TeamTruett
Well-known member
My old 6 gal Porter Cable pancake is very noisy. Asking Santa for a new compressor. Are there any that are quieter or is being loud the nature of the beast?
Is there such thinbg as a quiter pancake air compressor
- Thread starter TeamTruett
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Check out California Air Tools... not pancake... much quieter
I have the smallest one... Love it for trim nailers
Edit ... I have the 1hp 2 gallon ultra quiet
I have the smallest one... Love it for trim nailers
Edit ... I have the 1hp 2 gallon ultra quiet
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The Hitachi 6 gal pancake compressors are quieter than a lot. not real quiet but quieter(lower RPM)
rsanter
Well-known member
The quietest air compressorsare the scroll type, they are the most expensive.
The loudest are the oil-less , they are the cheapest
The loudest are the oil-less , they are the cheapest
fireball05
Active member
California Compressors are awesome. We have four of them in various sizes for various task. They are quiet and work great.
DieselNut88
Well-known member
I have a direct drive piston compressor. It is a tool shop brand from menards. The same one under different brands can be found. Home Depot has them. It is fairly quiet. I replaced the factory air "filter" with a 6" diameter real filter from McMaster Carr. That reduced the noise a noticeable amount.
Voi
Well-known member
I have the California Air Tools 5.5 gallon. Got it for $139 & wish I had picked up a second one. Surprisingly quiet & lightweight.
I believe there are re-branded ones at both Lowes & Home Depot.
I believe there are re-branded ones at both Lowes & Home Depot.
crazyjim30
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2017
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- 38
The most quiet air compressor I've ever heard was the one used to supply the Pneumatics lab at school. I barely noticed when it was running. It was a Festo air compressor. Specced at 45 dB . Be prepared for sticker shock, though. It's a $1000 compressor.
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K'ledgeBldr
Well-known member
Not the "nature of the beast"- it's the nature of cheap manufacturing.
Add this-
https://www.solbergmfg.com/ViewSeriesDetail.aspx?SeriesId=1&PartNumber=FS-10-050
It will make a significant difference. I use bigger models on the twin cylinder; which is also plumbed to the exterior.
Add this-
https://www.solbergmfg.com/ViewSeriesDetail.aspx?SeriesId=1&PartNumber=FS-10-050
It will make a significant difference. I use bigger models on the twin cylinder; which is also plumbed to the exterior.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
The makita Mac700 is much quieter than the traditional pancake. It's a small horizontal tank but not much bigger. However it is much heavier as it's an extremely well built unit with cast iron oil lubed pump, good fittings and copper lines. Good out put as well.
It's not silent however just quieter and a much lower pitch that the screaming demon pancakes.
Nearly silent is the California air tools. Long term durability is questionable as it's An oil less piston pump that relies on Teflon rings and special cylinder coatings. There is few free lunches in small portable air compressors.
Rsanters comment on oiless be the loudest is false as the California air tools and the festo mentioned by crazy Jim are oil less. I assume I meant a diaphragm compressor that also happen to be oiless but a completely different design.
It's not silent however just quieter and a much lower pitch that the screaming demon pancakes.
Nearly silent is the California air tools. Long term durability is questionable as it's An oil less piston pump that relies on Teflon rings and special cylinder coatings. There is few free lunches in small portable air compressors.
Rsanters comment on oiless be the loudest is false as the California air tools and the festo mentioned by crazy Jim are oil less. I assume I meant a diaphragm compressor that also happen to be oiless but a completely different design.
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Rolair JC10 plus
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0764HGJ78/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I have several compressors to choose from, but use this one the most often. It is very quiet, and quite capable for anything you would be using a pancake compressor for.
California air tools are good as well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0764HGJ78/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I have several compressors to choose from, but use this one the most often. It is very quiet, and quite capable for anything you would be using a pancake compressor for.
California air tools are good as well.
Leaflessshadetree
Well-known member
What are you using the compressor for and do you want to stick with the pancake style?
I have a Rolair JC10, it's very quiet and easier to carry than an pancake compressor I've seen.
My BIL has a small Senco, not as quiet as my Rolair, but not loud. It is very easy to carry (about the size of a lunch box).
Either one has kept up as I'm putting up trim. I sometimes had to wait on the Senco when doing some quick framing (I had everything cut).
I have a Rolair JC10, it's very quiet and easier to carry than an pancake compressor I've seen.
My BIL has a small Senco, not as quiet as my Rolair, but not loud. It is very easy to carry (about the size of a lunch box).
Either one has kept up as I'm putting up trim. I sometimes had to wait on the Senco when doing some quick framing (I had everything cut).
yes, the PC 10-10 is very quiet,
ishiboo
Well-known member
My California compressor uses two of those, one on each head. Might be worth a shot.
gnpenning
Well-known member
I have a rol air I bought in the early 90's. Quite and still going strong.
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
Probably nothing quieter for pancake-style, but check out California Air Tools small models or the Senco PC1010. I've borrowed my dad's Porter Cable pancake and it's horrendously loud. I plan on getting myself a PC1010 after the holidays for trim work and what not in the house.
I have a cambell hausfield professional pancake that is an oiless and pretty quite for an oiless. It spins at 1760 rpm and is made in the USA. I don’t know if they are available anymore. I bought it for my father quite some time ago so they are probably made overseas if they are still made at all.
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OP
TeamTruett
Well-known member
Thanks for the many replies, education received! Getting a replacement does not have to be pancake style, just similar size and weight. Used for topping off tires, removing lug nuts, and assisting on 1 or 2 brake jobs a year.
Quiet means weight.
The main market for pancakes is construction where light weight means more then noise.
If you do not need to carry it around, go with a wheeled tank style with a separate motor and pump.
The pump will be low RPM, cast iron, and quieter than the high RPM, "all in one," aluminum, motor/pump style used on the construction type.
For the least noise, replace the inlet filter with a small (25 hp) engine muffler.
The inlet is where most of the noise comes from.
The main market for pancakes is construction where light weight means more then noise.
If you do not need to carry it around, go with a wheeled tank style with a separate motor and pump.
The pump will be low RPM, cast iron, and quieter than the high RPM, "all in one," aluminum, motor/pump style used on the construction type.
For the least noise, replace the inlet filter with a small (25 hp) engine muffler.
The inlet is where most of the noise comes from.
Quiet doesn't have to be heavy. My CAT 5510A is an aluminum tank compressor. It's no more powerful than one of those 6 gal porter cable units (and has less air, 5.5 gal @120psi vs 6 @ 150. However it's pump flows just as much and at 35lb is not any heavier.
Good for what the OP wants.
Good for what the OP wants.