Wanting a Quiet Compressor...

[supimeister]

Anyone have any insight into recommending one of these models above the other?  I am more drawn to the CAT option because it is aluminum, but I am open minded - and even curious if y'all have any other recommendations.

Rolair JC10
or
CAT-4610A

 

[RKA]

I have a makita MAC700 (oiled) which I would recommend with two reservations.  I think it's pretty quiet and has a low amp draw so I'm not tripping breakers.  The reservations are around portability.  It's chunky at close to 50 lbs.  And it's higher center of gravity and small footprint make it tippy when traveling.  You have to strap this one in place or you'll break something when it falls over.  Despite those issues, I really like it.  Unfortunately I don't have experience with the two you're considering, other than reading all the feedback you're already read.  Good choices!

 

[supimeister]

I will definitely take a look at the Makita MAC700 - thanks!!

I am also wondering if the smaller CAT1610A might be better.  I think 120 psi max will cover me for using a single 23 gauge and 18 gauge nailer from time to time (right? Will I be going crazy with lack of power/too small of tank with these options?).  I don't plan on building houses with it, but I am a hobbyist who will only use one of those 2 guns (and I don't want to stray off topic, but I bet a lot of you here would recommend the 18ga Grex nailer, right? I like my 23ga Bosch pinner for now).

 

[peter halle]

I bought my Rplair JC10 about a year ago and the low noise output has made it enjoyable to use a pneumatic nailer again.  As a one man operation it suits me fine for finishing work.

Peter

 

[packratpop]

+1 for the rolair. Light, plenty of air for nail guns and no heart attack when my old PC screaming banshee kicked in!!

 

[RKA]

I've never run my nailers higher than 100, so pressure isn't an issue.  Neither is volume for those small guns.  I would definitely look at the 1610 instead.  Just to give you an example, on my makita (2.6 gal tank), I'll get about 8-10 shots out of a 15 ga nailer before the pump refills the tank.  The 18 ga and 23 ga guns will go much further.

As for grex, the 18 ga gun gets some mixed reviews.  I like it, but I don't use it all day, I'm just a DIY guy.  There might be something to these mixed reviews, so do some reading.  The 23 ga pinner is really nice.  That's generally the one that people rave about. 

 

[GregBradley]

The Makita MAC700 is quiet but the Rolair JC10 is quieter. Those units are not comparable to each other except in max airflow.

You would compare the Rolair FC1250 to the Makita MAC700. Those are similar units and are 100% duty cycle. The JC10 is quieter and OK for intermittent use. It will easily keep up with anyone with an 18ga bradder and maybe even a serious pro user of a 15ga. If you ran it harder than that, it will fail.

Different tools for different jobs. Also if you have to air up high pressure tires, the MAC700 will do that fine. The FC1250 probably will also.

Grex 18ga bradders are not all the same. The good one is the 1850GB, made by the same company that makes their P6xx 23ga guns. The 1850 without the GB looks completely different and is poor as are most of the other Grex tools. Many people buy the excellent Grex P6xx guns and then think the other Grex tools are the same and are pretty upset.

 

[mattdh]

i would  buy a grex 1850gb.

 

[GregBradley]

OK mattdh, more info please.

What do you know about the 1850GB?

Here is what I know: Lots of people never heard of Grex until they bought a P635 or other P6xx 23ga pinner. I love mine. Everyone loved them and a few bought another tool from Grex, which didn't work out well as they really have nothing similar except the color and the fact they were sold with the Grex name on them. People didn't realize that Grex actually makes nothing and has multiple companies making tools to their spec. One of those were making nice tools.

Eventually, Grex had the same company that made the P6xx tools make the 1850GB. Or at least everyone assumes it is made by the same company because it looks the same, which makes it completely different in every way from the 1850. Initial impressions of the 1850GB seemed to be good. I don't know people that bought the 1850GB. Has it not worked out for some long term users?

