HF air compressors

[ccourt]

Does anyone have any experience with Harbor Frieght's air compressor's ? I know they sell a lot of different models but I thought there might a standout.
Any help will be greatly appreciated, HF or other brands.
ccourt

[footprintsinconc]

i bought a used 60gal Husky (home depot built by campbell hausfeld) model and its an oil (not oilless) and resonably quiet. i bought the bigger one for capacity. they usually go for $300 (with out filter and regulator) but i got mine from craigslist for half the price with the filter and regulator on it.

my suggestions is, if you have the room get the 60gal for sure. and if you have the time, i'd wait and keep looking online and you are bound to come by on deals on compressors. in the phoenix area, there were quite a bit of compressor listed, never seemed to be a shortage of them.

i think you can a decent used brand name compressor cheaper than the 60gal HF compressor. so craigslist the way to go and be patient

[DUD]

I have one of there pancake compressors. It is an oil type, sells now for aroud $100.00 and I have used mine for about 6 years. Bill

[WayneJ]

The 60 gal compressors are made by US GENERAL. WE have a few returns on the smaller compressors but none on the US GENERALS. Returns on the smaller ones are mostly due to amperage concerns. The big ones run on 220 volts.
Wayne

[Lonnie in Orlando]

I like my 21-gal HF compressor ...
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...bCategoryName=

I've used it with an HVLP gun. Although it struggled, it kept up. Wouldn't want to use with any smaller tank. It is available only in-store; not on-line. Possibly being discountinued(?) Frequently on sale for $149.

I bought this 8-gal HF compressor on-line ...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90385

It was a nightmare. Between arriving broken and becoming broken after arrival, I went through three of them before asking for, and getting, a refund. Can't recommend it.

HF has other 8 gal compressors, sometimes as low as $75. Don't know anything about them.

- Lonnie

[John Hunter]

I have the 21-gal HF compressor and the 5 GALLON, 115 PSI TWIN TANK AIR COMPRESSOR http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...ubCategoryName= I have had both for several years and they get a lot of use. No problems at all.

[thiggy]

I have one of HF's pancake models which is probably the same as Dud's. I have used it for several years and find it to be the one I reach for when I need to carry it somewhere. I have an old 3hp 230 volt Craftsman, but it is not nearly as versitile.

[ccourt]

HF Air Compressors

Thanks to everyone. I really appreciate all the responses, its a big help. I'm going to take a look at the 21 gallon HF #47065 model. Theres a coupon for $139.
Thanks again,
ccourt

[dwk]

I hope reviving an old-ish thread is ok.

Does anyone have experience with the 29 gal 220V compressor (92504)? I probably could fit a conventional 60gal unit, but my needs are probably pretty modest and the shorter form factor leaves room above the compressor for extra shelving. If the unit is of generally comparable quality, it may be a better compromise for my setup.

This is motivated by #92504 being in the flyer that showed up today at $30 off, plus a 15% coupon, for a $289 net.

[LinuxRandal]

I hope reviving an old-ish thread is ok.
my needs are probably pretty modest

The fact that you said PROBABLY means you don't really know your needs.

You may quickly learn the expensive mistake that BIGGER IS BETTER when it comes to an air compressor.

If your needs are modest (so far), it means that your compressor will have to run less with a big one (and a regulator on your line), then with a little one.

[JimD]

I would help to know what you consider modest. It doesn't take much air to drive finish nails, brad nailers, and pin nailers. I'm sure it takes more for a framing nailer but I do not have one. I have a small Bostitch with a 6 gallon tank. I think they call it 1 1/2 hp but that must be a funny rating system because the motor is small, probably less than 1/2 hp continuous. It drives all my nailers easily. I can use it to break a nut lose with an impact wrench but it drains the tank if I have to keep banging on the nut. It is marginal for my Wagner HVLP conversion gun which uses less air than most. It effectively will not work with my HF cut-off tool (the tank is depleted before anything is cut).

