The HF compressor looks like a better value (If it lasts as long and no QC issues) but is dubiously rated 2.5HP @ 14A.
Some folks are suspicious of the quality of Harbor Freight products, but for the average homeowner/garage tinkerer, they are a great value. If I owned a mechanic's shop and used an air compressor daily, I might not purchase the Central Pneumatic brand...then again, I certainly wouldn't purchase the Craftsman brand either.
For years, I have owned two (2) Central Pneumatic twin-tank portable air compressors (like this one http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-compressors/4-gal-2-hp-125-psi-twin-tank-air-compressor-60567.html ) and they have excelled at household/garage use. Now, can I run an air impact wrench large enough to loosen the nuts holding on the mowing blades on my HUGE mowers? Nope, but for airing up tires and running a trim nail/brad gun, it can't be beat. (I also paid less than $50 each back in the day.)
Finally, regardless of what air compressors you buy, do NOT purchase a PVC air hose...they're difficult to handle because they're kinda rigid. Purchase a rubber hose 'cause it's more flexible and therefore much easier to handle!
^ You're trying to lump all HF products together which doesn't work well. I can walk through their isles and see defects plainly visible on products sitting on the shelves. Bought a drill press that was vibrating itself to death from runout, exchanged for another one, same problem.
Bought battery terminals. What could go wrong it's just a piece of lead and a bolt right? One of them didn't have the hole drilled and no bolt. How can this escape QC? Bought a broom and the plastic head fractured in the middle at the handle hole. Bought drill bits and they're crooked. Bought wet-dry sandpaper and the grit falls off if you look at it sideways, let alone get it wet. Bought a dremel tool that was weaker than an electric toothbrush, used a ~ 1000mA 12V AC/DC wall wart for power and the bits all wore down within a minute of use.
Now I won't buy anything from them that plugs into a wall outlet.
^ You're trying to lump all HF products together which doesn't work well. I can walk through their isles and see defects plainly visible on products sitting on the shelves. Bought a drill press that was vibrating itself to death from runout, exchanged for another one, same problem.
Bought battery terminals. What could go wrong it's just a piece of lead and a bolt right? One of them didn't have the hole drilled and no bolt. How can this escape QC? Bought a broom and the plastic head fractured in the middle at the handle hole. Bought drill bits and they're crooked. Bought wet-dry sandpaper and the grit falls off if you look at it sideways, let alone get it wet. Bought a dremel tool that was weaker than an electric toothbrush, used a ~ 1000mA 12V AC/DC wall wart for power and the bits all wore down within a minute of use.
Now I won't buy anything from them that plugs into a wall outlet.
I owed a Harbor Freight compressor for about 3 years and ended up selling it for about $10 less than I paid for it 3 years prior. It ran perfectly with no problems whatsoever. I also have several air tools from Harbor Freight and have had no problems with them either. Conversely, I have had some Craftsman tools that that were absolute P's O S . You just never know. You definitely can't judge something by it's brand or price tag. Honestly, for the price I really don't care how long some of my Harbor Freight tool last. Generally I'm paying about a third of the price of the higher end brands for only slightly less quality.
Comments & Reviews (6)
Some folks are suspicious of the quality of Harbor Freight products, but for the average homeowner/garage tinkerer, they are a great value. If I owned a mechanic's shop and used an air compressor daily, I might not purchase the Central Pneumatic brand...then again, I certainly wouldn't purchase the Craftsman brand either.
For years, I have owned two (2) Central Pneumatic twin-tank portable air compressors (like this one http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-compressors/4-gal-2-hp-125-psi-twin-tank-air-compressor-60567.html ) and they have excelled at household/garage use. Now, can I run an air impact wrench large enough to loosen the nuts holding on the mowing blades on my HUGE mowers? Nope, but for airing up tires and running a trim nail/brad gun, it can't be beat. (I also paid less than $50 each back in the day.)
Finally, regardless of what air compressors you buy, do NOT purchase a PVC air hose...they're difficult to handle because they're kinda rigid. Purchase a rubber hose 'cause it's more flexible and therefore much easier to handle!
Bought battery terminals. What could go wrong it's just a piece of lead and a bolt right? One of them didn't have the hole drilled and no bolt. How can this escape QC? Bought a broom and the plastic head fractured in the middle at the handle hole. Bought drill bits and they're crooked. Bought wet-dry sandpaper and the grit falls off if you look at it sideways, let alone get it wet. Bought a dremel tool that was weaker than an electric toothbrush, used a ~ 1000mA 12V AC/DC wall wart for power and the bits all wore down within a minute of use.
Now I won't buy anything from them that plugs into a wall outlet.
I owed a Harbor Freight compressor for about 3 years and ended up selling it for about $10 less than I paid for it 3 years prior. It ran perfectly with no problems whatsoever. I also have several air tools from Harbor Freight and have had no problems with them either. Conversely, I have had some Craftsman tools that that were absolute P's O S . You just never know. You definitely can't judge something by it's brand or price tag. Honestly, for the price I really don't care how long some of my Harbor Freight tool last. Generally I'm paying about a third of the price of the higher end brands for only slightly less quality.
Thank you!