Finally, Hf Has A Line Of Quiet Air Compressors. But...

Discussion in 'Compressors and Air Tools' started by rbstern, Nov 5, 2018.

  1. rbstern

    rbstern Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    173
    Likes Received:
    40
    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Been waiting for them to come out with this lineup: They're calling them "Fortress" brand, and they use the same, low RPM, dual piston pumps that a lot of the recent air compressor products have been brought to market with: All very quiet.

    The new HF compressors look great, too.

    Problem is, they've priced them too high. $149 for the 1/2 HP 1 gallon model, and $189 for the 1.2 HP 2 gallon model. 20% deals are not valid for these. I suspect we'll see some coupons, eventually, but there are a gaggle of competitively priced products already out there. The California and Hulk lines sold on HomeDepot.com have better specs in the same price range, including many more tank sizes and form factor configurations, and are priced in the same ballpark or even lower.

    HF is gonna have to work a bit harder to sell folks on these.

    https://www.harborfreight.com/2-gallon-12-hp-135-psi-oil-free-professional-air-compressor-64596.html

    https://www.harborfreight.com/1-gallon-05-hp-135-psi-oil-free-professional-air-compressor-64592.html

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Ben

    Ben Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    84
    Likes Received:
    10
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2017
    They’re on sale for the next couple of weeks. I might grab one and see how it works.

    FF46E753-AFBC-4A01-A65C-BE214C05C248.jpeg
     
  3. rbstern

    rbstern Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    173
    Likes Received:
    40
    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    For the new shed shop?
     
  4. Ben

    Ben Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    84
    Likes Received:
    10
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2017
    Yeah, my pancake compressor is ridiculously loud and annoying to use. This one might even be easier to stow away.
     
  5. rbstern

    rbstern Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    173
    Likes Received:
    40
    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Spotted at HF the other night: A 1.5hp/4 gallon/200psi Fortress branded compressor. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the same sound reducing motor the smaller versions have. It's rated at 80dba, whereas the the smaller versions are 57dba and 60dba. They're advertising the larger compressor as "25% quieter."

    I think it's a mistake on HF's part to pollute the new Fortress brand with a "not very quiet" version. The 4 gallon model looks good, has a lot of nice features, but it overlaps with a lot of other products in the market and doesn't really distinguish itself on features or price.
     
  6. Ben

    Ben Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    84
    Likes Received:
    10
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2017
    Got one today! It’s the 2 gal one, and of course I used the coupon in the latest email and got it for $159. Just nailed a bunch of stuff in the shop with my framing nailer, which is probably too much for that tiny tank, but it worked fine. I get 4 nails out of each cycle, which is fine since I’m not framing a whole house and running it constantly.

    It’s funny, I heard it running inside about 8 feet away and forgot it was the new one. I just kinda thought it was my old one running outside. Very cool to have such a quiet and small compressor. This model also has the two outputs. Might be handy for running both a brad and a finish nailer at the same time without disconnecting. Or maybe a blower and a nail gun. Could’ve used that today actually.

    Anyway, I’m happy with the machine so far.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. rbstern

    rbstern Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    173
    Likes Received:
    40
    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    Good deal at the coupon price. Looks like another winning HF product. Looking forward to durability reports.
     
  8. Ben

    Ben Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    84
    Likes Received:
    10
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2017
    Accidentally left it on overnight :/ We’ll see how it lasts now. It was pretty warm when I went in in the morning. It was a perfect storm really. A nail gun was hooked up and on a ladder. I rushed out the night before because my daughter hurt herself and I forgot to go back in and unplug it. Anyway, the nail gun fell apparently and the connector cracked and leaked air, which I assume caused the compressor to run all night (or at least for several hours I’m assuming). What dumb luck. I’ll see how it performs tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
     
  9. rbstern

    rbstern Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    173
    Likes Received:
    40
    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2017
    That sounds like one of those airplane crash investigations...it's a cascade of events, rather than one thing.

    Will probably be fine. Those quiet motors are rated for 3000 hours on most of the air compressors that use them. Hopefully, it didn't build up too much heat, and I am pretty sure it's thermally protected. Ironic, if it were noisy, you would have known what was going on.

    Hope your daughter is okay.
     

Share This Page