California Air Tools Compressor

[Mike Davis]

Mike,
After all those years at IR I will never own a oil free unit. There is no guess as to how long it will last and they never have large capacity tanks cause then they would be pusher even harder. Look around, there are smaller units out there with oil cooled pumps.

I just looked at the ten most recommended oil filled comps and they are all much louder, much bigger, much heavier, more expensive.

I have a RolAire that is too big, too loud, and too heavy to move around a lot. I plan to keep it in the shop. I want one that can drive pin nails, run a small (very small) paint sprayer, blow saw dust off the drill press and band saw, blow up lawnmower tires, etc. and be very easy to carry upstairs or out to the car when needed. It will probably have a 6-8 foot hose. It will be used one or two times a month at most. For bigger jobs I will haul out the slightly larger RolAire.

That is why I am thinking of the smallest California Air compressor.

Tell me why I'm wrong.

 

[Henry W]

I just looked at the ten most recommended oil filled comps and they are all much louder, much bigger, much heavier, more expensive.

I have a RolAire that is too big, too loud, and too heavy to move around a lot. I plan to keep it in the shop. I want one that can drive pin nails, run a small (very small) paint sprayer, blow saw dust off the drill press and band saw, blow up lawnmower tires, etc. and be very easy to carry upstairs or out to the car when needed. It will probably have a 6-8 foot hose. It will be used one or two times a month at most. For bigger jobs I will haul out the slightly larger RolAire.

That is why I am thinking of the smallest California Air compressor.

Tell me why I'm wrong.

Mike - not even suggesting you are wrong, but just comparing notes.

For trim nail guns and staplers I use this compressor - Ryobi One+ battery powered, somewhat noisy, but very quick to get up to pressure and quite light and portable; works great. I do not spray with this - at least I have not tried that (MIGHT? handle my LVLP gun but run alot. I have charged batteries ready to go and this is a go-anywhere-easily set-up.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...and-Charger-Starter-Kit-P739-PSK005/316391978

For tire inflation I also have a inflator - much quieter and lighter and more portable. Easy to get car tires back up to pressure, or inflate other tires. I have not tried this on a blow up kayak or paddleboard.
walmart.com/ip/Ryobi-R18PI-0-18V-ONE-Cordless-High-Pressure-Inflator-Body-Only-Grey/16161524241?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=102818632&adid=2222222222716161524241_102818632_14069003552_202077872&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-2449037643288&wl5=9211801&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=5583879323&wl11=online&wl12=16161524241_102818632&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=202077872&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIqDAqpmpFa8_ZwUVM7bW-m44&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4YWT0Mv1kgMVV2qRBR3UYAZpEAQYBSABEgKsTfD_BwE

This ONLY works for me because I was already into the Ryobi battery system, and I bought these as reconditioned tools (and on 'fire' sale, at least the compressor - $15 not the $278 shown here).

I have no idea if other tool companies have such a setup, but I do love this set for my usage.

 

[RWF]

You could build a foam box to throw over the top.

 

[patlaw]

So, this turned out to be the problem.

Yes. I thought he was pulling my leg when he told me, but I'm open minded. When it start rattling, I started feeling around to see if anything was loose. Sure enough, the bottom cowling over the pressure controls was vibrating. I haven't fixed it yet, but at least I know what to do.

 

[Mike Davis]

You could build a foam box to throw over the top.

And then I'd have to carry the compressor and a big foam box up the stairs...

 

[mdbuntyn]

The guy in this video used PVC pipe and a 3D printer to make a "muffler" for his air compressor. Some people said it's too restrictive and reduces the available CFM, but it's something to consider.:

 

[Hmerkle]

I just looked at the ten most recommended oil filled comps and they are all much louder, much bigger, much heavier, more expensive.

I have a RolAire that is too big, too loud, and too heavy to move around a lot. I plan to keep it in the shop. I want one that can drive pin nails, run a small (very small) paint sprayer, blow saw dust off the drill press and band saw, blow up lawnmower tires, etc. and be very easy to carry upstairs or out to the car when needed. It will probably have a 6-8 foot hose. It will be used one or two times a month at most. For bigger jobs I will haul out the slightly larger RolAire.

View attachment 242919

That is why I am thinking of the smallest California Air compressor.

Tell me why I'm wrong.

I think if you can afford a CAT compressor, you will be happy with it

 

[Mike Davis]

I think if you can afford a CAT compressor, you will be happy with it

I would love a giant screw compressor with a drier like we had at work and a shop large enough to house it and everything else to go with it. But that ain’t ever gonna happen on Social Security.