Central Pneumatic 21 Gallon Vertical Air Compressor From Harbor Freight

Update Video: Simple Mods/Add-ons to Central Pneumatic 21-Gallon Compressor:

This is a first start up of the Central Pneumatic 21 gallon air compressor from Harbor Freight. I have been in the market for my first compressor for a while. Despite the other name brands out there, found this one to have a decent price point for the features I was looking for. Would love to spend money on an Ingersol Rand or other brand, but for what I will be using this for, price point and features are just fine.

Ultimately removed this filter setup I created for now until I can find a way to quiet it down, but for those interested, Parts list below:

- 1/2"npt male to female 90 degree pipe nipple
- 1/2"npt male union
- 1/2"npt female to 1 1/2" female Sch 40 PVC Adapter
- 1 1/2" female to 3" female Sch 40 PVC adapter
- 3" elbow 45 degree
- Spectre high flow cone Air filter
- metal pipe hanger to secure to body using existing screws.

Hope you find this interesting and thank you for watching!

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Disclaimer: This video is for Informational purposes only. Please read and follow the instructions that came with the unit. Should you try to modify or follow my process, you do so at your own risk.

[billagedad]

I just got one 5 days ago in Salem OR for $62!! It was a refurb that was sold at discount during a sidewalk sale. The guy returned it saying it wouldn't run, but for the price I couldn't say no. I did keep the receipt, and was told I have 5 days to return it. Sure enough it was seized, so I disassembled it and found what looked like a spun bearing on the connecting rod. I oiled the hell out of it with 3-in-1, got it to turn, , but noticed that the crankshaft wasn't even hitting the oil in the case. I overfilled it and hand-spun it with the head off and the piston running into a veggie can with more oil; it did finally run, but the first batch of oil was horrid! I rinsed that with abt. 5 oz. of oil, drained it, and refilled it. Runs fine, but I did not see where it needed upwards of 20 amps to start (when I originally ran it, I was using a 100 foot extension and it bogged down some). I now have it run much closer to an outlet with a 16g extension. Needed some elbow grease, but a great purchase IMHO.

[charlesgraham]

uknow them 100 pound propane tanks for 90 bucks at lowes that are 25 gallons. i put one of them on this same unit. so thats damn ner 50 gallons of air for under 250 bucks. that 2.5hp motor has no problem keeping up. now i have plenty of valium of air. i painted my lil Chevy S10 with it modified this way. i seen it on YouTube. and it works folks. ur not going to find a 46 gallon air compressor for under 250 bucks. with alil work ull have one. good vid guy

[volvo]

To add a comment for anyone thinking of quieting their air compressor... I had a craftsman unit that seems to have the same thread as this thing. I used one of those street nipples like the creator here and adapted it to an old spin on automotive oil filter I had lying around. It quieted up SO MUCH, I was amazed.

[bencrosbie]

Sounds quiet enough and smooth i think. Great looking machine

[tether]

I used 1.5. 32oz can of harbor freight oil before I started to see better oil color. Its like 5-6 oil changes. And still planing to do 2 more before I put husky fully syntetic oil to it.

[franktank]

you should do a video of putting the inline filter

[d.j.]

Hope you tipped the compressor towards the drain plug? I did not see the drain valve & removed my sight glass & tipped it. Then I went online & saw the drainplug. I then removed the black Phillips drain screw & tipped it toward the drain screw, almost laying it down onto the ground, ensuring that I get every bit!!! Read a review where this person removed the motor & added rubber pad under the motor & quieted it up a bit. But please tip the tank when doing oil changes & when draining the moisture after every use!!!

[ronaldnickell]

The dark oil could be due to a preservative added to the crank case for shipping. This will minimize corrosion, and usually is compatible with the oil. But then again, we are talking about Harbor Freight, who cuts corners to keep the cost down.

[Boost_Addict]

I just got one of these, Just replaced reeds n made a video for my channel. They are good compressors !

[skunkhollow]

Haha, I like it. Maybe slightly overkill on the filter size, but I can't hate cause I think i am going to do the same thing with a pod filter that I have laying around. :D A filter is a filter

[jjmccloud]

I use the royal purple also, but you get about 4 changes from the bottle for $15 from summit.com Honestly don't think it does anything different vs using the Husky or similar brand oils other during winter it doesn't get to thick on like others in cold weather and stays just right through summer so I like to use it for its consistency. Plus it's cool looking purple color lol

[ronyerke]

After 7 years now, are you still using that compressor? If you have a magnetic nutdriver, that will make changing hot oil easier. Oil flows faster when it's hot/warm.

[jamesfine]

why didn, t you fill it up with kerosine a few times and drain. then put the good oil in?

[jlrockafella]

Don't use conventional oil! It has detergents! Run only compressor oils. I did do a oil drain before and then after the 30min break in. This compressor will last a long time if you maintain it with fresh clean oil.

[rajkishoredasartcrafts]

How we make this air filter please tells about it

[chupamishuevos]

I saw a review about it and the reason why is so loud it is because it has plastic mufflers. So to make it less loud is to change those to metal ones.

[bencrosbie]

See people laugh at the filter and am like okay... then i seen it at the end 😂😂😂 brilliant

[evilgenius]

If you plan to leave the tank pressurized all the time you should invest in an automatic drain. Keeps the tank from corroding.

[davidcoyote]

I think the basic compressor comes in about 90+ decibels.

[flat]

Damn, I just ran across this video while looking for a way to make my compressor(the same one)quieter I've had it for 4 years now and have the original oil in it and it runs atleast 30 min a day. for some reason I thought the only reason to put oil in the compressor was so it would go through the airline to oil the air tools.