Great review! I was thinking of purchasing their 10 gallon model with an aluminum tank but read some negative reviews on Lowe’s website about service issues from the mfg. Although you ultimately got satisfaction, in the past four years since you posted the review service among companies in general, IMO, has plummeted so I will continue my search for another brand. If I were to purchase it and have an issue such as you did and get the same run-around, I would be pretty upset with myself for not heeding the warning signs. Thanks again!
I have a Porter Cable, a Kobalt and a DeWalt that all run and run and never build pressure. They all look brand new. I regret getting rid of my Sears that worked trouble free for twenty five years. That compressor didn't have the new fangled reed valves like the new ones.
Wow, that’s awful. I’ve had a couple Pc pancakes that died way too young. I also had a craftsman that lasted 20+ years and worked good as new when I got rid of it.
Probably all "oilless" compressors. I had a powermate that lasted 6 months and a another brand that lasted a year. From then on I only bought ones that required oil and the pump/motors now outlast the usefull life of the tanks.
I have that same compressor and absolutely love it!! As you stated, it is very quiet. My use is also primarily for shooting nails, filling tires and blowing dust. If I had a complaint it would be with the off/on switch. It just seems ill-placed not very functional. It gets the job done once you are familiar with it but I think a different type (maybe a light switch format) would work better. Still 5/5 stars.
Hi, Do you by any chance tried inflating high pressure road bike tires with max load rating of 120 psi? Normally, road bike tires aren't loaded at to the max load but @100psi. If yes, how long does it?@@ToolMetrix
@@marcb1278 Hey, Marc, I know this is 3 years old, buuuut. A 2CFM compressor like this one will take about 1-2 minutes to fill most road bike tires. That 2 CFM rating is for 90 PSI, and it drops quickly as it gets up to 100-120 I believe 0.6 CFM at 110. This might not help you now, Marc but maybe some one else has the same question :)
Their customer service really sucks bad... I would search other providers for an aluminum tank. Good review, thanks. I bought only their tank, and all the fittings leaked, as others have stated too.
It's important to remember that, the decibel scale is a logarithmic scale. So, if one compressor is 70 db and the second is 80 db, then that 80 db compressor is 10x's louder than the 70 db compressor.
It may be 10 times higher sound energy, but hearing is also not linear. An increase of 10 dB equates to about a doubling of perceived loudness to the human ear.
Thanks for this video!!! I have been chasing my tail with trying to fix my California compressor. I have called customer service 5 different times with no one answering the phone or returning my messages. Ive considered giving up and buying a different brand, but i like the power and how quiet it is… so I am trying to repair it. I have little mechanical experience and would love some guidance.
How is the air regulator adjusted for air tool use? I have a Campbell hausfeld loud hot dog where turning completely left regulator goes to 0 psi. Turning right and I can set it to the appropriate psi.
Can two of these be run simultaneously into a common hose? Do I just need check valves between them? They don't seem to like to start if there's any back pressure they have to work against.
@@ToolMetrix YES!!! UA-cam works! So I send you a prototype/you come try it when things are just before launch? then I could get some valuable feedback that could be used for last improvements before people get their hands on it. Btw. perhaps you would like to take a look at it before a finished prototype as well? I could need some feedback
@@ToolMetrix Thank you! will do soon. I will show you the initial drawings. Could you help me out first? I want to hear what your pain points on current compressors are. Aything. tiny problems, big problems, whatever. Then please describe some features or solutions you would like?
I had 4 of these in various sizes. I will not purchase anymore. Customer service becomes very important in an industrial application and these guy's at California air tools are horrible. I'll buy ear protection before I buy another of these. The more you have the more they break and the harder it is to get warranty or even parts from these bums. last time for me, and no more Huskie either for the same reason.
I purchased a 2 hp model. Less than 10 hours on it and it broke a reed valve. Thinnest valves I've ever seen. Wouldn't recommend any of their overpriced crap.
There is absolutely no reason you cant leave it under pressure all the time. Almost all compressor have a anti blow back valve or chk valve air can only go into the tank from the pistons it cannot go from the tank to the pistons, the tank is also aluminum it will never rust, that dosnt mean you dont need to drain of the water you should, but if you forget it's not a big deal. I have used that model it's great. A buddie of mine has 2 or 3 versions of it. All in differnt sizes. He does gravity feed paint with his only hes using a larger model. I have a broken 3-4 year old porter cable I cant buy a rebuild kit for the regulator for I might just skip it and buy one of those. Like you I dont plan on painting with it I have a pain sprayer machine.
I have the Cal Air 2hp 4620AC. At 40psi it'll do 6.4 CFM. I use it to spray General Finishes water based poly. I get excellent results. One of my better purchases.
Nice, I just received my 8 gallon steel tank air compressor from the same company. I was hoping they had the aluminum model but they didn't have one. I purchased from Amazon and will set it up tonight after I tear down the old noisy pancake model. I offered the old pancake model to several folks and they do NOT want it b/c of the noise it emits. I'm looking forward to using the California Air compressor. Thanks again for the review. I viewed this video a year ago and enjoyed it for another viewing. Have a fine week. 👍🏽🙂
70dB in a garage, measured at 18 inches from the source is not too bad. The noise ratings for many things are likely made at 1 meter in a "sound proof" room. The garage you are in may add up to 5 decibels in sound energy reflected off of the hard floor or work table and other reflective surfaces.
