Rolair vs California Air Tools...

[ururk]

I'm building a workshop this summer/fall, and will need a compressor for construction. I will need it to:

install T&G roof boards, girts, plywood sheathing, furring strips, 1x10 board and batten

Long-term I may want a larger unit, but I suspect a smaller unit will serve me just as well. I don't think I'll be buying any rotary tools to use with it.

I've boiled it down to two different models:

Rolair JC-10
California Air Tools 6310

Any pros/cons about either of these? I absolutely want the unit to be quiet, which is a deciding factor. The Rolair is more expensive, and has a smaller tank, but is also lighter. I'd prefer air over oil (less maintenance).

Any thoughts would be appreciated! This will be my first compressor purchase, so I don't quite know what I should be looking for. I haven't sized any nail guns, so I may be doing this backwards.

Thanks,

John

 

[Ponchoguy]

I had a Rolair compressor. I scrapped it. Getting parts and dealing with that company was a total project. I had better luck with Devilbiss.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The pumps seem to be identical (I THINK that design was originally made in the US and sold by a company called Thomas and used for vacuum/pressure in dental suites). I have stood next to them. They are very quiet.

I would go with that California Air Tools model, just because has 2 tanks.



If you read reviews of ANY small compressor on Amazon, they all have issue with being damaged in transit. You might consider buying it online from Home Depot with store pickup so you can inspect it for damage before taking it home.

 

[Greyhorse]

Makita compressors get very good reviews on Amazon.... Gotta watch for shipping damage as stated above.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'd prefer air over oil (less maintenance).

I don't understand this statement ? Do you mean you prefer oil-less over oil lubed ?

Most oil-less compressors are VERY LOUD, except for the 2 that you have chosen. These load, cheap compressors don't seem to last very long.

Makita compressors get very good reviews on Amazon....

The Makita Big Bore compressors are iron cylinders and oil-lube which make them more durable but also heavier.

 

[ururk]

The CAT I specc'd has one tank, but I think you have a good point about Home Depot. I get 5% off with the HD card, and I had a "good" experience ordering an area rug from HD. It kept arriving with a giant hole in the side (third time's a charm!), eventually I got what I ordered, with a significant discount for my trouble!

I've looked at Makita, but nothing comes close to 60dB. I wear hearing protection when using my friends air tools, but even then his compressor is very loud.


So - I did a quick check and of the models HD sells, I guess it would be between these two:


6310 - single hot dog tank, 6.3 gal
4610 - twin tank, 4.6 gal - heavier

Same specs on cfm. Any reason I would want the twin tank? I like the configuration better (smaller footprint).

Thanks!

John

 

[ururk]

I don't understand this statement ? Do you mean you prefer oil-less over oil lubed ?

Most oil-less compressors are VERY LOUD, except for the 2 that you have chosen. These load, cheap compressors don't seem to last very long.

Yes - oil-less over oil-lubed. Sorry. I know this sounds bad, but I don't think I want to deal with the maintenance of changing oil, for the amount of use I will get out of the compressor. If I get a stationery unit in the future, I'd likely go with an oil lubed model - at that point I'll be using the thing at a frequency where it makes sense to have a heavier duty unit. I just don't know if I'll ever get there.

I haven't been able to discern whether the quieter compressors last any longer than their louder counterparts. However, I know the product will last the build, and going by my past usage of my friends compressor, don't think it will fail due to too much use.

 

[cbracer]

I'm also interested in either a Cal air or Roltair compressor. I want something quieter than my portercable ! Let us know what you get and how you like it.

 

[fury9]

Get a makita

 

[ururk]

I think I'm going to order the CAT-4610 OR CAT-4610A. It is a twin-tank 4.6 gallon unit, the 'A' designates an aluminum unit. I think while it may not have as much stored capacity, for this project it will suffice, and certainly the amount of use I will need out of it. Additionally, the smaller footprint is a plus.

I just have to decide if the aluminum tank is really worth it. It isn't as durable as a steel tank, but won't rust. The aluminum version is lighter.

As for other brands... I've read good things about Makita's units, but am aiming for the quietest unit. I'm not going to be lugging this around, and when the barn is completed will be used indoors.

 

[Robinson1]

Rolair all the way but the JC-10 is a trim compressor. It's not going to keep up to the demands of a framer.

I have a Rolair FC2002HBP6 that's going on 3 years old and sees professional use. Has no problem keeping up with a framer, or even a roofing gun for that matter. I've never had to slow down and wait for the compressor to fill back up. It's about $40 more than the JC-10 and is still plenty small enough to take where ever you need it to be. If mine died tomorrow I'd replace it with an identical model in a heart beat.

 

[ururk]

FYI - I bought the CAT-4610A. Great little compressor, but the first one burnt out on me and Amazon replaced it. I don't think I was doing anything wrong with it, wasn't running it continuously.

And as a FYI - Home Depot sells what appears to be a rebadge - it even has the model # 4610A. It is $100 cheaper, and at my local HD is selling (yellow sticker?) for $99. I'm tempted to buy one for parts. Bit bummed I didn't know about their version when I bought mine.

 

[Jeff95TA]

I've looked at Makita, but nothing comes close to 60dB.

Get a makita

The California air is amazingly quiet. I love mine. They use two pistons, so they operate at a slower speed.

 

[vartz04]

Built a fence using the CAT 10020 or whatever the model number is for the 10 gallon. Put 6,980 2" nails in using s framing nailer and that compressor. Never once had an issue. I'm considering getting another one and then getting rid of my 20 gal belt drive and my 2 gallon oilless. One for the garage and one for the shed.


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