My portercable pancake compressor finally died, boy it was a noisy. I'm looking for a small, light and quiet compressor that can handle light framing. I like the senco but I feel it will be to small. Sean any suggestions? I was looking at Thomas compressors but I heard getting parts for them can be troublesome. How are the rolair, and which one would you recommend?
Small compressor
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Ken Nagrod
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Dave,
Thomas, part of Gardner-Denver, makes some of the best compressors. Unfortunately they moved the manufacturing facilities and have yet to start up production, so getting their compressors or parts isn't going to happen unless you find someone with old stock.
Rolair makes the JC10 which is small, kind of lightweight and relatively quiet.
I think we have the same Porter Cable compressor. I recently added it to my collection. Want to buy mine? [big grin]
Rolair JC10
Thomas, part of Gardner-Denver, makes some of the best compressors. Unfortunately they moved the manufacturing facilities and have yet to start up production, so getting their compressors or parts isn't going to happen unless you find someone with old stock.
Rolair makes the JC10 which is small, kind of lightweight and relatively quiet.
I think we have the same Porter Cable compressor. I recently added it to my collection. Want to buy mine? [big grin]
Rolair JC10
90% of the time I will be running my trim guns. Every once in a while I need it to frame some steps and a closet, real light framing. I have a huge compressor I set up on large jobs. The new compressor will be in the van so a compact design is key, and I install alot of kitchens so being quiet is a big deal. The portercable compressor was great for the price, but it's just to loud.
The Senco has been my main air supply for years. It easily runs my 23, 18, and occasionally used 16ga. I install cabinets and trim everyday, so it doesn't get heavy-constant runtime, but it's great for intermittent use. ( it could not keep up with the guys who run base or even casings production style).
My favorite plus... it's QUIET. also with a bit of modification fits in a systainer. I keep the Senco, 23, 18, 16ga guns, 50' hose and nail supplies in a sys 5.
Dan
My favorite plus... it's QUIET. also with a bit of modification fits in a systainer. I keep the Senco, 23, 18, 16ga guns, 50' hose and nail supplies in a sys 5.
Dan
Kevin Stricker
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The Makita MAC700 is small and quiet, but not light. It's a 2HP and can easily handle small framing/sheathing/roofing jobs. The only problem is that the shape makes you want to carry it one handed, throw in some stairs and twisting and it will tweak your back. It's only 52 lbs...maybe I am just weak....MAC700
Ken Nagrod
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I have personal experience with the Makita air compressors, especially the MAC700. I had a big issue with it when it first came out which supposedly helped Makita re-engineer it. The crankcase built up too much oil pressure during pumping and the outside would quickly become a mess which led to leaking on the surface that the compressor was standing upon (and you better hope you didn't screw up someone's nice floor). It was too heavy for a compact portable, I felt. The weight is due to the construction quality of the compressor. The only thing I didn't like about it in use, other than the oil issue was the movement. It's not balanced internally like my Thomas compressors are, although that's one of the reasons for the big price differences between most other compressors and Thomas. I can't stand these hotdog style, tall, skinny compressors that easily tip over, whether it's from pulling on the hose or while traveling in your vehicle.
The other model Makitas are too heavy for general trim or punch list use, in my opinion. I like something with a low center of gravity to eliminate the tipping issue I referred to. I also prefer oillless so I don't have the maintenance, temperature on viscosity issues and potential for oil mist on the work surface or surrounding area. I think a maximum of 30-35 lbs. is good for getting to and from or around jobs, especially when traveling up and down flights of stairs. I used to deal with my bigger wheeled compressors up and down stairs, but came to the realization that those are ideally for framing work where you need the added cfm air output for multi-gun use and rapid nail firing. The small compressors are usually just fine for providing enough cfm per shot for finish, brad, pin and staple guns or the occasional use of a framing gun. Just make sure the pressure stays high enough under typical use or you'll be countersinking plenty of nails. That's the one thing I like about the Porter Cable compressors. They have a cut in/cut out pressure of 120-150 psi., so when you've got your regulator set to give around 100 psi to your nail gun, it'll keep sinking the nails even when the tank pressure goes low. Most compressors are set to come back on at 95 psi and shut off at 125-135 psi. I try to adjust them as high as they'll go while not triggering the blow off safety valve. Read the compressor's warnings and stamped setting on your valve before contemplating doing this.
