Air compressor time

Ok, so my trusty Sears 3 hp compressor is starting to show signs of age. Tank has started to leak a bit.

I’ve only had for 25 years or so and got it used, they sure don’t make them like they used too.

Huh, it lost part of my post.

So I’m looking for a 220v since that area is wired up for it. I use it for general shop use like impacts and such. 

Any recommendations for under $500

Kobalt 60-Gallon Electric Vertical Air Compressor

There is a metric assload of compressors in that price range.  I like the chinese vertical twins, but they spin like the dickens to produce half the air of a low speed five horse cast iron Devilbiss decendant.  Devilbiss, then Devair, and now DV systems. The little ones spin at 5500 rpm or so, and are tremendously hard on the ears.  Mine is on the other side of a wall in my home shop, and its louder than the one I will link below.

 Way more than your requested price point, but it will outlive you, and your grandkids will wonder what to do with it when your kids are all dead.  The noise coming from it is way easier on the ears, too.  1800 rpm or so.  If you need a 7.5 horse compressor, buy a bigger motor and pulley and you have a 7.5.

http://www.dv.systems/product/5-hp-heavy-duty-industrial/

In reply to bigdaddylee82 :

I saw one of those at Lowe's a couple weeks ago while picking up something else.  For the money, I don't think you can beat that one, and it was made in Kentucky.  I'm still using a 4HP Craftsman I got in 1986.  When it goes, I'll look at that one at Lowe's, if they still have them.

I’ll have to swing by Lowe’s tomorrow to check it out, thanks!

Well, thank you folks, I got very lucky and Lowe’s had the compressor mis marked at $399.

it gets delivered on Monday.

Bargain!

I bought one about 9 years ago, pretty sure you're going to like it.

I was just told it's been delivered by SWMBO.

So maybe I'm being an idiot, but I'm thinking of putting the compressor back in the corner behind the furnace where my storage is kept and it can get pretty cold. Do we think it'll be an issue? The walls are insulated and it is a attached garage but not on an inside wall.

I wouldn't worry about cold.  Heat is more of a problem.  The thing will make it's own heat.

I've been running an upright oil-less compressor in an insulated (but unheated) shed off the back of my house garage for the past 10 years. It vents heat into the garage attic through the soffit. It's fine in the cold.

I'm finishing a stand-alone compressor shed behind my shop which is also insulated and un-heated, but I'm adding a bathroom fan to vent heat out when the compressor is on.

Awesome, thank you folks!

Well, wired up the new compressor and nothing happens.

Checked voltage at the switch and at the motor, all good there but nothing happens.

Will call Kobalt's help line tomorrow.

Does it have a can on the motor?  If so, the capacitor in that can could be unhooked or bad.  I had a fan that had a bad cap that I could turn on and spin and it would run fine. but YMMV.

In reply to GPz11 :

My wife would probably stop out and ask me how it was going.  Then she would tell me that’s why it was priced so low - it’s defective.  

Then I would ask her to go back into the house.  

Datsun310Guy said:

In reply to GPz11 :

My wife would probably stop out and ask me how it was going.  Then she would tell me that’s why it was priced so low - it’s defective.  

Then I would ask her to go back into the house.  

Let the wife know the one delivered wasn't the one from the store. The one in the store had compressor oil all over it and less dusty.

Though I did just get a call form her telling me that I set up the early bird check in on the wrong flight out to Bonneville.

No, It's set up correctly,

NO, it ISN'T.

I'm looking at the email now, it's set correctly.

I'll SHOW you the email when you get home.

LOL, Yes Dear

I had a Craftsman  oil less compressor which I finally wore out to the point it was pretty much running all the time while using tools that didn’t require a lot CFM. Main complaint was Craftsman was really loud. Bought the Kobalt 60 gallon maybe five years ago. Really like the extra volume of air when using air hog tools like sanders/grinders. Not as quiet as a two stage   but a third minimum of the price. If you are using it everyday for hours at a time a two stage really is the answer. However for hobby or weekend use don’t think you can beat the Kobalt. 

If you have a leak in the tank not something obvious like a leak in a connection or air hose be very careful. The tanks rust from the inside out and a tank failure/explosion can be very violent   and dangerous.

The repair guy is on the way to the house now

Well crap, evidently the repair guy can push the reset button better than I can.

It does appear the pressure valve is defective so they'll be back to replace it.

30 minute break in has been completed.

Thanks for the help everyone!