California Air Tools 1610a ... going back

[Mark]

Got a CAT 1610a the other day but returning it for the following reasons...

1. Overall fit and finish is horrible
2. Air filter cannot be screwed into the pump w/o cutting away the plastic protector
3. Copper feed tube looks like someone used a pair of rusty pliers on it
4. Same rusty pliers or vise grip was use to secure pipe to the pump head
5. Welds... crappy... even I could do better
6. Access to on/off switch is terrible as it is jammed between the pump and regulator

It is quiet, but given what I see, I'm not buying junk and going for a Rolair or a Senco for my brad and finish nailers...

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[Sparktrician]

Let me guess - made in China... 

 

[mattdh]

man not what i want to hear. mark- sorry to hear but i hope you just had back luck off the draw. I have a 4610a coming tomorrow. I will post about mine after I receive it

 

[h.gil]

I have a Senco PC1010. When I first got it, it was loud like something was loose in the mechanism, upon further inspection I figured out the problem and fixed it: I had to remove the cooling fan cover and tighten up the fan onto the shaft as it was loose and had never been tightened from the factory. I wasn't too happy about it.

 

[GregBradley]

Yes, California Air Tools seems to have made a few nice compressors and now is having big quality control issues.

My friends CAT-10020 was excellent when he got it about two years ago.

My 6310 bought last year is marginal.

All the ones I've seen lately matched the issues in the original post.

 

[rljatl]

man not what i want to hear. mark- sorry to hear but i hope you just had back luck off the draw. I have a 4610a coming tomorrow. I will post about mine after I receive it

Please do post about it after you receive it.  I've had the 4610 on my Amazon wish list for months.

 

[Laminator]

Wowo     They look pretty good in the adds, pretty rough in reality.  I will say I really like my Thomas 617 a lot. Its fairly quiet, starts easily even on a 1000 watt generator, and is really easy to move around.  Drawbacks are, it is expensive and being a hotdog style, it turns over easily unless it is strapped or otherwise supported when you haul it.

 

[GregBradley]

You guys do know that Thomas compressors is history, right?

Specifically the AirPac & Renegade construction compressors. No parts available either as the division seems to have blown up completely - seeming killed by the union. Its too bad, as they were nice compressors.

 

[Throwback7r]

I have a 4620a and the fit and finish is not great, it is a lot better than what is pictured though. I am happy with mine it works great and is pretty heavy it is a lot quieter than my junk compressor as well. Also i have a senco 1010 that is really quiet however it does take FOREVER to fill.

 

[mattdh]

I am happy with mine it works great and is pretty heavy it is a lot quieter than my junk compressor as well.

the reason i went with the 4610a is cause is says its only 44lbs. i have the aluminum twin tank ridged air compressor and that thing is just an anchor to lug around- I'm getting old

 

[Mark]

Anyone have an opinion on Senco's? They updated their 1010 to the pc 1010n

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I'm really looking for portability at the expense of recycle time as I'm not building a house or have another shooting nails. The 1010 seems to be a classic trim compressor, though my Woodcraft dealer didn't carry them or the other more industrial dealer in town.

Anyone have this compressor?

 

[semenza]

I have the Senco 1010 but not the 1010a. I like it for the handy size. I don't have a lot of time on it but it works as it should. Tank is small and recycle time is fairly slow, but if your using small guns and not shooting 20 per minute with it does the job.

Looks like the 1010a is a little more refined and spruced up. Hard to know what else may be different. Although it already was a cheap little compressor so ............  ???

Seth

 

[Sparktrician]

You might want to check out the Rolair JC10.  They are very quiet and seem to be well made. 

 

[Mark]

Dropped by Slims yesterday to check out the Rolair and its a nice unit but still a bit heavy versus what I think the Senco is. Definitely better built than the CAT but the motor and pump look identical. CAT's got the aluminum tank but it still seemed too bulky and heavy for that quick grab and fasten jobs that a cordless would be perfect for. Will try to see if there is a Senco dealer in town to see the unit in person. All of the dealers seem to have shyed away from Senco after they filed chapter 11 and some complained of bad support... possibly leading up to the Chapter 11. Will let you know what I decide on.

