Quiet air compressors

[dstig1]

Like the title says...I'm specifically looking for a portable air compressor to drive finish nailers, air up tires, maybe an occasional framing nailer for minor stuff. Right now i have the very common Porter Cable pancake compressor that I have been using for probably 20 yrs now. I hate it. It is heavy, loud and bulky and that makes it a PITA to haul in through doors and did I mention it's LOUD??!!! WHAT??!?! CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE COMPRESSOR!!!!! I won't spend $800 on one but I'm thinking $300 maybe 400 I would be fine with. I'm starting my own search online also but always prefer to hear actual experiences from the TBN brain trust.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[WM75Guy]

I have the Campbell Hausfeld 6 gallon Quiet Air Compressor. I use it in the garage for tires and the grease gun. It is half the noise of my Campbell Hausfeld 26 gallon oiless which I moved to the shop. I paid about $200 for it.

https://www.campbellhausfeld.com/quietcompressors.html

 

[Fallon]

I've heard good things about the newer scroll type compressors. Eastwood QST-3/6 Quiet Scroll Air Compressor in particular. Not cheap or that high output, but a decent smaller machine. I think there are a few cheaper ones with different paint around as well.

 

[ultrarunner]

Rolair also has some very quiet compressors depending on how much CFM is needed.

Portable Air Compressors - Hand Carry Air Compressors | Rolair Systems

For small projects and my brad nailers I use this and noise has never been an issue.

AB5 1/2 HP, 1 Gal, Portable Air Compressor - Quite Air Compressor | Rolair Systems

Around the shop I use this one and it should be under $400 with free shipping...

Rolair 2 HP Compressor VT2TB | Acme Tools

VT2�TB 2 HP, 3.2 Gal, Quite Electric Air Compressor | Rolair Systems

I found the best price on Zoro with the coupons they send out.

 

[Tompet]

California Air Tools compressors available on Amazon.

They are VERY quiet well built and some models with aluminum tanks. I also have a small Thomas American made compressor (brand no longer made) that was billed as the quiet compressor of its time. The California Air Tools Compressor is quieter.

 

[fried1765]

Like the title says...I'm specifically looking for a portable air compressor to drive finish nailers, air up tires, maybe an occasional framing nailer for minor stuff. Right now i have the very common Porter Cable pancake compressor that I have been using for probably 20 yrs now. I hate it. It is heavy, loud and bulky and that makes it a PITA to haul in through doors and did I mention it's LOUD??!!! WHAT??!?! CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE COMPRESSOR!!!!! I won't spend $800 on one but I'm thinking $300 maybe 400 I would be fine with. I'm starting my own search online also but always prefer to hear actual experiences from the TBN brain trust.

Thanks,
Dave

I would say that the "California" brand compressor is EXACTLY what you are looking for.
There are many California models for sale on Amazon.
All models are under $307, one model is $143.

I am going to dump my HORRIBLY LOUD Porter Cable, and buy a California compressor.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Check out the Kobalt quiet air compressor from Lowes.

It is the quietest I have ever seen. I have one and it is great, not a lot of CFM (2.4 @90 psi)but great for nailers, light air wrench work etc. For more volume and about $150 you can get a 4.3?CFM with 26 gallon tank. Since I already had a Puma hotdog tank compressor of similar output, I just rigged a hose to connect the two together when I need more capacity. The Puma is a lot louder than the Kobalt but still quieter than my old Craftsman oiless compressor that you need to have ear plugs to be close to it.
Also easy to move around with rear wheels and a telescoping handle that will retract out of the way for storage but extend high so you dont have to bend over to roll it. It is a twin piston design and comes with a quick opening half turn water drain valve. IIRC it was around $200, but I bought it a couple years ago so the price may be different now.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I have a California Air Tools compressor, bought specifically for finish nailing. It is very quiet and light and keeps up easily with my finish nailer and stapler.

 

[rgr33]

I bought a California air compressor a year ago. I gotta admit, they are very quiet, my only regret is that it isn’t bigger.
,

 

[Jaylegger]

California Air Tools I believe are the most quiet air compressors. They're available in 1hp and 2hp models with various tank sizes.

