Q on Harbor Freight 60 gal 2 stage compressor

[motoguy]

I've got a new plasma table that will be here at the end of the month. In addition to that, I need to supply air to the CNC mill (not much), and the soon-to-be-acquired blast cabinet and powdercoat gun. The sandblaster should use the most air, with the plasma needing about 8 CFM. I have only a 30 gal wheel CH air compressor, so time to look for a bigger unit.

Some searching brought me to the Harbor Freight 60 gal, 5hp, 2 stage unit. Yeah, I know. I specifically went shopping for old/used "American Iron" so as to avoid "disposable trash from Lowes/HD or Harbor Freight". Yet, this unit seems to get great reviews. Italian compressor, AO Smith motor, US made tank...this seems to be one of those "actually a great value from HF" units (kinda like the big red toolboxes). At this point, I'm thinking I'll just drop $800 on the "disposable" HF unit, and replace it with a "quality" unit when it dies in a couple of years.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-hp-60-gallon-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-93274.html Currently on "sale" for $799.

I also see an ad for this one, for $170 less. Appears to simply be a refurb of the same unit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-hp-60-gallon-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-55391.html

Anyone have experience with this refurb? I'm typically a refurb kinda guy, as I've had good luck with them. The "new" unit has 4.5 star review from 42 reviewers, the refurb has 2.5, from 5. IMO, not enough data points on the refurb to really make a decision. Furthermore, some of the negatives seem like they may apply to either version, new or refurb.

Thoughts on this unit, and / or new vs refurb?

 

[Hawk]

"At this point, I'm thinking I'll just drop $800 on the "disposable" HF unit, and replace it with a "quality" unit when it dies in a couple of years. "

If it does, mine is still running strong eleven years after purchase.

 

[kunkernator]

"At this point, I'm thinking I'll just drop $800 on the "disposable" HF unit, and replace it with a "quality" unit when it dies in a couple of years. "

If it does, mine is still running strong eleven years after purchase.

Same here. I have had one of their units for 4 years now, gets daily use and still running strong.

They are far from "disposable".

But if you still plan to go this route. Just buy the refurb.

 

[HELLSUNICORN]

I bought one of these used about 5 years ago. Never had a problem with it and it works great.

 

[stage20]

i think this has been discussed here but the HF unit is a rebadged bel aire unit. less bells and whistles but same main parts. bel aire has braided discharge pipe, better quality regulator and siwtch. (i believe) it runs 1000-1300 depeding on where you buy.

 

[LynxStarAuto]

I actually own this unit since 2k9. http://www.harborfreight.com/30-gal-420cc-truck-bed-air-compressor-epa-iii-69784.html

At the time, that unit's MSRP was $999.98 and I got it on a 4th of July sale for $799.98, and HF allowed me to stack a 20% coupon on top. That was more common back then, you can barely do that anymore. I have it in a service truck. It runs a tire changer, a separate 30 gallon tank, and a plethora of automotive impact tools. I did have some minute nuances with it at first. Namely, leak issues. A faulty pressure relief valve, and the pressure regulator would drop to 0 psi intermittently. All was corrected by me for less than $200.00 and it has been a venerable workhorse ever since. I'm extremely pleased with it. A lot has changed since then, and Central has made improvements to their units to correct inherent flaws. My understanding is that all those pressure control, and leak issues were commonplace back then, and have been rectified since. I did a lot of market research when I was looking for a compressor, and pretty much equivalent "name brand" units were not much different. All were Chinese, all had pretty much similar specs and features. The main difference between some units, was the gas engine: central being Chinese, and other brands using Briggs, or Honda. However, those brands still found their roots in China, and all commanded up to a $2000.00 premium. The pump on the Central unit is Italian, where other name brands is Chinese. Like I said, I went to a USA compressor supplier and just replaced all the fittings, gauges, and valves with USA equivalents. I also added an oiler/filter, an automatic tank drain, and an hours counter. The unit has over 9000 hours clocked in, no major failures outside of wear and tear: a belt, an o-ring for the sight glass, spark plug, wire, and some fuel hoses. Still goes strong, and still fills at the same rate it always has.

Another alternative is to build your own. If you can score a propane tank for cheap, and have decent welding skills, you can make a mounting plate, and then buy your own pump and power source. You can then easily build something top of the line for under 1000.00

 

[pushrods]

Motoguy. Have you picked one up yet? I'm looking at the same one for my house and have been looking at all the reviews I can get.

 

[motoguy]

I'll be picking one up today or tomorrow. Not sure my "just for it home" impression will mean much, though. I like to hear from the guys who have had them for a while!

