Replies

1. 
   RickL | Mar 12, 2004 04:45am | #1

   Either one is just as bad or as good as the other! I've had all the dealings I could ever want with customer service with both of them. Personally I'd look at other brands and be willing to pay more to get better service.

1. 
   KesslerCraftsman | Mar 12, 2004 07:36am | #3

   Could you be more specific?

   Have you owned both brands?  Just one?

   Which compressor brands would you advise? Have you had positive experiences with any air compressor manufacturers?

   Please let me know.

   Thanks!

   lp

1. 
   IMERC | Mar 12, 2004 10:10am | #4

   Rol-aire is a good company and they make a good compressor. 

                                         Here fishy fishy....

2. 
   IMERC | Mar 12, 2004 05:23am | #2

   They are both the same junk made by the same company. See the compressor litigation thread.

    

                                         Here fishy fishy....

3. 
   BarryO | Mar 12, 2004 11:28am | #5

   If you look closely at the ASME tag on the tank, you'll see that the Husky's are made by CH as well.

   I think for $399, they're a good deal.  Note the Lowe's is a cast-iron pump, not just the sleeves.  'don't know about the HD version.

   Rol-air's may be nice, but the equivalent will set you back $650-$700.

   I just went to Lowe's and got the twin-cylinder (single stage) unit, for just a couple of hundred more, and still way less $$ than a two-stage compressor.  It'll put out plenty of air for anything I want to use with it.

   Dealing with a ~300 lb. top-heavy piece of equipment is tricky, to say the least.

   "Peak" HP ratings on compressors, or anything else, are B.S.  Fortunately, compressors also have SCFM and PSI ratings.

4. 
   Andrew | Mar 13, 2004 01:52am | #6

   If you're talking about the 7hp Husky, I have that one, and while it's not suited to industrial use, it fits the need for a large home shop compressor quite well, (without stepping up to an 80 gal, two stage, which i unfortunately don't have space for).

   It puts out a good deal of air, and the main reasons I bought it were because of the 100% duty cycle (i hope that's not bs) and the SCFM rating, not CFM. Its good to know that i can have 12 SCFM with the compressor running all day if I need it, although the noise would be a nuisance. This brings me to the one complaint I have about this machine. It is louder than any other oil lubed compressor I've ever heard. I live with it but I look forward to the day when I can get a nice quite two stage compressor, along with a bigger shop :)

   hope this helps

   Andrew 

1. 
   KesslerCraftsman | Mar 13, 2004 02:18am | #7

   Thanks to all!!

   lp

5. 
   JerBear | Mar 13, 2004 03:12am | #8

   I bought the Husky belt driven, oil filled, cast iron 25 (or is it 30?) gallon 2 years ago and alot of hose.  I love it.  It makes almost no noise and I use it everywhere around the house, & property.  I owned a CH for about 8 years, very noisy, but worked ok.  For the price I thought Husky was good.

6. 
   WorkshopJon | Mar 13, 2004 09:25pm | #9

   "Anyone with real-life medium- to long-term experience with either?"

   Larry,

   With so much stuff now being made overseas, past experience is not relevant.  On the other hand, for light duty DIY type use, either should be fine.

   That much said, IMO the "Cadillac" that sets the standard is the Ingersol Rand two-stage.  We have two 7.5 80 gallon compressors that have been running almost continuously for 25 years (other than periodic scheduled maintenance).  For only double the price, they ARE worth it.

7. 
   Glendo | Mar 13, 2004 11:36pm | #10

   I would look into getting an Ingersol Rand compressor. Through Northern Tool and Equipment Co. they're not much more money and are a lot more compressor. I just bought one because of a recommendation of a friend who runs a body shop.

   Glendo.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/14/2004 6:04 pm ET by Glendo

8. 
   HowardAcheson | Mar 14, 2004 01:46am | #11

   They are probably identical. Campbell Hausfield makes the Husky for Home Depot.

   You might want to go here for some info about a recent court settlement having to do with compressor horsepower. It will also tell you who manufactures private branded compressors.

   http://www.aircompressorsettlement.com/

1. 
   DrWatson | Mar 14, 2004 05:04pm | #12

   I recommend you check out Quincy.  I have a 3.5 HP unit that outperforms the ones claiming to be 5 HP hands down.  They may be higher in price but the quality is worth it.  Note that their name is not on the class action in the prior post.

   http://www.quincycompressor.com/

   Edited 3/14/2004 10:08 am ET by dr watson

2. 
   LesBartel | Mar 15, 2004 05:03am | #13

   It's about time the message gets out that we want real horsepower ratings.  Hopefully other companies will get the message and display the 'correct' data.  It is unfortunate that it took a lawsuit to settle this.

   While I qualify for settlement, I cannot in good conscience join the lawsuit because I am and was aware of HP rating inflation.

    - les

9. 
   Mackwood | Mar 15, 2004 08:43pm | #14

   Larry,

   Something to consider when looking at the possible longevity of the compressor is the speed of the motor.  Almost all the compressors I've looked at have elect. motors that run 3600 RPM.  A friend of mine has an older Quincy (mentioned by another poster) that runs at 1800 RPM.  My friend is a body work guy and has had his Quincy a long time.  He swears by it (not at it)!  Good luck!

   Mack

   "WISH IN ONE HAND, S--T IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

10. 
    bilyo | Aug 31, 2019 05:28pm | #15

    I'm no expert but, I will vouch for a smallish California Air oilless unit I bought about a year ago. Very quiet. I haven't had any need to deal with customer service. So, I can't say anything there.