Right now I have a Porter Cable pancake compressor that's fine for minor work. But now I need a higher CFM model for air tools, mostly doing car repair, i.e. air ratchet, impact wrench, air hammer/chisel, etc. My budget is $400 max. I was considering the California Air Tools CAT-10020C, but then read some reviews complaining of poor construction. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Air compressor advice. . .
- Thread starter 70Mach1
- Start date
BajaScout
Well-known member
I have the Quincy QT-54.
No issues. Have had it a couple of years.
Does everything I need for my home hobbies including auto restoration and repairs.
Chose it because of the reputation and made in the USA.
https://www.quincycompressor.com/about-us/
No issues. Have had it a couple of years.
Does everything I need for my home hobbies including auto restoration and repairs.
Chose it because of the reputation and made in the USA.
https://www.quincycompressor.com/about-us/
I have that model. The original one I bought had a defective safety valve that would not pop at 110 psi.
I exchanged it through home depot, who was great in the process and gave me a little credit on the exchange.
The replacement has been solid.
Pros:
- Overall good value for the money.
- Quiet
Cons
- Made in Commy China
I exchanged it through home depot, who was great in the process and gave me a little credit on the exchange.
The replacement has been solid.
Pros:
- Overall good value for the money.
- Quiet
Cons
- Made in Commy China
Iv'e had good luck with the $298 Kobalt QUIET TECH 26-Gallon Portable Electric Vertical Air Compressor from lowes. Item # 905518 Model # 3332643
It's a 150 PSI compressor with a 26 gallon tank. at 4.5 CFM it's a bit low, but with it's high psi and large capacity it will run a impact at 90 PSI long enough to do any work I need to do.
If only comparing specs, the harbor freight 5.9CFM 29 Gallon 150 PSI compressor for $359 is a better deal. Item#62765.
However I love how quiet the kobalt is and think it's well worth the trade off.
For under $400 you'll be hard pressed to find something better speccd new.
For reference my 1/2 impact wrenches all call for about 9 CFM for continuous run time use.
It's a 150 PSI compressor with a 26 gallon tank. at 4.5 CFM it's a bit low, but with it's high psi and large capacity it will run a impact at 90 PSI long enough to do any work I need to do.
If only comparing specs, the harbor freight 5.9CFM 29 Gallon 150 PSI compressor for $359 is a better deal. Item#62765.
However I love how quiet the kobalt is and think it's well worth the trade off.
For under $400 you'll be hard pressed to find something better speccd new.
For reference my 1/2 impact wrenches all call for about 9 CFM for continuous run time use.
Last edited:
BajaScout
Well-known member
Since the air compressor is the central element to a lot of your tools, investing into one that will last a lifetime may make sense.
That was the way I looked at it when I bought mine.
This is one of those tools I spend the extra money.
Why not wait a little longer and save up for one? It seems to be more of a want than need right now.
That was the way I looked at it when I bought mine.
This is one of those tools I spend the extra money.
Why not wait a little longer and save up for one? It seems to be more of a want than need right now.
sberry
Banned
They call for at least 3 times that and maybe closer to 4. That is an industrial average number, it's not actual use.
BajaScout
Well-known member
They will die long before that compressor does.
I agree they are good tools.
Pneumatic tools last a lifetime for the home DIYer.
But you need a 30+ gallon compressor with a decent CFM to run them. I used to laugh at my buddy and his 26 gallon kobalt, it could barely remove lug nuts without kicking on.
For what it's worth I purchased this one over two years ago.Tires, shocks, struts.Works great. Ken
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C602H/205389936
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C602H/205389936
Thanks for all of the replies so far.
For context, my immediate need is so that I can run an air hammer to remove two frozen on rear wheel bearing hubs from my 2011 Subaru Outback. Due to the confined space (jack stands), I can't get deliver enough force with my sledge to the partially threaded in bolts on the back side, even pounding on a socket extension. The air hammer would also give me the option of using the chisel bit to come at the hub from the front and hit the flange at an angle in order to get it to rotate in the steering knuckle. Now if the California AIr Tools model I mentioned or the Kobalt 26 gallon (which I also considered) would struggle with this/be less than ideal for long-term use with other pneumatic tools, then maybe I'll just rent a compressor for this job and wait on buying something.
Few other answers:
- $400 is my max for now.
