I realize that for 169 bucks you probably get what you pay for. The only thing I'll be using it for is an impact wrench, which I probably won't run more than 5-6 times a month TOPS.


4.4 CFM @ 90 PSI.... numbers aren't too great, but will it run an impact occaisionally? I've looked at this compressor in the past, but normally it runs at like 239 dollars or more. It's on sale for 170, and that includes shipping. Should I pick it up for light shop duty, or try and save up for something better? I really can't afford much more than 300 bucks or so for the compressor, so if anybody has any suggestions I'd be much obliged.


:cool2:

what compressor?

DITTO....tank size & hp rating would be critical,
especially @ that low cfm rating. wouldn't be
great for extended use w/ large impact gun.

Sorry guys, here's the link:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47065


Can't believe I forgot to put that in there :laughing:

that's mo'better. 11.1 cfm @ 40psi/21gal.
you'll be ok for light duty use. might have
to wait a bit for recovery. price is right &
@ least you'll have something usable 'till
you can afford to upgrade.

I'm not sure if you all have a Sam's Club in your neck of the woods but last summer, I scored a coleman powermate 21gallon 6.5 hp for a 100 bones in illinois that they were discontinuing. The thing retails for around 300 new at Menards. They switch out the models fairly often and at the back of the store they put the models they don't carry anymore. I've seen stuff like that in our store too, here in Indiana, so I'm guessing that they sell the old stocks cheap in all their stores. You might try that.

It's not the greatest compressor but it works, and it works pretty well even with semi-continuous use of things that draw alot of air. hth

Most tools run at like 90 PSI right? I thought the 90 PSI numbers were the ones I should be comparing?

i used that compressor for about two years...right up until it started leaking from most every joint it had. worked great for my impact, crappy for everything else, could never get the regulator on it set to anything else. recently got a 60 gallon CH compressor that I'm much happier with for $275.

like i said, if you're using it for impact wrenches...it'll be perfect, anything else and you'll be waiting for it to catch up.

Well, if it's a matter of spending a hundred more bucks, maybe I'll get a Campell Hausfield one? I was just under the impression that anything made by CH was destined for failure, but come to think of it, it can't really get a whole lot worse than the HF one right?

Hey Socalchef,

You got any pics or a part number or where yopu bought your comp?? I am looking for something similar and live in the south bay...thanks Tim

Most tools run at like 90 PSI right? I thought the 90 PSI numbers were the ones I should be comparing?


yes & no....depends on what your using.
40 psi rating will give you a good indication
as to how it will perform as well. alot of the
cheaper units will be in the 6-9cfm range @
40psi. 11.1 is pretty decent for the price.
compare both #'s.

So overall, should I wait? I've read that as soon as I get the compressor I'll probably be wishing I had gone for something with more power.. regardless of how big of a compressor I buy :D

So overall, should I wait? I've read that as soon as I get the compressor I'll probably be wishing I had gone for something with more power.. regardless of how big of a compressor I buy :D

i come from a long line of tool whores; always lookin'
for an excuse to buy something, & never waitin'; so i
think you should go buy something....& do it NOW. :grinpimp:

seriously though, it's nice to have a small, inexpensive
portable around the shop. you can drag it outside, throw
it in the back of the truck & take it to a friends house,
whatever. once you feel the need for something bigger,
invest in a larger stationary unit as funds become available.
i have a 2hp/2gal. craftsman that i picked up on sale for
$89.00 & i love it for small jobs & lug it every where i go.
i can attach it to a 20gal. portable tank if i need more volume,
and it will run small air tools, brad nailers, etc. & if i trash
it or it gets stolen i'm not out a ton of money. i think the
best advice given so far is go find a Sams Club & buy a dis-
continued model as previously mentioned (cheap). obviously
your going to need something large enough to run
an impact gun as you mentioned. :trooper:

(just do it) ;)

Damn, so tempting :D


I think tomorrow I'm going to go shop around and see what else I can find. I never thought to check Sam's Club.

I have one of those. It is definately not anything to write home about, but I don't think you can beat it for the price.

I run a die-grinder on mine. It recovers pretty slow - that 4.4 CFM rating might be generous. It does get the job done though, and it is PLENTY for rattle gun use and airing up tires.

Oh, and if you do get one, get ready to remove the regulator and the stock quick-connects, they both are alarmingly restrictive garbage. I run mine without a reg and with a 3/8 quick connect.

I never thought to check Sam's Club

Yeh I didn't either. I'm rarely (read:never) that lucky and I thought something had to be wrong. The warranty and return policy was the same, though and since I was in the middle of a couple projects, I knew that I'd know soon if anything major was wrong with it. A year later it still works. I've been using it pretty much constantly (realistically ~5 hours a day), between suspension work on mom's car and the usual shit I do, everyday for the past week. Keeping in mind that it's not a stationary heavy-duty model and putting aside the fact I scored it for $100, I'm really quite happy with it and would reccomend it.

Also, maybe you all know this already but here's a heads up that I just learned(the hard way, of course). Don't use it with an extension cord unless it's of proper gauge-they draw a fair amount of power. When I started using it more this summer the motor would try to turn and then just stall out after a couple seconds and trip the breaker. I thought the motor was fawked. I was reading the post about extension cords for welder's and it hit me...I was using one of those thin 50' cheap extensions. I plugged it in right at the outlet and started using more of the hose and it works just fine now. yes voltage drop is real :rolleyes:

you've done some research and got some opinions. I'm with F-trooper, just do it.

good luck man

Jim,
Get a BIG one... save the $150 you would be using on the little one and just do it right... I love the "tool whore" name LOL


He is mine...
http://fototime.com/8ED3D3AE010F106/standard.jpg


AW

What comp is that??? I have been reading and studying all this comp stuff but would just be happy to learn from someones good foutune...I just want a big enough comp to run air tools and maybe a small blast cabinet...Please help out a comp tard...:-)

I think that's what I'm going to do, AZ. I've found some Ingersol Rand compressors for around 500 bucks that put out some good numbers. I think that's what I'll end up going with.

Ive had the 60 Gallon Crapsman "Professional" Oil Less, Loud and a POS. It threw a connecting rod and that was that...

Now, This red guy is a Huskey, got 10% during their Great Tool Trade In, got rid of a pos skill saw with no cord. The Huskey is 80Gal 7HP 175psi Max, and 15cfm which is very good at 175 IMO. I got it out the door for $700 and it also has Cast Iron 2 Stage Compressor and its belt driven, Nice and quite. Best of all its 100% Duty Cycle and a 3yr Warranty.


I WILL never own another Crapsman Comprssor again !

IR are some of the best in the industry.


:grinpimp: AW

The Craftsman ones seemed really overpriced from what I saw at their store yesterday.... and their numbers weren't very good either. Not sure how they get away charging so much for them. I think anything electronic made by Craftsman is a piece of crap personally.

Ive had the 60 Gallon Crapsman "Professional" Oil Less, Loud and a POS. It threw a connecting rod and that was that...


You couldn't pay me enough to take an oilless compressor.