I am thinking of upgrading to a bigger compressor but for most of what I do, the little Bostitch is actually OK. The only significant thing I wish for more air on is the spray gun. By keeping my pattern small, I get by.

Jim

[Tarhead]

DWK,
I recently purchased the HF#92504 compressor. The start up current requirements are over stated on their website as I have it connected to a 20amp circuit with no problems. The owner's manual lists it at 9amps normal and 15amp max. There is some vibration when it turns on, it's louder than I think it should be and it leaks a little oil (probably because I over filled it a little). It has plenty of output for an HVLP gun and short sessions with a DA sander, air ratchet, etc. You will need to put on an electrical plug matching your wall outlet and female quick connects on it. If you have room and budget go for the 60gal US General. It is much better made, quieter and smoother.
Mark

[dwk]

Thanks for the feedback, and sorry for the slow follup.

Tarhead hit the real question I was asking, and confirmed my suspicions - that the smaller 29 gal unit wasn't quite up to the standards of the larger 60 gal. Since I'm not desperately in need of upgrading at the moment, I'll at least hold off for a while.

In terms of my needs, JimD has it pretty much covered. I am currently running OK with my PC pancake unit, running various nailers/staplers (including the HF 21-degree framing nailer which IMHO it runs quite well given my pace at such things). I'm planning on adding the Wagner HVLP gun from Gleem, but don't have any other big consumers on the horizon. Thus, I suspect that any 'real' compressor would be fine in terms of capacity, but if the smaller units are louder and lighter duty the extra $$$ for the 60 gal units is probably well spent.

[Joe DeFazio]

I considered buying the 29 gallon model, but the employee I trust at the local HF said that he sees them returned fairly often, whereas he had rarely if ever seen the 60 gallon one returned (model 90836). I went ahead and got the 60 gallon one, and have been very happy with it.

It is US made by ABAC/IMC, which also makes Belaire and other brands of compressors, including, at least for a while, some Kobalt compressors. According to one of their websites, they make 15% of all the compressors in the world. In fact; the technical support number listed in the HF manual rings to the manufacturer, not to HF.

Joe

[gordons]

HF 29 gal v 60 gal - Long

I started out with the 29 gallon and had the following problems:

1. Machine has two metered outlets. One would not rise above 60psi. Returned for replacement.
2. Appeared that this compressor fell into the South China Sea on its way over and was retrieved and sold. The packing crate nails were rusted as were most of the visible parts. But the worst was the orange colored ooze/water that drained out of the tank. Returned for replacement.
3. Leaked oil quite badly and appeared to have a cylinder crack that was painted over. Returned for........

In all of this, the HF guys, including the store manager, were great and really apologetic and helpful. It wasn't their fault and they did everything they could to assist me in rectifying this situation.

Their offer was that they would give me a US General 60 gallon compressor for no additional charge. Although this is a beast in terms of size v the 29 gallon, I accepted. The price difference was around $35-$50.

Had to do some re-engineering since there was an air-leak at one of the gauge couplings. Needless to say, whoever assembled this, put it in the wrong place - mounted the gauge, switch and pressure release valve under the metal plate that holds the electric motor. Very difficult to work on. So, I moved everything to the outlet at the front of the tank where they should have been in the first place - including moving the pressure release valve to the front where it is now accessible. Taped all the connectors well and no more leaks.

Also replaced the little toy drain petcock at the bottom of the tank with a 1/4 turn lever petcock.

Tried the auto drain kit from HF #46960. This unfortunately did not work as it seems to be rated for 100lb max. The 60 gallon peaks out at 135lb, so it just blew right through the tubing. Returned for refund.

I use the compressor for blowing a lot of air, for nailing and for spray painting with an HVLP gun and a regular gun. It performs very well considering that these guns are both air hogs. It does last longer than the 29 gallon before kicking in to refill. Is it twice as long? - I don't think so - maybe 25% with spraying and 35% with blowing.

Now that I finally have it set up, I can recommend this compressor for just about anything us non-pro's can throw at it.