Thanks for the review, Paul. A quiet compressor is on my one day some day list. I probably wouldn't be too upset about their customer service, but I might not be as forgiving as you 😎
I’m not usually so patient but I hung onto my old one while getting this sorted out so I never had any downtime. That would have been a different story entirely. 😤
I have two California Air tools compressors. 1. They are quiet. 2. Yes, the customer service is truly that bad. No one answers the phone, and they don't call back when you leave a voicemail. Email is a better bet, but they are less than helpful when your unit is out of warranty. They ignore questions about the thread sizes on fittings, at best trying to force you into buying (overpriced) parts from them.
Hi @ToolMetrix 👋 I had a question, (it doesn’t entirely have to do with the tool in the video) for a paint spray gun (gravity feed) would a compressor (Bostitch 6 gal) that gives out 2.6cfm be good enough paired with a paint gun (Kobalt) that requires 2.9cfm? Or should I opt for a stronger compressor? Thanks! Sorry I know this question doesn’t have to do with California Air Tools
I've got that same model and it is over three years old. and still runs as nicely as it did when it was brand new. I bought it because it is so quiet. My two previous compressors were both Porter Cable pancake compressors and they both crapped out after about a year. And they were so loud that you couldn't hold a conversation with somebody if you were in the same room as the compressor. The porter cables cost a little over $100 a piece and I got the CAT compressor for $150. It was well worth it and way cheaper when you tally up all the numbers. Of course, being an oilless compressor, it to will one day crap out. And I will definitely be getting another one from California Air Tools.
I have the California Air Tools 8010A Ultra Quiet for a pressure pot, but I'm curious what else I can use it for. I presume an airbrush for miniature painting should be fine, but I don't know if I can dip into power tools. (8.0 Gallon Aluminum Air Tank)
Hi Karen, you can compare the CFM and PSI ratings of your compressor with the requirements of a pneumatic tool that you are interested in to see if it might work. Air brush should be fine, but a large spray gun or pneumatic sander probably wouldn't. Worth checking the specs, though. Cheers, Paul
I liked it when it ran, the r.eed valves or whatever inside that keeps it building pressure is shot. Not worth fixing, but it was really nice and quiet. Too bad they build shit so cheap. Going back to my heavy Rolair
Great review. I have the 8 gallon of this and after my extensive testing of different similar compressors I concluded this is the quietest thing ever. My only complaint is that I wish it was 10-30psi higher. Do you know if I can adjust the max psi on this or would that be dangerous?
I have a 1502C. It is junk. I wanted it to work, so kept fixing it again and again and again. Everything has failed on it. It is just a waste of time and money. The copper line leaked. The electrical switch failed twice. The output pressure regulator failed twice. The check valve failed many times. The motor starter cap blew twice. Really, I spent more time fixing it than it ran. It is just unreasonable to market and endorse junk. Signed: Bitter
Whats a good reccomendation for size of air hose for this particular compressor, 1/4 or 3/8 better or dont matter too much. I would probably just go with 25 ft instead of 50 ft. Thanks
Poor weld seams, bad customer service, and buying a product and not basically getting a decent workable product for more than 2 months would not work for me.
Hello, how are you? My compressor turns on it works but when the tank is emptied it does not start again, what will happen to it, I started a solution recently, thank you
My woodshop is my basement. I live in an end unit townhouse, so there's a neighbor just the other side of one wall. My current compressor (a Hitachi) is as loud as a lawn mower, so I ordered a small California compressor off Amazon this week. Hopefully it'll be quiet enough that I can stop annoying the neighbor next door. 😏
@@ToolMetrix Wow, it came today, just in time. Using a sound meter on my phone, don't know how accurate it is scientifically, but for comparison's sake, the California model only registered about 50 db, and my old Hitachi registered 70 db. When I first fired it up, I thought "is that really pumping now?" because it made so little sound. When I said something to the dog, our conversation actually registered higher than the air compressor did. I liked my Hitachi - it was a workhorse - my only complaint was noise when using it inside the house. I primarily got the California for using a trim nailer so it doesn't have to be that powerful. Now, if only somebody could come up with a table saw that only generated 50 db 😀
Hi Cindy, yes, there is a filter that should be cleaned periodically, and replaced if it gets too bad. Maintenance for this unit is covered on p. 12 of the user manual: www.californiaairtools.com/app/download/7120572020/California+Air+Tools++5510A++Owner%27s+Manual+2-16.pdf
Hey Brother I have a question?? About buying this just to fill out tires once in the while ? Can I storage the air compressor if still fill with air or just drain it out the air ? Thank you in advance if you can answer me. And if you recommend any other options for me 🙏
Hi Marco, this unit would be great for that application. It has an aluminum tank so it won't rust if you forget to drain the water out, but I would still recommend draining it otherwise the drain will get plugged up and you'll have to replace it. It's an easy repair, but not as easy as draining the tank after you use it.
@@ToolMetrix thank you very much for such a fast response my friend, and I really appreciate it. Now I have more confidence in this item , be good God bless 🙌
Great Review. Knowing what you know now. Would you recommend me getting my pressure switch somewhere else?. Although I'm having trouble getting a replacement. My compressor is the model 8010 s/n 8010-356b. They have one in Amazon but rated for 220 v and mine it's 120 v. Thank you
Thanks. If California tools can’t provide it, then I’d take whatever you can get. I think all of their parts are pretty common so you should be able to get something that would work.
