Help picking a small dual purpose compressor

[Rogers954]

Ok guys, once again i find myself in need of some advise and what better place to turn then here so i am about to jump into some lure making and I’ve got most of my tools bought and ready to go (bandsaw, drill press, carving tools, and lots of various hand tools) so the next purchase is an airbrush setup.

So with most things I’m always trying to buy tools that serve more then one purpose, so the idea of buying one of these overpriced junk china compressors that can only be used for an airbrush and won’t last very long doesn’t appeal to me at all no sir. I would much rather buy a small compressor that can do more then just run a low demand airbrush, something that can run smaller nail guns or other light duty task (obviously not running anything like a grinder or other high air demand tools)

So now days there is quiet a lot of choices in this category and my head is spinning on where to put my hard earned bucks.

Things that i want out of my purchase are,

Quality build long lasting life
As quiet as possible
Would like to stay under $250

Between CAT choices, harbor freight fortress, Kobalt, makita quiet series, and a whole bunch of other new brands entering the market of “ultra quiet” series small compressors I’m not sure where to invest.

A lot of these ones i have looked at in the 1hp 2 gallon size all seem to be priced pretty close and around the same noise level so really what i am looking for is what is going to last and is built well.

The Kobalt QUIET TECH 2-Gallon seems to be the cheapest option, while also offering the longest warranty of 3 years, being that i can pick one up within 10 minutes of my house from my local Lowe’s and also use my military discount this one almost seems like a no brainer, but i wanted to check with you guys on here because when it comes to tools this is my #1 resource for the best info.

Thanks all

 

[mike93lx]

At that price point, they are probably all basically the same. Don't overthink it

I have a CAT and like it a lot due to the low noise and aluminum tank. If it died, I would probably get another.

 

[Don1357]

Quiet is often in inverse relation of how far you can put it from your work area...

For the ultimate in quietness, get a refillable tank. I see Home Depot currently has a 30-gallon 150 PSI Husky on sale for $30 bucks. For comparison a spray paint can holds a tiny fraction of that at 70 PSI. It would be quality, there is very little to fail. It would be the quietest thing you could buy. And it would certainly come under budget

 

[Rogers954]

At that price point, they are probably all basically the same. Don't overthink it

I have a CAT and like it a lot due to the low noise and aluminum tank. If it died, I would probably get another.

Yeah i hear ya that most are gonna be about the same, size, HP, and noise are pretty neck and neck in most of these. The thing that Keeps throwing me is build quality, i can’t seem to fine one unit where the reviews seem pretty overwhelming in favor. Almost every review i could find has some major flaws that drove the negative review so what it comes down to for me is the build quality.

I’m not really a huge Kobalt fan in general but it almost feels like it’s the safest bet because the price is low and the warranty is long so if i do run into problems I’m covered and it’s easy to exchange without much headache

All in all i just want a dependable product, i did find quiet a few reviews on other forums saying that the makita compressors are little work horses for guys using them mostly for finishing work and nailing. Other then that i don’t really know much about there compressors

 

[sberry]

I would be tempted to get something belt drive with some tank on it, would be really low duty cycle with an air brush and enough whiz to blow something off or air a tire.

 

[mike93lx]

My 4.6 gal, 1hp CAT is perfect for air nailers and inflating tires. Mediocre for using a blow gun.

https://www.californiaairtools.com/...ctor-grade/1-0-hp-air-compressors/cat-4610ac/

It is light enough and quiet enough that I just bring it to the work and often use only a simple coiled hose right to the tool. Very convenient for trim work and running my framing nailer in builds or reno

 

[Stuart in MN]

I don't have personal experience with them, but have read here and elsewhere about California Air Tools compressors - they're the oil-free type, but are still supposed to be very quiet and of pretty good quality. https://www.californiaairtools.com/quiet-flow-series-of-air-compressors-consumer-grade/

 

[sberry]

I havnt ever used one but by reliable accounts similar to the above they are worth it. This is a little like a wire welder, you can only go so low before it doesnt work or last. Often the sales margins on these pcs of junk are big, often multiple vs margin.
I banter with the dr about value, maybe argue about it but a valid point for his point in a product like a welder is the dealers sell them at a really low markup. The machines are so good that it mitigates a lot of dealer risk and exposure to warranty handling. The machines and sometimes the gasses,,, not so much for walkins but are thru the consumables. They give some good deals to big users.
I remember Ron from sft talking the pricing but he forget that his best man and drinking budis the head sales nut for the vendor and selling to him at cost. The price Jake may pay might be different than the rest of us, that does add a lot of value. I think a C25 330 bottle may be 20 or so dealer cost, they try to sell it for as much as they can.
The cost of a 200$ flux machine is 100 or less, net 100$ A Hobart cost 400 and they sell it for 5 at best on.. some way less. Internet stores cut to the bone and dealers often follow suit to get customers in the door. Many dealers now finally looking more carefully at counter people vs order takers.

