CAT 15020C Air Compressor

[nafterclifen]

For less than $400, I've been looking at the California Air Tools 15020C air compressor to replace a 6 gallon pancake for two reasons - reduced noise and increased air capacity/volume.

No doubt it will be quieter. Capacity is over double (6 to 15 gal) and delivery is double (2.6 to 5.3 cfm @ 90psi). And it's not going to take up much more space which is also important.

Primary tool is an impact gun. Both compressors are 150psi so I'm not giving up anything there. The 6 gal barely works. I'm not expecting the CAT to to barely work or work perfect, just "work."

My concern is quality. Many reviews consist of complaints and issues. Should I be concerned?

 

[Schurkey]

You're kidding yourself if you think a 15-gallon compressor is going to give you satisfaction with an air wrench. $400 for that is crazy.

Maybe work OK for low-torque applications like lug nuts or other easy work. The sort of work you don't actually need an air wrench to accomplish.

I had a 120-volt 20 gallon compressor. It was a total turd.

 

[nafterclifen]

Maybe work OK for low-torque applications like lug nuts or other easy work. The sort of work you don't actually need an air wrench to accomplish.

Correct - lug nuts and "other easy work." Why use my energy/muscle when the tool can do it?

 

[Farmall450]

I wouldn't spend $400 on an oil-less POS that's only 15 gallons. For a few bones more you can get a 60 gallon oiled that would serve your purposes.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C602H/205389936

 

[Schurkey]

Correct - lug nuts and "other easy work." Why use my energy/muscle when the tool can do it?

How long do you want to wait for the pressure to build-up again?

My 20-gallon accomplished very little before the air tool was dragging, and then I waited to build pressure.

If you were getting the compressor for fifty dollars, and you couldn't get something better...sure. This isn't fifty dollars, though.

 

[mike93lx]

CAT isn't an "oil-less POS"... Their benefit is noise, or lack thereof. I have a CAT 1hp and it is extremely quiet. You can have a conversation over it and i can let it run at night in my garage which is under my son's bedroom.

If noise isn't the #1 concern, you can get a much larger compressor for the money. But if it is, i don't think there is a better option out there

 

[bsaint]

You should stand next to my 1.5hp quincy 210s or even better my 5hp Kellogg 331. Not even a baby would wake up. The inlet air filter can quiet any compressor down with the right design.

 

[mike93lx]

You should stand next to my 1.5hp quincy 210s or even better my 5hp Kellogg 331. Not even a baby would wake up. The inlet air filter can quiet any compressor down with the right design.

not sure how big the quincy is, but the kellogg isn't a reasonable comparison to what the OP is looking for.

when it comes to small compressors, the CAT stuff is probably the quietest out there.

 

[velillen01]

I dont have that particular model but do have the 10020 model. It is nice and quiet. Super nice compared to the Quincy QT-54 I also have. But also not in the same league for air delivery.

But i love it since I can use the CAT at 5am with the garage door open and not have to worry about waking neighbors up.

As for tool usage...its pretty lackluster for an impact wrench. It cant power my IR 2235Ti very well at all. But it did give enough omph to take lug nuts off. But using my 3/8" air ratchet it did just fine. You will end up waiting for air with an impact wrench. I never found i had to wait all that often with the air ratchet though