I respectfully disagree. Ten years ago, I would have agreed. Oilless compressors have come a long way since then. California Air Tools has proven oilless compressors can rival oiled compressors in durability, while being much quieter than oiled compressors. They're not the only company selling this newer technology oilless, they're just the first I was aware of. The twin piston DeWalt compressor shown in the video is nice. It has a lot of CFM (6.2 @ 90 psi) for a 2 hp compressor. If I needed that much CFM, I might have gone with it (or one of its clones). The compessor I went with provides enough air (5.1 CFM @ 90 psi) for the tools I regularly use, pneumatic nailers, die grinders, and a couple of small sanders. It has a smaller tank, 27 gallons. However, its rated at 200 psi, so it holds more air than the DeWalt. My compressor provides a lot more creature comforts than the DeWalt. It has two air outlets, a full roll cage protecting all sides of the motor and pump. It's regulator is mounted so it's adjustment knob and dial are easy to reach and read. It's drain valve is mounted at the front of the tank. I can easily open and close the valve with the toe of my shoe. Finally, and most important to me, it only produces 78 dba. That's still loud, but not nearly as loud as the DeWalt. In terms of durability, I burned out two oiled 10 gallon hot-dog style compressors. Each lasted about 5 years, with annual oil changes. But, they were cheap compressors. My point is NOT that oiled compressors don't last. It is that cheap compressors -- oiled or oiless -- don't last.
Thanks for the thought provoking comments. Well said. I appreciate the insights, and don't be surprised if we do another episode along the line of "Viewers Sound Off!" on this topic. I enjoy this aspect of the RUclips platform - good interactions with viewers. The best to you and yours. - DFJ
10db level change equates to being twice as loud. You measured a 10-15db difference, so the new unit is more than half as quiet. That DeWalt unit looks like a pretty nice compressor!
Great insights! We plan to do another episode covering this very topic. I'm researching it now so that I get it absolutely right and that it is an authoritative episode. Thanks for the nudge! Indeed, we think the compressor is quite nice and we plan to take good care of it. Best, DFJ
You're half right, you're referring to perceived sound or the Weber Fechner Law. Decibels are a logarithmic scale. Each Decibel is a doubling of sound. Meaning 10 dB increase is 10 times louder, 20 dB is 100 times and so on... intensity is what ruins your hearing and destroys your eardrums.
I have no idea what was used, but my guess would be oil-less, you could always tell when it cut on in the basement, especially below my bedroom LOL. The unit was my bro in laws from when they stayed with use til they bought a house and just left til til my Dad passed in 2015. Been doing without a tank since then, just using the little ones you can throw in the car for fixing flats etc.Really miss having a tank. Great explanation really appreciate it!
26 years on my Craftsman 919.165230 25 gallon oilless air compressor without a issue and use it a lot. The sound is of course louder than an oiled but dont kid yourself. Both are still loud. The oilless you compare here is missing the shroud cover which will reduce noise slightly.
If you plan to use or depend on the your air compressor 24/7 then an oiled air compressor is by far the best choice. Framers and contractors use oiled air compressors all year b/c they require something that is both rugged and will take a beating in any weather...
I think sound intensity reduction is a big plus, especially in the higher frequencies. Remember sound intensity (measured in decibels) is a logarithmic scale. Each additional dB is a doubling of sound intensity. 10 dB is 10 times the sound, 20 dB is 100 times and so on... thats why a normal conversation can be 30-60 dB and a jet aircraft (which can/will hurt you) is 120+ dB.
A great example as to why oil-less or ceramic-head compressors suck is Car-tyre inflators - they work hard and get extremely hot, they blow at the toss of a coin on any day of use.
@@DirtFarmerJay"Well built..." is key here. A good oilless machine will last equally, or even longer than oiled compressors. We have good data now from around the globe.
