Quiet and long life modest air compressor?

[jcthorne]

My 1986 Craftsman 5hp 33gal compressor is in its last days. Tank has pit holes from rust and rod is making noise so time for a new one is approaching.

I have no need for a compressor this big any longer. I do not paint or do body work and nearly all of my air tools have long since been replaced with Milwaukee Fuel cordless. I still need air for tires, safety release and trolley jacks on my Bendpak and the very occasional use of an air chisel and my brake bleeder. I figure 2Hp and 20 gal is quite sufficient.

But I would really like something fairly quiet this time and one that will live a decent life. I consider the 30 yrs I got from the Craftsman as good. Hoping for similar. As is usually the case, cost is a concern but I am not expecting $99 either.

 

[eastbaysubaru]

Just picked up this guy after reading a lot of good reviews:

http://www.harborfreight.com/29-gal-2-hp-150-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-61489.html

I upgraded from a similar Craftsman as you had though mine was only about fifteen years old. The HF one is much quieter and I'm sure with my minimal use could last a lifetime.

-Brian

 

[Schurkey]

occasional use of an air chisel and my brake bleeder. I figure 2Hp and 20 gal is quite sufficient.

I had a 2 hp/20 gallon compressor for awhile. It would run my CP air chisel for about three seconds before the pressure dropped below what I needed. That was the longest ball-joint change of my life. Took all damn day to knock out the rivets.

 

[My Old Tools]

Unfortunately the quietest air compressors are usually larger. I have an older Quincy 210 on a 60 gallon tank. I'm sure it could go on a 20 gallon if you wanted. It is the quietest compressor I have ever been around. It turns relatively slow and you can carry on a conversation while leaning against it and not be bothered.

 

[csp]

California Air Tools makes super quiet compressors in all sizes from compact to industrial sizes. You can stand next to any one of them while running and have a normal conversation with someone else. They are pricey, but if quiet is what you really want.....

Watch the videos on their website. Lots of retailers, including Amazon carry this brand.

www.californiaairtools.com

 

[Voi]

I've owned way too many homeowner type compressors in the last ten years and I still don't think I appreciate all of the tradeoffs and compromises.

However, I think that if portability isn't a concern then quietness is better achieved with a small cabinet or closet than it is by seeking out the quietest compressor you can.

I do have one of the 5.5 gallon CAT compressors and at the $139 sale price I'm very happy to have it but if I wanted something that would only be transported occasionally and in the 20 gallon size range I'd rather just build a cabinet. Great little compressor but they get very expensive at the size range you're looking at.

I have no idea about the long-lived part other than to say my oil-lubricated, Craftsman Pro horizontal compressor is still running strong at a friend's house (one of the many I've traded away).

 

[DAVE VAN]

I put my 5HP in a lean-to shed outside. Can't hear it run in the shop. I have a switch on the wall inside to turn it on-off.

 

[theoldwizard1]

California Air Tools makes super quiet compressors in all sizes from compact to industrial sizes.

I second this !

For what you are going to use it for anything in the 1hp - 2hp range would get the job done.

 

[jconnor3]

I just bought the Makita MAC2400. And I have to say it's AWESOME. Very quite, has kept up with me putting down 3/4 subfloor sheet without a sweat - excellent quality. I can't recommend it enough.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-4...ical-2-Stack-Air-Compressor-MAC2400/202713485

 

[billspit]

Look for a compressor that turns at 1725 rpm instead of 3500.

A while back I was looking at (I think) a Rollair that was supposed to be really quiet.

 

[Showkey]

Saw California air compressors at Menards the other day...........

 

[Hybridss]

I just got the CAT 2hp compressor. I am quite happy with it so far after using it for about three weeks. It is very quiet, but maybe not as quiet as some of the youtube videos make it appear. The output is quite good and it does appear to be very high quality. I found no defects in mine. I have slowly been downgrading from my 60 gallon 15cfm unit to a Porter Cable 9 cfm unit to this. I dont think I could go lower...but this is working great..is quiet ...and takes up very little space.

On my scale it was an 8 out of 10 purchase for what its worth.

Note the PN of the unit in the picture is apparently the latest model with some improvements and refinements.

 

[jcthorne]

Thanks for all the input guys. The CAT units are indeed interesting and in the budget. I am concerned that they are all oil free compressors. They only advertise a 3000hr design life, which is good for an oil free but far below what even mid line oil lube compressors achieve.

Are there any low speed quiet oil lubed compressors? I will say a $4000 screw type is not in the cards.

Maybe I should consider placing the new one in a shed outside the shop.

 

[Voi]

The CAT units are indeed interesting and in the budget. I am concerned that they are all oil free compressors. They only advertise a 3000hr design life, which is good for an oil free but far below what even mid line oil lube compressors achieve.

I have the same concern but got my 5.5 gallon CAT cheap enough I'm just not worried about it.

Are there any low speed quiet oil lubed compressors?

The 26 gallon vertical units re-badged by Belaire, Chicago Pneumatic, Napa and I'm sure others are quiet but getting up there in price. Could almost buy something noisier and stick it in a shed for the same money.

The Napa was running cheapest when I checked recently.

The Craftsman Professional vertical compressor is similarly sized and might be cheap this coming Father's Day week. Not as quiet as the CAT units but not bad at all.

 

[eastbaysubaru]

I compared the Craftsman Professional with the Harbor Freight unit I ended up getting and the $200 (though it's $150 now) price difference made the decision fairly easy. They're very similar in specs.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prof...gclid=CKzKtpzXmM0CFYqPfgodKp0BDg&gclsrc=aw.ds

-Brian

 

[Falcon67]

Yes, the C-man is way over priced IMHO. I have a portable 25 gallon Porter-Cable compressor that I don't use but can't stand to part with. It's a 1 1/2HP with iron sleeve pump unit. Had it over 20 years, used the **** out of it - it built two shops an remodeled a couple of houses - and it still works fine.

 

[Maine Coon]

Personally I wouldn't go below 3hp, 60 gallon.

https://www.drillselect.com/forum/power-and-hand-tools/pneumatics/74-60-gallon-air-compressor

I don't want to go over the frustration of waiting every few minutes for compressor tank to fill up.

 

[VoodooCLD]

I also have the 2hp 10 gallon California air tools unit. Its great. I downgraded from my 60 gallon air compressor because i didn't need that much air or noise anymore.

The unit is well built enough that i'm not worried about the 3000 hrs of use. I'm sure it will still be in good enough shape that when that time rolls around, i'll get some parts to rebuild the cylinders.

 

[hchinaski]

I bought one of these Ingersoll Rand Garage Mate compressors 4 years ago, and it has been completely satisfactory to my needs - which are similar to yours; tires, the occasional air nailer, needle scaler, impact wrench. It runs a detail gun just fine but it isn't quite up to a full size HVLP sparyer, but I've long since given up on the idea of painting a car in my garage.

http://www.ingersollrandproducts.co...pressors/portable-air-compressors/garage-mate