 

[WM75Guy]

Keep in mind that the dB scale for sound is logarithmic. A 70 dB compressor is 10X the noise of a 60dB compressor. Normal conversation is 60dB. If I were buying another compressor I would look at the California brand as they are advertised at 60dB. My Campbell Hausfeld 6 gallon in the garage is acceptable to me at 68 dB, much quieter than my CH 5 hp 26 gallon compressor which is why it went to the shop.

 

[newbury]

Like the title says...I'm specifically looking for a portable air compressor to drive finish nailers, air up tires, maybe an occasional framing nailer for minor stuff. Right now i have the very common Porter Cable pancake compressor that I have been using for probably 20 yrs now. I hate it. It is heavy, loud and bulky and that makes it a PITA to haul in through doors and <snip>

For those uses I would go with a small California AND KEEP the Porter Cable to join together on the occasions you need more air than the CA will provide. Plus get long hoses. I've found distance reduces decibels.

 

[tomplum]

This one is going on it's third year in my service truck. Much quieter and energy friendly that the pancakes too. That was important as it runs off a 5K invertor.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G75OUO8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[dstig1]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Similar things to what I have found in searching online, but always good to hear what real people think of these products rather than just trust Amazon reviews, for example. I figure i will keep the PC one, and it will just become a backup for when I need more air in a portable unit, so this one I am leaning towards the 1 gal size that can do 1-1.5 CFM. I also have a big 80 gal 2-stage in the shop, hard plumbed all over, so air is not an issue in the shop.

One of the California ones looks like it fits the bill quite well (light, compact, quiet and somehow only like $100!) but there was one review that was troubling. The guy had one for a little over a year with minimal use and the seals or something inside broke and destroyed the unit, and he said the company would not return his calls. It looks like it might just be an isolated incident where "stuff happens" since I did not see other evidence of users saying theirs were breaking down like that. I will relook at the Rollairs also. I saw some in my searches, but they did not pop up as much as I would expect.

Thanks again!
Dave

Edit: I looked into the Rollair again, and they don't quite fit what I am looking for as well as the California ones. So I just ordered this one from the Amazon Borg. My ears and family will thank you all.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LYHYHEA/ref=crt_ewc_img_dp_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[ultrarunner]

This one is going on it's third year in my service truck. Much quieter and energy friendly that the pancakes too. That was important as it runs off a 5K invertor.
Robot Check

I've been running a small EMGLO from the 1990's in my Service Van and more than a few occasions it saved the day as a back up for inside work... my Invertor is only 2000 watt... so I was glad to find a compatible unit.

Almost 30 years now and still working...

 

[mapper]

Just had my hardwood floor refinished, the contractor who did it had a small Senco he used for nailing the base trim on, it was very quite. Don't know what it cost, it does say Senco on the side of it.......

 

[ultrarunner]

A couple of years ago the ACE Hardware promotion for Father's Day offered a Senco Compressor with Brad Nailer and Inflator...

Super quiet as in 56 DB and lightweight... I can work with it under the bench and it is quieter than my old shop refrigerator... the package was $159...

Compressor is about 20 lbs... which is nice.

I did not mention it because it is low on CFM but perfect for the finish nailer…

Senco PC947 FinishPro 18 Finish Combo Kit

Air Tools | Pneumatic Tools | PC947 Combo | SENCO

 

[mapper]

A couple of years ago the ACE Hardware promotion for Father's Day offered a Senco Compressor with Brad Nailer and Inflator...

Super quiet as in 56 DB and lightweight... I can work with it under the bench and it is quieter than my old shop refrigerator... the package was $159...

Compressor is about 20 lbs... which is nice.

I did not mention it because it is low on CFM but perfect for the finish nailer…

Senco PC947 FinishPro 18 Finish Combo Kit

Air Tools | Pneumatic Tools | PC947 Combo | SENCO

That looks pretty similar.

 

[dstig1]

It looks to me like all these guys source their quiet pumps from the same place and then just put it together with different tank and frame configurations...

 

[rbstern]

My wife uses the 8 gallon California Air Tools model in her crafts business. Got it for her about eighteen months ago. Gets used every day of the week. It's driven tens of thousands of pin nails since new, without trouble. I love it because my office is in adjacent room, about 15 feet away from the compressor, and I can barely hear it when it's filling the thank.