 

[tjbnwi]

I use the 18ga. GB and Rolair Jc10. Wouldn't give up either.

Tom

 

[mattdh]

just doesnt sink nails well. doesnt matter what is shot into- plywood, poplar, oak, maple. i have the 645l and love it -no problems at all. 1850gb - i just havent been happy with at all. sent in for service twice to try and fix but no luck. they left me with it must be the nails i was using so they sent me a box of grex brads and still does not sink them. its about every 7th to 10th brad needs to be set with a nail punch (and yes my pressure gauge was set at 100 and used 2 different compressors)

** i think its one of those tools it just luck of the draw **

 

[festooltim]

I have the Rolair and really like how quit it is. I do remodeling and some people work from home these days it's nice not to have to worry if the homeowner is on a business call.

 

[tjbnwi]

In the 3.5 years I've used the GB the only brads it has not set are the ones where I could not set the nose properly. Maybe 50 out of 10's of thousands. The anvil hole is the smallest out of any gun I've ever used. I've run the gun as low as 80 psi with no issues. I do oil the gun at least once a day when I use it, just a few drops.

Tom

 

[mattdh]

you are one  of the lucky ones then. i wish i did not have problems with mine  because i so want to love it (maybe because its green).   mine is not more than 6 moths old and i oil every time before using.

 

[Scarpia]

just doesnt sink nails well. doesnt matter what is shot into- plywood, poplar, oak, maple. i have the 645l and love it -no problems at all. 1850gb - i just havent been happy with at all. sent in for service twice to try and fix but no luck. they left me with it must be the nails i was using so they sent me a box of grex brads and still does not sink them. its about every 7th to 10th brad needs to be set with a nail punch (and yes my pressure gauge was set at 100 and used 2 different compressors)

** i think its one of those tools it just luck of the draw **

My experience with the 1850 is exactly the same as Matt's (?), except I never tried to return it. It still has a near perfect rating on Amazon, I just don't understand why. I love my Ridgid 18 gauge though, it has NEVER given me a problem in the least.

On the subject of quiet compressors I use the Senco PC1010. The one I have now is two years old and is used daily to run finish nailers with no problem. My customers are complimentary on it's volume and you can carry it with a pinky finger.

 

[Shawn]

just doesnt sink nails well. doesnt matter what is shot into- plywood, poplar, oak, maple. i have the 645l and love it -no problems at all. 1850gb - i just havent been happy with at all. sent in for service twice to try and fix but no luck. they left me with it must be the nails i was using so they sent me a box of grex brads and still does not sink them. its about every 7th to 10th brad needs to be set with a nail punch (and yes my pressure gauge was set at 100 and used 2 different compressors)

** i think its one of those tools it just luck of the draw **

Hi, we have had a few challenges with 1850Gb from time to time and Grex needs to replace the driver. There is a stronger better driver now that should fix the issue you speak of. Send it in again and get it fixed properly.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

JC10
Toolnuts

 

[Rob Z]

We've been really pleased with the JC 10 .  Lightweight and very quiet.  I sold three very loud compressors and don't miss them at all !

 

[upscale]

Anyone have any insight into recommending one of these models above the other?  I am more drawn to the CAT option because it is aluminum, but I am open minded - and even curious if y'all have any other recommendations. Rolair JC10 or CAT-4610A

If quiet is your primary want, then I'd offer another alternative ~ the Senco PC1010 Compressor. It's quieter and lighter than both of the choices you've posted.

I live in an apartment and use my Senco 1010 to run a 15 gauge Porter Cable gun and a 23 gauge Cadex nail gun.

 

[RC]

I'm quite happy with the sound level and performance of my Senco 1010 as well. Rated @ 68dB its quiet and light to carry around. The FP18MG kit nailer also seems quite nice.

Don't have experience of the other two mentioned in your post since Rolair doesn't manufacture a 220V one. (I've asked)