New Rol-air JC10

[mastercabman]

OK,so i went and got the JC10 compressor.Received it last Friday.It is to replace the SENCO PC 1010 little compressor that i have been using for the past 6 years.
I got to use it today and really like this new addition.For those of you who has the Senco and thinking about the Rol-air,here is what you need to know.
It is a little bigger.2.3 gallons vs 1
It is heavier,but easy to carry.
The JC10 has 2 pistons,nice design,really fast pumping that air.Rated 1 hp ,7amps motor.
When totally empty,JC10 takes 45s to fill.The Senco 2 min 20 s
Recovery,JC10 12s  - Senco 40s
A lot faster!  The JC10 was able to keep up with my 15g nailer.My Senco not so much,i would get about 5 shots and then it just keep on going and going....Many times,i have to wait for it to get enought psi.
But one thing i really like about the JC10 is how quite it is.    VERY QUITE!
Nice compressor,i think this will be just fine for what i do.For continuous production trim work i can't say much about.I don't do that much trim work.Only time will tell if this compressor will last.I hope so.

 

[Jonhilgen]

But if modified, can it fit in a systainer?  [tongue]

Once my senco s--ts the bed, I think ill get one on these.  The senco is great, but does take time to catch up.

Jon

 

[Brice Burrell]

I have the Senco and that's about how I thought they'd compare.  I like my Senco but I'd use it a lot more if it was equal to the Rol-air.  Thanks for the side by side comparison.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Interesting hearing about the comparisons, BUT, maybe they are just two different tools for different purposes.  Not one replacing the other.  You've got to admit, that Senco compressor is really lightweight and easy to bring almost anywhere, while the Rolair is larger and about twice the weight.  Obviously that's the price you pay for higher compressor air output and short recovery time, but I'm sure you can think of times where a smaller, lighter compressor without the need for faster nail output is the answer for the task at hand.

 

[vwdave]

Wow I never realized how long it took for the senco to fill.  I was thinking about getting the senco but glad I decided on the JC10.  I've been abusing my JC10 to see how it holds up.  Just today me and my helper were running 2 brad guns off of it and it did fine, it ran a lot though.  The jc10's recovery time is very quick, its easily noticed when I use the blower attachment to blow my tools off at the end of the day.  As long as you don't hold the blower handle all the way open the compressor keeps up surprisingly well.

Dave

 

[upscale]

But one thing i really like about the JC10 is how quiet it is.    VERY QUIET!

Is it as quiet as the PC1010? Be honest now! One other question. How much more acreage does it take up compared to the PC1010?  Thanks.

 

[mastercabman]

But one thing i really like about the JC10 is how quiet it is.    VERY QUIET!

Is it as quiet as the PC1010? Be honest now! One other question. How much more acreage does it take up compared to the PC1010?  Thanks.

I think it is quiter!
As far as size here's what the owner's manual says;15 5/8"L  16 3/4"W    14 3/4"H

 

[mastercabman]

Interesting hearing about the comparisons, BUT, maybe they are just two different tools for different purposes.  Not one replacing the other.  You've got to admit, that Senco compressor is really lightweight and easy to bring almost anywhere, while the Rolair is larger and about twice the weight.  Obviously that's the price you pay for higher compressor air output and short recovery time, but I'm sure you can think of times where a smaller, lighter compressor without the need for faster nail output is the answer for the task at hand.

Well i don't think it's for different purposes.They both design for the same thing.
Yes it is bigger and heavier and yes that little senco is very easy to carry around.I still have it and i will be keeping it.I think i will be using it when i have some finish up or a work order for repair.
Please understand that i was not trying to bash the senco.Just giving my first impression on the JC10 compared to the senco that i have been using for the past 6 years without any major problem.
I am sure that they are a lot of people that uses the senco and wish that it would keep up a little better.And i think that the JC10 is really a good step up for that "recovery" problem.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Interesting hearing about the comparisons, BUT, maybe they are just two different tools for different purposes.  Not one replacing the other.  You've got to admit, that Senco compressor is really lightweight and easy to bring almost anywhere, while the Rolair is larger and about twice the weight.  Obviously that's the price you pay for higher compressor air output and short recovery time, but I'm sure you can think of times where a smaller, lighter compressor without the need for faster nail output is the answer for the task at hand.