 

[sberry]

I tripped up an airgas guy with the product lineup and he knew. I had seen him in there before selling and I went back a year later and he running it. He had the unique position with his desk to hop on the counter at any second. I had seen him being quizzed about equipment and the response was good, he sold the guy 10# of lo hi, I think the customer appreciated really good value added info, it was a 2 way street and good chance the guy will be back.
He asked me what my profession was and I said farmer. He says, we can get you a 215 if you want one but you are really a poster child for a 255 and the cost difference shouldnt mean much. Same as a Tractor supply sales guy,,, any farmer worth a pinch of **** gonna work on machines was well served if he was upsold a DC.

 

[sberry]

This thought turned to welders but somewhat applies to air comps, you got the shop, you got other tools, other significant investment, not sure about the small market in particular cause they aint my thing but this could be worthy of up to 400 or so, maybe it dont take that much to do the work which is even better.
Good enough to slide under a box or in the closet out of the way even better. Its alright to hear it a little bit.

 

[Charlie51]

Just buy an adapter and use a spare tire for your air source. I used to use my Badger airbrush that way.

 

[Lynden]

The 1 gallon Senco and Makita would be on my short list.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MG660X2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084GY6DXV/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Rogers954]

The 1 hp Senco or Makita would be on my short list.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MG660X2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084GY6DXV/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks for the recommend these are two units that I have on the list for sure

 

[Rogers954]

Quiet is often in inverse relation of how far you can put it from your work area...

For the ultimate in quietness, get a refillable tank. I see Home Depot currently has a 30-gallon 150 PSI Husky on sale for $30 bucks. For comparison a spray paint can holds a tiny fraction of that at 70 PSI. It would be quality, there is very little to fail. It would be the quietest thing you could buy. And it would certainly come under budget

I like this idea never thought about this as an option. I already have an belt driven 33 gallon compressor so this would be a very cheap option with little to no failure points.

 

[sberry]

What's wrong with the comp you already have?

 

[The Cobbler]

I have a few of the PC1010 (older style) , they're great compressors for anything with a low air load. ( brad guns etc)

 

[Rogers954]

What's wrong with the comp you already have?

While my compressor is pretty quiet its not really what I want to run all the time for this purpose and I would like having something that is more portable for working around the house and the ability to move from the garage to the basement when I want to paint.

 

[dreamingmuscle]

Box stores have pancake compressors combos with nail guns included in your price range.

https://www.homedepot.com/s/pancake%20air%20compressor?NCNI-5

 

[mike93lx]

Those cheap pancakes are absolutely terrible and shiuld only be purchased when there is no other option due to budget constraints

 

[Citation]

One of my 3 compressors is a CAT 5510A. It's the 1hp, 5.5 gallon, alloy tank model. I have the CAT compressor was purchased for cheap in near new condition with a bad regulator. I mention this because with these CAT compressors what you seem to get is a nicely made pump (no idea about the service life) combined with low end everything else. The bad regulator in my case was a regulator what was assembled incorrectly from the factory. The cheap regulator is indicative of the rest of the parts. While messing with the regulator I ended up getting the pressure switch head a bit loose. That resulted in a small air leak. No problem, take it off, put on some new thread sealant and we are good to go right? No. The factory sealant was leaking yet didn't want to let go. The removal of the pot metal pressure switch from the pot post of the tank created a new mess I had to fix. Basically the QC on these things is no better than the low end HF compressors. It's just that the pump itself looks much nicer so you kind of assume the whole thing is a better product.

That said, for the $60+effort I spent on the compressor it was a great value. The noise levels really are great compared to my Emglo oil lube, roofing compressor. I just don't mind/care that this compressor has to cycle so frequently or that it takes longer to refill vs my Emglo because the noise levels are so much lower. Recently I've only needed air for tires, limited blow gun and my impact wrench. This compressor is sufficient for those needs while being quiet. The alloy tank also means this is a very light compressor (35lb IIRC).

