Looking for a small home compressor

[MarcSeattle]

I'm looking for a new small home compressor. Filling tires, etc. plus some residential nail gun use. This is for home use rather than pro use. No continuous-use tools like sanders, air wrenches, sandblasters, etc. I can do the heavy stuff elsewhere.

Is anyone familiar with the California Air Tool compressors? They have a nice model 4610AC [link] :

1.0 HP (Rated/Running) - 2.0 HP (Peak)
4.6 Gallon Aluminum (Rust-Free) Tank

3.10 CFM @ 40 PSI
2.20 CFM @ 90 PSI

CAT claims onnly 60 decibels of sound. This last spec really got me. The You Tube videos make it seem very quiet. Amazon reviews are top-notch.

I searched the GF threads and didn't find much of anything on small compressors. What say you, O Great Wizards of the Tool Kingdom?

Quiet?
Reliable?


Thanks!


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[nbpt100]

Looks like a nice Compressor. I am not familiar with this brand but I read the link you provided. I did not notice any pricing.

For around $100 USD you can get a 1hp compressor for home use that will meet your needs. They may not be as light, quiet or as well made as the one you are looking at.

I have a small Craftsman oil filled compressor that is going on 12 yrs old. I use it for filling tires, Cleaning/Drying, blowing off things and I have a small IR air hammer it can run. I have a lot of hours on it. It is still made and at times I see it on sale for around $99. Although it may not be made as well now as it was when I bought it. I will say it is loud and I would not want to run it indoors.

Good Luck.

 

[cdeer001]

I've been using this for a while, nail gun, blow gun, inflating tires and outdoor toys. It is a bit loud when indoors but otherwise a nice little compressor.
http://m.sears.com/3-gallon-1.0-hp-...gclid=CIKL9L7IsdICFYpKDQode6cMeA&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[MarcSeattle]

Looks like a nice Compressor. I am not familiar with this brand but I read the link you provided. I did not notice any pricing.

The current Amazon price [LINK] is $205 with a rust-free aluminum tank.

BTW, on that Amazon page there is a video (last in the list of pictures on the left) that shows how quiet it is vs the typical Porter Cable. I think the extra money is worth it for not having to wear hearing protection.

 

[nicholam77]

I've been looking at that CAT one for myself for the same usage. Been debating whether to get the steel tank version or spend extra on the aluminum.

 

[Pen & Wrench]

I've had the 2006 version of this Makita since about 2006. It does everything I want to do with it. https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/MAC5200

 

[PugetDude]

Senco 1010- Best small compressor I've ever owned.
Compact
Light weight, easy to carry
Quiet
Minimal vibration
$119

 

[6PTsocket]

I have what the current equivalent seems to be the Campbell Housfeld HL 5402.It is oil lubed 1.3 hp with two hotdog tanks totaling 4 gallons, 3.7 cfm at 90. It is reasonably quiet. I easily run a 1/2" impact wrench fills tires and blows out dirt. It is a little too heavy for me to carry by the handle. I would probably get something on wheels if it has to move or smaller if you have to carry it. More air or more portability.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[nbpt100]

My compressor is basically the Craftsman in Cdeer001' s link.

That Makita is nice with 6.5 CFM. You can run a variety of air tools with that.

If you will be using it inside a lot the noise is a factor. I can see why you would go with the CAT. Unless you want to build a sound cover for it??

 

[555]

I have what the current equivalent seems to be the Campbell Housfeld HL 5402.It is oil lubed 1.3 hp with two hotdog tanks totaling 4 gallons, 3.7 cfm at 90. It is reasonably quiet. I easily run a 1/2" impact wrench fills tires and blows out dirt. It is a little too heavy for me to carry by the handle. I would probably get something on wheels if it has to move or smaller if you have to carry it. More air or more portability.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I have the same compressor. It was a bundle special at Lowes a couple of years ago and came with a nail gun and accessory kit. I think it was on sale for $99 at the time.

 

[Charlie51]

I picked this one up from Harbor Freight to replace my old Craftsman compressor: http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...hp-125-psi-oil-lube-air-compressor-69667.html
It's louder than the old 2 cylinder belt driven compressor, but it is oil lubricated and works just fine. Look for the current sale paper's coupon and get it for $99.00

 

[Voi]

I have the CAT 5.5 gallon. It's light and quiet and was a great deal for $139 at Menards. On a tip from another thread here I learned to drain it tilted slightly up. That's a bit of nuisance but now that I remember to do it not so bad.

