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
