kobalt 60 is defiantly slowed down a bit to use the 3.7 hp motor. The pump is capable of much more. As a result I would expect long pump life and less noise.
I think both units are a good value and the above is really splitting hairs IMO. But overlay that over the cost of each unit plus your requirements to help decide. I can say I am quite happy with the Kobalt and found it to be the best value out there. And if and when the motor goes you can bet it will get a 5 HP motor pulley combo (which can be had for about $250) and that should spice things up a bit.
Last edited:
TRWham
Well-known member
...
My research seemed to indicate the HF pump was probably being overclocked a bit to achieve the cfm numbers but for one reason of another its limited to 150 or 165 psi. Either pump efficiency or tank psi rating...
Or it runs out of motor. As discharge pressure increases, you need more torque to compress the air, so if the motor cannot quite handle it, just limit the pressure.
I bought one this year. I have not worked it hard yet but it works fine. Could be quieter, any of the ~$1000 non pressure lubricated and higher RPM pumps are going to be a bit noisy.
It's a rebadged BelAire 216V. The same Italian made T29S pump, could be a couple suppliers for the 5 HP motor apparently but it's one of the usual suspects. I believe the pressure switch may be different, but that is a cheap and easy fix if it ever becomes a problem. I couldn't see spending a few hundred more for the same compressor with a BelAire label, this seemed to be better than the Chinese IR units at Tractor Supply, and cheaper than the Chinese 5 HP at Lowes, which had an 80 gallon tank that was workable but a bit large for where I put mine.
It's a rebadged BelAire 216V. The same Italian made T29S pump, could be a couple suppliers for the 5 HP motor apparently but it's one of the usual suspects. I believe the pressure switch may be different, but that is a cheap and easy fix if it ever becomes a problem. I couldn't see spending a few hundred more for the same compressor with a BelAire label, this seemed to be better than the Chinese IR units at Tractor Supply, and cheaper than the Chinese 5 HP at Lowes, which had an 80 gallon tank that was workable but a bit large for where I put mine.