Anyone have any experience with this Craftsman air compressor?

Clint: If $499 is the sale price I suspect you can do better with a similar sized oiled compressor. Oil-less has two issues (with me):

I also have some doubts about the 6HP - Sears does wonderous things with HP ratings.

I have seen several oil-less machines that were inexpensive enough to overcome the durabilitiy issue. Use 'em and buy another. This one is a little too high-priced. I have a 30 gallon/3HP , wheeled, upright CH that cost a little less than this one. It is oiled and isn't quiet by any means but the sound is tolerable. I have also seen slightly smaller 2-3 HP Oiled Husky's at Home Depot around $300. Also, you said you wanted to start getting some air tools. Check the big box stores for Oiled or Oil-less packages that include compressor and a variety of tools at a good price. We helped our daughter purchase a compressor for the son-in-law last Christmas. Got a 26 Gallon wheeled upright Oil-less Husky (that is what he wanted) and a pile of starter tools, hose, fittings, flex hose, etc for around $300.

(Just looked at your linked ad again. Didn't notice the "Sears Canada" until now. The price might not be out of line up there. I still have reservations with Oil-less.)

RonB

Working for Sears, about ten years ago, I remember seeing quite a few oilless compressors (returned) in the back room with big holes in the side. But then after a year or so, they seemed to have that problem solved. I bought one about five years ago and haven't had a problem with it. That is, other than the noise scares the bejesus out of me every time it starts up. Wouldn't dare run it late at night if the neighbors lived close. I still work part time for Sears and I don't remember seeing one returned in the last two years (Sears Hardware) I think you would find this usually on sale for $379 (USD) with a tool or two included. Tom

Agreed but IIRC the oil type outlasts the oilless 10 to 1.

Admittedly not an oilless compressor but I got an "air america" compressor made by devilbiss from the porter cable outlet in atlanta with a 6+ HP motor for $280. It is virtually thesame as the sears unit I have been using for the passed 20 years alsom incidentally made by devilbiss .a nice machine in my opinion..mjh

You can get a lot more compressor for $499 than this one. It looks like its specs are inflated more than Sears usually does. I base this on the fact that its 120 volt. There is only so much capacity you can get out of a 120 volt motor. I think they have way overstated the capacity of this compressor (cfm). I don't pay any attention to the horsepower ratings. These type of compressors (oil free, direct drive) are noisy! I know I have one. My next compressor will be a cast iron, probably one of the speedaire models from Grainger. They have been making the same basic models for about

You will need a tool oiler to run air tools. If you are going to run air tools like a grinder or sander, I think you'll need more continuous capacity. Speedaire makes a model that has not changed in 40 years. Its rated at 10.3 cfm at 90 psi for $519. Its 220volt only.

Bob

I've had the vertical unit for two years now and, except for the loud noise when it runs - it has worked fine for me. I've mainly used it for spraying paint - both regular and HVLP guns. No problems with either. Tried some airtools with it and they worked fine but I'm not a big fan of airtools so I don't really use them. Seem to recall it was on sale for around $299 new at he time and came with a mess of airtools.

Vic

I got the Porter Cable upright from Lowe's a couple/three years ago.

Lowe's has now stopped selling them and went with another brand.

I got mine for $350 tax and all with their meet it and beat it price guarantee. 8~)

I have also put the Amzoil Compressor oil in it and it runs like a top.

I had a Wal-mart special 5hp/20gal that only lasted a couple years and blew the startup windings in the motor.

I had no IDEA that there was a Porter Cable Outlet in Atlanta. Where is it and the next time I am over there from N. Alabama I will check it out. Thanks!!

Thanks for the input, everyone! Not sure if I'm closer to making a decision, but more information (which I requested) is always good.

Just to provide more information back, the compressor I'm looking at is "lightly used", and the asking price is currently $220CAD. The only thing locally that's somewhat comparable in price is either some "no-name" oiled compressors (usually 3 or 4cfm@90psi, 3 to 6 gallon tanks) or a refurbed oil-less Campbell Hausfeld ("5HP", 5cfm@90psi, 15 gallon tank). There's probably more out there, but I figure that's about average. Most of the other ones I've seen are also 120 to 135 psi; is higher pressure any real advantage? Seems like you'd get, all things being equal, more capacity out of your tank if it was higher pressure.

Basically, I'm looking for my birthday present, and this came up. My other choice was a sander (probably disk/belt), or "something else" (don't know unless I see it).

Clint

When it comes to air compressors, that thing is a toy IMHO.

Buying an air compressor is like buying a good table saw.

You bite the bullet, spend the money, cry once, get it out of your system, then enjoy the advantages of a good compressed air system.

IMHO, the best value for the money is a 5HP/240V/1Ph/60HZ motor driving a 2 stage compressor mounted on top of a vertical 80 gal tank.

You will have enough air to spray on a continuous basis, do body work with a jitterbug, etc.

I can go into a lot more detail, if necessary.

I've had one for about 10 years not, it has never let me down.

Lew

IMHO that is too much money to spend on that type compressor. I would get something else and wait until you can get a belt driven oil type compressor. It will be much quieter and last a lot longer.

I have one of Sears' upright models that uses basically the same setup at the one you're talking about. I have had it for at least 5 years with no trouble. I have used air tools, sprayers and impact wrenches with no apparent strain at keeping up. But I have to agree with those recommending the spending of greater money and buying the larger stationary upright unit. They will no doubt last far longer and run much quieter than those direct drive units. It just all boils down to whether you can swing it.

My own unit is frightfully noisy and usually startles me quite well when it kicks off. It sits right next to our backup fridge in our/my garage/shop. Only once did it kick off while my wife had her head stuck in that icebox. If I had been able to video that, I could have surely made some money from America's Funniest Home Videos. She, however, was much less amused.

Wade snipped-for-privacy@sbcglobal.net

thr PC outlet is on I75 just south of the airport. get off at the farmers market exit ,xback over I75 and make the first right onto the access road it is 1/2 mile on the left. they also sell delta stuff .

I picked up my "air america" compressor by devillbiss for less than $300 .It has a 20 or30 gallon tank I think it is rated at 6 1/2 HP ,125psi max ,13 scfm@40PSI, 10.5 scfm 290PSI . phone number 1 800 888 2468...mjh

Way overpriced in my opinion ,seemy earlier post about the air america unit . recently I believe most manufacturers [including sears} have revised their hp ratings see HP units for instance .The critical figure in all honesty is the scfm at 90psi for most average compressors it needs to be 10 scfm or above ..

To rum an air buff or sander you will need even more than 10 scfm at 90psi and than you are talking many bucks....mjh

I bought that model about 6 months ago for about $330. I think for the money it is probably a decent compressor. It is very loud, but mine is a real deep, loud HMMMM. My biggest complaint is that about 1 time in

Great likelihood is that your air compressor is not anywhere close to

Does your motor weigh more than 100 lbs?

What is the voltage and amps for which the motor is rated?

My guess is that 13 scfm at 40 psi -- a very low PSI -- is equivalent to about 2 honest horsepower.

I have an honest 3 HP compressor, with a heavy Baldor motor etc, on a

I would recommend buying used, honest, heavy compressors, not overrated and underbuilt consumer crap. They won't be much more expensive in the long run.

More than likely the Sears rating is the same used by most of thier products. The 6.5 hp rating probably compares to amp draw of a true 6.5 hp motor just before the Sears unit stalls from overload. Basically how much amperage it draws as it stalls and hopefully blows a breaker. And like you said, probably really 2 hp or less.