Recommendations for Pancake Air Compressor

[77thor]

I've been looking at Pancake Air Compressors (6-Gal) and the more I look, the more confused I get...
the reviews are all over the place on these things. What's a good quality brand?
I've been checking out; DeWalt, Craftsman, Metabo, Porter-Cable, & Rigid.
Mainly, I need one for tire inflation and (light duty) nailing.

Any "real world" experiences from you guys would help a lot.

 

[The Cobbler]

they are all loud, quite inexpensively built & so on. Porter cable, dewalt or Metabo would be my fist choices
I have an old Hitachi that is no longer made, it seems to be ahead of anything made now adays

edit, I should say ' I did have a Hitachi but I sold it, and that reminds me that I have a new on in box with a defective motor that I bought on ebay , I purchased a new motor on ebay that supposedly came from one with a leaking tank .. I need to put it all back together

 

[nadogail]

When I asked the man working at my house on a remodel this same question he said "They are all ****, Just buy the Cheapest one that will do the job".

 

[77thor]

^^^ That's what I'm gathering from all the reviews I've read.

 

[SweetD]

I've been really happy with my California Air Tools (CAT) 10 gallon compressor over the years. It's relatively quiet compared to other brands. Maybe they make a smaller one that would fit your needs?

 

[RTM]

I have a smaller CAT, and an older Porter Cable. Unless you need the higher pressure for something, I'd settle for the CAT

Mine is a 4610A, aluminum tanks, which reduces the weight. 4.6 gal, 1 hp

 

[cgrutt]

I burned out two pancake compressors believe one was a bostitch and other was porter cable. They both failed the same way, the "bearing" in connecting rod for piston wore out. Both times while I was in the middle of a project. They work OK when they work but I don't think they are built to take heavy continuous use. I was doing flooring both times. I switched over to a Hitachi oil based pump with the two tanks stacked. It has held up much better. Used a 20 gal for roofing project I don't think either of the small compressors would have made it through that project.

 

[M635_Guy]

Screw the pancakes and get a small California Air Tools or (HF) Fortress

I almost felt guilty for taking money for mine instead of drilling a hole in it so nobody would ever again be subject to that horrible racket.

 

[Notgrownup]

I like the little Metabo one

 

[Aaron_W]

Harbor Freight recently came out with an "ultra quiet" 6 gallon pancake in their Fortress line, as far as I'm aware it is the only quiet pancake compressor being offered by anyone. Be aware that HF also has a regular 6 gallon pancake, also a Fortress but it is much louder and about $70 cheaper.

I've had a Porter Cable 6 gallon about 12 years, it is still going strong but is loud. I've been thinking about replacing it with the ultra quiet Fortress, but it seems dumb to replace a perfectly good compressor and the thing won't die.

I also have an "ultra quiet" 2 gallon Fortress that I use in the house. That one is only about as loud as a window air conditioner or large fan, so you notice it, but it is possible to carry on a conversation while it is running. I wouldn't dismiss using this 2 gallon for the tasks you mention.

 

[Aaron_W]

Screw the pancakes and get a small California Air Tools or (HF) Fortress

I almost felt guilty for taking money for mine instead of drilling a hole in it so nobody would ever again be subject to that horrible racket.

Right? I've been looking really hard at the quiet Fortress 6 gallon, but I feel bad replacing a perfectly fine compressor, then I use it and re-evaluate my decision.

 

[tarbellb]

Budget???

If going cheap then just find the best priced model you can.

But myself and many here who have been exposed to old school oilless compressors will recommend the newer style low decibel models including:

California Air or CAT
HF Fortress Ultra quiet
Kobalt Silent series
and many more now hitting the market

a excellent oiled option that's field proven
Makitas Big Bore series MAC

 

[theoldwizard1]

Biggest problem with most of them is there are no replacement parts available !

 

[GeoBruin]

It's been asked and answered but If you really want the pancake format slecifically, the HF fortress quiet pancake would be my choice. If you're just looking for a small portable compressor, check out this spreadsheet made by a member here.

It has a lof of portable models out there although it is a couple years old now.

 

[Mopar367]

I was between the bostitch and the craftsman when I bought mine. I chose craftsman because bostitch came with finishing nailer which I already had.
I ran a framing nailer to build a deck. It is smooth and seems fine. theyre likely all similar just have a different brand sticker put on the finished product.

 

[Hakeem]

Get a quiet makita 2gal and call it a day. I use mine with nail guns for small framing/trim jobs no problem.

A 5gal pancake is more than you need but not enough room to grow.

 

[M635_Guy]

Right? I've been looking really hard at the quiet Fortress 6 gallon, but I feel bad replacing a perfectly fine compressor, then I use it and re-evaluate my decision.

As I got older and realized I had hearing loss and tinnitus, I got good hearing protection (and started using it religiously) started getting rid of things that were damagingly loud.