Brand: YOKATA YOKATA Mechanical Pressure Switch, FBANG-Four Holes Control Valve G1/4 inches 75~120psi 220V Automatic Pressure Switch for Air Compressor Just ordered this one! I will give you an update on how it works after the installation and a quick review if it was worth buying it. Thanks Again!
I just ordered one, my porter cable is just too loud, It never leaked and works just fine but the noise in doors is way to high. It is totally unacceptable to be without a compresser for 2 months. So basically you have to buy another compressor untill they fix the problem-totally unacceptable, i wish i saw this before i ordered one.
@@alexstrings I received it about 2 weeks ago, it is so quiet that i had to actually go over near it to make sure it was working. When i use it the compressor comes on very soon after use, maybe too soon, but it works just fine. I would give it a highly recommended.
Hi Charles, Yep, Steel is more durable to pressure but not to water. They offer aluminum, but only on small compressors. Anything larger than this one is only available in steel. Cheers, Paul
You'll love it. Mine sounds about the same as a loud refrigerator and if I mistakenly leave it on overnight, it's no big deal if it cycles on. As opposed to the loud Craftsman/Porter Cable types that have you up and out of bed, scrambling to shut the damn thing off before it wakes the entire neighborhood
@@seanmcaleavy2369 I borrowed craftsman air compressor and my wife was standing next to me talking on the phone with her friend. Her friend hang up on her. 10 seconds after I turned it on. I finally found a way to keep her from this activity.
"It sprung a leak on the weld"? How good is the welding? I just watched a video where a steel tank, admittedly old and poorly maintained, exploded catastrophically in a garage. The owner was lucky he wasn't there. Pretty much destroyed his garage door, plus other serious damage. I'm not a tool guy per se, but this kind of freaked me out. Do you replace your tanks after a few years (provided the weld isn't bad in the first place!), or do you just keep using them, hoping good maintenance practices will suffice? Have you ever considered the wisdom of enclosing your tanks in a shielded area? I mean, is it something you worry about? I am asking because this is not my area of expertise. Thank you.
That does happen from time to time, and it's a sign that the weld was never good to begin with. I totally understand your concern. It's a violent situation when one does explode. The exploding tank bit can happen, but it's extremely rare. No, I've never replaced a tank. An exploding tank is probably the result of a shut-off switch that stops working, and/or a tank that weakens due to corrosion. If you want to play it safe, you could replace the tank ever ten years or so. If you drain it regularly, you should be able to minimize the corrosion problem. If you don't drain it regularly, it will not only rust over time, but your drain valve will get all buggered up and you'll have to replace that. That's an easy and cheap repair, but better to drain it regularly. The aluminum tank on this unit isn't going to corrode like the steel ones, but I don't think you can get an aluminum tank on bigger compressors, at least not in the California Air Tool line. Building an enclosure around the compressor probably isn't a bad idea, but no, I haven't considered doing it. If you do that, you could include some sound dampening material and make it even quieter. I actually did have my compressor sitting in a shed in the back yard in my first shop, and ran a PVC pipe under ground to the shop to run the hose. I wired a switch in my shop so that I could turn it on and off from there, and it worked great. But I did that to save space in my tiny shop, and to move the noise out of the house. The safety shield benefit was something that I never thought of until now, 20 years later. Cheers, Paul
I have an 8010, and I like it quite a bit. It replaced a Porter Cable pancake for use on my laser which is in my office. The noise difference is significant. I can comfortably run it in the house, even at night when the kids are sleeping. The dog ran from the old compressor, but just looks at this one. On their site, they have a video comparing it to the old compressor I used to have. The video accurately depicts the noise difference. The handle is a bit low. When I move it, it is awkward. A taller handle would fix that. I've had it for a little over a year now. The last time I used it, it sounded like the pressure switch had a leak. I'll have to check that out soon. I've used it for the air assist on my laser, filling tires, driving a stapler, and blowing off equipment. Nothing that extreme. I got the 8 gallon tank since the laser uses a lot of air in air assist mode, and I didn't want the compressor to constantly cycle. I also have the compressor set higher than the recommended 30 PSI for the air assist. I usually have it around 40 to 50 depending on the material, as I found it does a much better job. I only turn it down for delicate paper.
Thanks, Chip. Great info. I agree on the handle. If I was to move it around more I would probably notice that more. Please let me know if it has developed a leak. I just hate that on compressors and I'm hoping that this one is less prone to it.
Sorry to confuse you. I should have explained this in the video. It’s a special type of air filter that is referred to as a muffler or silencer. Here’s an example. amzn.to/3SkI5Fs
Sorry but customer service is the heart and soul of any modern warranty and paid shipping or not that’s a hassle combined with the loss of the paper work/compressor. Not the first I’ve heard about with CAT. They may have been the first recognized, well received, quieter, and portable air compressor but it’s been awhile now. Even Harbor Freight has a version WITH better welds in regards to your initial issues. I have the Husky brand version that’s equally as quiet, addresses certain issues of the one it’s copied, and whatever issues I do run into is no further than a drive to the nearest HD to resolve same day. The Husky also has a higher extending handle and double the capacity for the same money. I don’t get the die hard original CAT fans.
