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Quiet Small Air Compressor

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zendriver

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Indiana
Looking for a small compressor to keep in the basement rehab-lab, for blowing away dust or drying out components.

One gallon or two is perfect, just would like one that runs somewhat quiet. Seems like some have noise ratings, most don't seem to.

Thanks
 
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SAA44-40

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Zend
I recently picked up a Rolair JC10- shockingly quiet. This unit is not made in the US like most Rolair products. However, it’s been an excellent addition for blowing dust and drying out parts. Good luck and I hope this helps
 
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Super Sport

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West Michigan
California Air compressors are quiet and pretty good quality. I have a 7(ish) gallon model and you can hold a normal conversation next to it. Not silent though. Sometimes when I leave it on my hose loses pressure and I can (barely) hear it run on the other side of the wall in the house.
 
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HydroDog

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Mossyrock
SAA44-40 said:
Zend
I recently picked up a Rolair JC10- shockingly quiet. This unit is not made in the US like most Rolair products. However, it’s been an excellent addition for blowing dust and drying out parts. Good luck and I hope this helps
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I got one of these also. Works great and VERY quiet.
 
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Citation

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The RolAir and CAT compressors are one of several manufactures using similar low noise pumps. These aren't silent by any stretch but they aren't loud either. My CAT 5510A is quiet enough that you can talk over it without raising your voice. Think of a loud (but not broken) window AC unit.

Off the top of my head, RolAir, CAT, Campbell Hausfeld, GMC (not the truck brand) and Husky all sell compressors using these similar, low RMP, 2 piston pumps. CAT seems best associated with them but in my limited experience their compressors are basically low end stuff from China with a quiet pump. Still, they aren't overly expensive and they are quiet.

I will say the 5510A I have is very light. It's about 35 lb thanks to the aluminum tank. The 5510SE uses a steal tank and I think is about 10-15 lbs heavier.

There are some youtube videos showing the noise levels of the CAT vs other compressors. I think they are realistic based on my experience. One last thing, that little plastic tube sticking out of the CAT air filter actually does cut down the noise!

If you need really quiet then something based on a refrigerator style pump like a Junair would be a better choice. They are more expensive.
 
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SuperCat

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Sacramento, CA
I have the California Air Tools 2 HP with 10 gallon tank. Despite being oil-free design, it is the quietest compressor I have ever heard at 70 decibels. Easily have a conversation standing next to it. On the other hand, it replaced an ancient Craftsman 2.5 HP compressor that was probably the noisiest compressor ever made by man. So, my concept of quiet may be a bit skewed, but my friends have commented repeatedly on how quiet it is. I've had it about 3 years and never had a problem. Specs are 6.40 CFM @ 40 PSI, 5.30 CFM @ 90 PSI. California Air Tools makes smaller models that are not really expensive and may fit your requirements for sound level and size, shop around for best price as always. Hope this helps. :thumbup:
 
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fasteddie

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Harbor Freight has a line called Fortress Ultra Quiet. I see a 1 and 2 gal. model on the website.
 
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rustyjames

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NiceRide

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I have seen a few articles on people using an old refrigerator compressor after properly recycling the freon. I am no expert on this, but they say they are quiet. I am sure you can do your own research and make an informed decision about a possible conversion.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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tclark

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Feb 23, 2016
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I recently bought a small Kobalt from Lowe's just for the finish nailer, airing tires, etc and it's very quiet, like someone said I'd say about like a air conditioner. If I remember right it's around 55db or so.
 
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Citation

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HenryAZ said:
Oil sump compressors are generally quieter than the oilless, which most small compressors are. I had this Dewalt D55153 oil lubricated compressor for a while, as an auxiliary to my Qunicy QT-5. It is about as quiet as a small compressor can be, and is a real workhorse.
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I've used that compressor and have the similar 55151. The CAT 5510 is night and day quieter. The Emglo/DeWalt compressor is better than many small compressors and it's a robust little unit but the oil free pumps like the ones CAT is using are just so much quieter. That comes at the expenses of flow rate and likely durability.
 