Well i don't think it's for different purposes.They both design for the same thing.
Yes it is bigger and heavier and yes that little senco is very easy to carry around.I still have it and i will be keeping it.I think i will be using it when i have some finish up or a work order for repair.
Please understand that i was not trying to bash the senco.Just giving my first impression on the JC10 compared to the senco that i have been using for the past 6 years without any major problem.
I am sure that they are a lot of people that uses the senco and wish that it would keep up a little better.And i think that the JC10 is really a good step up for that "recovery" problem.

In a way you confirmed my point, even though you misunderstood what I meant.  Of course they are both compressors and both are used to supply air to nail guns, but I meant that there are some nailing jobs where the Senco would be ideal because of it's smaller size and lighter weight, when the air output and recovery time aren't too important.

I'm sure there are plenty of users that will be very happy with the Rolair by itself, but some people like me go on jobs sometimes where conditions preclude getting a bigger compressor up 3 floors, the last of which is a 60 degree inclined, 28 inch wide staircase with no hand rails or maybe there's only a little bit of trim work to do.  Maybe a CO2 bottle setup and the Rolair is best for you.  Maybe hand nailing everything makes you happy.  I don't know, but these are just some examples.  As always, you have to figure out what works for you after sorting through all of the advice.

I'm not knocking either compressor.  I just think there are times when one would be more appropriate than the other.

 

[Brice Burrell]

But one thing i really like about the JC10 is how quiet it is.    VERY QUIET!

Is it as quiet as the PC1010? Be honest now! One other question. How much more acreage does it take up compared to the PC1010?  Thanks.

Maybe you've lost some hearing already or my standard of what is quiet is different than yours but wouldn't say the Senco is particularly quiet.  Maybe compared to a large compressor but I still fine the PC1010 unpleasant to be near.

In a way you confirmed my point, even though you misunderstood what I meant.  Of course they are both compressors and both are used to supply air to nail guns, but I meant that there are some nailing jobs where the Senco would be ideal because of it's smaller size and lighter weight, when the air output and recovery time aren't too important.....

I've not seen the Rol-air in person so I don't really know how big or heavy it is.  To me it looks to be pretty small, so small that is not that different for the Senco.  I can't imagine there would be a huge difference carrying it up to a third floor than the Senco.  I can't help be think the lighter weight and slightly small size of the Senco isn't worth the trade off of the slow recovery.  Seems the Rol-air is a much better balance of small size/weight and recovery than the Senco.  I think a lot of guys could get away with just owning the Rol-air but not so much the Senco.  I'm not contradicting you but I'd say your point is kinda slim on this one.  

 

[Ken Nagrod]

No problem, Brice.  The JC10 isn't near the small size of the PC1010 and about twice the weight. The JC10 is more comparable in size to the Senco PC0968.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Just thought I should clarify myself.  I'm very interested in purchasing either the Senco PC1010 or RolAir JC10 as a third or so compressor in my arsenal.  I've been doing a lot of research, played around with Dave Reinhold's JC10 when he first got it and listening to everyone's opinions and feedback in this thread and other similar ones.  Don't let my strong opinions and comments rub you the wrong way.  They're not intended to be like that.  Sometimes (ok many times) that's just the way I come across.

I appreciate what everyone has had to say and look forward to hearing more.

Thanks!

 

[mastercabman]

Well,it's been a couple weeks since i got the JC10 compressor and i have been very happy with it so far.
I have not had to wait for it when using my 15g and no nails sticking out.
So going from the senco to this,i have to say that i do feel it in the weight.Not so bad but do miss that light weight Senco
It is the perfect size for what i do but if you are a trim carpenter and do production trimwork, i don't think i would invest into the JC10 for that kind of work.I would look at something bigger(bigger tank)I do have a DeWalt 4g. (made by Emglo)that i would use if i ever have a big job that require  production nailling.

 

[Tim Sproul]

Just wanted to point a couple things out about the little Senco 1010 compressor.

1.  Mine came from the factory preset to kick back on only after the tank reached 80 psi.  There is a set screw to turn to change that to 100 psi, since most pneumatic nailers are used around 100psi.

2.  It is quiet.  Brice finds it too loud which is surprising to me.  It is more quiet than the racket a 15 or 16 gauge nailer makes.  And definitely more quiet than a TS55, Kapex, Trion, Multimaster or vast assortment of other power tools.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Just wanted to point a couple things out about the little Senco 1010 compressor.

