Figured I'd give you guys a quick thought about the compressor I picked up at Harbor Freight. This one. I know you're thinking "you bought a compressor at Harbor Freight, are you nuts?" Maybe, but with online coupon it was only $150 plus tax. It is also oil lubricated, which is also a plus in my book. I've never been fond of the oil free compressors. We use them at work and they perform less than stellar. Instructions on initial start-up is to put a fitting on the end and run the compressor for 30 minutes strait. After which you are to change out the oil. Now I know why they want you to do that, this is the oil after the initial 30 minutes:
Refilled with some Castrol Edge 0w30 I had laying around. Figured it would be easier running during the winter in my un-heated detached garage. I know some of you are going to say I should be using a non-detergent oil, but I've been running Castrol HD30 in my small 2 gallon compressor for years. Under heavy (and abusive I might say) use it still works to this day.
My primary use is a blow gun, and my initial impressions are it does very well. With the regulator set at around 100, pressure feels constant. It does stay running while using the blow gun, but that's to be expected. I'm sure impact use would be suitable for this unit as well. Any long-time use tool such as an air sander I probably wouldn't recommend. Long term longevity is yet to be determined, but as a budget compressor I'm impressed. Figure I'd share in-case anybody is looking for something along this line and on a budget.
Refilled with some Castrol Edge 0w30 I had laying around. Figured it would be easier running during the winter in my un-heated detached garage. I know some of you are going to say I should be using a non-detergent oil, but I've been running Castrol HD30 in my small 2 gallon compressor for years. Under heavy (and abusive I might say) use it still works to this day.
My primary use is a blow gun, and my initial impressions are it does very well. With the regulator set at around 100, pressure feels constant. It does stay running while using the blow gun, but that's to be expected. I'm sure impact use would be suitable for this unit as well. Any long-time use tool such as an air sander I probably wouldn't recommend. Long term longevity is yet to be determined, but as a budget compressor I'm impressed. Figure I'd share in-case anybody is looking for something along this line and on a budget.