The small Senco another poster mentioned is a great little compressor.

 

[padroo]

The oiless compressors are just too noisy, it doesn't matter big or small. Buy a belt driven one, they are the quiet ones.

 

[MarcSeattle]

I have the CAT 5.5 gallon. It's light and quiet and was a great deal for $139 at Menards. On a tip from another thread here I learned to drain it tilted slightly up. That's a bit of nuisance but now that I remember to do it not so bad.

The small Senco another poster mentioned is a great little compressor.

Thanks for your input. How do they compare for sound levels? And sound quality too -- with some compressors it isn't that they are so loud but that they are irritating.

 

[PugetDude]

My Senco 1010 runs at 73db
California Compressors make a 1/2 hp model that runs at 56db
Rivennhewn's Thomas compressor is only 60db.
The HF clocks in closer to 90db...
Campbell Hausfeld 6 gallon pancake compressor is 68

http://airtoolguy.com/4-ultra-quiet-air-compressors-brands-worth-checking-out/

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Senco 1010- Best small compressor I've ever owned.
Compact
Light weight, easy to carry
Quiet
Minimal vibration
$119

How would you rate the noise on the PC1010 compared to other small compressors? I'm looking for something I can use in the garage at night for my brad and pin nailers, and I can't decide between the Senco and the smallest California Air Tools.

 

[AMCguy]

I recently bought a Makita MAC700.

It's oil filled. Whisper quiet. It pumps up in under a minute.

 

[d.mcfarland]

California Air Tools makes fantastic stuff.

 

[Voi]

Thanks for your input. How do they compare for sound levels? And sound quality too -- with some compressors it isn't that they are so loud but that they are irritating.

I've been meaning to make that comparison. The Senco belongs to a friend of mine and just haven't done it yet.

I agree with you about the irritating part. I suspect the Senco is louder on the objective scale but perhaps just is not as irritating as other oil-less compressors.

 

[SweetD]

California Air Tools makes fantastic stuff.

I have the ten gallon CAT model and it's been great. Much quieter than my old Porter Cable pancake compressor. Well worth it.

 

[TNBurban]

I have a CAT-1610A. 1HP, 1.6 gallon tank.

Use it for blowing dust, inflating tires, pool toys, etc. Run stapler, brad nailer, finish nailer and flooring stapler off it in the past with no problems. However I was not going pro-speed on the floor nailer and the compressor would cycle every 3-4 staples.

It is so quiet that when it's running you can still have a normal volume conversation with someone in the same room.

 

[PugetDude]

How would you rate the noise on the PC1010 compared to other small compressors? I'm looking for something I can use in the garage at night for my brad and pin nailers, and I can't decide between the Senco and the smallest California Air Tools.

I think it's a very quiet compressor; the noise isn't a harsh metallic ringing sound, (like my old CH) the sound is more like a hmmmmm... I bought it after seeing one at a lumberyard in TX, they were finishing out an office remodel on the sales floor with customers in the store, and several of us commented on how quiet it was. When I got back home I ordered one online for ~$88... about 5 years ago, been very happy with it.

I suspect your 18 gauge brad nailer will be louder (and present a more annoying concussive sound signature) than the compressor

 

[MarcSeattle]

I noticed that Lowes has a new compressor by Kobalt. [Link]

From the pictures it looks like it has the same motor and compressor unit as the California Air Tools model. The video has a demonstration of the sound, and the sound has the same tone as the CAT, but of course we can't determine whether one is louder than the other. It has wheels so it's not as compact, but I like the idea of wheels on a 60lb compressor.

 

[Eric29]

This is quiet. I love mine:

 

[PugetDude]

I noticed that Lowes has a new compressor by Kobalt. [Link]

From the pictures it looks like it has the same motor and compressor unit as the California Air Tools model. The video has a demonstration of the sound, and the sound has the same tone as the CAT, but of course we can't determine whether one is louder than the other. It has wheels so it's not as compact, but I like the idea of wheels on a 60lb compressor.

Without the manufacturers certified dbA rating, you have no basis for comparison. Maybe Lowes can answer the question?

