OUTSTANDING Martin!! Two mods I did, well, ones not really a mod. Anyway, first. Put a 90 and short piece of pipe with a ball valve for the bottom drain. I drain religiously and it’s a really pain reaching under the tank. Second…water separator. I don’t paint spray with air much, but I use a sandblaster attachment with a walnut shell medium. The moisture quickly attached to the dry shells and blocked up the gun. Also, a tractable hose for workshop use. Your going to be happy and WE’RE gonna be happy too cause we see some future project videos comin our way!!❤️👊🏻😁

I use to work at a tire store some time back and we used their bigger ones. Surprisingly the Kobalts held up really well for a tire shop. Have a good week Martin! See ya!

can't wait to see your upgrade to the air compressor!

Thanks Martin. I too changed-out my noisy pancake compressor with a horizontal California Air electric compressor. I only use a few air tools and the California air compressor does what I need. More importantly, it's super quiet. I have my compressor perched/stationed in a designated position atop my work bench. The biggest reason for my compressor change was the noise and abrupt vibration. Heck, I could hear my pancake compressor all the way inside the house and when it automatically shut off, you could hear the abrupt stop. It was just too dang noisy and super heavy for a pancake compressor. It would have been an excellent boat anchor. I donated the old pancake compressor to our Community Thrift Store for some needy family and it was scarfed-up fast. Congrats on your new acquisition and thank you so much for this informative video. Okay my friend, be well and wishing you and yours a happy New Year. Don 👍🏽🤠 1/5/23

Looks to be a very nice unit Martin. Sounds a whole lot like my Coleman Powermate. The Coleman seemed to be very problematic. My brother drove for a freight company that had a contract with Coleman. It was his first job once retiring from the military. He had told me that they were constantly picking these back up and returning them to Coleman. This one was my fathers and became my brothers when our father passed. Jim did not want it so I have kept it. It has been used for years and there has never been a problem with it. I hope you have the good fortune that this Coleman Powermate has brought. I certainly have been happy with it. Runs much quieter than my big Puma. The Coleman Powermate stays in the Quonset building and the Puma stays in the main shop. I also have 2 portable air compressors . One 12 volt electric and the other is an antique John Deere that runs off of the tractor pto

Thanks for the review Martin. Waiting for part 2!

Looking forward to seeing your regulator solution. I'm about to buy this compressor, and plan on spraying some paint and other materials. I'd hate to void the warranty right out of the box...but that's better than breaking tools or having to rework pieces.

Great video review. I liked how you demonstrated how adjusting the regulator affects the air impact gun.

Great video! I have this type and you are spot on. It has served me well for 3 years.

Great video, very informative and excellent production quality! Thank you Picked up a Kobalt 26 gallon to replace my old Sears Craftsman 25 gallon which was way too noisy.

A quiet compressor is a marvelous thing! Will be interesting to see if the pressure drop makes any practicable difference down the road...I'm thinking probably not. Look forward to finding out what's in the box...Happy New Year Martin! 👍😎

Good review, thank you!! 👍🏼

glad i came across this video! i was considering getting an air compressor for some small tools and maybe spraying small panels and probably will make the purchase. really like how you explained everything to someone like me, who doesn't know much about compressors, to better understand what im buying!

That compressor is pretty quiet. Nice. I, like you, are concerned about the static pressure/dynamic pressure difference. It is significant. Great video as always Martin, and Happy New Year!

Best review on KZfaq by far

Thanks Matin I didn’t think about pressure drop now I will be checking that on my compressors and readjusting. Oh and thank you for pointing out that the pancake compressor is so loud and I need hearing protection. My hearing is already bad enough just ask my wife😂thanks for the video Have a great Weekend 😁👍🚜💨🍳

Thanks for the video. I think I've settled on the compressor as well, despite some negative reviews. Sub'ed to see your upcoming regulator mod/fix.

I owned 2 of these Kobalts…. Loved the quiet DB level but sadly both machines blew out the cheap regulator at nearly the same time in ownership. (2 years in). Unfortunately I didn’t think of what you did, so both machines were returned and now I spent extra money to get a Craftsman. The saving grace came from getting the extended coverage so effectively I had 2 separate machines I used in 4 year period, but was able to get full credit after both failed.

I have this compressor and noticed the same issue with the regulator. Looking forward to watching your regulator upgrade video

Literally just bought this compressor. Very satisfied with it. For another data point, I just want to reiterate for people just how quiet this (and the husky version) are. Like many people, I shifted from an older style compressor (probably mid 2000's) and it was quite loud. You absolutely could not stand next to it and talk. But this (and the husky) compressor you could have a conversation with someone within 1' distance away. It's truly remarkable. In terms of the regulator performance (the pressure drop), it's unfortunately relatively well documented on online forums and even the review pages. There are a few writeups on either replacing the regulator itself or the piping between the regulator and pump (can't remember which). I think it's around a $40 fix. I have the kobalt and my friend has the husky, and both of them suffer the same drop (I think somewhere between 30-40psi for an impact tool). Like you said in your video (and what I and many others do), try to set the working pressure when the tool is running. Torque Test Channel has a few videos on the impact of size of hose and pressure drop over a length of tubing. If you have real concerns, get an in-line pressure reader / regulator and put it on the end of your hose so you can account for losses in your tubing. If it comes down to either, I went with the kobalt for the marginally faster cfm and larger tank size (honestly, a very small difference). If I were to do it again, I'd just get whichever I could get the better deal on, as they both sound and perform pretty much the same. You won't be disappointed with either.