I realized after getting the CAT (4620AC - 2HP - 4.6 gal - 70db) that I subconsciously avoided using the old pancake because it was painful, even when it wasn't close. At 70db you can hear the CAT, but it's not disruptively loud and it's a "softer" sound, too.

 

[pbon]

The cheap ones sound like a tin can with rocks in it being rattled. The mid range ones are not much better but have more capacity. Spend a bit more on a quiet one. California has them and there are others. I think even HF makes a quieter one now.

 

[77thor]

Ok. Thanks for all the info....
I've decided to go with the HF Fortress, 2 Gallon, 135 PSI, Ultra Quiet, Oil-Free Compressor

 

[Blind1]

^^^ That's what I'm gathering from all the reviews I've read.

It’s really the truth. I have a porter cable.

It’s fine for exactly what you want. I use mine for dusting off my work spaces, tires, light nailing, and inflating kids toys/things.

 

[The Cobbler]

I had a porter cable as well, it served well for what we used it for.
Actually I donated it to a volunteer group I work with , use it for powering our pneumatic box stapler . repurposed the tank drain to auto drain .

 

[jayemm]

Ok. Thanks for all the info....
I've decided to go with the HF Fortress, 2 Gallon, 135 PSI, Ultra Quiet, Oil-Free Compressor

Good choice. Your ears will thank you. After 3 or 4 noisy little screamers I got a Fortress 1 gallon. Nice and quiet. Looking at the Makita equivalent had me wondering if they came from the same factory. One thing I learned regarding noise levels of the screamers is that the 85-90 dB published may be measured at 8 or 10 feet away, not up close to where you may be working.

 

[desertdog256]

I've been really happy with my Rolair VT25BIG.

 

[908Jim]

I was between the bostitch and the craftsman when I bought mine. I chose craftsman because bostitch came with finishing nailer which I already had.
I ran a framing nailer to build a deck. It is smooth and seems fine. theyre likely all similar just have a different brand sticker put on the finished product.

I realize OP already made a choice, but I just researched this for somebody and I've personally been using a Bostitch BTFP02012 6 Gallon I got on Amazon for like $100 several years ago. It's very loud but hasn't let me down yet for basic inflating and oil-free dusting use. If you look on power tool repair sites, you'll see the Bostitch uses the exact same pump (N087118SV) as several different Stanley B&D Brands like Porter Cable CFFN250N, CPFAC2600, CPFAC2040, and CF2600 Models. The DeWalt DWFP55126 cuts off at 165psi instead of 150PSI for slightly more reserve, but it also uses the N087118SV Pump and Motor, as does the 150 PSI Craftsman CMEC6150.

The craftsman can usually be had for like $129 which I think is the cheapest of the bunch.

 

[Citation]

Unless you need small size/weight I would also suggest looking at one of the small hot ********* horizontal, quiet compressors. I have been somewhat happy with my CAT 5510A (5.5 gallon).
Walmart had an 8 gallon quiet "Goodyear" branded compressor for $180. It was every but as quiet as the cat model. A friend of mine is using it in his shop. The replaced the Goodyear model with a similar Hart model. I would consider it for a home use option if you don't mind the larger size/weight vs the pancakes.

Robot or human?

Just in case that's a link to Walmart's listing

 

[IndyGarage]

Makita. I've gone through three of the small compressors. I use them in the garage to air tires and to run nailers and occasionally to run an air impact.

I had a cheap no-name Hot Dog that I got many years ago at Home Depot - loud and not a lot of air delivery, but it worked reliably. Then I found a Binks that is very compact and delivers a lot more air than the hot dog. It works great, the problem is it is ear splittingly loud. I finally settled on a Makita big bore 3 hp. Much, much quieter. Especially while it's in the garage. They have several models starting at about $200. I would recommend them.

 

[IRQVET]

Best pancake I've ever owned, and it was a "reconditioned" model so I saved money. Let me introduce the TANK!

 

[Chester in Florida]

I’ve got a Bostich twin tank model. It’s a screamer. Have had it about 20 years. I keep hoping it dies, so I have an excuse to go get one of the quite Fortress models, but it is a little energizer bunny, keeps going and going. It’s a model that you add oil to it and I can’t remember the last time I even checked it. Damn thing won’t die. I guess I should like it more, but geesh it is loud.

Good choice on the Fortress. Really like what I see on those.

 

[nadogail]

When i need more CFM, i couple both my compressors to the same load; i had to cobble together a Tee fitting with 2 males and a single female connector to do this.

 

[Beerhippie]

A hot-dog is much easier to carry. Just sayin'

Our Rolaire hot-dog is the quietest portable comp I've ever used. We bought it to run pneumatic beer pumps where the comp sat one wall away from the bar. It couldn't be heard at all in the bar.