There is a new Dewalt that looks well engineered and built like most Dewalt tools, but it seems bulky: DWFP55130. Nice that it's got two ports but unless I've to a gun in each hand its not relevant to me What is clear is that the larger companies simply have more engineering and design resources than the smaller companies like CAT, but I'd take an uglier tool that was built well over a pretty one any day.

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[GregBradley]

Roliar JC-10 is twice the size and twice the weight of a Senco PC1010. MUCH more awkward to carry as it bangs into your legs due to the wider cage.

I think most people will have substantial use for a Senco PC1010, even if you end up also needing a bigger unit. They are just perfect for small jobs and/or small guns. I wore one out and replaced it with another. At 20 pounds, it is the one you would always choose to haul up a ladder, up stairs, etc.

My original plan was to use my CAT-6310 in my shop at home. It has most of the quality control issues of the original post. I'm now going to use my Makita MAC700 for that. It is a bit louder than the CAT but the sound is much more pleasant so is not any more irritating than the "quieter" unit. It also runs a lot less and will put out a bit more pressure, useful for some jobs.

I spent a couple hours on the CAT, fixing mis-fitting parts, rattles, cheap guage, etc. If I hadn't bought it for a very low price, I would be very unhappy.

FWIW, my friend that bought the CAT-10020 when they first came out is very happy with it and it gets regular use.

 

[mattdh]

well i received my 4610a today and i am pretty happy with it. for the price it is what it is. the guy with the rusty pliers must have had the day off or they fired him- he missed jacking up this one. my welds are about the same- they do not bother me.  the welds on the aluminum are all perfect. i ordered this cause i wanted quieter and and not as heavy- and this is 44lbs about 15lbs less than my other one and this makes a big difference (just what i was looking for) and the sound is a lot less noisy and won't scare the crap out of you when it kicks on.

 

[Laminator]

The Thomas 617 (1/2 hp) is still available as well as parts for it.  Just be ready to pay the "Made in  USA" price for it.

28lb, rubber feet, centered balanced handle, continuous duty cycle, 1700 rpm makes it quieter than most compressors though not quiet as the senco 1010 but then is puts out a lot more air.

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

My rolair jc10 is garbage...had issues right out of the box. Then after only seven month of light use ( brads & micro pins only) it needed one cylinder replaced. The screw that holds cylinder on rod , sheared off inside causing catastrophic damage. It was covered under warranty, but with out small compressor for three weeks.  Come to find out the jc10 is made in China!! But assembled in the U.S.   

 

[Sparktrician]

The Thomas 617 (1/2 hp) is still available as well as parts for it.  Just be ready to pay the "Made in  USA" price for it.

28lb, rubber feet, centered balanced handle, continuous duty cycle, 1700 rpm makes it quieter than most compressors though not quiet as the senco 1010 but then is puts out a lot more air.

Thanks for the heads-up on Thomas products.  I rather like the specs on the Thomas T-635HD, even though it's not quite as quiet as the JC10.  Every time my P-C pancake lights off, the racket startles the bejabbers out of me.  [scared]

 

[GregBradley]

If you are thinking about buying even a used Thomas construction compressor, you should do some research. The original (very small) factory is still there in Sheboygan, WI but they don't make those units anymore. You should try to find any AirPac or Renegade compressors on Thomas Compressor's webside, AKA Gardiner Denver. I do understand that after the failed attempt to move the production of those units from Sheboygan to Louisiana that somebody picked up the remaining inventory. That is probably the units that are available at this point. Their website said that they would be shipping parts and product again in two months - and that message remained up for YEARS. That link now goes back to GD's website that does not acknowledge the construction units at all.

Any parts were probably manufactured 5 years ago at this point since that is when everything hit the fan. Can you even find a spec sheet, manual, or any other piece or part relating to those units made after 2009? The local Thomas authorized repair center can't. Not that they weren't nice units in their day.........