This might sound arrogant, please forgive, that it's not intentional. As a contractor, I own a lot of tools. I generally do not own tools but I cannot fix on site. My customers do not give a crap about my tool problems. Last thing they want to hear is me telling them but I can't finish a job when I said I was going to finish your job because of a tool not working. I have had an occasion to take apart a compressor and replace a reed with hobbled together parts in order to finish a job without messing up my customers schedule. On a scale of 1 to 10, how repairable is this compressor. Is the motor riveted together? Is the compressor riveted. Are parts even available for the compressor? I recently lost my compressor in a fire I need to replace it. Unfortunately, the model that I had is no longer available so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Joseph, that is a great question, and not arrogant at all! I just took a look at the compressor, and my assessment is that it actually does look to be fairly field-serviceable. I don't see any rivets; all standard Philips head screws. I don't know about the availability of parts from California Air, but if you can find parts, I believe that you could do a lot of your own repair work on this unit with standard tools.
A refrigerator engine. lol are you sure you would know how to understand the answer if one was given? Yes a typical refrigeration compressor is significantly quieter. It's also significantly lower flow to the point where it would be a very specialized application where you would use one instead. Frankly you'd be better off just putting this in the next room and using a longer hose if it's some very noise sensitive application.
I have the one gallon compressor.i generally use 23 gauge pin nailer and 18 gauge brad nailer and it works great.i use my husky 30 gallon tank to blow out the sawdust on the shop floor.i don’t know why some people complain and think that thier one or two gallon tank should blow the floor out or run an angle grinder.crazy people
you are one patient guy with all those returns, you are certainly more commendable than they are.
Yep I agree. If I hadn’t had another working compressor it would have been a different situation. 😉
Great review! I was thinking of purchasing their 10 gallon model with an aluminum tank but read some negative reviews on Lowe’s website about service issues from the mfg. Although you ultimately got satisfaction, in the past four years since you posted the review service among companies in general, IMO, has plummeted so I will continue my search for another brand. If I were to purchase it and have an issue such as you did and get the same run-around, I would be pretty upset with myself for not heeding the warning signs. Thanks again!
Sounds like a wise approach 👍
I have a Porter Cable, a Kobalt and a DeWalt that all run and run and never build pressure.
They all look brand new. I regret getting rid of my Sears that worked trouble free for twenty five years.
That compressor didn't have the new fangled reed valves like the new ones.
Wow, that’s awful. I’ve had a couple Pc pancakes that died way too young. I also had a craftsman that lasted 20+ years and worked good as new when I got rid of it.
Probably all "oilless" compressors. I had a powermate that lasted 6 months and a another brand that lasted a year. From then on I only bought ones that required oil and the pump/motors now outlast the usefull life of the tanks.
I have that same compressor and absolutely love it!! As you stated, it is very quiet. My use is also primarily for shooting nails, filling tires and blowing dust. If I had a complaint it would be with the off/on switch. It just seems ill-placed not very functional. It gets the job done once you are familiar with it but I think a different type (maybe a light switch format) would work better. Still 5/5 stars.
Thanks for the comment, Bob. Great point about the switch. It definitely took some getting used to.
Hi, Do you by any chance tried inflating high pressure road bike tires with max load rating of 120 psi? Normally, road bike tires aren't loaded at to the max load but @100psi. If yes, how long does it?@@ToolMetrix
Sorry, no, I don’t have that type of tire to test
@@marcb1278 Hey, Marc, I know this is 3 years old, buuuut. A 2CFM compressor like this one will take about 1-2 minutes to fill most road bike tires. That 2 CFM rating is for 90 PSI, and it drops quickly as it gets up to 100-120 I believe 0.6 CFM at 110. This might not help you now, Marc but maybe some one else has the same question :)
Thank you for the review . Good video. I’m in the market for a new compressor and this helps. Thanks
Thanks for the feedback, C! Cheers, Paul
Appreciate the honest review. 👍🏽🙂
Thanks for the feedback! Cheers, Paul
Their customer service really sucks bad... I would search other providers for an aluminum tank. Good review, thanks. I bought only their tank, and all the fittings leaked, as others have stated too.
Thanks for the advice, Tom. Cheers, Paul
It's important to remember that, the decibel scale is a logarithmic scale. So, if one compressor is 70 db and the second is 80 db, then that 80 db compressor is 10x's louder than the 70 db compressor.
👍
It may be 10 times higher sound energy, but hearing is also not linear. An increase of 10 dB equates to about a doubling of perceived loudness to the human ear.
wow had similar issues with the customer service. they MUST get that fixed if they want to maintain current customers.
Great to know that I’m not the only one. Thanks Eric!
What do you mean by this? I'm seeing some of these comments in some California air tool videos. So far I'm hesitant to buy this.
Thanks for this video!!! I have been chasing my tail with trying to fix my California compressor. I have called customer service 5 different times with no one answering the phone or returning my messages. Ive considered giving up and buying a different brand, but i like the power and how quiet it is… so I am trying to repair it. I have little mechanical experience and would love some guidance.
Sorry to hear about your experience with them. Hope you can get it fixed.
How is the air regulator adjusted for air tool use? I have a Campbell hausfeld loud hot dog where turning completely left regulator goes to 0 psi. Turning right and I can set it to the appropriate psi.
Hi Oscar, this one adjusts the same as yours. Counter clockwise to shut it down to zero, and clockwise to open to desired setting.
Thanks for the info.
You bet. Thanks for the feedback, Bruce. Cheers, Paul
I bought 2-One gal. CATs @ $87.00 each. Also a Kobalt 8 ga.tank @ $49.00. Total $223.00.
