Harbor Freight air compressors (Central Pneumatic)

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plow hand

Well-known Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

1 last question since I'm going to buy a tool box and a air compressor this weekend..Anyone give the Harbor Freight compressors a try?..thanks..

 

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thebigyellowtruck

Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

Get the warranty if you buy it. I've had to get 2 of the 21 gallon uprights replaced in two years. First one wouldn't pump higher than 60 psi after 3 months. the second motor seized after about 6 months. I have heard good things about the belt driven models, but the direct drives haven't stood up to the test of time for me. When they're working they work fairly well though.

 

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Wile E

Well-known Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

I could never buy a chessy import air compressor. Do it right and buy a real one, with a real history, such as Campbell Hausfeld, or Ingersoll Rand.
Think of it this way------You will own this for many years. Why would you go cheap and have to buy 5 Harbor Freight compressors when you can buy one good one in the same time frame.
I have had the same compressor for 15 years. A 2hp Campbell Hausfeld, works in 100f temps and 0f temps.

 

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The Red

Well-known Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

The lower priced Campbells are imports. Ingersoll Rands are built in Kentucky, a preferable import.

 

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tomtirediron

Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

I'm hurting right now for an air compressor myself. Been going to pull the trigger on the NorthStar 2HP upright onsale now for 399.00 But really want a 5HP Quincy 2 stage for 1400.00. Figure I'm going to have that (Quincy) left over for my boy in 25-30 years so myself I'm saving up the cash. Don't know about the H.F. but that 399.00 Northstar looks pretty good with warrenty if I was to go low end. Good Luck!

 

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old-9

Well-known Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

Several years ago I bought an Eagle Air compressor (made in Canada). My son also bought the same model. 5 Hp. 60 gallon , single stage.
last year mine quit working on one cylinder, I called tec service and ordered a head gasket, it fixed the problem. I had to pay shipping so I got 3, one to use and 2 spares. I think was in the 425 range and took 20 minutes to change. They have a one year warrenty but mine was 4 years old. joe

 

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DeltaRed

Well-known Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

I have a 'US General' compressor from HF.Its an 60 gal upright-8 cfm.I've had no problems in the 2 years I've owned it.

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

well you better look at your C H and IR both are now made in China

 

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Frank 41

Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

You usually get what you pay for. Get a Quincy or IR. Rural King has them on sale at times and certain days they had a senior discount even though the sale tax with school tax included is 8.75%. Just keep the water out of everything. No they are not cheap but will last forever.

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

have a big HF and have had it for just under 2 years but it will go back with in the next 30 days because I have the extended warranty of free replacement if any thing goes wrong with it and something will go wrong with it. now I know that is not right BUT they tell you to bring it back so it will go back

 

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Dachshund

Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

I've had one for over 10 years - and used/abused it. It's still going strong.

 

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Earl Gray

Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

Sounds like you plan on screwing them and all their other customers, myself included! Shame on you!

 

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Bob

Well-known Member

• May 23, 2013

• #1

Just playing the devil"s advocate here... do you REALLY believe the endurance/performance/who manufactured it of a ten year old compressor will have ANY bearing on what is "on the shelf" at the chinese tool store today, for good or bad?

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• May 24, 2013

• #1

Thought real hard about getting one, but local CIH dealer had a good spring sale on US made units and bought a large 5 hp two cylinder single stage. Son worked for a big electronics repair shop that bought one of the larger HF single stage units. A bunch of geeks that were vastly more interested in repairing electronics, then worrying about mechancical stuff and service. Installation was quick/dirty and had several air leaks. But they never shut it down after hours nor on weekends. Pretty much ran all the time. Finally broke the first one. Decided to repair the leaks and henceforth follow service recommendations on the 2nd unit HF provided for warranty replacement. Began shutting it off at night and during weekends. Still running fine when he left for a better job.

 

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Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

• May 24, 2013

• #1

I bought a model 90234 4hp 10gal compressor and it didn't work very well. The connecting rod on the pump started coming loose so I took it back for exchange. Then several months later the connecting rod on the pump started coming loose on the replacement compressor. This time I fixed it myself and the way the rubber gasket is made on the pump is a terrible job to do. After I fixed it the compressor it is still working two years later.

The compressor delivers far less air than you would think from a 4hp compressor. I have a 1hp speedaire compressor that delivers twice the air. The HF compressor will operate a nail gun which is what I bought it for anyway.

 

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greygoat

Well-known Member

• May 24, 2013

• #1

I'ts all about what you can afford at this time
I've had a "Qunincy" for 40 years. It's got Ball
bearings, an internal oil pump, full pressure
lubracation, even an oil pressure gauge..reads
15 psi after 2-3 seconds of start up.'ve used Mobil 1 5-20 in it for 25 years..starts and runs
fine at -25 below zero in an unheated shop.
But !!! it cost $800 when a new American Motors
Hornet, 6 cyl, 3 speed manual, cost $1900 !

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• May 24, 2013

• #1

Got an email just this week that Rural King is running their IR compressors at 10% off.

 

omahagreg

Well-known Member

• May 24, 2013

• #1

When I got mine from Lowes, it was made by Sanborn. One at Menards was also Sanborn made. I would check each for price, the morning Lowes had them $100 off, it was mine! I like it, single stage and NOISY, but works good. Here is the 'redneck' oil change I did on it last fall-I did not want oil all over the tank! LOL

 

T in NE

Well-known Member

Location

Cambridge, Nebraska

• May 26, 2013

• #1

My dad bought a noisemaker that doubles (doubled) as an air compressor. All we did was air up tires and it didn't last too long even just doing that. Seating the bead on a 16.9-28 was a lot to ask of it.