I just received the latest Harbor Freight flyer and on the front page they are featuring a Central Pneumatic 4 1/2 hp 21 gallon vertical air compressor. The specs are 125 psi max, 4.4 cfm@90 psi, 11.1 cfm at 40psi. Price $159.99. My question is, is it worth getting this compressor for this money? I know it isn't the greatest, but for occasional use by a hobbiest (sp) is it a good deal? I don't know enough about them to know a good one from a bad one. I do know I am not planning on painting with it. I know you get what you pay for but I don't think I need a $700 8hp 60 gallon tank job for the limited use I will put it through. I can always upgrade later and move it to my other garage. thanks Larry
You could prolly get something comprable at your local retail store for a little less. Sears has them on sale often and the give you air rachets or an impact with it. I think Sears uses Cambell-Hausfeld stuff anyway. When you do get one get the rubber hose the polyurethane stuff is too stiff and stays curled up. I looped mine up and hung it on the wall when I got my 100 ft of rubber. I think I paid $40 for it at Home Depot. I have a Craftsman 6hp 30 gallon vertical. It pushes 6.4cfm @90psi. It turns my IR 231 impact well. It doesn't do well with a die grinder though. It will run constantly. I wish I had saved my money and gotton something a little bigger. Definitely a 2 stage with more volume. My air compressor will shake the house everytime it turns on. I hate it. The bigger ones are half as noisey and will do every thing that you ever wanted.
It always starts with occasional use then you get some air tools and wow, you use it all the time. I would suggest you get a two stage and go a little bigger than you think. I said the same thing 17 years ago. Now, I have an air chisel, die grinder, air shears, flanger, impact gun, long board sander, needle scaler, DA, punch and large sandblaster. Wonder how I got anything done without it before! I don't do any painting either but I love all my air tools! I would also suggest you visit Lowe's and Home Depot to see what they have and compare prices w/features.:TU:
I got a 5 1/2 hp 26 gallon Campbell Hausfeld couple years back for about $180. Sounds about right on price. I have had nothing but good luck with it, but don't know much about Central Pnuematic quality. It is an oil-less compressor so it is pretty noisy. I have it in the shed out back with 1/2 inch PVC run into the garage with several outlets and it seems to work about like Joe Kelsch said his does. Works the air tools okay but nix on the die grinder!!! I put a transmission in my minivan last weekend and it did real well.
I have a Porter Cable 6HP, 25 gallon compressor. 6.8cfm @ 90 psi, 8.6 @ 40. It's not the oil-less type. I'm not a big fan of the oil-less type, since they are very noisy, and I just can't see how something can last long-term if you can't ever change the oil. My compressor is aluminum with cast-iron cylinder sleeves. I've used this compressor way beyond it's capacity and keeps coming back for more. Die grinding, sand blasting, etc where it will run continuously, but it seems to take it just fine. With the die grinder going full blast, it will maintain about 60psi. Not ideal, but it's plenty of air to keep the grinder going at useful speed. For Impact guns, air ratchets, etc it is excellent. I would definitely buy a bit larger unit than you think you will need. As mentioned above, once you have a compressor and your collection of air tools grows, you'll wonder how you ever did without them, and will appreciate a bit of extra capacity.