The 8gal. is on Amazon for $279.00. =)
How do you like the kobalt?
@@ToolMetrix It's just an overflow tank attached to the CAT...It works fine. =)
Ah...gotcha. Thanks.
Aluminum doesn’t have fatigue limits which means not suitable for air tank! It should be heaver than steel because they need to be thicker.
Thanks for this information. That's probably why they only use it on the smaller ones. So far no problems.
Can two of these be run simultaneously into a common hose? Do I just need check valves between them? They don't seem to like to start if there's any back pressure they have to work against.
Great question. Sorry but I don’t know the answer.
I do a lot of ATV and motorcycle tubeless tires and I need a fast blast of air to seal the bead, will this work?
i haven’t tried it but I think it would since the tank can handle a high pressure and high velocity air flow. Should be fine for that application.
Have you had any problems with the piston rings failing?
Not so far.
I just purchased one...Had a Craftsman and the noise was deafening....
Great! Have you gotten it and set it up yet? If so, what do you think?
yes, you missed the price.
how much?
$200. You can find a link in the description.
@@ToolMetrix : that's a fair price in comparison.
I think it’s pretty fair for the quality.
Is this compressor that quiet, or did this guy just not actually turn it on?
I ran it and measured sound output in my unboxing video ua-cam.com/video/_dNojIt-xt4/v-deo.html . Right around the 5 minute mark.
All air compressors should be silent by default!
Just so happens I am making one.
I’d love to review it when you are ready for market.
@@ToolMetrix YES!!! UA-cam works! So I send you a prototype/you come try it when things are just before launch? then I could get some valuable feedback that could be used for last improvements before people get their hands on it. Btw. perhaps you would like to take a look at it before a finished prototype as well? I could need some feedback
Yep, I'd like to explore this with you. Let me know how to reach you. Or send me a note via my web site or ToolMetrix FB page.
@@ToolMetrix Thank you! will do soon. I will show you the initial drawings. Could you help me out first? I want to hear what your pain points on current compressors are. Aything. tiny problems, big problems, whatever. Then please describe some features or solutions you would like?
I had 4 of these in various sizes. I will not purchase anymore. Customer service becomes very important in an industrial application and these guy's at California air tools are horrible. I'll buy ear protection before I buy another of these. The more you have the more they break and the harder it is to get warranty or even parts from these bums. last time for me, and no more Huskie either for the same reason.
Thanks for sharing your experience here.
I purchased a 2 hp model. Less than 10 hours on it and it broke a reed valve. Thinnest valves I've ever seen. Wouldn't recommend any of their overpriced crap.
Ugh! That sucks. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Paul
There is absolutely no reason you cant leave it under pressure all the time.
Almost all compressor have a anti blow back valve or chk valve air can only go into the tank from the pistons it cannot go from the tank to the pistons, the tank is also aluminum it will never rust, that dosnt mean you dont need to drain of the water you should, but if you forget it's not a big deal.
I have used that model it's great. A buddie of mine has 2 or 3 versions of it.
All in differnt sizes. He does gravity feed paint with his only hes using a larger model.
I have a broken 3-4 year old porter cable I cant buy a rebuild kit for the regulator for
I might just skip it and buy one of those.
Like you I dont plan on painting with it I have a pain sprayer machine.
Hi Bobbg, thanks for sharing your insights on this. Cheers, Paul
I have the Cal Air 2hp 4620AC. At 40psi it'll do 6.4 CFM. I use it to spray General Finishes water based poly. I get excellent results. One of my better purchases.
Good to know. I'd like to be able to spray.
I'm surprised it's not enough for air tools like impact guns.
Gotta watch those tool requirements closely
Nice, I just received my 8 gallon steel tank air compressor from the same company. I was hoping they had the aluminum model but they didn't have one. I purchased from Amazon and will set it up tonight after I tear down the old noisy pancake model. I offered the old pancake model to several folks and they do NOT want it b/c of the noise it emits. I'm looking forward to using the California Air compressor. Thanks again for the review. I viewed this video a year ago and enjoyed it for another viewing. Have a fine week. 👍🏽🙂
Thanks for sharing your feedback. Best of luck with your new compressor. Cheers
70dB in a garage, measured at 18 inches from the source is not too bad. The noise ratings for many things are likely made at 1 meter in a "sound proof" room. The garage you are in may add up to 5 decibels in sound energy reflected off of the hard floor or work table and other reflective surfaces.
Yep, it’s pretty loud in my shop. Cement floor, Sheetrock walls and ceiling. It’s lively. Your estimate of 5 dbs is probably in the ballpark.
Great review... How does it compare to the Central Pneumatic 4 gal- 2hp at Harbor Freight.
Thanks. I’m not familiar with the HF unit.
Thanks for the review, Paul. A quiet compressor is on my one day some day list. I probably wouldn't be too upset about their customer service, but I might not be as forgiving as you 😎
I’m not usually so patient but I hung onto my old one while getting this sorted out so I never had any downtime. That would have been a different story entirely. 😤
I have two California Air tools compressors. 1. They are quiet. 2. Yes, the customer service is truly that bad. No one answers the phone, and they don't call back when you leave a voicemail. Email is a better bet, but they are less than helpful when your unit is out of warranty. They ignore questions about the thread sizes on fittings, at best trying to force you into buying (overpriced) parts from them.
Ugh. That’s awful.
