What do you think about this air compressor?
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 28
What do you think about this air compressor? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92504
I will be doing some painting, sandblasting, air tools, seems decent for the price. Only down fall in the size to the tank.
Thanks.
I will be doing some painting, sandblasting, air tools, seems decent for the price. Only down fall in the size to the tank.
Thanks.
Looks like it'd be adequate for painting and air tools (provided you have a decent watertrap placed well downstream), but it's probably too small (tank wise) for sandblasting.
Larger tank helps trap water. Water is the bane of sandblasting (and paint). For under $400, I don't think you can find a 'better deal', but I'd really keep looking for a compressor with a 60 gallon tank. The 60 gallons will last longer between pump-ups.
Larger tank helps trap water. Water is the bane of sandblasting (and paint). For under $400, I don't think you can find a 'better deal', but I'd really keep looking for a compressor with a 60 gallon tank. The 60 gallons will last longer between pump-ups.
You still have to have a large enough compressor to keep up with the larger volume of air. Check the Ingersoll Rand ones at Northern Tool. You will pay a little more for sure, but you get what you pay for. You only want to buy ONE compressor, make a good choice the first time. Harbor Freight stuff is cheap quality too.
i got my compressor at Lowes. its a Kobalt 220v 60gal upright and im not sure of exact specs and hp right now, but i checked and it was good for painting and a bunch of other stuff. it originally listed for 495 but for some reason it was on clearence sale for 240, i thought it was just the floor model so i figure sure why not, but then they brought a brande new crated up one down off the racks for me. I'll be painting my engine bay this weekend so i'l see how it does.
Like said above.. tooooo small for sandblasting. 4 HP, and 29 gallons, and the compressor will over heat and have it's tongue hangin out..
Didn't notice if it's a 2 stage.. If not, that's an even bigger limitation.
My 7HP/80 gallon/ 2 stage, cast iron, has trouble keeping up w/ a blaster..
Didn't notice if it's a 2 stage.. If not, that's an even bigger limitation.
My 7HP/80 gallon/ 2 stage, cast iron, has trouble keeping up w/ a blaster..
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Coastal NC
The compressor is OK, but small, and a small tank. The 4hp motor is Chinese, and like most cheap motors from China it isn't worth a dang. The paint won't stay on it, the insulation on the windings is cheap shillac, and when it overheats, (and it will if used heavy) the shillac will not keep the windings insluted, and the motor will burn up. The brushes will stick and a whole bunch of other things will go wrong.
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Compare Compressors by CFM Produced @ 90psi Lately, manufacturers are inflating their horsepower ratings by using peak horsepower and similar terms. The normal way to compare horsepower was to look at how many running amps were drawn. Now they list starting amps or no load amps which is useless for comparing compressors.
The best way to compare them is by the CFM (cubic feet per minute) that they produce. Most air tools require 90psi or more to operate correctly, therefore compare compressor outputs at that pressure. You will find that 2 stage compressors are much more capable at that pressure.
The compressor you are looking at is probably about 2.5 actual horsepower and will work for intermittent use of most air tools, but won't even come close to what you need for continuous air required by a sandblaster or air file. It might barely keep up to a DA (dual action sander).
My suggestion is to spend the extra money on a 5 horsepower 2 stage compressor which draws 25 running amps @ 220 volts. You can find them for $700-$800. For my pressure pot sandblaster, I use two 5 H.P 2 stage compressors in order to have the ability of continuous use.
This one is a 5HP 2 stage for $799 and puts out 15.8 CFM @ 90psi:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93274
This one is bigger than you were looking for but 7.5 hp is a bargain at $899.
check out the amazing 26 CFM air delivery at 90psi!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=55261
The best way to compare them is by the CFM (cubic feet per minute) that they produce. Most air tools require 90psi or more to operate correctly, therefore compare compressor outputs at that pressure. You will find that 2 stage compressors are much more capable at that pressure.
The compressor you are looking at is probably about 2.5 actual horsepower and will work for intermittent use of most air tools, but won't even come close to what you need for continuous air required by a sandblaster or air file. It might barely keep up to a DA (dual action sander).
My suggestion is to spend the extra money on a 5 horsepower 2 stage compressor which draws 25 running amps @ 220 volts. You can find them for $700-$800. For my pressure pot sandblaster, I use two 5 H.P 2 stage compressors in order to have the ability of continuous use.
This one is a 5HP 2 stage for $799 and puts out 15.8 CFM @ 90psi:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93274
This one is bigger than you were looking for but 7.5 hp is a bargain at $899.
check out the amazing 26 CFM air delivery at 90psi!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=55261
Last edited by gto69judge; Oct 15, 2006 at 11:54 AM.
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Verdad Gallardo The problem with running 7.5 hp compressors is that you need a 50A - 60A circuit to cover the inrush - likely with a magnetic breaker as well. My 220V breaker in my shop is only 40A, that limited me to 5 hp (and my lights still dim a little when it kicks on).
hp means nothing, it's all about cfm and amps.
Get as many cfm as you can for as much amp capacity that you have... for the lowest price, of course. 
hp means nothing, it's all about cfm and amps.
Get as many cfm as you can for as much amp capacity that you have... for the lowest price, of course. 