- I'd rather go new than used, if for no other reason than that I wouldn't know how to properly evaluate the condition of a used model.
- No 240V available for where I'd be powering the compressor.
For context, my immediate need is so that I can run an air hammer to remove two frozen on rear wheel bearing hubs from my 2011 Subaru Outback. Due to the confined space (jack stands), I can't get deliver enough force with my sledge to the partially threaded in bolts on the back side, even pounding on a socket extension. The air hammer would also give me the option of using the chisel bit to come at the hub from the front and hit the flange at an angle in order to get it to rotate in the steering knuckle. Now if the California AIr Tools model I mentioned or the Kobalt 26 gallon (which I also considered) would struggle with this/be less than ideal for long-term use with other pneumatic tools, then maybe I'll just rent a compressor for this job and wait on buying something.
Few other answers:
- $400 is my max for now.
- I'd rather go new than used, if for no other reason than that I wouldn't know how to properly evaluate the condition of a used model.
- No 240V available for where I'd be powering the compressor.
Last edited:
So to confirm what I'm hearing, even a model like the 5.5 gallon Makita MAC5200 that has a higher CFM (6.5 @ 90 PSI) than the Califorinia Air Tools CAT-10020C or Kobalt QUIET TECH 26-Gallon would still be lacking for impact wrenches, air hammers, and air ratchets because it doesn't have the volume of these two.
High CFM... Get a gas air powered compressor, double barrel type like makita. Ridgid, hitachi.. They use these for construction, roofer. Mobile mechanic and what not for high CFM rating..
Somenew ridgid ones can be gad for $400..and used ones of different brand with Honda motors.
The compressor would be useful when in construction...
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Somenew ridgid ones can be gad for $400..and used ones of different brand with Honda motors.
The compressor would be useful when in construction...
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
How much impact work are you planning on doing? I used a 4 gallon, 4 CFM compressor with an IR231 to remove an axle nut from one of my cars. No issue. Sure it doesn't take but 5 seconds to drain the tank so it needs to recycle... but that's plenty to free the bolt. It has no trouble keeping up with pulling 4 or 5 lug wheels since the time needed to refresh the tank is when I'm actually pulling the wheel off and setting it aside. It only takes 15 seconds for that compressor to cycle.
As for the air hammer I'm not as sure since I haven't used one with a 120V compressor. The air ratchet I'm less sure about. It probably wouldn't be good with a smaller tank but might be OK with the Kobalt. I suspect it uses more air than the pump can source but what's your use rate?
Anyway, of the ones you have mentioned I think the Kobalt would be my first choice. It's the same type of pump as the CAT. I have a CAT 5510A and it's not that well built. The Kobalt has a pretty good sized tank for a 120V compressor and the noise levels are, per the specs, about the same as the CAT. Do note that the "2hp" CATs are rated at something like 10db louder than the "1hp" models.
Just some food for thought. Per my sound level phone app (not exactly a calibrated setup) my 5510A comes in at about 70 db (not the 60 claimed but very easy to live with in the garage). The CAT 10020 is rated by CAT to be 10 db louder. So if we assume that is true then I would assume my phone would see it as an 80 db compressor. Not quiet but not too burdensome. My bigger compressor is a Campbell Housfeld belt drive 20 gallon compressor sold by Grainger similar to this
https://946e583539399c301dc7-100ffa5b52865b8ec92e09e9de9f4d02.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/7658/349430.jpg
The air filter housing was lost in a move so I replaced it with the updated factory version like this
https://www.sears.com/campbell-hausfeld-vh901700av-air-filter-w-element-vh3000/p-A015983114
I then added about 1 foot of clear vinyl tube just slipped over the intake snorkel of the air filter housing. (if you look at pictures of the CAT compressors they also have vinyl tubes stuck into the air intakes... they really do make a difference!).
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/plumbing/hoses-and-tubing/vinyl-tubing/4315578
Net result was my big compressor measured a bit less than 10 db louder than my 5510A. So, if CAT's ratings for the 10020 vs 5510 are correct my home brew setup was no louder than the 10020. The rubber hose made about 3-4 db difference and reduced the apparent noise quite a bit. So even if you get a different type of compressor, with changes to the intake you may be able to reduce the noise levels with low cost changes.