Hi @ToolMetrix 👋
I had a question, (it doesn’t entirely have to do with the tool in the video) for a paint spray gun (gravity feed) would a compressor (Bostitch 6 gal) that gives out 2.6cfm be good enough paired with a paint gun (Kobalt) that requires 2.9cfm? Or should I opt for a stronger compressor? Thanks! Sorry I know this question doesn’t have to do with California Air Tools
Sorry I’m not sure. Seems like it might struggle. Spraying is finicky.
I've got that same model and it is over three years old. and still runs as nicely as it did when it was brand new. I bought it because it is so quiet. My two previous compressors were both Porter Cable pancake compressors and they both crapped out after about a year. And they were so loud that you couldn't hold a conversation with somebody if you were in the same room as the compressor. The porter cables cost a little over $100 a piece and I got the CAT compressor for $150. It was well worth it and way cheaper when you tally up all the numbers. Of course, being an oilless compressor, it to will one day crap out. And I will definitely be getting another one from California Air Tools.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Sean. Sounds like we took a very similar path to CAT, and had the same outcome. Cheers, Paul
Very nice to hear this! :-)
I have the California Air Tools 8010A Ultra Quiet for a pressure pot, but I'm curious what else I can use it for. I presume an airbrush for miniature painting should be fine, but I don't know if I can dip into power tools. (8.0 Gallon Aluminum Air Tank)
Hi Karen, you can compare the CFM and PSI ratings of your compressor with the requirements of a pneumatic tool that you are interested in to see if it might work. Air brush should be fine, but a large spray gun or pneumatic sander probably wouldn't. Worth checking the specs, though. Cheers, Paul
I liked it when it ran, the r.eed valves or whatever inside that keeps it building pressure is shot. Not worth fixing, but it was really nice and quiet. Too bad they build shit so cheap. Going back to my heavy Rolair
Good feedback
Great review. I have the 8 gallon of this and after my extensive testing of different similar compressors I concluded this is the quietest thing ever. My only complaint is that I wish it was 10-30psi higher. Do you know if I can adjust the max psi on this or would that be dangerous?
Sorry I am not sure. Have to contact the manufacturer.
I have a 1502C. It is junk. I wanted it to work, so kept fixing it again and again and again. Everything has failed on it. It is just a waste of time and money. The copper line leaked. The electrical switch failed twice. The output pressure regulator failed twice. The check valve failed many times. The motor starter cap blew twice. Really, I spent more time fixing it than it ran. It is just unreasonable to market and endorse junk.
Signed: Bitter
Yikes! I’d be bitter too. Thanks for sharing your experience
Whats a good reccomendation for size of air hose for this particular compressor, 1/4 or 3/8 better or dont matter too much. I would probably just go with 25 ft instead of 50 ft. Thanks
Hi Justin, I'd say that for a compressor this size a 1/4" hose would be fine. I use 3/8" hose because I used to have a bigger compressor.
Poor weld seams, bad customer service, and buying a product and not basically getting a decent workable product for more than 2 months would not work for me.
Yeah, that's why I shared all the gory details. That way people can make a purchase decision eyes wide open.
Great job discussing this model. Thanks!
Thanks 🙏
Hello, how are you? My compressor turns on it works but when the tank is emptied it does not start again, what will happen to it, I started a solution recently, thank you
Interesting. I’m not sure what the problem might be.
How can we fix this ,out of nowhere when turning it off it stared blowing air thru the size and got hot .any help would really appreciate thank you
I’d suggest calling the manufacturer. That doesn’t sound good at all.
Just got mine and it is super quiet. Nice review
Thanks 🙏
I got one of these things, and it only runs continuously for 10mins... and then I cant use it for another day or two
Ugh! Hopefully California air can help you get it working properly.
My woodshop is my basement. I live in an end unit townhouse, so there's a neighbor just the other side of one wall. My current compressor (a Hitachi) is as loud as a lawn mower, so I ordered a small California compressor off Amazon this week. Hopefully it'll be quiet enough that I can stop annoying the neighbor next door. 😏
I think it will help a lot. Let me know how it goes.
@@ToolMetrix Wow, it came today, just in time. Using a sound meter on my phone, don't know how accurate it is scientifically, but for comparison's sake, the California model only registered about 50 db, and my old Hitachi registered 70 db. When I first fired it up, I thought "is that really pumping now?" because it made so little sound. When I said something to the dog, our conversation actually registered higher than the air compressor did. I liked my Hitachi - it was a workhorse - my only complaint was noise when using it inside the house. I primarily got the California for using a trim nailer so it doesn't have to be that powerful. Now, if only somebody could come up with a table saw that only generated 50 db 😀
That’s awesome! Put a 7.25” circular saw blade on your table saw. Sound reduction is dramatic.
How do you service it? Is there a filter or something that should be serviced?
Hi Cindy, yes, there is a filter that should be cleaned periodically, and replaced if it gets too bad. Maintenance for this unit is covered on p. 12 of the user manual: www.californiaairtools.com/app/download/7120572020/California+Air+Tools++5510A++Owner%27s+Manual+2-16.pdf
Hey Brother I have a question??
About buying this just to fill out tires once in the while ? Can I storage the air compressor if still fill with air or just drain it out the air ? Thank you in advance if you can answer me. And if you recommend any other options for me 🙏
Hi Marco, this unit would be great for that application. It has an aluminum tank so it won't rust if you forget to drain the water out, but I would still recommend draining it otherwise the drain will get plugged up and you'll have to replace it. It's an easy repair, but not as easy as draining the tank after you use it.