Thank you sir, you have been very helpful to me. I’m just starting out with woodworking furniture and need a small sandblaster but didn’t want to buy a Expensive air compressor . So I’m trying to find something that would work in my garage that’s quite and can handle the sandblaster gun of at least 7 cfm@90psi. Thanks for your help.

Man just appears outta nowhere 😮

Hello there Martin. That looks like a great compressor. Last year I bought a compressor of similar size and specs but mine takes almost 3 minutes to build up pressure before shutting off. I'm looking forward to see what your solution to the poor quality regulator is going to be. Good luck with your new compressor!!!

Great review. Only question is can this compressor operate laying down with no issues? Can't find information online stating if it must remain upright... Thank you.

The Kobalt is A LOT quieter. Decibels are logarithmic, a 1 decibel increase is 10x the energy, hence “deci”, or 10 in metric. 2 decibel increase is 100x the energy, and so on. An 11 decibel difference is HUGE. This measurement is exactly what I was looking for. 👍

It is quiet for sure. I like the gauge for tool pressure as well as tank pressure.

Nice compressor! I upgraded to a 5 hp 60 Gal a while back, But I run a bunch of air tools, and the old 20 gal wouldn't keep up. (my son in law still runs it, He inherits all my tools when I upgrade.). the smaller was good for taking off tires, stubborn bolts, and small touch up paint jobs.. Bigger one will rattle gun enough to Break bolts if not careful, paint all day, and run plasma as much as i can stand to. The DB level is awesome! Mine is terrible loud (earmuffs if running for a long stretch) and the amp draw dims the lights. I sure Miss the smaller one sometimes. If That is new tool is a Plasma cutter, check the duty Cycle on the compressor. Make sure you are cognizant of how long she"s running full tilt. (most plasma's iv'e met run lower psi, but a lot of cfm. ) An air dryer of some sort (even the disposable in-line type) will help save expendables especially if it's humid. (Air dryer is a must for paint gun). Enjoy Your new Tools (toys 😉 ). I cant wait to see you use them...

Hello sir great video I have the same compressor I like to know hiw you made out with the new regular and how it help you . And what did you use. Thanks for taking time to the video.

Good review Martin. That air compressor is going work good with the plasma cutter. Later

Great video! Have you made the regulator upgrade?

I have a similar compressor to your pancake version. Can't wait for it to fail... lol! At the mark of 0:50, I was surprised to see the French version of the description. I thought it was also sold here in Quebec, Canada... but no. I am pretty sure this brand (Kobalt) is shared by other known brands. Thanks!

Maybe you should mention what the duty cycle is on the compressor and what duty cycle means. That could be a deal breaker depending on what someone is going to use it for. The only compressor that doesn't have a duty cycle is a two stage oil lubricated.

I wouldn't be too concerned about damaging your air tools with higher psi. Our shop compressor is set to 190 psi and regulated outlet is 150. Any good quality tool that we've used (die grinders, cut off tools, impacts, ratchets, etc.) seem to work better with the higher pressure and have never failed. You'll likely use your tools much less than an auto repair shop.

I bought the same recently. The problem I have is that it keeps trying to trip the breaker unless I use the relief valve to empty the tank first.

Another big problem is parts availability. Mine just began to shoot sparks from the side! I disassembled the motor to find the coil windings in good condition but a part of the wiring is burnt.

Very informative Martin. What is the price?

Did you ever "upgrade" the regulator? Looked through your videos and did not see a new one.

looks like a Vevor exhaust Fan in the box .... maybe 750 cfm model?

Mine worked flawlessly up until a few weeks ago. Just stopped working. Does the motor normally go bad on these things?

How about a 26 gallon cobalt oil free compressor about three years ago and the piston ring went bad now it stopped the leak I can’t find parts part

looked for the regulator video and dont see it. have you not done it yet?

who manufacturer these compressor is this the same as hoteche and other cheap compressors

Is there a reason, to not go with the Harbor Freight, Fortress 26 Gallon Ultra Quiet model? It has better spec's, and probably wouldn't be as impacting to your PSI loss with your tool.

Always a cruel tease regarding next video. Great marketing! That Compressor looks like the one I've been looking at from California Air Tools for twice as much. It's assembled in Mexico. Do you know where Kobalt is made?

How tall is this and why is it on sale in the Kobalt Store fir $86?

Have you ever had to replace the capacitor?

OUTSTANDING ENTRANCE Sir ( STAR TRECK Scotty ( BEAM ME UP ) 👍😇👌) You are a strong man Sir ( 136 lbs hEaVy LiFtiNg !!!) 🥴👍That ball valve is great the purge the water 👍🧐👌Keep Up Your OUTSTANDING videos Sir and Happy New Year Cheers 👌😇🍻

I’ve had one for 7 years now. After year 3 the pressed on cap blew off the check valve. And you can’t get a replacement part from kobalt because the part is not on the parts list. And I can’t find one that will work with the compressor. Kobalts costumer service is TERRIBLE. so now all I have is an expensive P.O.S paper weight

You never addressed or uploaded a video about the regulator.

Still waiting on the follow-up video

I have that compressor and it won't kick in on recover so the only way it will run is to drain it completely and then start it up again

Bought yourself a plasma cutter, eh?

U never posted your fix for the gauge issue?