Two similar air compressors, which one is better?

[chazzz]

I have narrowed down to two air compressors:

Husky 30 gal 155 psi ultra-quiet portable air compressor
$399.00 @ Home Depot
ASME certified tank
6.2 CFM @ 40 psi
5.3 CFM @ 90 psi
15 amps
Can run on either 110v or 220v
1.6 horsepower

Central Pneumatic 29 gal 150 psi
$359.99 at Harbor Freight
ASME certified tank - unknown
7.3 CFM @ 40 psi
5.9 CFM @ 90 psi
13.8 amps
Strict 110v only
2.0 horsepower


I understand that Husky air compressor will run better using 220v. Central Pneumatic is slightly more powerful than Husky, but only uses 110v. Both have cast iron pumps (oil lubricated). Husky have two cylinders. Central Pneumatic has only one cylinder.

I think Central Pneumatic electric motor and air pump were made in USA.

So, which one is better?? I am somewhat leaning toward Central Pneumatic because of slightly more power. Help me to decide which one is better.

 

[Angelfire]

Be careful with HP ratings.....manufacturers can butcher them. The Husky draws 15A and the CP draws 13.8A.....how is it the CP has more power? I doubt the efficiencies of the motors are that different.

 

[ptgarcia]

Based on the information provided, horsepower numbers for the Husky are questionable. I'm not sure how they came up with that 1.6hp figure.

Husky: 15A at 220v = 4.4hp or 15A at 110v = 2.2hp

The Harbor Freight unit looks ok:

Central Pneumatic: 13.8A at 110v = 2.0hp

 

[Plastikosmd]

go with higher cfm I say

 

[sberry]

They are so close to the same you wont be able to tell. My bet its not really 15A anyway but 13.8 actual.

 

[raferguson]

Horsepower ratings for compressors are fantasy numbers, to be ignored. The motor amps are probably the best indication of horsepower.

I would note that the unit that draws fewer amps claims more cfm, which seems unlikely.

I am not a fan of any 110V compressor, they will not run sanders or grinders. I suggest you look for a used 60 gallon 220V compressor, typically around 15 amps, which will put out twice as many cfm. These are pretty common. I started with a top of the line 110V compressor, very frustrating, switched to a 60 gallon 220V compressor, now have an 80 gallon compressor that pulls 23 amps at 230 volts. My current compressor will keep up with the air tools that I use. The 60 gallon was not terrible, but sometimes I had to wait while the pressure built up in the tank.

Your 110V/220V compressor will be no better than a 110V compressor in terms of output

(220V, 230V and 240V are different ways of describing the same thing, as far as I can tell).

 

[fsae0607]

Beware of that Husky one. I have the same exact compressor and two motors crapped out on me. on the home depot site for that compressor, scroll down to the reviews and look from the one by "Javi" to see what I did to it.

After the second motor crapped out, I bought a Baldor 2 HP motor and ran it on 240V as the Baldor is a true 2 HP and would trip the 20 amp breaker when it started up with pressure in the tank.

 

[chazzz]

Horsepower ratings for compressors are fantasy numbers, to be ignored. The motor amps are probably the best indication of horsepower.

I would note that the unit that draws fewer amps claims more cfm, which seems unlikely.

I am not a fan of any 110V compressor, they will not run sanders or grinders. I suggest you look for a used 60 gallon 220V compressor, typically around 15 amps, which will put out twice as many cfm. These are pretty common. I started with a top of the line 110V compressor, very frustrating, switched to a 60 gallon 220V compressor, now have an 80 gallon compressor that pulls 23 amps at 230 volts. My current compressor will keep up with the air tools that I use. The 60 gallon was not terrible, but sometimes I had to wait while the pressure built up in the tank.

Your 110V/220V compressor will be no better than a 110V compressor in terms of output

(220V, 230V and 240V are different ways of describing the same thing, as far as I can tell).

I don't really need a 60 gallon air compressor. I don't plan use heavy duty air tools. That is why I am looking for a 30 gallon air compressor which is good enough for me.

 

[6768rogues]

I never thought anything from HF was better than a similar item anywhere else. I don't know about Husky, but you will never get parts for one from HF.

 

[engineer2]

Can you get parts for HF compressors?

 

[chazzz]

Can you get parts for HF compressors?

I doubt it, but let's say if the motor is out I can get a replacement from somewhere other than HF.

 

[engineer2]

Agree. Other than the pump, most everything is probably pretty standard.

 

[PWC Repair]

Id go with the Husky cause its twin piston, not to mention easy to get repair parts down the road. Or if you're concerned about noise at all check out the California Air compressors.

 

[rpthack]

I have that Husky. No complaints with relatively light use (impacts, ratchets, light grinding/cutting, etc.). It would prefer 220, but does fine on 110 for light stuff. If your demands aren't high it's pretty capable for a light duty comp.

