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(More customer reviews)So I bought the Maxus, and it's a great compressor. But what it can do is in the specs, and since they are the same as the specs for every other lower priced version of this Campbell compressor, I don't think they're a reason to buy the Maxus version. But I do think it's a great compressor and worth the price premium, and I'll tell you why so you can see if it's also true for you.
The least expensive of the Campbell versions is the Husky at HomeDepot for $430. TractorSupply Company sells the Campbell labeled version for $439, and I think it has the full sized mounting platform for the pump, unlike the shorter version on the ones sold by HomeDepot (it's also a really cool yellow color). The other easy to find competitor is the Kobalt at Lowes, which has a slightly higher CFM rating. I suspect, but don't know, that it is similar in quality to the Husky/Campbell.
So why consider paying $700 for the Maxus, not $430 for the Husky (or $470 for the Kobalt)?
Well, first off, the $430 Husky doesn't really cost $430. You have to buy a pressure cut off switch and a regulator. A Square D pressure switch for the compressor will set you back $30-40. A decent regulator another $35 on ebay, a bit more elsewhere. So now your cost is actually $500. The Kobalt has a pressure switch so you just need the regulator and ball valve, so the math is about the same. Add in tax/S&H and they're right $530. Still $170 less than my Maxus.
Of course my Maxus came to my door. If I driven to homedepot, bought it, loaded it on a pickup, driven it home, and unloaded it, I figure it'd take 1 1/2 to 2 hours easy. Then I'd have had to plumb it. Figure an hour more to hook up the pressure switch and the regulator. I just spent 3 or more hours plus gas. Conservative value of my time and effort? $40. Since I'd have needed help loading and unloading it, this would also have been work for my friends. Using $40 for that driving, loading, and plumbing at $40, my Maxus at $700 now looks around $130 more than the Husky or the Kobalt, since it gets delivered to your door, professionally plumbed with a regulator, 2 quick connects, and the pressure switch.
It also has a better cage around the belt drive and fan. Yeah, you need a ball valve for the tank, and you need to hard wire it like any of these, but my Maxus saved me a lot of time and effort. (edit: sorry, the ball valve actually comes with the compressor. I recently found it when I got out the manual to see how often I'm supposed to change the oil. It was in the box under some papers and the quart of extra oil I'd thrown in there.)
The Husky/Campbell versions, and the Kobalt don't have the large cage protecting the belt drive and fan, just a plastic shroud around a smaller belt. They don't have the hose hanger either, which is a nice feature.
With the Husky/Campbell or the Kobalt, I'd have gotten a great compressor, and it'd have been plumbed with one tank connected regulator. The Maxus let's me add that ball valve shutoff and a 3/8" regulator as an addition to the control panel with it's regulator and quick connects. That means I can plug two 1/4" hoses into the control panel for nailers, tools, or an airbrush, and, I can run a 3/8" hose off the tank regulator for my mini HVLP. I also got a longer warranty.
Is that worth $130? It was to me.
If you need an extra 1-2 CFM in a single stage compressor, you can look at the Kobalt from Lowes. It looks like a nice compressor, although my second choice would be the 60 gallon Chicago Pneumatic compressor. Garage-Pak lists that at $570 delivered. It comes with a pressure switch, a thermally protected motor, puts out slightly more CFM than the Campbell/Husky/Maxus, or the Kobalt, so all you'd need is the ball valve and regulator. I figure $620 total. But the Maxus had more CFM than I needed, a better warranty, it's the least hassle to get it up and running, and I thought it had the most useful features.
Hope this little write up helps you with your decision.
Good luck,
Todd
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Maxus EX8405 15 Amp 3-Horsepower 60-Gallon Oiled Vertical Compressormfr: Campbell Hausfeld Premium Cast Iron Single Stage Oil Lubricated Compressor - Commercial Model - 3 HP Running Oil Lubricated, 60 Gallon Tank (Five Year Limited Warranty).This item can not be shipped to Puerto Rico and APO/FPO addresses..This product is built to order and has a 30 day return guarantee, if the customer is not satisfied with the performance.There is a 25% re-stocking fee on the return.
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