So, I can't say avoid the CAT compressors but I don't think they are special compared to other low noise compressors. The alloy tank part is really nice. One final thing, these compressors typically have low peak pressures. Keep that in mind. A 6 gallon pancake that fills to 150 psi is actually a lot more useable air vs my 5.5 gallon filled to just 120 psi.

 

[crucible]

I'm very happy with my Makita MAC700; here's a thread about it: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443870&highlight=Makita+compressor

 

[brownbagg]

what is dual purpose? its pumps air, that all it can do, so it be single purpose

 

[Rogers954]

what is dual purpose? its pumps air, that all it can do, so it be single purpose

Basically what I meant was it will be used for airbrushing and other smaller air tool task. I like the idea of having a portable compressor something that isn't a total pain to move around my house. God knows when it comes time to work down in my basement getting my fat harbor freight compressor down there isn't an option

 

[nadogail]

When I asked the Cabinet Maker working at my house this same question, he said they are all ****, just buy the cheapest one that will do your job and when it burns up, throw it away and replace it with whatever is cheapest at the time.

 

[The Cobbler]

When I asked the Cabinet Maker working at my house this same question, he said they are all ****, just buy the cheapest one that will do your job and when it burns up, throw it away and replace it with whatever is cheapest at the time.

not a statement that I agree with.

 

[rusty1]

...just bought a secondary compresser, a WEN 6 gallon , really like it so far, pumps up fast, easy to move, etc.

 

[ttpete]

When I asked the Cabinet Maker working at my house this same question, he said they are all ****, just buy the cheapest one that will do your job and when it burns up, throw it away and replace it with whatever is cheapest at the time.

That's about the size of it. I bought a small Hitachi unit that had an oil-lubed compressor and two small air tanks from Amazon. It was on special because the carry handle was slightly bent. Otherwise it was new. I paid $89 for it. It's very quiet and weighs 50 lb. It'll outlast all of the oil free units 5 times over.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The Kobalt and the CAT could have come out of the same factory. If Lowes is convenient and has a better warranty, go there.

P.S. You will be surprised at what that little guy can run. Full size nailers (if you go slow) and 1/2" impacts (might have to wait for it to catch its breath after 3 or 4 lug nuts). Forget air hammer/chisel, die grinder or cut off wheel.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I bought a small Rigid a few years back and it can be used with the two (small) tanks or without for more portability. It's been a very good machine but I can't say I've overly taxed it. Pretty sure it came from Home Depot.

 

[dreamingmuscle]

I just put up 1500 sq foot of jp smart siding with a Porter Cable pancake compressor. I'm slow at it but it did all I asked of it.

They are easy to rebuild. But 50 bucks for a cylinder sleeve and piston it's just about a throw away tool.

 

[NETexas]

I don’t own one, have a friend who does, he loves it.
https://www.californiaairtools.com/quiet-flow-series-of-air-compressors-consumer-grade/


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Denwood]

Basically what I meant was it will be used for airbrushing and other smaller air tool task. I like the idea of having a portable compressor something that isn't a total pain to move around my house. God knows when it comes time to work down in my basement getting my fat harbor freight compressor down there isn't an option

I have three compressors, a 25 gallon and 60 gallon, plumbed in parallel together (which never move), and a portable one for camp use:

The Rigid 4.5 gallon is surprisingly quite for a direct drive, runs at 200psi, and is rated 5.1 SCFM@90psi. It's also not terribly heavy if you want to store it when not in use. We ran it in a hush box (just powering an air stapler) at my business previously and it was quiet enough to coexist within 20 ft of our offices.

 

[mike93lx]

I have three compressors, a 25 gallon and 60 gallon, plumbed in parallel together (which never move), and a portable one for camp use:

The Rigid 4.5 gallon is surprisingly quite for a direct drive, runs at 200psi, and is rated 5.1 SCFM@90psi. It's also not terribly heavy if you want to store it when not in use. We ran it in a hush box (just powering an air stapler) at my business previously and it was quite enough to coexist within 20 ft of our offices.

Wow 200psi.

That's probably my main gripe with my CAT... It only runs at 125psi, but I love the aluminum tanks