150 psi portable air compressor at a great price

The cheap Chinese stuff that we buy in not always junk. HF has some very good stuff that is perfect for occaisional use. I bought a small oil bath compressor at Tractor Supply. I got it home and every fitting leaked. Two hours of Teflon tape and pipe dope and I have the best cheap little compressor that I have ever owned.

In 1980 I bought my Craftsman 1hp, 120 volt compressor. She still works good...:B:B:B

I also bought an MV-50 12volt from Amazon.

I have a HF compressor that I bought 4 years ago. It is used regularly and has held up well. Its not the small pancake model, but an 8gal cheapie I bought for $90.

Actually, HF tools vary a lot in quality. They have 3 categories:

1) The tool doesn't really work well even when new so don't buy it.

2) The tool isn't as good as the pro brands but is so much cheaper (sometimes 1/4 the price) that even if you replace it in a few years its still a good deal. Often the choice is not between an "expensive brand" vs HF, but "not buying the tool" vs HF. For home use it doesn't pay to spend big $$ for a tool you may use a few times.

3) The tool is actually well made and compares to the higher-priced name brands well. In my experience this includes air compressors and the multi-tool they sell (the better variable speed one they sell).

Also some name brands sell essentially the same Chinese-made tool that HF sells but with their name on it. They do this to compete at the low end with HF (and other importers).

Steve

I have one of like in the URL (I don't know how to make it clickable!) below and really like it. If you watch you can find it on sale for $80 or so... Though I think it is a good deal at the listed price.

Actually used it once to keep my 80 gallon compressor tank charged to complete a paint job on a car when the motor went on the big compressor. It ran steady for an hour was real hot but lived through it. It is a bit larger than the "pancake" style but still plenty portable.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-gallon-horizontal-air-compressor-with-hose/p-00915310000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

Can't speak to the Harbor Freight unit, but this Porter Cable compressor has given me flawless performance over the last 4 years and is highly rated at Lowes where I made my purchase. No matter the brand of whatever item (including RVs) you buy, there are always a few duds or lemons that manage to make it to the consumer.

I have owned two inexpensive/sale price compressors. One make is called BCP and the other is a Craftsman. These compressors will probably outlive me.

I get the impression that if all you use any of these type compressors for is to inflate tires and shoot a few brads, then as a practical matter they will pretty much last forever.

On the other hand, based on the reviews I have read, regardless what the brand name is, regularly running tools off one of these hundred dollar units will just burn it right out.

Thats_Ok wrote:
Ahhh good 'ole "Harbor Fright" use it once buy it twice. :B

Looks like a decent compressor.
I got a Campbell Hausfield there for $79.95 on closeout that can do 100 pounds.
Takes it awhile though.

Ah the good ole "WalMart" Version. 100 lbs aint much better than a fart in a whirlwind. :B

The Porter Cable, that some folks find acceptable, I took back was POS. It almost took two hands to adjust the air pressure valve and would leak down to under 100 lbs in about 15 minutes. The HF will leak down to no lower than 125 lbs in about 3 days and air valve is very easy to adjust. The six gallon tank is great and can keep up with the air gun that use to blow dust out of my RZR and can winterize my RV without even starting up. Design wise its hand down better than the PC.

Ahhh good 'ole "Harbor Fright" use it once buy it twice. :B

Looks like a decent compressor.
I got a Campbell Hausfield there for $79.95 on closeout that can do 100 pounds.
Takes it awhile though.

Looks like a Harbor freight ad.