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Another Portable Compressor Thread

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greg86z28

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My cheap-o harbor freight 3 gallon (1/3 hp?) compressor finally bit the bullet after making it through a 1500 ft2 flooring install. The check valve isn't sealing. I did some tinkering and could not fix the leak and honestly, I think this is a good reason/excuse to get something a little nicer that doesn't run constantly and isn't ridiculously loud.

Here's what I'd be using it for:
--Operating nailers (just DIY stuff around the house, maybe building a garage one day - I'm not a contractor or anything though where it'd be getting daily use year after year).
--Probably would install it on some fixed lines at my workbench in the basement. Might even do some hobby airbrushing with it (model tanks)

I have a standing 60 gal IR 2 stage out in the garage, so any 'major' tasks (tire fillups, garage tools like impacts, sandblaster) are run off that.

My first look was the Makita MAC700 (oil). It's has pretty good reviews. I've also seen some mention of California Air Tools. They are oil-less. Any longevity issues with oil vs oil-less? CAT's are supposed to be pretty quiet too, although at this point anything is probably quieter than what I have now.

I've searched this site and saw some older threads (circa 2013-2016) that had positive comments about both the Makita MAC700 and CAT products.

EDIT: Budget would be around $200, depending on what's out there.

Thanks folks!

Greg
 
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greg86z28

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Did some research at lunch today.

CAT seem really interesting because they are so quiet. I'd be considering the 2010A model.

Is there any concern about the life expectancy of an oil-less (shorter) vs oiled?

The Makita MAC700 seems like a tank of a portable compressor (heavy duty). I'm not as certain about the CAT.
 
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OneOfEm

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I have the Makita MAC700, and have used it during my workshop build. It has plenty of air for my speed with a framing nailer, but from hearing how a nearby framing crew works, it would likely be a bit slow on recovery for a professional framer.

I've also used it a lot with a palm nailer for hurricane ties, and while it cycles a lot with the palm nailer, it's pretty quiet and has no problem keeping up.

It would easily handle any DIY nailing needs away from your big compressor.

I'm happy with it, and would make the purchase again in a heartbeat knowing what I do about it.
 
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theoldwizard1

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greg86z28 said:
.I've also seen some mention of California Air Tools. They are oil-less. Any longevity issues with oil vs oil-less? CAT's are supposed to be pretty quiet too, although at this point anything is probably quieter than what I have now.
Click to expand...

The CAT compressors ARE very quiet and ARE oil-less but that are made different than most other oil-less compressors. The CAT use something very similar to WOB-L® piston pump. There is no sliding friction as the piston is fixed to the wall of the cylinder by a bladder. The bladder stretches to perform the intake and compression stroke.

Most oil-less compressor actually use a Teflon lined cylinder/piston. If that lining starts to wear, then you have metal-on-metal contact and the end is near.
 
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greg86z28

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I'm having a difficult time figuring out what to do. I tend to be the person who spends absurd amounts of time researching things before I pull the trigger. We're talking a $200 dollar compressor not a house or car here :lol:, but hey that's me.

I'm adding a 4.6 gal CAT to the mix.

Makita MAC700 - seems like a reliable tank, 2.6 gal and 2 hp, 80 decibels ~$200
CAT 2010A - 2 gal, 1 hp, 60 decibels ~$190
CAT 4610AC - 4.6 gal, 1 hp, 60 decibels ~$255 (the steel tank version is $225)
 
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strutaeng

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greg86z28 said:
I'm having a difficult time figuring out what to do. I tend to be the person who spends absurd amounts of time researching things before I pull the trigger. We're talking a $200 dollar compressor not a house or car here :lol:, but hey that's me.

I'm adding a 4.6 gal CAT to the mix.

Makita MAC700 - seems like a reliable tank, 2.6 gal and 2 hp, 80 decibels ~$200
CAT 2010A - 2 gal, 1 hp, 60 decibels ~$190
CAT 4610AC - 4.6 gal, 1 hp, 60 decibels ~$255 (the steel tank version is $225)
Click to expand...

I've got the Husky version of the CAT with the dual tanks. It is quite, but just too heavy to lug around the house. It's probably around 40 lbs. That Makita is 60 lbs!

I would vote for the 2 gallon CAT. Trust me, lugging around a heavy compressors gets old fast, even if they have wheels. My first compressor was a PC pancake and then I moved to PC JobBoss for more CFM, but what a heavy SOB!

You don't need much air for DIY pneumatic tools and you have a shop compressor.

Here's another good deal:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Califor...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-205910463-_-300500747-_-N

Senco also has a 1 gallon lightweight.
 
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Citation

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Since you are talking air brush you might consider avoiding oiled compressors since they can contaminate the air.

If you have the space I would look at the CAT 5510SE or 5510A. I have the 5510A. I purchased it "new - returned" on ebay with the claim that the regulator leaked. Well that was because the cheap regulator was assembled incorrectly at the factory. Flipping over the lip seal in the regulator fixed the problem but illustrates a problem with the CAT compressors. They are basically cheap Chinese stuff (in the negative sense) with a very quiet pump. I love it for the low noise levels but it is a cheap compressor and no where near the build quality of my Emglo twin tank.

Anyway, I suggest the 5510 vs the smaller models for a few reasons. First, these are low flow pumps. Not as bad as your HF 3gallon but I figure about 4CFM @ 90 is the standard for smaller 110V compressors. These are 2.3 CFM. Not much. The larger tank helps make that slow flow rate more palatable.

These 1hp CAT models all seem to be in the mid $100 range (some a bit higher, some a bit lower) so why go with a smaller tank if you have the space? Also, the aluminum 5510 weighs only 34lbs. I mean it's seriously light! The 2gal 2010A is 1 lbs heavier! (according to specs on Amazon). If something around 50lb is OK, the 5010SE is $140 vs $200 for the 5510A or $180 for the 2010A, again based on Amazon prices.
 
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BruceMc

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While I now have a big Quincy in the garage, I bought that same Makita 13, maybe 14 years ago and still use it regularly. I bought it originally to build a small shop and it ran my framing, finish, and palm nailers without a hitch. It just works. The only weakness is the small tank capacity, which only really first became a problem when used with my plasma cutter. I also have a small, portable (11 gal) air tank I first bought to haul outside for filling tires. Since I already had the tank set up to fill from the compressor, I simply added in a tee and plumbed the compressor and tank together. So now, when I need it, I have an easily portable, reliable compressor with a 14 gal tank.
 
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NitroShark

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nadogail

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I asked the cabinet maker doing a job in my house about small compressors.

He said "none of them are any good, just buy the cheapest one"

My Harbor Freight horizontal twin tank has served me well for several years of occasional weekend use.
 
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Toolfool

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I have Emglo, Senco, and Thomas portable compressors. Thomas is the best of the three, but no longer available. The buddy I often work with has had two CAT compressors for a couple of years now and they've been great. Quiet, dependable, and problem free. And we use them commercially.
 
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