Harbor Freight Fortress 2 Year Review

[@addison892]

Honestly, your unboxing video and this video are going to be accurate for most people. I'll explain. In your unboxing, you read almost every line before taking it out of the box, but you tossed the instruction manual, where it says to break in the compressor. You acknowledged the filters and how they would need to be cleaned on the regular basis. You also pointed out the auto switch didn't seem to be as high quality as the rest. Then after 2 years you admittedly did not clean the filters and did not empty the tank daily. The amount of water that came out suggests that you rarely do this. You did have issues with the auto switch as you felt you may. Basically, you set it up, then used it as you did w/o maintenance or instructions in mind. Just like most that purchase this would. Bottom line, your reviews have convinced me this should be my next compressor. I currently have an 8 gal, that I religiously followed directions with for near 20 years, and it still operated very well. An accident in my shop recently has cracked the regulator, which I can easily fix, but I would like to have longer air supply for the tools I have accumulated over the years. If I take care of this one as well, I may have it for a couple decades too.

[@rjchiedog]

why dont you just get a expansion tank if your compressor is still good,see how long it will last.

[@louisevad6091]

I've had issues with mine from day one

[@publicuser2534]

The most badass comment about the 2 yr review that I have read. I laughed reading a lot of it. But, spot on for sure. Did you end up purchasing this compressor?

[@RMartin631]

You're not draining the tank correctly. If you look, you'll see that the drain petcock is NOT on the bottom of the tank. Even if you drain the compressor every day, you're not even close to getting all of the water out of the tank. If you lean the compressor forward, about 20°, you'll see that there is a LOT of water left in the tank. Also, if you turn the compressor on, and all it does is hum, turn the compressor back off immediately. There is an unloader valve that releases the pressure from the compressor head, after the compressor reaches it's cut-off pressure. If you hear a hum, then that means the unloader valve has malfuntioned, and the motor doesn't have enough power to start the compressor. You are burning the motor up at this point. A last point is there is a thermal release valve on the rear left of the compressor. You'll see a hole in the middle of the valve. Every once in a while put 2 or 3 drops of air tool oil in that hole. The valve can become stuck open and the compressor won't build pressure.

[@phiksit]

The 10 gallon horizontal has the same issue with the drain valve not being located at the low point. Seems like some inherent design flaws with these.

[@1stWingless]

You may want to check if you cold start valve is stuck. There is usually a valve on the compressor head that remains open until the head heats-up and allows the compressor to be unloaded on cold starts. They will sometimes fail closed.

[@rimfire2642]

Don't know how critical break in is. have the 2 gallon Fortress, followed break in procedure for a few years now, and lighter use it's worked great even using air tools. Super quiet which is so nice.

[@garyg1254]

I had the same problem with those switches. They are on some other brands of compressors also. I think that it's the quality of the switch itself and not the compressor. It's a good thing that it is easy to replace.

[@kkutube1972]

I have own an air compressor for 5 year and never drain or unplug but I now do it every just because I know better.

[@Or1on33]

I’ve had this compressor for just under two years. Of course no warranty. Use it to spray hvlp for motorcycle parts. Worked great until now. Located in az. Heats always been high during summer use. Compressor won’t reach cut off pressure. Just stops a few minutes in. Even on a nearly full tank. Heat seems to be the issue but there’s nothing I can do based off instructions, all steps have been taken. Unsure what to do now. Had the few gallon larger compressor work horsing full time in a spray shop no issues.

[@Animalwon]

I know this is about 8 months too late for you but I am replying for those who come here later asking about HEAT issues and the same technology air compressors. HEAT is the enemy of air compressors. The old motors could handle it better but they were still susceptible to it. I killed Two compressors over 25 years, and they were both the OIL LUBED types of yester year. These new 'squirrel' driven motors are even more sensitive. They operate best in milder temperatures, like an air conditioned living room temperature.

[@deej19142]

I have that same compressor in the warehouse at work, bought it about 4 years ago. Recently it stopped building pressure past about 150psi. It just continues to run and run. I'm suspecting a leak near the regulator switch, or the switch is plugged with wet dirt (aka mud) from not draining the compressor often enough. I need to pull it apart this week and see what's going on.

[@jakeduffin4626]

Thank you Carson!

[@ThriftyGarage]

You’re welcome!