This video shows how much noise comes from the intake (DIY muffler to nothing)
And this one shows air filter housing to housing plus hose
Neither video is mine. The second is similar to my compressor but a different filter type (similar to what CAT uses). My only concern with the second is the vinyl hose is longer that I think it needs to be and it's smaller ID than the filter intake. I doubt my setup restricts intake air flow since my hose ID is larger than the filter housing intake. The tube in the second video is smaller in diameter as the tube OD fits into the air intake ID.
Thanks Citation. I won't be doing more than occasional impact work, and even the hub bearing job I'm facing is out of the norm. So maybe you're right, and the Kobalt would be sufficient.
Since my main/immediate need would be to use this for the air hammer, I could use recommendation for one that would mate up ok spec wise with the Kobalt, and is under, say, $50.
Since my main/immediate need would be to use this for the air hammer, I could use recommendation for one that would mate up ok spec wise with the Kobalt, and is under, say, $50.
No threadjacking please.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
That was my problem: not 240v access in my garage. I’ve made due with a 110v welder (Hobart 140) and the Craftsman Professional 110v oiled compressor. For 110v is worked very well and fills up quick:
https://www.searsoutlet.com/br/pdp/...ressor-150-max-psi-120-240-dual-voltage/64253
Last edited:
absolutxj
Active member
So I bought and reviewed the CAT 10020C compressor. The main selling point for me was the noise level. I do a fair amount of residential construction and remodeling. One thing I hate is listening to the compressor run all day long. I was able to get this compressor, mount it in the trailer, and run it all day long with no problems. Another plus for me was the dual outlets (Obviously most compressors come standard with this now so obviously not a selling point for CAT specifically). On the few occasions that I have taken it inside a house, it's barely noticeable from the next room when it cycles.
The construction on my compressor was solid and it was easy to put together. The two cons that I have are the weight and tire construction. I'm sure you could replace the tires with something pneumatic and they would work much better. This wasn't a big deal for me since it rarely leaves my trailer.
Check out my review on YouTube below (I didn't receive any compensation from CAT or anyone else. Just a guy that likes his tools).
The construction on my compressor was solid and it was easy to put together. The two cons that I have are the weight and tire construction. I'm sure you could replace the tires with something pneumatic and they would work much better. This wasn't a big deal for me since it rarely leaves my trailer.
Check out my review on YouTube below (I didn't receive any compensation from CAT or anyone else. Just a guy that likes his tools).
Not for the impact but I was much happier using a larger tank with my air gun. My cutoff wheel was impossible with a 4 gallon tank. Even with 20 and a 5.7 cfm pump it's very easy to outrun the compressor.
JAKES.
New member
Hi 70 Mach1, I myself use a small pankake for stuff in the garage. It is too small but i make it work by adding a air capacity with an extra tank i made from a decomissioned propane bottle. The extra air tank is filled and while the compresser recharges i can run my tools off the tank. i run a 1/2" impact , die grinder, die grinder,hvlp sprayer. The set up is less than ideal but it allows me to do more with less as i save $$ for the 60 gallon 5 hp unit i plan to buy from Napa. I also make use of an 1/2" electric impact and acetylene for stubborn bolts too.
Attachments
CGT80
Well-known member
I have run an air chisel and ir 2135ti impact from my Porter Cable 120v compressor but it is 150psi 4.5 gallon 6.7 at 40psi and maybe 4cfm at 90 psi. It works fine for the impact, even when rotating tires. The air chisel works well but for a short time. For your use, one of these 120v compressors would get the job done and likely serve your needs down the road.
If you had 240v power and planned to do more work with air tools, I would also say to have a GJ member help you find a good used compressor. I paid 700 bucks for something that would cost 3,000 dollars for a new version, but I knew a lot about air tools and my needs and researched compressors a bunch and then researched that used one before buying. I have upgraded a few times by getting used compressors and learned along the way. My air needs include running a blast cabinet, cnc plasma, die grinders, etc. And a 5hp 240v 175 psi 80 gallon unit averaging 20cfm works great, but isn't necessary for the amount you plan to use those tools.
Sent from my SM-G955U using The Garage Journal mobile app
CGT80
Well-known member
I don't know why that last quote was included, but my comments were for the OP and I don't know how to edit (if even possible) on the GJ app.
Sent from my SM-G955U using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my SM-G955U using The Garage Journal mobile app