I'm just more comfortable with a tried and method of lubrication - and the oil acts as a coolant as well. So, the unit runs cooler. Heat is the enemy of equipment so heat reduction is good! Best, DFJ
Ill tell ya what...i bought a new kobalt oiless compressor and i cant STAND the loud ass thing... i just finished combining 2 Ingersoll 20 gallons to make me a twin cylinder OILED 1hp 40 gallon compressor.. and i like it much better lol
Is your Kobalt by chance the “Kobalt QUIET TECH 26-Gallons Portable 150 Psi Vertical Quiet Air Compressor?” Or do you have a different oiless model? I’m looking for a new air compressor.
Don’t like it. What matters is the air they can push through. By the way, where are you dumping the dirty oil. Not to your front lawn, anywhere close to your house. Say no?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We are doing to do a follow up on this episode that covers additional areas, such as air volume, SCFM and CFM, single and 2-stage and so forth. Thanks for the nudge. As for the oil, we have quite a few pieces of yard equipment that uses oil and we have a waste oil collection container all that used oil goes into. It is then taken to the waste collection station for safe collection. No dumping around here! Best, DFJ
@@DirtFarmerJayI haven't done so yet. Everything is so expensive. I'll probably repurpose the tank. I have no intention of fixing the compressor. But the next one, with be an oil sump system.
I have used an oiled for about 13 years now and have had no problems and love it
Thanks for letting us know!
I respectfully disagree. Ten years ago, I would have agreed. Oilless compressors have come a long way since then. California Air Tools has proven oilless compressors can rival oiled compressors in durability, while being much quieter than oiled compressors. They're not the only company selling this newer technology oilless, they're just the first I was aware of.
The twin piston DeWalt compressor shown in the video is nice. It has a lot of CFM (6.2 @ 90 psi) for a 2 hp compressor. If I needed that much CFM, I might have gone with it (or one of its clones). The compessor I went with provides enough air (5.1 CFM @ 90 psi) for the tools I regularly use, pneumatic nailers, die grinders, and a couple of small sanders. It has a smaller tank, 27 gallons. However, its rated at 200 psi, so it holds more air than the DeWalt. My compressor provides a lot more creature comforts than the DeWalt. It has two air outlets, a full roll cage protecting all sides of the motor and pump. It's regulator is mounted so it's adjustment knob and dial are easy to reach and read. It's drain valve is mounted at the front of the tank. I can easily open and close the valve with the toe of my shoe. Finally, and most important to me, it only produces 78 dba. That's still loud, but not nearly as loud as the DeWalt.
In terms of durability, I burned out two oiled 10 gallon hot-dog style compressors. Each lasted about 5 years, with annual oil changes. But, they were cheap compressors. My point is NOT that oiled compressors don't last. It is that cheap compressors -- oiled or oiless -- don't last.
Thanks for the thought provoking comments. Well said. I appreciate the insights, and don't be surprised if we do another episode along the line of "Viewers Sound Off!" on this topic. I enjoy this aspect of the RUclips platform - good interactions with viewers. The best to you and yours. - DFJ
I have oil compressors that I have owned for over 30 years. Still going strong. If you're doing any kind of serious work get an oiled unit.
Thanks for weighing in. I share your opinion. Best, DFJ
10db level change equates to being twice as loud. You measured a 10-15db difference, so the new unit is more than half as quiet. That DeWalt unit looks like a pretty nice compressor!
Great insights! We plan to do another episode covering this very topic. I'm researching it now so that I get it absolutely right and that it is an authoritative episode. Thanks for the nudge! Indeed, we think the compressor is quite nice and we plan to take good care of it. Best, DFJ
You're half right, you're referring to perceived sound or the Weber Fechner Law. Decibels are a logarithmic scale. Each Decibel is a doubling of sound. Meaning 10 dB increase is 10 times louder, 20 dB is 100 times and so on... intensity is what ruins your hearing and destroys your eardrums.