 

[chazzz]

Id go with the Husky cause its twin piston, not to mention easy to get repair parts down the road. Or if you're concerned about noise at all check out the California Air compressors.

I'm not concerned about noise. I've seen some California Air Compressors, but they are oil-less. I'd rather to go with traditional, oil air compressors because they last longer.

Thanks

 

[chazzz]

Harbor Freight Central Pneumatic electric motor (2 hp) is manufactured by Marathon Electric, an American company but it was assembled in China.

Does anybody in here knows about the pump? Was it made in USA?

I'm referring to Harbor Freight item #61489 29 gallon, 150 PSI MAX.

 

[Norcal]

Horsepower ratings for compressors are fantasy numbers, to be ignored. The motor amps are probably the best indication of horsepower.

I would note that the unit that draws fewer amps claims more cfm, which seems unlikely.

I am not a fan of any 110V compressor, they will not run sanders or grinders. I suggest you look for a used 60 gallon 220V compressor, typically around 15 amps, which will put out twice as many cfm. These are pretty common. I started with a top of the line 110V compressor, very frustrating, switched to a 60 gallon 220V compressor, now have an 80 gallon compressor that pulls 23 amps at 230 volts. My current compressor will keep up with the air tools that I use. The 60 gallon was not terrible, but sometimes I had to wait while the pressure built up in the tank.

Your 110V/220V compressor will be no better than a 110V compressor in terms of output

(220V, 230V and 240V are different ways of describing the same thing, as far as I can tell).

110 ,220 are obsolete pre WW II voltages, 115, 230V are the rated voltages for motors & welding equipment, 120, 240V is the current nominal voltages supplied by the power companies.

 

[chazzz]

I just found out that Quincy 26 gallon air compressor (Model Q12126VPQ), 2 hp compressor pump is very similar to Central Pneumatic's 29 gallon compressor pump. They both are cast iron, but the heads are made of aluminum. Quincy said that it should last 10,000+ hours (rating). Northern Tool is selling it for $659. I can get similar one from Harbor Freight for only $359, $300 savings in my pocket. Both are very similar, but Quincy produces 8.3 CFM at 40 PSI (HF is 7.3 CFM @ 40 PSI).

 

[WhiffySpark]

I highly doubt the hf is anywhere close to Quincy. Don’t let those harborfrieght VS the competition ads get to you

I would buy husky. I won’t buy anything that use electricity from HF

 

[chazzz]

See the attachment. Left is CP and right is Quincy. Somewhat similar. Both have same oil drain location. Same oil filler cap.

 

[fsae0607]

FYI. I also plumbed it into my hard lines. The regulator it's supplied with is junk since it restricts air too much. The way I have it installed, it keeps up well enough with impacts and grinders.

 

[JRC3]

The Husky has a 2 year warranty. HF is 90 days. That's all I have to read.

The Husky advertises 75dbA and someone else around here said the HF is around 83. Not sure how accurate either of those numbers are.

 

[WhiffySpark]

See the attachment. Left is CP and right is Quincy. Somewhat similar. Both have same oil drain location. Same oil filler cap.

Yeah no. Not even close

 

[chazzz]

Alright I'll go with Husky!!! Thanks for your advice.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

The Husky posted above looks exactly like what Lowes was selling as Kobalt a couple years ago.

I have a Husky that is the Campbell Hausfield rebrand that is probably 6-7 years old now. (taller red 30 gallon one). I would have loved to have a 60 gallon but zero room in my tiny two car garage so a 30 was perfect plus it has wheels and I can move it about.

Change your intake silencer to a better one and it will quiet the compressor down significantly.

Pic of what mine is:

-Nigel

 

[blake101]

Most of all of your smaller air compressor pumps are made in China. There are a select few that aren't but the price on them are usually $300 - $500.

 

[6768rogues]

I just found out that Quincy 26 gallon air compressor (Model Q12126VPQ), 2 hp compressor pump is very similar to Central Pneumatic's 29 gallon compressor pump. They both are cast iron, but the heads are made of aluminum. Quincy said that it should last 10,000+ hours (rating). Northern Tool is selling it for $659. I can get similar one from Harbor Freight for only $359, $300 savings in my pocket. Both are very similar, but Quincy produces 8.3 CFM at 40 PSI (HF is 7.3 CFM @ 40 PSI).

And a Yugo is very similar to a Cadillac.........they both have 4 wheels.

 

[rpthack]

The Husky, from my research, is just a CH that's sold at least at Lowe's, Tractor Supply, and HD.

 

[CompressorPros.com]

Beware of hour life ratings. That typically only applies to the main bearing, which really shouldn't wear out anyway. Valve, gaskets, rods, etc. are under more stress and will fail. Hour life is a point of sale eye catcher, that's all