@@ToolMetrix thank you very much for such a fast response my friend, and I really appreciate it. Now I have more confidence in this item , be good God bless 🙌
My pleasure sir 👍
I’ve never owned a compressor, does it have a vacuum like feature?
Hi Brayan, thanks for your question. No it doesn’t have that, and I haven’t come across a compressor that does.
Would a LPLV gun work well with this compressor?
I don’t think so.
Great Review. Knowing what you know now. Would you recommend me getting my pressure switch somewhere else?. Although I'm having trouble getting a replacement. My compressor is the model 8010 s/n 8010-356b. They have one in Amazon but rated for 220 v and mine it's 120 v. Thank you
Thanks. If California tools can’t provide it, then I’d take whatever you can get. I think all of their parts are pretty common so you should be able to get something that would work.
@@ToolMetrix wow thank you so much for your quick replied . I'll do that 👍
Brand: YOKATA
YOKATA Mechanical Pressure Switch, FBANG-Four Holes Control Valve G1/4 inches 75~120psi 220V Automatic Pressure Switch for Air Compressor
Just ordered this one! I will give you an update on how it works after the installation and a quick review if it was worth buying it. Thanks Again!
Thanks 🙏
I just ordered one, my porter cable is just too loud, It never leaked and works just fine but the noise in doors is way to high. It is totally unacceptable to be without a compresser for 2 months. So basically you have to buy another compressor untill they fix the problem-totally unacceptable, i wish i saw this before i ordered one.
Thanks Mark. It was frustrating. Pretty good product though.
How is it? Have you receive it? Tell us your experience
@@alexstrings I received it about 2 weeks ago, it is so quiet that i had to actually go over near it to make sure it was working. When i use it the compressor comes on very soon after use, maybe too soon, but it works just fine. I would give it a highly recommended.
I’d rather have a steel tank over aluminum. More durable.
Hi Charles, Yep, Steel is more durable to pressure but not to water. They offer aluminum, but only on small compressors. Anything larger than this one is only available in steel. Cheers, Paul
They have an 8gal Aluminum one! @ Lowe's online
Does the compressor "turn off" so it's not running when the tank is full?
Yes it does.
Just returned mine, leaked 30+ PSI in 10 hours. Fit and finish was nice, unit is light weight if you buy aluminum.
Thanks for sharing your experience here. Cheers, Paul
So far, seen two different Internet videos complaining about major unchecked defects from "brand new" California Air Compressors.
Thanks
Seems like their logistics need to be improved on. Have you tried Fiac compressors?
Yep, I agree about their logistics. Hopefully they have made progress since my experience. I’m not familiar with Fiac. What are they known for?
ToolMetrix they make really nice air compressors. Very quiet.
Great to know. Thanks 🙏
Great review! Awesome video 👍I'm so glad I got mine.
Thanks for the feedback!
I am getting one from Lowes. Craftsman Air compressor gives me PTSD.
You'll love it. Mine sounds about the same as a loud refrigerator and if I mistakenly leave it on overnight, it's no big deal if it cycles on. As opposed to the loud Craftsman/Porter Cable types that have you up and out of bed, scrambling to shut the damn thing off before it wakes the entire neighborhood
@@seanmcaleavy2369 I borrowed craftsman air compressor and my wife was standing next to me talking on the phone with her friend. Her friend hang up on her. 10 seconds after I turned it on. I finally found a way to keep her from this activity.
@@glenvillanueva6950 Hahaha
I know exactly what you mean! I had a loud compressor for years, and it would always cycle on at the wrong time and scare the hell out of me.
FYI that's not a muffler, its an air filter (intake), one of the first items in the manual.
Yes it is an air filter but it quiets the compressor by quite a bit.
Would this be a good compressor for cleaning refrigerator coils?
Not sure but probably
Thanks for sharing, thumbs up!
My pleasure, Jason. Thank you for your feedback. Cheers, Paul
I ordered mine for upholstery I'm excited for real
I just got it man when I get home I'm a set it up
Awesome. Let me know what you think!
@@ToolMetrix it's hella quiet your review was great
Would this last on a dusty environment? Is there an Air Filter to protect those oil free pistons from debris?
It has an air filter. So far no problems in my dusty woodshop.
its made in China, right?
Yep
"It sprung a leak on the weld"? How good is the welding? I just watched a video where a steel tank, admittedly old and poorly maintained, exploded catastrophically in a garage. The owner was lucky he wasn't there. Pretty much destroyed his garage door, plus other serious damage. I'm not a tool guy per se, but this kind of freaked me out. Do you replace your tanks after a few years (provided the weld isn't bad in the first place!), or do you just keep using them, hoping good maintenance practices will suffice? Have you ever considered the wisdom of enclosing your tanks in a shielded area? I mean, is it something you worry about? I am asking because this is not my area of expertise. Thank you.
