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On the hunt for a new air compressor

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grizz_660

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2016
Messages
56
Location
Ontario, Canada
So I have been doing a lot of research on a new air compressor. I am just a hobby guy, no major body jobs or needs for large 60-80gallon tanks. I have settled on a 30 gallon tank ( +/- a little )

Been searching kijiji quite a bit and have not found much at this time, so I was actually looking at the TSC / Lowes / HD versions of the 30 gallon compressors. So those would be CH / husky / kobalt; which all seem to be identical.

My question is in regards to longevity and reliability. I do not need the most power out there, if I am spending $500+ on a hobby piece of equipment, I want it to last me. Maintenance is not a problem. Does anyone have any insight to these models, or shed some light on other compressors in the 4-500$ price range, oil lube, 30 gallon, would actually prefer 240v, but most at this size are 120v.

Thanks! Really cool site.
 
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M1N1ON

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 3, 2015
Messages
90
Location
Georgia
Like you, I had the same mindset. I bought a cheap, 20 gallon Kobalt air compressor from Lowes while it was on sale for fathers day. It was 120v and oil-less. The compressor would not keep up with any air tools and the motor would get hot and the CFM would decline. I got so fed up with it that I turned around and sold it a couple months later for what i bought it for (it was a good sale price so i don't feel bad).

I bought an old GE box fan from an old timer on CL, he was moving and asked if i wanted anything else. I eyed the air compressor in his garage and he said he would part with it for $40. Its probably 40 gallons, 240v, and powered by a 5hp motor. It works FLAWLESS. I can run all my air tools no problem. The noise is cut down significantly and the CFM is far superior.

I recently got my dad a Habor Freight air compressor for his boat to run a oil suction device and a grease gun. Its just a basic 10 gallon, oil fed air compressor. I can say its held up great and have not had any quality concerns.

Id skip the box stores and look into the Harbor Freight models. They have a 29 gal that I've eyed a few times now. 240v is great, but if you ever plan on moving, most places don't have 240 ran into the garage. For sure go with an oil fed unit. Hope that helps.
 
2

2jz4me

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 25, 2011
Messages
114
Location
se indiana
I wholeheartedly recommend looking for a quality used unit before spending that money on a new one from HF or big box store. I too was going to buy new until i found my 80 gallon IR for $450. I dont know where you live but I found this on the first listing on the first page of craigslist for my area.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bfs/5437709591.html

You may not find one used that suits you but I would look into it before buying a new one. Good luck.

Jeff
 
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grizz_660

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2016
Messages
56
Location
Ontario, Canada
I have been the oil-less route before. A CH 18 gallon. Noisy as hell and took forever to fill. It just died, hence my new search.

That 60 gallon Kobalt is around $900 here. I live near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The "best" unit on Kijiji is a 60 gallon Porter Cable for $500, about 2 hours from me. Mostly small units for sale.

I am also looking for a vertical unit.

I know most recommendations are to stay away from the box stores, but unless I am willing to shell out big money, I am limited to used or Box stores. I was going to keep an eye on sales and wait. Right now at TSC they have a 30 gallon, oil fed , CH for $http://www.tscstores.com/30-GALLON-CAMPBELL-HAUSFELD-PORTABLE-COMPRESSOR-P35773.aspx#.VsQ03kXEjCQ
 
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redmondjp

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 25, 2014
Messages
2,318
Location
Redmond, WA
grizz_660 said:
I have been the oil-less route before. A CH 18 gallon. Noisy as hell and took forever to fill. It just died, hence my new search.

That 60 gallon Kobalt is around $900 here. I live near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The "best" unit on Kijiji is a 60 gallon Porter Cable for $500, about 2 hours from me. Mostly small units for sale.

I am also looking for a vertical unit.

I know most recommendations are to stay away from the box stores, but unless I am willing to shell out big money, I am limited to used or Box stores. I was going to keep an eye on sales and wait. Right now at TSC they have a 30 gallon, oil fed , CH for $http://www.tscstores.com/30-GALLON-CAMPBELL-HAUSFELD-PORTABLE-COMPRESSOR-P35773.aspx#.VsQ03kXEjCQ
Click to expand...

That's a good sale! And you are getting a brand new unit with a warranty and non-rusty tank. Around my parts, people are asking that much for well-used, ten-year-old compressors.
 
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grizz_660

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2016
Messages
56
Location
Ontario, Canada
The price wasnt bad, I just want to make sure I can find parts for it or service. Cannot find much online about that specific model.
 
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emeraldcoupe

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
3,426
Location
spring hill, florida
I bought this off cl a couple of years ago for $150. works fine and haven't had any issues with it.
kobalt_zpsrsspcfbx.jpg
 
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99LeCouch

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2011
Messages
1,053
Location
Rochester, NY
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-30...table-Electric-Air-Compressor-C302H/206695048

I have this compressor with a Porter Cable paint job. Got it at Tractor Supply for about $400 after taxes. The compressor itself is made by MAT Industries. It's a decent 120v compressor. Fills in about 7 minutes. It recovers in about 90 seconds from 100-150 PSI, and is quiet enough. I do wear earplugs when using air tools, though. I can hear it a bit through the wall separating the house and the garage, sort of like a stereo playing in the next room over.

Upgrades I did to maximize its potential were to get a 3/8" hose with Milton V-style fittings throughout and put in synthetic compressor oil. It seems to recover faster with the synthetic oil than the semi-syn stuff it had in there before.

It will do about 10 lug nuts with my cheapy impact before it needs to refill. It'll run an air ratchet for a good long while before refilling. It sprays Fluid Film just fine, too. It'll spray intermittently for a minute before needing to recharge. That would likely work out to about 20 seconds of continuous spraying.

It's fine for my needs. The pump can handle more, but the motor on 120v is likely the weakest link. If/when I have enough space for a 240v compressor line in the electrical panel, it'll likely be converted to 240v so the motor runs cooler.
 
J

jerseykat1

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
714
Location
Central New Jersey
grizz_660 said:
So I have been doing a lot of research on a new air compressor. I am just a hobby guy, no major body jobs or needs for large 60-80gallon tanks. I have settled on a 30 gallon tank ( +/- a little )

Been searching kijiji quite a bit and have not found much at this time, so I was actually looking at the TSC / Lowes / HD versions of the 30 gallon compressors. So those would be CH / husky / kobalt; which all seem to be identical.

My question is in regards to longevity and reliability. I do not need the most power out there, if I am spending $500+ on a hobby piece of equipment, I want it to last me. Maintenance is not a problem. Does anyone have any insight to these models, or shed some light on other compressors in the 4-500$ price range, oil lube, 30 gallon, would actually prefer 240v, but most at this size are 120v.

Thanks! Really cool site.
Click to expand...

Your best bet is to find something used that is powered by 220v and has a belt driven compressor. You will be better off.

quieter, faster, reliable, and repairable.
 
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G

grizz_660

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2016
Messages
56
Location
Ontario, Canada
Can the / a compressor be transported laying down? It is a vertical compressor. I have about a one hour drive with it, was wondering if I can lay it down in the box of the truck.
 
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