I recently began testing Rolair’s JC10 Super Quiet 2.5 gallon oil-less air compressor, and thus far my only complaint is that its vibration-dampening feet left small smudges on my workbench surface. Seriously, that is the only thing I can complain about. A quick wipe with a damp rag and this will be the perfect compact portable air compressor.
There are a few differences between the test sample and the model shown here, such as round horizontal legs vs. square, a black regular knob vs. red, and a quick-turn drain knob vs. round knurled knob.
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What I already knew:
1. Rolair makes super-reliable air compressors.
2. The JC10 is super-quiet.
3. The JC10 is made overseas but tested in the USA before being shipped out.
What I learned:
4. The JC10 is shipped double-boxed and takes pliers (for the staples) and patience to remove from its packaging. This is in stark contrast to a compressor I accepted for review two years ago that arrived with a cracked motor housing and broken drain knob.
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5. So much metal! While still highly portable, the compressor is a little heavier than I anticipated. But, it’s still easy to carry and I’m content in knowing that Rolair didn’t cheap out on materials.
6. A brief but useful product manual. What’s that little doohickey bridging the air tank and motor? Oh, it’s a solenoid and check valve assembly. Because they are easily accessible, maintenance or service – if needed – should be easily accomplished.
7. There is a pre-start checklist and a daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly maintenance schedule chart.
8. 70% duty cycle. Maybe it’s my imagination, but I believe I once had a compressor that required long rest periods before recycling. It’s good to see that the JC10 can handle a good workout. And if it can’t, an internal protective circuit will let you know when the JC10 needs to rest.
Thus far, I’m impressed. If you’re in the market for a 2.5 gallon 1HP oil-less air compressor, make sure the Rolair JC10 is on your short list. No, it’s not as compact as other small-capacity compressors, but it’s appreciably quieter.
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Rolair makes a wide range of portable and stationary air compressors. What also surprised me is that they assemble most of their air compressors in the USA. This model is tested but not assembled in the USA, but it is still refreshing to see a company being so upfront about this. Here’s a list (PDF) of all the 132 of 141 compressors that Rolair builds in the USA. You can see their full lineup at Rolair.net.
Thank you to Rolair for providing the review sample unconditionally. Review samples are typically given away, donated, or retained for benchmark and comparison purposes.
Ross
I like compressors that have protection for the more fragile components such as the pressure switch, gauges, etc. I like the roll cage on this unit, but it seems rather silly that the air filter just sticks out the side with nothing around it.
Jerry
I agree. Orienting the intake so it is inside the roll cage is about the only improvement I can really see.
John S
Have you ever checked out the California Air Tools CAT-4610A… It is also super quiet…
http://www.amazon.com/California-Air-Tools-CAT-4610A-4-6-Gallon/dp/B00889ZYQ0
Granted, it is a teeny tiny bit bigger… But nevertheless..?
John S
Sorry to draw your attention here again, but I am debating between the two and would be curious to have anyone’s thoughts…
Stuart
That’s not something I would be able to provide insight on.
I do like the idea of the aluminum rust-proof air tank on the CAT.
John S
Thanks for the response 🙂 The aluminum option is the biggest thing holding me from the Rolair… but I will chew on it some more.
Gary
This is the king of quiet! I love it! The only thing I had a gripe about is that the gauges faced outward. I put a couple of 90’s on for a few cents and awesome!
Hang Fire
This will be a godsend in mixed lab/shop/office environments!
John F
Bought one of these a few months ago from a local dealer. Also rotated the pressure guage 90 deg. Will change out the rubber feet someday as they mark surfaces easily.
May swap the drain valve for a 1/4 turn but it’s not been leaking so far.
Having said all that, it’s still the best compressor I’ve ever owned.
An opinion on the “93.6% Made in USA” stats:
While it may be true that 93.6% of their model lineup are made at home, I feel it would be more honest to state what percentage of sales come from the USA made units. The best sellers are the small jobsite models and they are all made in China, so I would imagine that greater than 6.4% of their sales revenue comes from Chinese made compressors.
Mark L
In this category, the Senco PC1010 is worth checking out. Smaller, lighter and a claimed 100% duty cycle, for about half of the Rolair. It is a bit louder though. I’ve been using my Senco for a year and a half and I’m very happy with the little bugger.
Stuart
The Senco has a much lower tank capacity and lower power motor, and is advertised as being ideal for a range of renovation and home improvement jobs, as well as for hobbies and crafts. This Rolair is a professional-grade product with larger tank and more powerful motor.
My experience with Senco has been mixed. They sent over a compressor for testing and review a while back. The motor housing was cracked, the drainage knob was broken, and the nailers were a little cheap. The PC1010 seems to have a decent reputation, so I might check it out down the road.
John Maurer
Just wanted to comment on the JC10 I bought. Wow. Thanks.
Michael Mottarella
Does anyone Know if this JC -10 will run a framing gun nailing off shear panels. If so I’d get one in a heartbeat. That is, if i don’t have to wait for it to catch up.
Clayton
I emailed Rolair, as I was curious as well. It can run a framing gun occasionally, but shouldn’t be used for extended use.
@2.35 CFM and 0.17 CF/strike (what my nail gun uses) you could do 13.82 nails per minute, but if the motor is only 70% duty cycle you’d be more in the range of 10 nails per minute.
Clayton
I’m looking to pick up a new compressor right now and I’m in between Rolair, California Air Tools, Dewalt, and Senco. Really want quiet. The most taxing thing I’ll do with it is re-siding my house with a Makita AN611 (.07 CF/strike).
I just ran into this CAT compressor. I wonder if they’re making the compressor for Rolair, or vice versa. http://www.californiaairtools.com/ultra-quiet-oil-free-air-compressors/1-0-hp-air-compressors/cat-2510stp/
Ruslan
first day at work Jc-10 STOP when one of my helper run a skill saw in the same power line, the compressor has stopped but the little light was still on and I do not pay attention but in 5-10 seconds smoke start come out from the motor, no gfi breaker of or slow down rpm, just stop and start smoking.
I have had many big and small compressors before but this one is shocking to me.
Do any body have the same experience or I just got defected compressor?