That does happen from time to time, and it's a sign that the weld was never good to begin with. I totally understand your concern. It's a violent situation when one does explode. The exploding tank bit can happen, but it's extremely rare. No, I've never replaced a tank. An exploding tank is probably the result of a shut-off switch that stops working, and/or a tank that weakens due to corrosion. If you want to play it safe, you could replace the tank ever ten years or so. If you drain it regularly, you should be able to minimize the corrosion problem. If you don't drain it regularly, it will not only rust over time, but your drain valve will get all buggered up and you'll have to replace that. That's an easy and cheap repair, but better to drain it regularly. The aluminum tank on this unit isn't going to corrode like the steel ones, but I don't think you can get an aluminum tank on bigger compressors, at least not in the California Air Tool line. Building an enclosure around the compressor probably isn't a bad idea, but no, I haven't considered doing it. If you do that, you could include some sound dampening material and make it even quieter. I actually did have my compressor sitting in a shed in the back yard in my first shop, and ran a PVC pipe under ground to the shop to run the hose. I wired a switch in my shop so that I could turn it on and off from there, and it worked great. But I did that to save space in my tiny shop, and to move the noise out of the house. The safety shield benefit was something that I never thought of until now, 20 years later.
Cheers, Paul
@@ToolMetrix Thanks very much.
I have an 8010, and I like it quite a bit. It replaced a Porter Cable pancake for use on my laser which is in my office. The noise difference is significant. I can comfortably run it in the house, even at night when the kids are sleeping. The dog ran from the old compressor, but just looks at this one. On their site, they have a video comparing it to the old compressor I used to have. The video accurately depicts the noise difference.
The handle is a bit low. When I move it, it is awkward. A taller handle would fix that. I've had it for a little over a year now. The last time I used it, it sounded like the pressure switch had a leak. I'll have to check that out soon. I've used it for the air assist on my laser, filling tires, driving a stapler, and blowing off equipment. Nothing that extreme. I got the 8 gallon tank since the laser uses a lot of air in air assist mode, and I didn't want the compressor to constantly cycle. I also have the compressor set higher than the recommended 30 PSI for the air assist. I usually have it around 40 to 50 depending on the material, as I found it does a much better job. I only turn it down for delicate paper.
Thanks, Chip. Great info. I agree on the handle. If I was to move it around more I would probably notice that more. Please let me know if it has developed a leak. I just hate that on compressors and I'm hoping that this one is less prone to it.
What you call the muffler is the air filter for intake air. Like the air filter on top of your carberater or throttle body.
Thx
Thank you! That confused me.
Sorry to confuse you. I should have explained this in the video. It’s a special type of air filter that is referred to as a muffler or silencer. Here’s an example. amzn.to/3SkI5Fs
@@ToolMetrix thanks!
You bet 👍
Sorry but customer service is the heart and soul of any modern warranty and paid shipping or not that’s a hassle combined with the loss of the paper work/compressor. Not the first I’ve heard about with CAT. They may have been the first recognized, well received, quieter, and portable air compressor but it’s been awhile now. Even Harbor Freight has a version WITH better welds in regards to your initial issues. I have the Husky brand version that’s equally as quiet, addresses certain issues of the one it’s copied, and whatever issues I do run into is no further than a drive to the nearest HD to resolve same day. The Husky also has a higher extending handle and double the capacity for the same money. I don’t get the die hard original CAT fans.
Great point.
This might sound arrogant, please forgive, that it's not intentional. As a contractor, I own a lot of tools. I generally do not own tools but I cannot fix on site. My customers do not give a crap about my tool problems. Last thing they want to hear is me telling them but I can't finish a job when I said I was going to finish your job because of a tool not working. I have had an occasion to take apart a compressor and replace a reed with hobbled together parts in order to finish a job without messing up my customers schedule. On a scale of 1 to 10, how repairable is this compressor. Is the motor riveted together? Is the compressor riveted. Are parts even available for the compressor? I recently lost my compressor in a fire I need to replace it. Unfortunately, the model that I had is no longer available so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Joseph, that is a great question, and not arrogant at all! I just took a look at the compressor, and my assessment is that it actually does look to be fairly field-serviceable. I don't see any rivets; all standard Philips head screws. I don't know about the availability of parts from California Air, but if you can find parts, I believe that you could do a lot of your own repair work on this unit with standard tools.
LOL you did the whole video and never turned on the compressor.
Yep did that in the unboxing video
You NEVER turned it on
I ran it in the unboxing video at the 5 minute mark. ua-cam.com/video/_dNojIt-xt4/v-deo.html
He turned it on in his unboxing video dummy. 😆
Since your review back in March 2019, have you had any mechanical/electrical issues with the CAT compressor?
Hi Steve, Nope. It's been great. Really nice tool.
talked too much
Thanks for your feedback, gustavo.
@@ToolMetrix never heard the sound of the compressor
I ran it in the unboxing video at the 5 minute mark. ua-cam.com/video/_dNojIt-xt4/v-deo.html
Can you use a refrigerator engine would it run quieter
Hi Wyatt, I'm not sure.
A refrigerator engine. lol are you sure you would know how to understand the answer if one was given? Yes a typical refrigeration compressor is significantly quieter. It's also significantly lower flow to the point where it would be a very specialized application where you would use one instead. Frankly you'd be better off just putting this in the next room and using a longer hose if it's some very noise sensitive application.
Too bad it’s called California.
Who doesn't love California! Dude!!!
Yeah, you would need ear protection if it was called Texas 😆
🤣🤣🤣
I have the one gallon compressor.i generally use 23 gauge pin nailer and 18 gauge brad nailer and it works great.i use my husky 30 gallon tank to blow out the sawdust on the shop floor.i don’t know why some people complain and think that thier one or two gallon tank should blow the floor out or run an angle grinder.crazy people
Yep there’s a lot of misperception about what these small compressors can do. I completely agree.