How loud air compressors really are and suggestions on what to buy.

First off, how much do you want to spend?

A silent compressor such as a Silentaire Super Silent-20A will run you close to $500 but they are about as loud as your refrigerator if you have a normal, somewhat quiet refrigerator.

You could also look into one of the Silentaire Scorpion compressors which are fairly quiet although not near as quiet as the 20-A I mentioned above.

Another good choice, if you feel comfortable with it in an apartment, is a C02 tank.

It is absolutely silent except for the air sound coming out of the airbrush and a tank will last you several months on average.

amatthie wrote:

I also live in an appartment with no where to hide, so i'll be putting them together in the house. So if anyone could give me suggestions on a really quite air compressor, and give me a range around about how loud they really air.

If the manufacturer does not state the noise level in their product spec, don't buy it.

You don't need a "really quiet" compressure which will cost $600 or more. A super quiet compressor would be really nice if you can afford it. They usually have less than 45 dBA in noise

Most of the modern airbursh compressors by Iwata, Sparmax, or similar brands have noise level between 53-59 dBA. They are quiet enough to hold normal conversation while the compressor is running. Select a model powerful enough to provide 0.7 CFM at 40 psi or more/higher and auto-on/off switch. It will run you $200-300. Airbrush Depot and BearAir have house brand compressor that are slightly cheaper. Buy a model that comes with a moisture trap and regulator. It is nice to buy a model with air tank, but it is not necessary if the compressor is powerful enough to eliminate pulsation.

Some older design compressors from Badger and Paasche at chain store hobby shop may be more noisy. Just check the noise specification before buying.

The compressor topic was discussed many times here. Do a search on "compressor" will turn up many good tips. Good luck.

I put my compressor in a cardboard box that's lined on all 6 sides (on the inside) with eggcrate foam.  It still makes noise, but it makes about the same amount of noise (or less) as running water from your sink, the microwave, your TV, vacuum cleaner, etc.

When I have the compressor on in my living area, then I go to the bedroom, you can still hear it, but there's no way the noise would disrupt the neighbors (and I'm in an apartment).  The only problem: heat buildup in the box, which probably isn't ideal for long compressor life.

thespaniard180 wrote:

I put my compressor in a cardboard box that's lined on all 6 sides (on the inside) with eggcrate foam.  It still makes noise, but it makes about the same amount of noise (or less) as running water from your sink, the microwave, your TV, vacuum cleaner, etc. When I have the compressor on in my living area, then I go to the bedroom, you can still hear it, but there's no way the noise would disrupt the neighbors (and I'm in an apartment).  The only problem: heat buildup in the box, which probably isn't ideal for long compressor life.

These are signs of a cheap and poorly designed compressor. For about $150, you can do a lot better with the following units:

http://www.bearair.com/prodinfo.asp?number=120305

http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=ABD+TC-20

thespaniard180 wrote:

I'm done with my compressor.  I no longer need it for my 1 time paint job.  Right now, I'm using it as an air purifier for my dry box.  If it breaks, so be it; it served its purpose for me.

My recommendations are for those who keeps their compressor for years to work on painting models. I cannot afford to buy a "use once, throw away" compressor.

I also like my compressor to run like the refrigerator (in noise) in my workroom, not like running water. I can understand why you do what you did, but don't make it sound like others can follow too. Are you a brush only model builder?

keilau wrote:

thespaniard180 wrote: I'm done with my compressor.  I no longer need it for my 1 time paint job.  Right now, I'm using it as an air purifier for my dry box.  If it breaks, so be it; it served its purpose for me. My recommendations are for those who keeps their compressor for years to work on painting models. I cannot afford to buy a "use once, throw away" compressor. I also like my compressor to run like the refrigerator (in noise) in my workroom, not like running water. I can understand why you do what you did, but don't make it sound like others can follow too. Are you a brush only model builder?

I cannot afford (due to money and space constraints) to spent $150 for a one time use piece of equipment.  You're right, most others probably shouldn't follow in my footsteps given my particular situation.

I do mostly engineering builds, so painting is something I do only a few times a decade.

keilau wrote:

These are signs of a cheap and poorly designed compressor.

That is not true whatsoever keilau.

Industrial compressors are noisy and are far from being "poorly designed" in any way.

They were not made to be quiet so calling them "cheap" or "poorly designed" is absolutely false.

Now if you bought one marketed as "quiet" or "silent" and it was loud I would agree with your statment.

MikeV wrote:

keilau wrote: These are signs of a cheap and poorly designed compressor. That is not true whatsoever keilau. Industrial compressors are noisy and are far from being "poorly designed" in any way. They were not made to be quiet so calling them "cheap" or "poorly designed" is absolutely false. Now if you bought one marketed as "quiet" or "silent" and it was loud I would agree with your statment.

Mike, the compressor in question is:

thespaniard180 wrote:

This is the compressor I recently ordered: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93657 Item #: 93657-6VGA

Yes, it is marketed by Habor Freight. But I will not call it an "Industrial compressors" or "far from being "poorly designed" in any way."

I stick to my recommendation:

For use in your work area, get a compressor with noise <59 dBA. Don't buy it if the manufacturer does not spec noise level. Shop carefully.

Many better airbrush compressors can fit this bill. It will excluse most tool compressors.

keilau wrote:

MikeV wrote:  keilau wrote: These are signs of a cheap and poorly designed compressor. That is not true whatsoever keilau. Industrial compressors are noisy and are far from being "poorly designed" in any way. They were not made to be quiet so calling them "cheap" or "poorly designed" is absolutely false. Now if you bought one marketed as "quiet" or "silent" and it was loud I would agree with your statment. Mike, the compressor in question is:  thespaniard180 wrote: This is the compressor I recently ordered: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93657 Item #: 93657-6VGA Yes, it is marketed by Habor Freight. But I will not call it an "Industrial compressors" or "far from being "poorly designed" in any way." I stick to my recommendation: For use in your work area, get a compressor with noise <59 dBA. Don't buy it if the manufacturer does not spec noise level. Shop carefully. Many better airbrush compressors can fit this bill. It will excluse most tool compressors.

I stand corrected. I was going by what was said in this thread and his compressor was not mentioned until now.

forsigmar wrote:

I live in an apartment too and just bought a Badger Whirlwind. Its not really loud at all when the airbrush is connected.  There may be a little vibration if you have people living below you but you can always build some kind of cushon to set it on.  I would agree that its not as loud as our vacuum cleaner.

You may want to consider exchanging the Whirlwind for a Badger Cyclon 180-12 compressor. It is the same compressor with auto-shutoff.

http://www.badgerairbrush.com/Model_180-10&12.asp

A good airbrush compressor should allow you to talk normally without raising your voice. A vacuum cleaner is way too loud and not a good reference.

Here are some comparitive sound levels of everyday things.

http://www.labsafety.com/refinfo/ezfacts/ezf267.htm

My compressors are in the 30-35 dB range I believe.