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What do you guys think about this compressor

PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 8:29 am
by Lenny B
Hello Everyone,
I need a new compressor since I sold my old one with the sale of a house. I'm setting up the new garage and now need a compressor. I was going to pick up an Eaton Polar Air "that I know is an excellent compressor" but I looked at this unit from Home Depot that is about a half as expensive. That Eaton unit with an 80 Gallon is about $1660 and the 60 Gallon is $1560. The Eaton pump is a lot better also with 19CFM@100PSI. I know the Eaton is by far a better unit but for what I do (weekend warrior / hobbiest) I think this unit from HD will be more than enough for me at a 1/2 of the price. I can get it $100 off (normally $900 - with discount $800). The specs look good to me for what I do. Do you think it is a good unit for a backyard one man shop? Or will I be sorry?

Specs on the Husky from HD are:

208/230 volt - 5HP - Single Stage - 3 cylinder - Iron Pump - 80 Gallon Tank - 2 year warranty

CFM 16@40PSI / 14@90PSI

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-80-Ga ... /203187346

Re: What do you guys think about this compressor

PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 9:41 am
by JCCLARK
I have an older Eaton and it's been a great compressor, but
I hear the newer ones are Chinese made and lesser quality.
I can tell by the picture that the motor shown is much smaller
than my 5HP unit.
I probably wouldn't buy one of todays model.

Re: What do you guys think about this compressor

PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:41 am
by DarrelK
Well, I was sold on Eaton years ago. Then came the great Chinese debate with threatened law suits, general bad mouthing, etc concerning Eaton. Almost any "affordable" compressor pump is being made in China now. When we replace our big 7.5 hp unit I am still probably going to go Eaton but it's mostly because of the disc valves they use. I hate the reed valve plates on our previous compressors and the subsequent service calls which involved various parts. Eaton compressors are generally quieter and they do spin less rpms. Where we've got compressors on 8 to 12 hours a day sometimes, those are good features. For what you are doing.....I don't think that's a bad compressor and as said it's quite a value. Keep in mind though the Husky warranty actually says you have to bring it back to Home Depot for service......really???? Maybe cough back up that $100 you are saving and get an extended "on-site" warranty??? I wonder if you could use Paypal Credit for that and get an extended warranty through them?

Re: What do you guys think about this compressor

PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 12:53 pm
by '68 Coronet R/T
I bought a Porter Cable 80 gallon, 2-stage, cast iron pump, 6 hp compressor over a decade ago and it came with an on site 1 year warranty. I have never had an issue with it. $1000.00

It has more than paid for itself in relieving the frustration, stress and aggravation I had while waiting for my previous compressor to catch up.

My point being, buy the biggest and best compressor YOU can afford. Most will last a long time if you maintain the oil level and keep the air intake filter clean.

One more thing - check the reviews on any compressor you are going to purchase. Not sure Husky ratings are accurate.

Re: What do you guys think about this compressor

PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 2:48 pm
by OldFatBald
Sorry, I don't know anything about either compressor (I know, "Gee thanks!") but when comparing prices on a major component like a compressor, you also should ask yourself how long do you plan on being in this house?

1 year vs 30 years? Same input variable with two vastly different input values effecting your usage cost/hour - hope that makes sense.

Re: What do you guys think about this compressor

PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 5:24 pm
by JCCLARK
OldFatBald wrote:you also should ask yourself how long do you plan on being in this house?


I don't know about you guys, but if I move, my compressor is going with me. :happy:

Re: What do you guys think about this compressor

PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 5:32 pm
by JCCLARK
That Husky will keep up just fine for painting, but if you plan on using
air sanders you need a little bigger one. Air sanders will pull 15 CFM at 90 PSI.
And you should have something putting out a little more than that, otherwise
the compressor will run constantly and start getting hot and making a lot
of water. For air sanders, you really need a 2 stage.
But you can get by just fine with electric sanders. I pretty much don't use the air ones anymore and use electric for most everything now.

Re: What do you guys think about this compressor

PostPosted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:52 am
by Doright
I have two of those Eaton triple cylinder 18cfm single stage pumps running side by side with two 5 hp motors, I bought the pumps from Eaton years ago to upgrade my two 11 cfm dual stage pumps my compressors came with, they worked great for a while.
And ya it took two of them too keep up with my air demands! all my air tools are air hogs!

Just me But I would stay away from single stage units myself.
Like Darrel said Whichever you chose look into the Valve design, Reed valves Suck!
Make sure replacement Valve parts are available! buy them and keep them on hand!

My two Triples have the Disk style Valves and as it turns out are no longer available from Eaton mine weren't bad I just wanted to freshen the pumps up as they have hundreds of hours on them the disk valves can be lapped and the seats machined but I needed more air anyway and was looking at up sizing compressor pumps once again! when I found a fantastic deal on a very large lightly used commercial sized machine.
The Pump alone weighs 450lbs I finally won the compressor battle and have enough air for my shop! And ya If I move I am taking my compressor with me too! although I am not too sure how I will move it? It took too many years to get that beast!

Like Jim Said If your serious about working in your shop and doing this stuff you need AIR buy the Biggest baddest machine you can afford! you'll never be sorry!

How do you tell what type of valve?

PostPosted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:31 pm
by OldFatBald
...Whichever you chose look into the Valve design, Reed valves Suck!


* How do you tell what type of valve a compressor has?
I cant seem to find in any of the marketing what type of valve they have.

I have been looking at the Quincys, IRs among others

Also, with the Quincys the cost jumps up going from a splash to pressure lubricated.

Re: How do you tell what type of valve?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 10:17 am
by Doright
OldFatBald wrote:
...Whichever you chose look into the Valve design, Reed valves Suck!


* How do you tell what type of valve a compressor has?
I cant seem to find in any of the marketing what type of valve they have.

I have been looking at the Quincys, IRs among others

Also, with the Quincys the cost jumps up going from a splash to pressure lubricated.



There you go research is every thing! Pressurized oiling is good. Also a lot of these units your looking at either use an Eaton air pump or a cheap China copy of them.

And just for every ones knowledge My new compressor an Ingersol Rand 7100 has reed style valves and splash oiling do I like it no! but how many 50 CFM compressors do you run across every day? for me it works the price was right and I can live with the extra maintenance. A rebuild kit for my pump with OEM parts is only $650 bucks. a little more if I had to buy new Rods.

Due to my compressors size cycle times are very low so the pump works a lot less which keeps heat down, a smaller pump has to work harder creating more heat which burns up the pumps faster. Heat and higher cycle time is what burns up any compressor pump.
Reed valves are not as Heat tolerant as Disk valves.