Kobalt 60ga compressor

[BBC71Nova]

I'm in the market for a 60ga compressor here soon. I knew I'd be replacing my oil free Craftsman 33g for a while now so I've kept my eyes open to see what is out there. For a while I was convinced that the Kobalt would be the unit I'd go with. They could often be had for 450 or less and appeared to be pretty nice units. I had noticed they even had the cooling fin wrap on the inlet tube, USA assembled, etc.

Lately thought I'm shifting away from the Kobalt camp. They have changed them and I'm concerned they aren't as good as they were. The inlet tube appears smaller and without the cooling fins. The pump also doesn't appear as nice.

I don't have the $$$ for a Quincy or the like. Is the Kobalt still a good unit or is it on par now with any other similar model, e.g. Campbell Hausfield, Chicago (HF), etc?

I've been looking at the IR unit that Tractor Supply carries and it at least appears to be nicer but comes at a price.

What say you compressor gurus??

Thanks!

 

[pipsters]

I did some math and it seems the 60 gallon Kobalts don't put out much more air than the smaller ones. Around 6 or 7 CFM average regardless of what their specs say. Someone on here posted that it took almost 13 minutes to fill up.

 

[cide1]

I have a Kobalt 60 gallon compressor, and I think it is above the Campbell Hausfields and Chicagos easily. It is not IR, but it is 1/3 the price of an IR. It handles impacts and grinders with ease. I use it for abrasive blasting both in a cabinet and out on the driveway. It keeps up, but I do stop for 5 minutes every 30 minutes or so to keep the duty cycle down. When comparing to other 60 gallon compressors, remember that it goes to 155 PSI, while many others don't go as high, which means that it effectively holds more air. I'm thinking it is rated for 13.7 CFM, and even if Kobalt was a bit optimistic with that rating, it's quite a value. I'm pretty sure its way above 6-7 CFM based on using it with grinders.

 

[pipsters]

That said, it did take a long time to get to full pressure. Almost 13 minutes.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2123387&postcount=10

60 gallons / 7.48 = 8.02 cubic feet
155 psi / 14.7 = 10.54 pressure rise
13 minutes * 60 = 780 secs / 60 secs = .0769 minutes

8.02 * 10.54 * .0769 = 6.5 CFM on average, more like @ 75 psi.

I was surprised as well, can you confirm it takes 13 minutes to fill up? I was looking at this compressor too but was shocked when I ran the #'s.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2123387&postcount=10

60 gallons / 7.48 = 8.02 cubic feet
155 psi / 14.7 = 10.54 pressure rise
13 minutes * 60 = 780 secs / 60 secs = .0769 minutes

8.02 * 10.54 * .0769 = 6.5 CFM on average, more like @ 75 psi.

I was surprised as well, can you confirm it takes 13 minutes to fill up? I was looking at this compressor too but was shocked when I ran the #'s.

I looked at the nameplate as well and didn't believe it. When you look at similar replacement pump specifications, the recovery rate tells a different story. They sell an 80 gallon compressor that uses the same quad pump as the CH compressor. In fact I think they are the exact same compressor but in different colors. I personally would go with the 80 gallon over the 60.

 

[larry_g]

I did some math and it seems the 60 gallon Kobalts don't put out much more air than the smaller ones. Around 6 or 7 CFM average regardless of what their specs say. Someone on here posted that it took almost 13 minutes to fill up.

I wonder when people here are going to figure out that tank size is just not that important in the big picture. Pipster seems to confirm that. Putting a motor/pump of the same size on a 20/30/60 gal tank is not going to give you any more air at the end of the day. That is like saying that doubling the size of your gas tank gives better mileage. Your mileage stays the same, you just go further between fill-ups.

So if your looking for a new compressor look at the real HP of the motor, Pay attention to the pump CFM. Pay attention to the pump speed, slower is usually better. Once you have found a good motor/pump that will deliver the volume/pressure you need then look at the tank size.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I wonder when people here are going to figure out that tank size is just not that important in the big picture. Pipster seems to confirm that. Putting a motor/pump of the same size on a 20/30/60 gal tank is not going to give you any more air at the end of the day. That is like saying that doubling the size of your gas tank gives better mileage. Your mileage stays the same, you just go further between fill-ups.

So if your looking for a new compressor look at the real HP of the motor, Pay attention to the pump CFM. Pay attention to the pump speed, slower is usually better. Once you have found a good motor/pump that will deliver the volume/pressure you need then look at the tank size.

lg
no neat sig line

I've tried explaining this to people for years. All the hogwash ratings posted on the sides of the tanks on most compressors are a bunch of BS. 15 amp motors claiming to be 5 hp when in actuality they are more like 3 1/2 hp and compressors claiming to put out 11 1/2 CFM when the pumps are only capable of 8 to 9 CFM at 90 PSI. A large capacity tank does have an advantage when you need a lot of air all at once. But it really comes down to the real actual pump recovery rate. There has been a lot of fuzzy math when it comes down to what these compressor companies claim.

 

[Gore]

With that being said..is there a better 60gal compressor for the price? (not used)

 

[RangerDaleXp]

With that being said..is there a better 60gal compressor for the price? (not used)

Not really for the price. You get what you pay for. for a $100 to $200 more you can get a much better single stage and or start stepping into the much better lower beginners end dual stage 60 gal model setups. for $800 to $900 range I do like the CH and Kobalt quad 80 gal single stage setups.....