[@ronyerke9250]

The location of that drain won't let the water all drain out as it's not at the lowest part of the tank, just kinda close. No wonder the water that comes out is so rusty.

[@JackPinesBlacksmithing]

I'm looking at the 10 gallon version as my first air compressor. It's first intended use is to operation an air assisted treadle hammer in my blacksmithing shop, which I'm assured it will be fine for. Never having one before, I'm not sure what other uses I'll put it to or if I should spend the extra $100 for this big brother.

[@allenblackmer9583]

I own both this one and the 10 gallon both great compressors. I did mess my pressure switch up on the 10 gallon the worst thing is trying to find replacement parts. It was nothing the compressor did I did it trying to hook up a air receiver tank. I will say If you’re going to buy one just spend the extra and get this bigger one

[@funbricknj]

IT could be you need a new motor capacitor part # 96 that would cause hard starting

[@derdbaugh]

I just bought a brand new one.. it comes on goes to 200 psi and blows off the pressure relief valve and never shuts off?

[@ThriftyGarage]

Never had a problem with my cutoff switch.

[@louisevad6091]

Mine shuts off before it reaches full pressure

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

The pressure sensing switch can be adjusted and SHOULD be checked at least yearly. If it's shutting off early, adjust it to increase the pressure.

[@aaronkirleis659]

I have one of these and have used it daily for over 3yrs. But now it’s runs for 20psi and shuts off and will not restart until it is unplugged and the overload resets (you hear a small quiet click) takes about 60-90 secs. Then plug back in and it runs for another 20 psi….so my issue is a bad motor overload

[@ThriftyGarage]

It's definitely not a Honda! One guy will buy one and it will work perfect for a lifetime and another will buy one and it explodes the day after the warranty expires. Definitely inconsistent reliability.

[@CaptainRedHat]

You see all that rusty water coming out when you first opened the valve? That's because you don't drain the tank daily. Your tank probably has rust on the inside and is at a higher risk of catastrophic failure (in the form of bursting under pressure) or at the very least may fail sooner than a tank that was properly maintained. You might want to look in to getting an automatic drain kit. It basically has a timer that goes off on an interval and lets any condensation blow out. Great video, this seems like a good compressor for the money, especially considering how quiet it is.

[@curtisaitken7027]

And one day will go boom.

[@wyo_garage20]

Have you ever been around compressors? At all. Most don’t get drained daily and almost never have issues. I know, I know, in this day and age were supposed to be afraid of everything, but that isn’t it. Because here’s the deal: it doesn’t take any time at all to form surface rust. And even being drained daily, you still have discolored moisture come out. And these things just don’t explode.

[@CaptainRedHat]

@@wyo_garage20 Yeah literally my whole life. And we've drained our compressors after every use and have never had rust colored anything come out even after 20 years

[@wyo_garage20]

@@CaptainRedHat Clearly…

[@carissamagnus4227]

Gotta lean that compresser and the petcock going to clog you just twist it while you lean it, a lot more water will flow out

[@ArtistRi-j2n]

Thanks for the video, it’s my 1st compressor and I’ve been nervous to use it… planning to sand blast & use paint gun… do you switch it off after it fills up & continue to use it or does the engine just auto off until it needs to run again? And manually turn it off when your done for the day? I read the manual mostly & it just intimidated me thinking it would blow up or something 🙄

[@exampl01]

Manually turn it off when you’re done for the day. As you use the air, the compressor is going to need to generate more air so it’s available for you to keep using it.

[@ripkobexnip3719]

How does it work for painting ? I just bought it for spray painting

[@andrew5687]

Doubt itll work well for sand blasting, most blasters want 10-15 cfm at 90 psi and this one is rated for 4

[@zraker7]

What size capacitor does it use?

[@gweggslist4460]

Do you find this thing difficult to lug around the garage or do you just leave it in that spot?

[@ThriftyGarage]

It’s usually parked there. But occasionally I will wheel it to the house or to a job site. It’s not terrible to move. A little top heavy.