..and a21-lb Senco (the new ones only put out 68 dbA, btw) don't need no stinkin' wheels.

Full disclosure:

I do NOT work for Senco. I actually have a Senco framing and angle finish nailer I hate, and would buy something else if they needed to be replaced. But I love this little compressor.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

That Kobalt is using the same style compressor certainly. I have the Husky variation of the CAT 4610a I picked up near Christmas 2015 on sale for $99. It is an ok compressor.

It is certainly quieter than a regular oilfree compressor, but isn't as quiet as they make it out to be. For example, a scroll compressor used in your fridge or a higher end air-brush compressor is what I call quiet. The MAC700 described in an earlier post is quite noisy to me.

 

[MarcSeattle]

Hey guys, thanks for all the good information. I decided to purchase the California Air Tools CAT-4610AC. It's quiet and small enough for my garage. Specs:

1.0 HP (Rated/Running) - 2.0 HP (Peak)
4.6 Gallon Aluminum (Rust-Free) Tank
3.10 CFM @ 40 PSI
2.20 CFM @ 90 PSI
45 pounds

So it's quiet, more capacity than the Senco, and quieter than anything Porter Cable, Makita, or Bostitch makes. We'll see how it works.

BTW, I found a great deal. CAT has an eBay page. I got it for only $179, free shipping and no tax. Amazon is $205. And best of all, it's painted a cool black. [Link] That color doesn't show up on their website so maybe this run was an experiment. Anyway, full warranty, direct ship from CAT, so I'm happy buying through eBay.

I appreciate all the input. This is a great community. When I searched the forums for compressors I didn't find much, so maybe this discussion will help the next person.



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[mike93lx]

I have that CAT compressor (rebranded Husky) and love it. Very quiet and light. For what you are looking to do, it sounds perfect.

 

[billspit]

Rolair

http://toolguyd.com/rolair-jc10-quiet-air-compressor/

 

[gunguy]

Without the manufacturers certified dbA rating, you have no basis for comparison. Maybe Lowes can answer the question?

I just checked with Lowes via their chat line. the response was 60 dbA. I suggested that information be included on the specification page.

Jim

 

[nicholam77]

Regarding the CAT compressors, does anyone have an opinion on if the aluminum tank is worth the price increase vs. the steel tank model? "Rust-free" sounds nice, but aren't most compressor tanks steel? Is the the tank rusting out a common issue or something to worry about? Thanks!

 

[mike93lx]

Regarding the CAT compressors, does anyone have an opinion on if the aluminum tank is worth the price increase vs. the steel tank model? "Rust-free" sounds nice, but aren't most compressor tanks steel? Is the the tank rusting out a common issue or something to worry about? Thanks!

For a compressor that needs to be portable, i think it is worth it. Otherwise, no.

 

[Citation]

For less money (per Amazon prices) get the CAT 5510A. Its is a 5.5 gallon, aluminum tank model with the same pump. Very quiet and with the aluminum tank they claim it weighs 35lb. I would believe it based on lifting mine. The steel tank version is even cheaper but ads 20 lbs and the risk the tank will rust out in 30 years.
One down side to the California Air Tools compressors its the non-pump parts are low buck China stuff. I got mine for a song because it was a store return. It head two problems. The first was a lip seal in the regulator that was installed incorrectly and caused the regulator to vent air. It took me a bit to figure out the failure but it was easy to fix. The second problem was a leak at the bar of the pressure switch. Will even after using a hot air gun the thread epoxy ripped the threads apart when I removed the pressure switch! Nice pump attached to otherwise low buck China air compressor parts. Still, very quiet and if you don't need high volumes of air its easy to recommend.

 

[MarcSeattle]

I wanted to report on the CAT that I bought.

CAT-4610AC. It's quiet and small enough for my garage. Specs:

1.0 HP (Rated/Running) - 2.0 HP (Peak)
4.6 Gallon Aluminum (Rust-Free) Tank
3.10 CFM @ 40 PSI
2.20 CFM @ 90 PSI
45 pounds

It's as quiet as they claim. You could put this in your kitchen (indoors, all hard surfaces) and have a conversation in a normal voice while it's running. It pressurizes quickly. I didn't time it but it goes from zero to 120psi in the 4.6 gal tank in less than a couple of minutes. The eBay deal was $180 with free shipping from CAT.

Thanks for all the input.