Wanting a Quiet Compressor...

[RKA]

As another data point on the 1850GB, I've not had these problems with mine.  I think I got it sometime early last year, however, as can be seen here, there are lots of mixed reviews.  Perhaps order from Amazon or another dealer that with a liberal return policy.  If you get a good one, you'll love it.  Though looking at Shawn's post, I would expect any fresh stock should not have issues?

 

[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

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.

I am impressed with how light it is, but I do not think it is quieter... It seems to be in the 70s rather than 60s from what I have read.  Regardless, thanks for the heads up - now I have ANOTHER option to chew on *sigh* - I think that is generally how I walk away from reading the FOG - not always with more clarity, but more fog... hahaha

 

[upscale]

I am impressed with how light it is, but I do not think it is quieter... It seems to be in the 70s rather than 60s from what I have read. 

I bought a Rolair JC10 and ran it for a few minutes in my apartment. Sold it a few days later. Just too much noise for my location. In a shop or perhaps an open area, noise is not as affecting as a compressor would be in a closed in space. It all comes down to where one wants to use it.

 

[supimeister]

I am impressed with how light it is, but I do not think it is quieter... It seems to be in the 70s rather than 60s from what I have read. 

I bought a Rolair JC10 and ran it for a few minutes in my apartment. Sold it a few days later. Just too much noise for my location. In a shop or perhaps an open area, noise is not as affecting as a compressor would be in a closed in space. It all comes down to where one wants to use it.

Again - that is really surprising because the specs claim a different story.  But specs don't always tell the whole truth

Anyone have any experience with the CAT option I listed at first?  I am just really impressed by the idea of having a rust-proof tank (in theory).
-That, or any help on keeping rust off of what might be my new Rolair compressor?

 

[RKA]

Just drain the tank after use.  The escaping air will carry most of the moisture with it and you should be fine.  The advantage of the alum tank is largely weight imho.  Even then you'll probably have rust issues elsewhere.  Many times you'll have a steel coupler attached to the regulator.  That corrosion will flake off and end up in the regulator and gum it up.  This happened after 2 years with my Makita.  Same issue with my IR in the garage.  I replaced the coupler with a stainless version and put a new regulator on both of them last year.  So far so good. 

I'm now kinda curious how my Makita compares in terms of db's.  How far away are those sound measurements typically taken?  I have a sound level meter somewhere in the house, although it's been 10 years since I've last seen it!  If I can find it (big IF), I can take a reading.

 

[GregBradley]

I'm also a long term PC1010 user. I WAS impressed for several years but when mine was run hard, it died and I'm really thinking the replacement was way below the standard of the old one. I feel it is quiet but it is about half the size/weight of a JC10. I could have sworn the JC10 was quieter but I've used my PC1010 in lots of places and I've only run the JC10 at the tool dealer.

I also have a California Air Tools CAT-6310 and a friend has a CAT-10020. They are both pretty quiet. I like the CAT-10020 but if I had paid regular price for my CAT-6310, I'm not sure I would be happy.

At present I actually have the PC1010, MAC700, MAC2400, and CAT-6310 in one place. Guess I better shoot a video of each of them running in sequence and post it.

 

[mikeneron]

I bought a Rolair JC10 and ran it for a few minutes in my apartment. Sold it a few days later. Just too much noise for my location. In a shop or perhaps an open area, noise is not as affecting as a compressor would be in a closed in space. It all comes down to where one wants to use it.

I know when I first got my Rolair JC10 it sounded louder due to a faulty drain valve.  It was basically leaking air constantly thus creating a hissing noise on top of the compressor running.  Once they sent me a new and improved drain valve, this problem went away.  Now there is a slight hiss upon startup where the pressure gets released from the head valve and then just a quiet hum until the compressor fills up the tank.  I don't have the Senco so can't compare, but the Rolair JC10 seems pretty damn quiet to me.

You can see my post from the link below on the valve replacement.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-sales-dealer-area/rolair-jc10-review/msg276974/#msg276974

 

[upscale]

At present I actually have the PC1010, MAC700, MAC2400, and CAT-6310 in one place. Guess I better shoot a video of each of them running in sequence and post it.

One other thing you might document is the size of your compressors. I measured my PC1010 after I got it to see if it would fit in a systainer. It *almost* fit in the largest systainer. This has been discussed before and I can't remember exactly what part was preventing a systainer fit, but with the rearrangement of that one part, a line or a bracket or something like that, it would fit in a systainer.  Something to think about. ~

 

[RC]

If you want to put a PC1010 in a systainer you need to remove the roll cage from it.

Senco PC1010 in a SYS4