[@treemanchris]

You might want to put a 20 amp breaker and 20 amp wire in the wall and put a 20 amp plug on the wall. 9 times out of 10 that's what the big issue is. There's not enough juice to feed it

[@danrich9794]

Nice been thinking bout getting a bigger one thanks for the review

[@UtahTrucker]

Great video thanks for thr update

[@gmanjef]

The Fortress 26 gal ultra quiet air compressor is the biggest POS I could have bought from Harbor Freight. I bought it in the winter, expecting to use it later on. When the weather warmed up I went to use the unit but it would not fully fill the tank. It would shut off around 30 PSI. After many attempts using the owners manual to reset the compressor, it only would fill about 20 psi or so. it took me close to an hour to get it to 100 psi. I called customer service and told them I was having problems with the unit and what could they do to help me. They asked me if I had an extended warranty as the manufacturer's warranty is ONLY 90 days. WHAT A POS. After vehemtently complaining I asked for a supervisor. After going through many exercises with the manager, he concluded that the power switch is bad. He graciously agreed to send me a power switch as I had not even used the compressor. Well after 6 months I finally got the part in the mail. Today April 2, I installed the new part. The unit behaved the same way. Won't fill up and shuts off. It took me an hour to get the tank full. I hooked my air ratchet and held the button down. The air drained down and would not come back on. I hate this product. Now I have to go to Home Depot and buy a new one. I hate this piece of shit.

[@def1791]

I won’t be buying one of these after reading this and other comments in this thread

[@ThriftyGarage]

I am glad you found this review helpful as well as all the comments. If it were not for the KZbin community it would be much harder to know what products are best for you.

[@oneyaker]

I just bought it and performed the break in per instructions. The tank only fills to 150lb. The second day, I went to use it and it drained to 120psi, the motor kicked on very weakly and shut off after 5 seconds - completely cold. Would not turn on until I drained it all the way to zero. This is brand new, one tank fill and it is failing. Will try one more time and and return it if the switch does not kick on. I am pissed for going through all the trouble and spending over $400.

[@erikhendricks3685]

I’m having the exact same issues mine is probably 11 months old now. Unplug it and try to get it to fill up and it’ll get to like 90-100 and shut off. Every once in awhile it’ll fill up completely to where the pressure switch shuts it off

[@def1791]

@@erikhendricks3685 I ended up purchasing a craftsman 33 gallon 175 max psi. and it has been working flawlessly. I paid almost $600 for it but with zero issues. Cheaper isn’t always better. Mine is just for my home garage use but I expect it to work when I buy something.

[@dereksuperstrong1210]

I was actually considering going to buy one of these today until I saw it took 10 minutes to pull up to full pressure that is ridiculous

[@Animalwon]

Compressor won't start? The problem is that you left the tank FULL of Air. These new motors cant start with a Full load of air in the tank because It creates too much work for them (HIGH Amperage Draw) THIS is why your manual advises you to EMPTY the tank AFTER you shut it off for the day - Usually by draining the tank (Smart thinking by the engineers, Huh -?) This way they ensure you do BOTH drain the water and relieve the air pressure. All compressors using these Twin Cylinder designs, No matter what the Brand - They all require you to drain the air when you shut it off, or they will refuse to start.

[@akshonclip]

9 minutes to fill a 25 gallon tank is nowhere near 4.5 cfm.

[@charlieodom9107]

Really? Have you done the calculation? How long should it take this compressor to air up this tank?

[@charlieodom9107]

Also, You do realize that compressor output goes down as the pressure increases, right?

[@TManInTexas]

@@charlieodom9107 why is that?

[@charlieodom9107]

@@TManInTexas why is what? You'll need to be a little more specific.

[@mattrybacki189]

​@TManInTexas The more pressure in the tank, the harder the compressor has to work to force air in.

[@Linuxhax]

Maintenance free means YOU CAN NOT REPAIR IT. DO NOT BUY THIS GARBAGE.

[@joesimon544]

Harbor Freight sells some good oil lubed compressors. They are much better than this one .

[@PureAmericana]

I bought one trash, returned extended warranty, 1 months later trash. Next, request a refund or suit them for scaming people with these junks.

[@ThriftyGarage]

It’s still going for me.

[@Cocaholic]

You just probably are not using right or not taking care of it idk but it doesn’t look like trash

[@blueplasma5589]

Who want,s finicky crap. My father-in-law's H.F. Unit will frequently not restart.

[@ThriftyGarage]

It's a price point. And for the price I have gotten my moneys worth. I would love a bigger 80 gallon compressor, but without the noise!

[@DD-gd3fr]

Drain it Daily

[@everettcalhoun8197]

Kinda like your privates.