Compressor

[mack]

Thinking of replacing my 12 gal CH compresser. Lowes has a good deal on a 60 gal Kobalt. Does anyone have any experience with these. it's a belt drive oil unit.?

[jetmechmarty]

This one?


Kobalt 3.7-HP 60-Gallon 155-PSI Electric Air Compressor

Is 11.5 SCFM @ 90 PSI enough to run any tool you care to run? I like that it's a cast iron pump, but prefer them in a V, or any configuration that will dissipate the most heat. It certainly is inexpensive!

[MPittma100]

This one?


Kobalt 3.7-HP 60-Gallon 155-PSI Electric Air Compressor

Is 11.5 SCFM @ 90 PSI enough to run any tool you care to run? I like that it's a cast iron pump, but prefer them in a V, or any configuration that will dissipate the most heat. It certainly is inexpensive!

You should always buy enough (CFM) compressor for what you are going to be using it for. Look at your air tools and see what CFM they require. It takes a minimum of 9-10 CFM to run a glass bead/sand blaster cabinet. Many of your air grinders and sanders eat a lot of CFM too.

I would not consider one with less than 10 CFM for home/small shop work. And you are better off with 240V as compared to 120V operation - twice the voltage = half the amps. JMHO

Mike

[mack]

yep

That's the one. It should run a die grinder ok. Anyone know if this make is any good. I'm no familiar with the name.

[rdmcguy]

kobalt ools

I have a limited exposure to kobalt tools as I am in the construction industry.
It has been my experience that their hand tools are junk.
This would include wrenches, drill bits, screwdrivers ect.
I don't know about their power tools.
most times there is a reason things are cheap.
Good luck

[crazy steve]

That's the one. It should run a die grinder ok. Anyone know if this make is any good. I'm no familiar with the name.

That's Lowe's 'house brand' and I'm sure it's built by somebody else. That's at the low end of the price scale and you usually get what you pay for.

But how hard are you going to use it? If all you're going to do is run some hand-held air tools once in a while, it should last years. Any sort of media blasting, that one will be marginal at best.

For top quality, look at the better non-box-store Campbell-Hausfeld or Quincy units, but expect to spend some money.

[mack]

Thanx

Steve. I looked up the spec's and it's made by CH for Lowes. I just run hand tools with them so this one should out last me. Looking for something quieter than what I have. I don't have much hearing left so I'm trying to preserve whats left. Once this E is done, I won't be using it on a daily basis anymore.

[jetmechmarty]

I agree that in this case the Lowe's unit is probably plenty. I wouldn't expect that siamese pump to run quiet. If I needed a lot of use for a lot of years, I'd go to Grainger or some place like that and buy a Speedaire or something similar. In this case, that may be overspending.

[crazy steve]

Looking for something quieter than what I have. I don't have much hearing left so I'm trying to preserve whats left. Once this E is done, I won't be using it on a daily basis anymore.

Mount it on some rubber isolators; that will make a huge difference in how noisy it will be. But at this price level, quietness isn't a particular concern of the designers. You can get 'quiet' units, but again, expect to spend some serious money.

[MPittma100]

Compressors

I have a couple of recommendations for compressors. These are really good ones so cheap is not applicable.

Pretty much any model of Ingersoll Rand is a good place to start. Buy one of these and you are setting yourself up for not needing another one for a very long time. You will get excellent performance from this brand.

Grainger has the Dayton brand and you can get whatever you need in performance from that line as well.

I have a Dayton (gasoline engine powered) on a service truck. It has 27 CFM. I have never needed any more of a compressor than this one. It does what I need it to do and a whole lot more. It is about 10 years old now and has not failed.

Mike

[Nubian]

An extra $200.00 for this and no worries what so ever. Much better unit.
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?...llow&cId=PDIO1

[crazy steve]

Pretty much any model of Ingersoll Rand is a good place to start.

I-R can be a good brand, but you need to pay attention these days. A lot of these companies have sold their name for use on 'consumer' products and they're not always the same as the familiar 'industrial' products these guys are known for. A lot of the 'name brand' items sold in the various 'box stores' are 'specials', only sold there and not the same as what you'll find elsewhere. John Deere and Rigid both have made deals with Home Depot, I have no doubt that Lowes has done the same with somebody.

My son-in-law is looking right now, and was disappointed to find that the I-R 'consumer' units had Chinese motors with a service life rating of only 5000 hours. Is that a problem? Who knows, maybe, maybe not. He's pretty anal and tends to 'overbuy', we'll see what he ends up with....

With that said, I think that nearly any of these 'budget' compressors will give good service in a 'hobby' environment as long as you get one with at least iron cylinder liners and it's large enough for your needs.

[jetmechmarty]

+1 A jump in quality is going to mean a huge jump in price.

A SPEEDAIRE unit of similar capacity will set you back about $1200. It does put out significantly more air than the Kobalt unit even though both are single stage units.

Here is a link to the Garage Journal answering your question: best air compresser for the money ?

Here is a helpful video that show how to set up your compressor and all the associated stuff you have to buy: How to Set Up Your 60 Gallon Air Compressor

At the price, the Kobalt unit may be just the ticket for you.

[XJOK2PLAY]

Mack,
I've owned one of those for the past 5 years.
I had a good experience with mine.
Affordable, reliable, and makes plenty of air.
I even ran body shop tools with mine, like air files.

Bob

[XJOK2PLAY]

Oh, btw...
Mine had the 30 amp, 240 volt 1/0 motor.

I drilled my concrete floor with a masonry bit, set expansion bolts, placed the rubber pads over those bolts that came with the compressor, and bolted it down.

Noise wasn't too bad.

A 220v motor will cost you 1/2 as much to operate compared to a 120 volt motor.

I checked them out before I bought mine, and at the time it was the best bang for the buck.

As others have suggested though, I'd look closely to see what brand motor they now have, and where they are made.

My experience with Lowe's return policy has always been good.
At least in Ok, they're pretty good about standing behind what they sell.