My big compressors get less use now, but you can't beat that higher cfm and bigger tank for blowing dust off stuff. I especially appreciate using my Thomas and Dayton compressors with their 100% duty cycles for blowing out entire rooms of dust or my truck, where I'm doing it for an extended period of time. Typical compressors are 20 minutes on and 40 minutes off or 30 and 30 for a 50% duty cycle. Any more than that and your compressor will have a short life.
Also important on any air compressor is to make sure your air intake filter stays clean and dry. Frequently blow them out backwards, opposite the way they take in air and replace them when they are too far gone.
The other model Makitas are too heavy for general trim or punch list use, in my opinion. I like something with a low center of gravity to eliminate the tipping issue I referred to. I also prefer oillless so I don't have the maintenance, temperature on viscosity issues and potential for oil mist on the work surface or surrounding area. I think a maximum of 30-35 lbs. is good for getting to and from or around jobs, especially when traveling up and down flights of stairs. I used to deal with my bigger wheeled compressors up and down stairs, but came to the realization that those are ideally for framing work where you need the added cfm air output for multi-gun use and rapid nail firing. The small compressors are usually just fine for providing enough cfm per shot for finish, brad, pin and staple guns or the occasional use of a framing gun. Just make sure the pressure stays high enough under typical use or you'll be countersinking plenty of nails. That's the one thing I like about the Porter Cable compressors. They have a cut in/cut out pressure of 120-150 psi., so when you've got your regulator set to give around 100 psi to your nail gun, it'll keep sinking the nails even when the tank pressure goes low. Most compressors are set to come back on at 95 psi and shut off at 125-135 psi. I try to adjust them as high as they'll go while not triggering the blow off safety valve. Read the compressor's warnings and stamped setting on your valve before contemplating doing this.
My big compressors get less use now, but you can't beat that higher cfm and bigger tank for blowing dust off stuff. I especially appreciate using my Thomas and Dayton compressors with their 100% duty cycles for blowing out entire rooms of dust or my truck, where I'm doing it for an extended period of time. Typical compressors are 20 minutes on and 40 minutes off or 30 and 30 for a 50% duty cycle. Any more than that and your compressor will have a short life.
Also important on any air compressor is to make sure your air intake filter stays clean and dry. Frequently blow them out backwards, opposite the way they take in air and replace them when they are too far gone.
The mak700 is a very quiet compressor after you cut the vibrating bulky metal handle off of it... which also stopped mine from dancing around on the floor. Its biggest drawback is that it feels like its made out of lead-- it is heavier than it looks like it would be.
I carry a thomas 3/4 hp hotdog style (easy tip over) in my van. It is not what you could call quiet but not as loud as other brands for sure. Yes, parts seem non existent as do the compressors so thankfully I've had no problems with it. Plenty of air for my needs which are mostly running a senco sks stapler.
I have a couple of the senco 1010's and love them for light, quiet air supply and have run them many times until the motor got hot enough to burn you and it never missed a beat. Kinda scary when you smell something burning on the job and you trace it back to your compressor! The only reason the senco was replaced by the thomas is that it will not keep up with the sks stapler in production work.
The mak stays in a closet of my home near and electrical outlet with a long hose nearby.
I carry a thomas 3/4 hp hotdog style (easy tip over) in my van. It is not what you could call quiet but not as loud as other brands for sure. Yes, parts seem non existent as do the compressors so thankfully I've had no problems with it. Plenty of air for my needs which are mostly running a senco sks stapler.
I have a couple of the senco 1010's and love them for light, quiet air supply and have run them many times until the motor got hot enough to burn you and it never missed a beat. Kinda scary when you smell something burning on the job and you trace it back to your compressor! The only reason the senco was replaced by the thomas is that it will not keep up with the sks stapler in production work.
The mak stays in a closet of my home near and electrical outlet with a long hose nearby.
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The Mac700 had always been a winner for us, but most folks couldn't justify the cost vs value (think Festool). It had always been the quietest or one of the quietest compressors in our quiver. As of now that new Rolair takes the cake...US company outta Wisconsin, sexy green, great service, uber reliable and did I mention service?
The JC10 is actually a cousin / brother / almost the same exact unit as a GMC branded unit that is out on the market if you look hard enough.
The JC10 is actually a cousin / brother / almost the same exact unit as a GMC branded unit that is out on the market if you look hard enough.