 

[motoguy]

I picked this thing up. It is WAYYY lighter than the 1961 model Curtis is is replacing! We unloaded.the Curtis with a skid steer...loaded/unloaded the Central Pneumatics unit by myself.

As a bonus, the store let me use one of the old "fill in your information" 20% off coupons on it.

I'm running wiring and planning plumbing and filtration now. Haven't fired it up yet. Since the manager let me use the 20% coupon, and since the "2 year replacement plan" was exactly the amount saved with the coupon, I bought the warranty. I probably won't need it, but I spent the amount I had planned on spending, got a 2 year replacement plan, and I think it helps the manager and cashier with their bonus...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[pushrods]

So how it the compressor holding up?

 

[lightning02]

there was a thread someone made showing a diff unit has token its place. not sure if they have switched manufacturers or what. just something to take into consideration when looking at them since you might get one or the other meaning the floor motel might be the older style but the one you buy might be the newer one.

 

[pushrods]

^ I couldnt find that thread. This bf i ended up getting an Ingersoll Rand 80gal 2 stg 5hp for 828.** from tractor supply so I'm done shopping. Thanks for the info though.

 

[lightning02]

^ I couldnt find that thread. This bf i ended up getting an Ingersoll Rand 80gal 2 stg 5hp for 828.** from tractor supply so I'm done shopping. Thanks for the info though.

Dam. That sounds like a great deal. Have a link to the one you bought?

 

[pushrods]

4

They are still 150 off. Then i got them to match hf's 20%off one item coupon that saved me the other 190.

 

[raffaelli]

I have mine for a year now.....flawless.

 

[motoguy]

Well, just over 2 years and it's dead. I started having errors on my plasma table which appear to be related to oil in the lines. Added an oil filter, and things got better. That went on for a couple months.

Yesterday, while cutting, I noticed my compressor was running non-stop. Usually it'll run intermittently while cutting. As I watched, I noticed it was able to keep up with usage, but was not building additional air. It'll normally go up to 150psi (my cutoff) easily and quickly. yesterday it was taking forever to build pressure, even with everything shut off.

I drained a bit of water from the bottom of the tank, and noticed how it was very gray/black (I assume oil), as opposed to the usual rust-color it's been since I got it. Combined with the plasma errors, I think it was passing oil in the lines, and deteriorated to the point that it's not building additional pressure.

I think it's dead, and needs a rebuild. I don't really fault the compressor, though. I think this is user error/environmental. I was running this thing a lot in my garage, with the plasma cutter. I was using the stock foam filter, and I just don't think it was enough for the (highly abrasive) plasma dust. I also should have changed the oil more frequently as well, given this environment.

So, I'm neutral on it. I'm willing to take the blame for this one, though it may or may not be warranted.

In the search for rebuild parts, I've found that the pump on this unit is an ABAC/IMC B4900. This is the same pump as the T29S pump, which is used on Belaire, Chicago Pneumatic, etc compressors. The only difference between the T29S pump, and the Harbor Freight B4900, is the air filter. The B4900 uses the plastic box and foam filter, wheras the T29S uses a round filter enclosure and a more industrial pleated filter.

Looks like the rebuild kit is going to run me ~$220 + shipping. A whole new pump is ~$525, which makes the whole HF unit for $799 seem to be a pretty good deal.

 

[raffaelli]

check the plastic tube that goes into the switch. I forget the name if it but it kicks the pressure switch off. It is short and is under the mount for the pump.

While painting a car, with lots of continuous running, this tube popped because of heat. I replaced it with another piece of plastic tube. It has popped a few times since then. I will replace it with copper one day.

Maybe this has happened to yours. It will cause non stop running.

 

[6PTsocket]

i think this has been discussed here but the HF unit is a rebadged bel aire unit. less bells and whistles but same main parts. bel aire has braided discharge pipe, better quality regulator and siwtch. (i believe) it runs 1000-1300 depeding on where you buy.

Thanks. I always wondered if there was any difference between the HF and the similar units that IMC makes under various labels. Looks like you get a little more if you spend a little more. No free lunch here. That new scroll from Eastwood has me looking in an entirely new direction.

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[pushrods]

If you have a local tractor supply wait for Black Friday, 2years ago I got an 80gallon Ingersoll Rand 2stage compressor stupid cheap. Normally 999.99 but was -$150 for Black Friday plus they matched a Harbor Freight 20% coupon because they had one as a competitor locally. Something g to pinder. I made a post about it here when I got it.

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