I have no idea what was used, but my guess would be oil-less, you could always tell when it cut on in the basement, especially below my bedroom LOL. The unit was my bro in laws from when they stayed with use til they bought a house and just left til til my Dad passed in 2015. Been doing without a tank since then, just using the little ones you can throw in the car for fixing flats etc.Really miss having a tank. Great explanation really appreciate it!
26 years on my Craftsman 919.165230 25 gallon oilless air compressor without a issue and use it a lot. The sound is of course louder than an oiled but dont kid yourself. Both are still loud. The oilless you compare here is missing the shroud cover which will reduce noise slightly.
Thanks for jumping in and letting us all know of your experience. I appreciate you taking time to write. Best, DFJ
If you plan to use or depend on the your air compressor 24/7 then an oiled air compressor is by far the best choice. Framers and contractors use oiled air compressors all year b/c they require something that is both rugged and will take a beating in any weather...
Well said.
Good morning from Southeast South Dakota. I prefer oil cooled
Same here!
Thank you for covering this information, Jay. It's much appreciated. 👍👍👍
No problem 👍
Happy New Year to you, Jay, and may 2024 bring some good things to you and your family.😊 @@DirtFarmerJay
I think sound intensity reduction is a big plus, especially in the higher frequencies. Remember sound intensity (measured in decibels) is a logarithmic scale. Each additional dB is a doubling of sound intensity. 10 dB is 10 times the sound, 20 dB is 100 times and so on... thats why a normal conversation can be 30-60 dB and a jet aircraft (which can/will hurt you) is 120+ dB.
Very clear explanation - Thanks!
Thanks Jay! Very informative!
Glad it was helpful!
A great example as to why oil-less or ceramic-head compressors suck is Car-tyre inflators - they work hard and get extremely hot, they blow at the toss of a coin on any day of use.
Brand new oil cooled, wore out oil less?
Indeed. Oilless unit we had just wasn't that well built. Best, DFJ
@@DirtFarmerJay"Well built..." is key here. A good oilless machine will last equally, or even longer than oiled compressors. We have good data now from around the globe.
Btw. Oiled compressors are so much easier and better to rebuild. Just some new rings. New reeds. And your good to go
Good to know!
Oilless compressors don't last long for me I've gone back to oil compressors.
I'm just more comfortable with a tried and method of lubrication - and the oil acts as a coolant as well. So, the unit runs cooler. Heat is the enemy of equipment so heat reduction is good! Best, DFJ
Ill tell ya what...i bought a new kobalt oiless compressor and i cant STAND the loud ass thing... i just finished combining 2 Ingersoll 20 gallons to make me a twin cylinder OILED 1hp 40 gallon compressor.. and i like it much better lol
Thanks for letting us know. Wow, I'd like to see your new rig. Send me a picture at jay@dirtfarmerjay.com, will you? Best, DFJ
Is your Kobalt by chance the “Kobalt QUIET TECH 26-Gallons Portable 150 Psi Vertical Quiet Air Compressor?” Or do you have a different oiless model? I’m looking for a new air compressor.
Don’t like it. What matters is the air they can push through. By the way, where are you dumping the dirty oil. Not to your front lawn, anywhere close to your house. Say no?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We are doing to do a follow up on this episode that covers additional areas, such as air volume, SCFM and CFM, single and 2-stage and so forth. Thanks for the nudge.
As for the oil, we have quite a few pieces of yard equipment that uses oil and we have a waste oil collection container all that used oil goes into. It is then taken to the waste collection station for safe collection. No dumping around here!
Best, DFJ
You're a wise man to not dump oil on your property, Jay, and it's a recyclable resource. 👍👍👍 @@DirtFarmerJay
Oil comes out of the ground, Greta !!
I made the mistake, of buying a Harbor Freight. 21 gallons, 175 psi oil-less unit. It died in less than 2 years time. With very little use. ☹
Sorry to hear. What did you replace it with?
@@DirtFarmerJayI haven't done so yet. Everything is so expensive. I'll probably repurpose the tank. I have no intention of fixing the compressor. But the next one, with be an oil sump system.