question on Central Pneumatic air compressor from Habor Freight.

[rnln]

Can someone give me feedback and suggestion on this brand (Central Pneumatic)?
I asked question on air compressor in the past and summarize my choice to veritcle cylinder, oil, and belt driven. For these, it cost a little high if I go to Sears or Lowes.
Harbor Freight is having a 2HP, 110v, 60hz, 115 PSI, 8 gallon for $100 and a 21 gallon for $150. I am leaning to the 8 gallon since being compact is what I am looking for. Anyone have any comment?
Thanks.

[qcwang]

The size of the tank would depend on the projects you plan to do. For general nailing or tools that need shorts bursts of air, the smaller tank would be ok. I would suggest getting the 21 gal. tank as any impact wrench use will probably cause the compressor motor to continually run.

I am new to the air compressor world and bought used a 21 gal, oil fed, belt driven one. Last summer when putting together the kids wooden playset, I used the impact wrench to drive the large screws into the wood. If I had a small tank, the compressor would have been running the whole time and it would have taken a longer time to drive the screws in waiting in between for the tank to fill.

As for the brand, I guess CP is ok for the home shop and garage. Maybe others will have more info.

Take care!

[fastpat]

Originally posted by rnln

Harbor Freight is having a 2HP, 110v, 60hz, 115 PSI, 8 gallon for $100 and a 21 gallon for $150. I am leaning to the 8 gallon since being compact is what I am looking for. Anyone have any comment?
Thanks.

If all you want to do is pump up the tires on your car and blow dry parts, then the above would be useful. To do work, you need something a little larger. I'd suggest nothing less than a 20 gallon tank, at least 2 running horsepower, 4 to 6 starting horsepower. You also want a high pressure system, say 150 psi at least, 175 psi is better. That's stepped down by your pressure regulator to power pneumatic tools, usually to about 90 psi. You definitely want an oil bath compressor, the oil-free are so loud you can't stand to be anywhere near them. I bought a Sears 25 gallon portable that meets most of those specs last spring, but I just checked on Sears web site and it's no longer listed.

[sammyg2]

I have that 2.5 hp 8 gallon air compressor in my garage.
I've had it for about 4 years, and up until recently it was completely trouble-free.

A metal cap on the relief valve broke off rendering the machine un-useable. the cap was made of pot metal and not easily replicated or replaced.
I went to the harbor freight website and found the air compressor and clicked on user manual. There in PDF form it showed an exploded view and a toll free phone number. I called and ordered a complete relief valve assembly. It cost $1.85

delivery is kind of slow because I think it has to come from over-seas but they also said that if I would like they can check their local warehouse to see if they have a used part that they can ship in less than a week. Not bad.

The machine is very handy, not exactly quiet but not overly noisy. It will have trouble keeping up with a 1/2" impact gun or peanut grinder so if you plan to run larger power tools it may not be the best choice. It will run them, but not continuously. It builds up 125 psi and has an adjustable regulator.
It also takes up very little space if that is a concern.

Yes you can get a better machine for three or four times the price, but for under $100 it is hard to beat.

[Moneyguy1]

A small tank unit can be "converted" by placing a larger tank in tandem (series) with the unit. Necessary for ay job with extended use of air such as spray painting, certain power tools.

[azasadny]

I don't trust anything at Harbor Freight, every thing I've ever purchased there has broken. Check out the compressors at Sam's Club or Costco, they're pretty decent...

[john70t]

You should go electric for grinding and the impact gun, and buy a small compressor for tires and the workbench.

Even a 25gal tank can't do much more than spot-shoot primer, and pressure is the key for the impacts. A 1/2in (well-oiled) gun with 100lbs air pressure is the best most small compressors can do.

HF is mostly junk, however my angle grinder bearings were fixed with the smooth band of a hose clamp, and the other crap put in the circular file.
With welders, lathes, etc... only American.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by azasadny
I don't trust anything at Harbor Freight, every thing I've ever purchased there has broken. Check out the compressors at Sam's Club or Costco, they're pretty decent...

I was initially thinking along those lines myself in regards to an air compressor, however $100 for an ocassional tire inflator/ hobby compressor is pretty cheap.

Hell, I just used my HF, $20 on sale, variable speed 7" angle buffer again last night. I have used it to buff out three cars after repaint over the last two years and it still works just as good as a Porter Cable that would cost ten times as much (the foam and wool professional grade buffing disks each cost more than the buffer )

Come to think of it, I can't remember any of my "occasional use" power tools (1/2" drill, portable hand held planer, sawzall, buffer, 4" angle grinder, bead roller set etc) purchased from Harbor Freight ever breaking on me even though I assumed they would with moderate use. I also have Makita, Milwaukee and other name brand power tools, but a careful shopper with a little common sense can make out pretty good at HF for hobby use power tools.

[rnln]

Thanks for all your opinons. Has anyone personally experience a Harbor Freight Air compressor?

Scottb,
Is Campbell Hausfeld a good brand, better than Harbor Freight brands? I went to the site you suggested and found similar recondition Cambell Hausfeld has similar price with a new harbor Freight one.

Thanks.

[on2wheels52]

Belt drive for me please. One can do maintainence on them plus their sound is more harmonious.
HF stuff has it's place but mechanic tools are a long term item for me. Spoiled by Snap-On!
Jim

[SkypeGod]

I have a similar situation. Can be discussed.

[SkypeGod]

I have a similar situation. Can be discussed.

[A. Anna]

I believe Central Pneumatic 21 gallon model air compressor is veritcle cylinder, oil, and belt driven portable compressor as your choise.

[KFC911]

Some old farts, some great posters from the past, and a troll...

It's all here folks

[greglepore]

I have an oilless 20 gal that I bought because they were blowing it out at $49 in 2010. It sees a fair amount of use. The regulator went on it, but I bypassed it and used a nice locking unit from HF that was like $10. I expected it to die long ago, in fact hope that it does before I move, as I want a quieter oil version.

Echo above comments. For inflation use, I'd get the smaller unit, the 20 takes a while to get the tank up to 150. For tools, more air is better. To get any impact to really work well you need airflow, changing to the high flow couplings (I have them on most things and made up an adaptor to use on inflation tools etc) turns a useless 1/2 gun into a tool that will actually do things. Harbor freight calls these "automotive" type. They're expensive, relatively, and aren't in the bins but in blister pack. Going to 1/2 hose is even better, but its unwieldy in most home environments.

And their buffer, as mentioned above? Ace. I know folks in the auto body biz that use them, claim they're as good as a Porter Cable etc. Just don't lose the spare brushes.

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by john70t

You should go electric for grinding and the impact gun, and buy a small compressor for tires and the workbench.

Even a 25gal tank can't do much more than spot-shoot primer, and pressure is the key for the impacts. A 1/2in (well-oiled) gun with 100lbs air pressure is the best most small compressors can do.

HF is mostly junk, however my angle grinder bearings were fixed with the smooth band of a hose clamp, and the other crap put in the circular file.
With welders, lathes, etc... only American.

I had a 60 gallon oil-less for years. I have changed my impacts over to electric. Milwaukee M18 has some great tools. I have a power tank regulator for some nailers that is very convenient but for air I went with a California Air 2010 without the auto drain and with the aluminum tank. This set up gives me quite a bit of flexibility and does not require a large footprint.

[LWJ]

I bought a name brand compressor from a pawn shop. It was in great shape and reasonably priced. Hopefully not stolen...