Comparison of 60 gal. piston type compressors

I am in the market for a 240v 60 gal upright cast iron piston type compressor.

I can't find any meaningful difference between these $400-ish compressors:

Husky (Home Depot)
Kobalt (Lowes) http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=102750-1126-VT6275&lpage=none
US General, Puma (Tractor Supply)
Campbell Hausfield (Harbor Freight)


My questions are:

1) Is there any of these which is likely to be quieter than the other (my guess is they all come out of the same factory)

2) For about $400, what can I get which will be even quieter than these?

3) I found this 2 cylinder Pump from HF, might this be quieter?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34887

I did search, and found lots of info, but nothing this specific. Thank you in advance.

http://salestores.com/colema77.html

that is the one you want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i have had mine for 4 years and not a single thing done to it (i haven't used it enough to have to change the oil yet) but i don't use it every day. its good for the weekend project and beyond. fills up 0 to 155 psi in 7 minutes on the dot. I couldn't be more happy with it. it is quieter then the craftsman professional 60 gallon oilless pump design. that was a worthless compressor. had it for 3 years, maybe 2 hours use on it and it broke the pistons 2 times. over $300 in repairs and i sold it for $200 when i bought it new for $500

I would consider who would likely have the best warranty in the event of trouble. and What company is known for better application of said warranty, jmo

fordbroncodave said:

http://salestores.com/colema77.html

that is the one you want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i have had mine for 4 years and not a single thing done to it (i haven't used it enough to have to change the oil yet) but i don't use it every day. its good for the weekend project and beyond. fills up 0 to 155 psi in 7 minutes on the dot. I couldn't be more happy with it. it is quieter then the craftsman professional 60 gallon oilless pump design. that was a worthless compressor. had it for 3 years, maybe 2 hours use on it and it broke the pistons 2 times. over $300 in repairs and i sold it for $200 when i bought it new for $500

Click to expand...

I agree with the Craftsman oil-less. I have a "5hp" 25 gal upright and it's so noisy I have to replace it. It has worked fine for quite a few years, but I can't take it anymore.

That one you linked looks exactly like the others, I suspect the motors and pumps are pretty much equal.


Will a two piston pump be quieter than a single piston? Will the PUma I linked to be quieter than the others?

pnut, I have the Husky Pro and it has been trouble free. There is currently another thread in "General Garage Discussion" also discussing this subject, link here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48333

pnut said:

I agree with the Craftsman oil-less. I have a "5hp" 25 gal upright and it's so noisy I have to replace it. It has worked fine for quite a few years, but I can't take it anymore.

That one you linked looks exactly like the others, I suspect the motors and pumps are pretty much equal.


Will a two piston pump be quieter than a single piston? Will the PUma I linked to be quieter than the others?

Click to expand...

don't get the puma. the PSI is too low meaning you probably can't adjust it before it starts wearing out the pump.

the one i listed goes under about 10 different names. coleman, industrial air, sanborn, and more. out of the box they are set at 130 psi but they can be adjusted to 155 as said on the tank. its quieter then my old craftsman and it puts out twice as much as my craftsman use to in CFM.

like i said, i have had no trouble with it. only thing i have to do is drain the bottom after every couple uses.

don't get the husky. their pump is garbage. (at my dads work it busted the head right off after running for 15 minutes)