Craftsman “Professional” Air Compressor
69STINGRAY
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
I was at the local Sears today and they had a “used” “Professional Grade” air compressor on sale for $240 (reg. is $399). I have been wanting one for a while and thought this might be a good chance. What do people think of this compressor? Anyone own one? I will be using it for finish nailing, some HVLP painting, grinder and maybe an impact wrench. Automotive and Household chores. I am thinking of walking in and just offering $199 to see what they say.
Replies
IMO, Sears no longer offers anything that would be considered "professional."
I say that having been a construction millwright for a number of years and bought (and still have) a lot of Craftsman tools (70's vintage and earlier) that are still in great shape. With that experience, I bought some odds and ends of their stuff in more recent years and, without exception, all have been of less than professional quality.
Now, and in the future, I will enter one of their stores only to use their restroom (and if I'm carrying my own toilet paper).
If you want a decent "professional" compressor, I'd encourage you to look at the Makitas....oil bath, quiet, (heavy as a dead priest), but about $189 for a single tank that would do most of your work, or $289 for a twin tank.
Sting,
I dont think there are very many compressors made today with a cast iron pump, which is the only drawback I see to this one. I have an old (1973 ?) 2 1/2 hp / 20 gal Sears compressor that has never given me a single problem. I have painted several cars with it and used it fairly rgularly for the same type of things you are planning. I think it will be fine for your use.
Make sure you change the oil yearly, and drain the tank every time you use it. I attribute those two items to the long life of mine.
Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
Aww, be a trooper and offer $200.
Should be worth it.
We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.
Over the years I've had above average luck with Sears stuff. One electric stapler sucked. Other than than that, I've been happy. I think that looks like a well made machine. IIRC the tank is ASME certified. If it's for a heavy duty DIY, I think you should buy it today.
My old craftsman cast iron compressor has been running for 27 years. Had to replace the unloader valve, rebuilt the pressure regulator, new ball drain cock, a couple oil changes, new pressure switch.
How many PSI is it and how long does it take to fill the tank from empty?Big Macs - 99 cents
It's a 20 gallon tank. Cast iron two cylinder, 100 psi. Takes a little while to pump up, never measured it. True 1 hp motor, but specs say it pumps the same cfm at 90 psi as the ones that are rated at 5 hp. My hotdog pumps to 125, but not a lot of cfm and has only a 2 gallon tank, but it's WAY lighter than the old craftsman.
The makers got their butts hauled into court over the bogus HP ratings. If you look at how much power they can bring in ( 20Amp at 120Volt ) that's 2400 watts. At 746 watt per horse power about 2 hp is the best they can do.
If I was wanting a stationary comp, I'd get a 230 or 208 Volt model. I got a yellow hand carry, but I suspect it's only good for pnuematic fasteners, inflating and the blow gun. It might be big enough for a 3/8 ratchet, but I haven't tried mine, yet.Big Macs - 99 cents
Just make sure it's got the PSI and cfm to drive the tools you want to use ... I've got one of these -- well it's actually 25 years older -- my father in law used it for years to spray furniture. It would not power a framing nailer -- so I went out and got a 2-tank Hitachi for $279.
I was thinking the same thing about the volumn prodeced. An HVLP is a high VLOUMN user
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