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Rarified27

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Jan 22, 2010
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Between PA and NJ
zendriver said:
Looking for a small compressor to keep in the basement rehab-lab, for blowing away dust or drying out components.

One gallon or two is perfect, just would like one that runs somewhat quiet. Seems like some have noise ratings, most don't seem to.

Thanks
Click to expand...

One or two gallon was the same capacity I considered knowing potential demand, but eventually settled on the CAT 4610AC (about 4.5 gallons) and appreciate the extra air, but lighter weight provided by the twin aluminum tanks.

As for sound, I'm constantly impressed by how quiet it is, particularly indoors when doing trim work.
 
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danielbuck

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Apr 15, 2014
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I'll second the California Air (8gal?). I had one for a while before I stepped up to a 60 gallon. The CA was surprisingly quiet. I believe from the factory it was advertised as around 75db? Which is probably quieter than most air guns at 100psi.

You may want to regulate the pressure down to like 40 or 60psi for air blowing, if noise is a consideration. And get one of those cone-shaped OSHA blowers, they are reasonably quiet (probably still louder than 75db though, at 90-100psi?)

I replace the air filter with a better muffler and removed the plastic guards, and it got quieter.

I bet building a box around it with 120mm computer fans for venting hot air and bringing fresh air in, and it would be VERY quiet.

I don't know if a 1gallon compressor would give you much air time, I bet it would start to noticeably loose pressure pretty much as soon as you start cleaning up. At least with the 8 gallon you'll get a minute or two of decent pressure before clicking on. Depends on how much air you need.

If there is no DB rating on the compressor, I would probably just go ahead and assume it's loud :lol_hitti
 
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u3b3rg33k

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Dec 18, 2017
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Another vote for California Air Tools compressors. They're hard to beat for "quiet". they sell a pre-made quiet compressor in a soundproofed box, if you need something that quiet. i'd bet you probably don't.
 
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woodanator

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Feb 7, 2019
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Florida
The California air tools ultra quiets are truly ultra quiet. I have a small one in my trailer, aluminum tanks, very light and very quiet. I have two at my office for laser cutters and prototyping equipment. One in a cabinet. It has lights so you don't forget to turn it off because it is so quiet. They are very well made but not cheap. A big three phase high volume low speed scroll compressor will be relatively quiet compared to a standard shop compressor but still not as quiet. The compressors are not high volume so the bigger tanks are a must for constant use/recovery. Save your hearing.
 
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Kev442

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Wi
I bought myself a Cat 2 gallon for Christmas. Quiet and fills the 2 gallon tank to 120psi in 50 seconds.
 
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zedbee

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Aug 6, 2020
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US
The California air tools are known to be quite. I have heard some very good reviews about California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S and California Air Tools 8010.
 
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tarbellb

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Apr 17, 2011
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Oregon
These new quiet air compressors are popping up everywhere now. But a few good notables would be:

California Air
Kobalt Quiet Tech
Harbor Freight quiet series

some other "lubed" but quiet compressors:
Makita MAC series (2 sizes)
and the little known but excellent
Estwing (yes, hammer co) E5GCOMP


All of these are worth the extra cost imo
 
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MayerMR

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Feb 13, 2018
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Dallas, Texas
I have a Makita MAC2400 and can tell you it's a wonderfully quiet little compressor. Very capable, for what it is, but it is small on the tank size. It runs out of steam with higher draw tools pretty fast, but pumps back up very quickly. I've used it with an HVLP gun and while it did run for most of the time while I was spraying, it never truly fell behind.

I am looking for a bigger compressor right now though, with the California Air Tools and the Kobalt Quiet Tech being the finalists so far.
 
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csp

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Mar 23, 2010
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Franktown, CO
My 35 year old Quincy 210 is quite quiet. The electric motor makes more noise than the pump, mainly to a need for new bearings.
 
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