I have read back in some of the old air compressor topics and have narrowed down the one I want for my shop to two different ones. They are the Husky 60 gal. sold by Home Depot, and the Porter Cable 60 gal. sold by Lowes. They are both $397, and I was wondering if any of you had a preference between the two.

Thanks.

I guess you didn't read too well :flipoff2:

Whats the CFM?!?!:rolleyes:

Sorry. I don't know. I will go look at both of them tonight I guess, and post those numbers tomorrow. I guess the higher number would be the one to buy. I could not find a topic that compares these two common units.

Look for the CFM under load or during continus use.

Dont forget Sears as well. Their Craftsman units are pretty nice too. I have the 36Gal. with the 6.5 HP motor and it works very well.

I have the Husky 60gal, upright. This compressor is made by Campbel Hausfield.

It's a 220V, single phase electric motor with a cast iron twin cylinder single stage compressor, and it can do easily 10cfm at 90PSI, at 100% duty cycle.

So far, I have no complaints with it. My neighbor has a compressor too, and it's NOISY in comparison to this one.

I bought the craftsman industrial one 60 gal with a 14 hp 2 cyl motor on it.......Does pretty damn good!!!

A little noisy but, does good.

14 cfm at 60 psi i think? i think 9 cfm at 100 psi.

I've also got the 60 gal Husky, no complaints. Whatever you do, do not get an "oil-less". They are MUCH more noisy and they do not last as long. Also, you want to get at least 10 cfm @90 to handle many common air tools. Even at that, die grinders, air drills, and sanders give it hell...

I have a little tiny 2 hp and 15 gallon unit. Other than the working CFM deficiency, the recoup rate is at least quick. Plus it is mega quiet.

Alright, the Husky one does 10.3 CFM @ 90 psi, while the PC one does 9.7 CFM @ 90 psi. Guess I will get the Husky one, unless anyone knows of a reason that the Porter Cable is better.

I have that Husky also - it's seen substantial use, and done extremely well. I think that the Porter-Cable has aluminum cylinders? Not sure if they're sleeved or not. Aluminum would cool better, but wear much faster too (unless sleeved). I like iron, and have been very happy with the Husky.

Regardless of the compressor, don't forget to drain the water out of the tank regularly.

Another vote for the Husky. I have one and am very happy with it. If I remember correctly, the Porter Cable is aluminum with a cast sleeve. Near as I can tell from all my research, your better off to go full cast. In Porter Cables own literature they show a full cast pump as a "step up" from an aluminum with a cast sleeve. Husky has full cast for the same price, or the nearly identical Cambell-Hausfeld has full cast for the same price as well at Harbor Freight.

I was going to buy that Husky compressor from HD. But I noticed a clearance Ingersol-Rand 2 stage 60 gal unit for about $600. 15CFM at 100PSI. :flipoff2: Cutoff pressure is 175PSI! :eek: I can honestly say I never run out of air. I don't know if HD has any more of those. I've had 3 people try to buy mine off me allready. They all said they saw one and went back to buy it only to find it sold. The HD guy claimed IR couldn't get them enough stock at the non-sale price of $850 or so and switched vendors to Husky/CH and Porter Cable.

The stuff everyone says to look for is an oil-lube and cast-iron pump, as high a CFM as you can afford and lots of storage.

Originally posted by ttabbal
I was going to buy that Husky compressor from HD. But I noticed a clearance Ingersol-Rand 2 stage 60 gal unit for about $600. 15CFM at 100PSI. :flipoff2: Cutoff pressure is 175PSI! :eek: I can honestly say I never run out of air. I don't know if HD has any more of those. I've had 3 people try to buy mine off me allready. They all said they saw one and went back to buy it only to find it sold. The HD guy claimed IR couldn't get them enough stock at the non-sale price of $850 or so and switched vendors to Husky/CH and Porter Cable.

The stuff everyone says to look for is an oil-lube and cast-iron pump, as high a CFM as you can afford and lots of storage.

You suck. That is a nice unit.:flipoff2:

I got the Husky home last night. I plan to plumb it into the garage eventually, but for now I just want to leave it on the pallet it came on and start using it. I think I need a filter and regulator from the research I have done on here.

So, what should I get to go from the 3/4" NPT hole in the side of the compressor? I want to end up with a quick connect on the end so I can just plug my hose into the comp for now.

Thanks again!

I used a nipple into a 3/4 ball valve, then bushed down to a quick connect. All I'm running now is air tools so it's running wide open. If/when I add a regulator and filter (like if I ever finish this rig and paint it), I'll "T" it off so that I can plug in wide open or regulated and filtered just by plugging in to the right connector.

So it is OK to just run the tools wide open with no filter? I am just going to be using a impact and air ratchet for now.

Yeah, I run most of my tools wide open with no filter all the time. I just put a few drops of oil in my tools before using, and before storing if the tool is not used often. I don't use an oiler (although I have). They tend to be a mess, oil too much, ruin hoses, and you have to keep separate hoses for the oiler and non-oiled air. I've run air tools without filters or oilers for MANY years with no problems. I still have the same IR air ratchets and other tools that I used when I worked in a body shop (mostly frame machine and spraying) for years (many years ago). The only time I run a filter is when I spray paint. Now a water separator is a different story. If you live in a high humidity area, you will definitely want one of those, but you will still need to keep the tank drained...

BTW, I do run a small in-line regulator on some tools to control the speed. Things like air drills and die grinders with stones.

Thanks for the help. I just went to Lowes and got a filter/regulator. It gets humid as hell here so I bought it. It is a one piece unit. When I do plumb up the garage, I am going to use 3/4" black pipe and have about three outlets. I guess I will just get one of these for each outlet at that point, since my pipe will be a bigger diamater than the filter. BTW, any advantage to getting a 1/2" hose with 1/4" NPT ends as apposed to 3/8" - 1/4"?

3/8 is generally big enough for runs up to 50 feet or so, but larger hose holds higher pressure for long runs, especially with high volume tools like DAs, drills, and grinders. Depends on what you need.

As for black pipe, I wouldn't advise anyone to use it. That stuff will rust on the inside (even if you put a water trap between it and the tank) and contaminate the air. If you do use it, you will definately need to put filters at each tap and check them often. I would use copper if possible...

BTW, there was a discussion a while back where most of the stuff I just said was covered.

I just went to HD and the guy said they were no where near $397, The little 28 gallon Husky was 360 or something like that. What gives? Where did you go to get them?

I'm with pigpen, where'd you get one with those specs for $397 ?

- jack

Originally posted by pigpen62
I just went to HD and the guy said they were no where near $397, The little 28 gallon Husky was 360 or something like that. What gives? Where did you go to get them?
I just bought the upright 60g Husky 7hp for $397 at Home Depot last month... it's the same as the Campbell Hausfeld at Harbor Freight. So check there and see if they have it... only difference is the color and the fact you will pay about $427 for it instead....

From the HomeDepot Husky compressor sheet:

VT6314 (Husky part #)
Home Depot Ski # (US) 710-098

Specs
Warranty: 3 Year
HP (peak): 6.5hp
HP (running): 3.2hp
Tank Size (gallons): 60 gal
Air delivery (SCFM@90 PSI): 10.3
maximum pressure: 135
100% duty cycle: yes
Pump Design: Cast Iron Oil Lubricated Pump
Electrical Supply: 240volts
Pump RPM: 1070

Suggested Air Tool Usage:

Inflation, Brad nailers & Staplers, Home Hobby Spray Guns, Finish/Framing/Roofing Nailers, Screwdrivers & Drills, Impact Wrenches & Ratchets, Die Grinders & Air chisels, Sandblasters/Sanders