1.  Mine came from the factory preset to kick back on only after the tank reached 80 psi.  There is a set screw to turn to change that to 100 psi, since most pneumatic nailers are used around 100psi.

2.  It is quiet.  Brice finds it too loud which is surprising to me.  It is more quiet than the racket a 15 or 16 gauge nailer makes.  And definitely more quiet than a TS55, Kapex, Trion, Multimaster or vast assortment of other power tools.

Keep in mind that when you raise the pressure setting to 100 psi or anything higher than the factory setting (AND you haven't messed with the differential pressure adjustment - difference between stop and start pressures), you will raise the stop pressure setting as well and that can approach the safety release valve's pressure setting causing it to constantly or occasionally blow off.  While I can't advise anyone to replace the factory safety valve with another that has a higher pressure setting, that is an option should your current valve trigger after you've changed the pressure setting on the pressure switch.  There is a tolerance to the safety valves, so sometimes it will blow off and other times it won't depending on how close you've got the maximum pressure set at.

Example - safety valve says 140 psi.  Compressor set to come on at 90 psi and shut off at 125 psi.  You adjust the pressure switch so now the compressor kicks on at 100 psi and shuts off at 135 psi.  It's very close to the 140 psi stamped on the safety valve.  You might trigger the valve.  The manufacturer designs the safety valve knowing the quality of the parts they've used and the tank itself.  You might have lower quality parts or maybe bad tank welds that could become dangerous should you raise the pressure or change out the safety valve to a higher one.

Hope the info helps.

 

[nickao]

Doesn't changing that to 100 make the compressor turn one more? I would do the opposite if anything and want the compressor to turn on less. Actually, I never had to mess with those adjustments on any of my compressors.  I think just above 80 lbs has always been enough to fire off my Grex guns.

Were you having an issue of the nails not getting set all the way so you kicked it up to never get lower than 100lbs or did you just set it that way when you got it?

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Resetting the pressure to recharge the compressor at 100 psi and setting the regulator for something slightly less, like 95 psi allows the compressor to keep up with the nail gun using 95 psi of air.  If the regulator were set at 95 psi and the pressure switch was set at 90 psi, the nailer wouldn't set the nails fully when the tank pressure drops below 95 psi, until the compressor hits 90, turns on and charges the tank back up again.  Having the regulator set lower than the pressure switch allows it to keep up with your nail gun or whatever else is connected (assuming the SCFM rating of the compressor is above the connected tool's SCFM rating).

And yes Nick, that causes the compressor to turn on more frequently.

 

[Tim Sproul]

I could not sink 16 gauge nails through 1 inch jatoba/Brazilian cherry at 80 psi.  Which is how I noticed the problem.

There are different set screws for adjusting the "on" pressure and "off" pressure.  Definite would not want the "off" pressure to be greater than factory - I think 120 psi.

The compressor cycles more - but a 1 man crew won't overwork the compressor - assuming you are using this little compressor appropriately.  Smaller jobs and jobs requiring infrequent nailing.

 

[upscale]

There are different set screws for adjusting the "on" pressure and "off" pressure.  Definite would not want the "off" pressure to be greater than factory - I think 120 psi.

The compressor cycles more - but a 1 man crew won't overwork the compressor - assuming you are using this little compressor appropriately.  Smaller jobs and jobs requiring infrequent nailing.

This is the JC10 or the PC1010 you're talking about? I've just ordered a PC1010 for myself because of its quietness, size and easy portability. If I can get it to attain 120 psi without it  running constantly, then it will fill all my current needs.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

On the Rolair JC10, like other compressors, there are 2 screws in the pressure switch.  One is for adjusting pressure range, the other for the differential (difference between the cut in and cut out pressures).  Supposedly the new production JC10's have been upped to a more usuable pressure range by Rolair.  The older production runs, like what Dave has, came with a low psi range, going by the compressor's gauges.  Dave was having an issue sinking nails and the compressor keeping up with his guns, so I adjusted the single screw that controls cut in/cut out pressure, raising it until the safety valve occasionally blew, then backing it down just a hair.  He told me that it's much better now.  Again, remember the warning I previously posted about doing this.

Also, most of the pressure switches nowadays come with tamperproof torx or tamperproof hex screws (a nub in the center of the head).  Don't try and grind or break the nub or you'll do permanent damage to the pressure switch.  Get the correct bit.