Rolair JC10 Compressor Review

builderbob said:
Dave Reinhold said:
I really wanted a thomas but with them being out of stock and I've heard of people having a hard time getting parts I decided to look at other brands.  Oil less was a big deal for me as it gets cold here and I don't want to waste time trying to warm up a compressor in the morning.  I'm really happy with the JC10 and now I'm looking for a larger compressor to handle the framing guns and large trim jobs.

Dave
Click to expand...

Dave, I have the Thomas 635 HD and it has been a problem since day one...it's quite noisy...there has been some type of electrical issue that won't allow it to start...depending on the circuit but I'll plug my Thomas pancake in and it'll work fine on the same circuit!  I'm ready to toss the 635 and get the Rolair!  The pancake is good but heavy for small trim jobs/kitchens.

Bob
Click to expand...

Bob,

I used to have that model, had the same issue with the starting problem and the diagnosis was defective parts - the pressure switch and starting capacitor.  It was a known issue, unfortunately getting the parts now may present a problem.  I do believe I have a spare pressure switch.  If you post a picture of the one you have and take the cover off to take a picture as well, I can match it up to see if it's the same.  The starter cap you might be able to get from a tool repair shop.  The electrical specs would need to be very similar.

The noise is due to it being an oilless compressor and running at around 3500 rpms to be able to drive the pump, to pump out enough air.
 
Thanks for your input Ken!  I guess I was used to my Thomas oiless pancake that is whisper quiet and was shocked at the small 635 models sound when I first bought it.

At the time, I should've returned it just for the starting issue...hindsight is 20/20!

Bob
 
You're welcome, Bob.

As a general guideline, compressors that run at around 1800 rpms and lower are pretty quiet and oil compressors have less noise due to the dampening effect of the oil.  When the manufacturer wants to keep the overall size and weight down, they usually put a higher rpm motor on a small pump, turning the pump at twice the speed to get twice the amount of delivered cfm.  That makes it noisier and cuts down on the pump's life expectancy.  I checked out Dave's Rol-Air JC10 and it has a low rpm.  It seemed a bit overly boxy the way the roll cage frame is designed.  In that size compressor for trim work, I would have preferred not to have the roll cage.  I don't see an advantage.  It just adds to the size and weight.  I also needed to tweak the cut-in/cut-out pressure on his model to make it more usable, however Sean told me that Rol-Air is making that change to the model at the production level.  I agree with Dave about the goofy gauge placement -- not thought out well.  I did find it interesting, the use of the stainless steel braided supply line and an electronic pressure system.  I think it's a really good compressor, overall.
 
I like the large rollcage. Sometimes the end of the day creeps up and I'm just tossing tools in the van and the roll cage helps protect the compressor real nice. Plus it makes for a step stool in a pinch.

Dave
 
Chris,

I would send those pics to rolair. My welds are not perfect, but not as ugly as yours. I have no paint overspray on my compressor either.  I'm sorry your jc10 looks so bad. How does it run and sound? Is it only cosmetic damage? 

Dave
 
If I bought that compressor and it came to me like that, it would never be plugged in and it would be headed back to the dealer who I know would make it right.  This might sound harsh, but I am just keeping it real.

Peter
 
That's very disappointing QC at Rolair -- kind of makes you wonder about all that you can't see...  [scared]
 
We've got one on the way to Chris Next Day Air.  He's all set!

Seems to us like it was a mispackaged unit.  Not exactly sure what happened here but it's a FIRST for us with Rolair.  Nothing like we've seen before and I'm sure we won't see it again.
 
See,  I predicted that the good dealer would swoop in handle the situation.
 
Hi Chris,
I was just notified of this thread (and your problem) and can't tell you how disappointed I am to see those pictures.  Please give us a call tomorrow at your earliest convenience so we can gather some more details on your damaged unit.  I realize Sean has already got a replacement on the way, but in addition to getting you the right unit that you deserve, we have to find out exactly what happened to the first one and how it could have arrived in such condition.  Our National Sales Manager, Dan Fox, is already aware of the situation and will be going above and beyond to make up for this and leave you with a good feeling -- he's vowed to put a silver lining on a dark cloud.

800-310-3573, Dan's extension is 134.

Sorry again for your troubles.

Mike Kelley
Vice President
ROLAIR Air Compressors
 
[welcome] Mike and thank you for taking the time to respond.  It's good to see another manufacturer that cares about the products they produce and the people that use them.

[thumbs up] [thumbs up]
 
Rolair Compressors said:
Hi Chris,
I was just notified of this thread (and your problem) and can't tell you how disappointed I am to see those pictures.  Please give us a call tomorrow at your earliest convenience so we can gather some more details on your damaged unit.  I realize Sean has already got a replacement on the way, but in addition to getting you the right unit that you deserve, we have to find out exactly what happened to the first one and how it could have arrived in such condition.  Our National Sales Manager, Dan Fox, is already aware of the situation and will be going above and beyond to make up for this and leave you with a good feeling -- he's vowed to put a silver lining on a dark cloud.

800-310-3573, Dan's extension is 134.

Sorry again for your troubles.

Mike Kelley
Vice President
ROLAIR Air Compressors
Click to expand...

Truly the sign of a first class company!  I'm betting he will put the proper quality controls in place so something like that doesn't make it out the door again.
 
RonWen said:
Rolair Compressors said:
Hi Chris,
I was just notified of this thread (and your problem) and can't tell you how disappointed I am to see those pictures.  Please give us a call tomorrow at your earliest convenience so we can gather some more details on your damaged unit.  I realize Sean has already got a replacement on the way, but in addition to getting you the right unit that you deserve, we have to find out exactly what happened to the first one and how it could have arrived in such condition.  Our National Sales Manager, Dan Fox, is already aware of the situation and will be going above and beyond to make up for this and leave you with a good feeling -- he's vowed to put a silver lining on a dark cloud.

800-310-3573, Dan's extension is 134.

Sorry again for your troubles.

Mike Kelley
Vice President
ROLAIR Air Compressors
Click to expand...

Truly the sign of a first class company!  I'm betting he will put the proper quality controls in place so something like that doesn't make it out the door again.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I am impressed!
 
Ken, thanks for the welcome!  Ron/Robert, thanks for your kind words - it means a lot to an organization like ours.  Making this right is really the least we could do.  When I get a moment, I'm going to offer up some additional comments/questions about our JC10 (and compressors in general) so as to hopefully add something to your discussion and be a contributor to the group.  And if at the end of the day this problem results in us becoming a resource for any specific or general compressor questions that arise here, I'll be able to say some good came out of it.  Please, use us!

Take care guys.  Thanks again.

Mike

 
Rolair JC10 Single Stage Air Compressor and we're sure it will be music to your ears
 
Got mine today.  None of the problems like the one Chris got, though the welding is pretty sloppy, even a loose piece of weld in the shipping box.

Really good news is that the thing is so quiet I had to turn my shop fan off to hear the motor.  Wouldn't hesitate about running it indoors.
 
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