Dead Air Compressor

It's supposed to be "maintenance free". Had you been running it for an extended period of time or anything? I'm guessing those metal shavings you found have accumulated over time and not just from this incident.

That's my guess as well on the metal shavings. I'd been running it for about ten minutes when it quit. It's less than three years old, and has only seen moderate use... I build at a pretty glacial pace.

Kevin

Most online reviews give Paasche a Moderate rating, plus only 1-2 year warranty. Unlike quite a few that are lifetime. I would say it was nothing you did, just a piece of junk. I'd complain and see where that gets you. And buy something else. I have a Testors that works just fine, every day year after year, cost about twice yours.

Paasche're not German by the way, made in Asia which isn't a bad thing but not a sign of the quality you might expect.

bondoman wrote:

Paasche're not German by the way, made in Asia which isn't a bad thing but not a sign of the quality you might expect.

Why would you think they might be German Bill?

Sorry to hear about your compressor Kevin.

If you can afford it I would recommend you get a Silentaire or see if a Badger Million Air is still available somewhere. I have the Million Air and it is awesome.

MikeV wrote:

Sorry to hear about your compressor Kevin. If you can afford it I would recommend you get a Silentaire or see if a Badger Million Air is still available somewhere. I have the Million Air and it is awesome.

You did a good job analyzing the problem. Unfortunately, it is not enough to overcome a low quality compressor job. Thank you for adding another data point for the durability and failure mode of "made-in-China" compressors.

The Badger MillionAir is the same compressor as the Silentaire 20A and I've heard nothing but raving about them. Badger has some unit at their garage sale for $490, same as the Silentaire AB shop price.

If the sale price is still too rich for you, The Iwata Power Jet Lite is another option at just over $300. It costs a little more than typical house brand equivalent, but has a good reputation in reliability.

Thanks for the replies everyone. It seems so odd that the shaft snapped clean in half... how on earth the motor managed to generate that kind of torque is puzzling, to say the least.

I'm going to replace this compressor, but I'll hang onto it and see if a repair is possible. The motor itself runs fine, and the pump - the important end - is fine as well.

I still suspect that the bearing in the end cap had something to do with causing the wear and tear that led to the shaft failure. It appears to be a sealed bearing, but it was greased, which seems odd to me. I'll replace that, and take the motor to work and see what the guys can do with it... we have about ten A&P mechanics and a full avionics/electronics shop. If I can get it running again, I'll count it as a bonus.

I'm looking at an Iwata Smart Jet as a possible replacement, they're available locally at good prices. Anyone have experience with these?

Kevin

MikeV wrote:

bondoman wrote: Paasche're not German by the way, made in Asia which isn't a bad thing but not a sign of the quality you might expect. Why would you think they might be German Bill?

The name, probably. But Bill's right; the compressor clearly says "made in Taiwan" on it.

Kev

MIflyer wrote:

I'm looking at an Iwata Smart Jet as a possible replacement, they're available locally at good prices. Anyone have experience with these? Kevin

Kevin:

I've got one. Like you, I model at a slower pace than I'd like to! It's lasted nearly 6 years and still going strong. It puts our plenty of PSI ofr an AB, is relatively quite, and been problem free so far (knocks on wood).

If you can find one locally and chealply, I'd say go for it. Iwata makes nice stuff.

bondoman wrote:

...made in Asia which isn't a bad thing...

Perhaps, but "Made in China" IS.

MIflyer wrote:

MikeV wrote:  bondoman wrote: Paasche're not German by the way, made in Asia which isn't a bad thing but not a sign of the quality you might expect. Why would you think they might be German Bill? The name, probably. But Bill's right; the compressor clearly says "made in Taiwan" on it. Kev

Actually Jens Paasche was from Norway.

MIflyer wrote:

I'm looking at an Iwata Smart Jet as a possible replacement, they're available locally at good prices. Anyone have experience with these?

I personally would get an oil filled compressor like the Badger or Silentaire because with care it will last you the rest of your life. The Iwata is oiless and oiless compressors won't last as long normally.  

MikeV wrote:

MIflyer wrote:  MikeV wrote:  bondoman wrote: Paasche're not German by the way, made in Asia which isn't a bad thing but not a sign of the quality you might expect. Why would you think they might be German Bill? The name, probably. But Bill's right; the compressor clearly says "made in Taiwan" on it. Kev Actually Jens Paasche was from Norway.

MIflyer wrote:

Thanks for the replies everyone. It seems so odd that the shaft snapped clean in half... how on earth the motor managed to generate that kind of torque is puzzling, to say the least. I'm going to replace this compressor, but I'll hang onto it and see if a repair is possible. The motor itself runs fine, and the pump - the important end - is fine as well. I still suspect that the bearing in the end cap had something to do with causing the wear and tear that led to the shaft failure. It appears to be a sealed bearing, but it was greased, which seems odd to me. I'll replace that, and take the motor to work and see what the guys can do with it... we have about ten A&P mechanics and a full avionics/electronics shop. If I can get it running again, I'll count it as a bonus.

The older Paasche D200 manual has the exposed view with all parts numbers. Yours could be this model because of age.  Did you contact Paasche about getting the replacement part? You may need to replace the ARMATURE piece, which will not be cheap. You seem to be very mechanically oriented. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck with the repair.

The newer D200 is still made in Taiwan, but the manual does not have the parts picture anymore.

keilau wrote:

The older Paasche D200 manual has the exposed view with all parts numbers. Yours could be this model because of age.  Did you contact Paasche about getting the replacement part? You may need to replace the ARMATURE piece, which will not be cheap. You seem to be very mechanically oriented. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck with the repair. The newer D200 is still made in Taiwan, but the manual does not have the parts picture anymore.

Mine came with that manual, so I have the exploded view... thanks for the link, though!

It is definitely going to need an armature... which probably means a whole new motor. I'm not sure, but I'd guess that'll probably run $50-60 at a minimum.

I've been trying to take the motor out to see if the armature is removable, but I can't get there. The screw retaining the motor fan was apparently treated with Lock-Nut or something... I can see the stuff around the base of the screw. It's not going anywhere, and with my hand tools I can't get it off without destroying the motor fan.

Also, the heat shield on top of the pump itself is held in place with a plastic nut, and to get at the pump innards, you have to remove it. On my example, the nut was epoxied in place. The only way to remove it was to break it off. Real nice.

Kevin

MikeV wrote:

I personally would get an oil filled compressor like the Badger or Silentaire because with care it will last you the rest of your life. The Iwata is oiless and oiless compressors won't last as long normally.

Mike, I would dearly love to have one of those babies... but I'm a flight instructor, remember? My budget just doesn't go that high.

Kevin

MIflyer wrote:

MikeV wrote: I personally would get an oil filled compressor like the Badger or Silentaire because with care it will last you the rest of your life. The Iwata is oiless and oiless compressors won't last as long normally.   Mike, I would dearly love to have one of those babies... but I'm a flight instructor, remember? My budget just doesn't go that high. Kevin

Yes and I am a secuity officer so you make more than me.

MIflyer wrote:

MikeV wrote: I personally would get an oil filled compressor like the Badger or Silentaire because with care it will last you the rest of your life. The Iwata is oiless and oiless compressors won't last as long normally.   Mike, I would dearly love to have one of those babies... but I'm a flight instructor, remember? My budget just doesn't go that high. Kevin

There is one cheaper (The Iwata Smart Jet price range) oiled super silent airbrush compressor, Paasche DW4000. Paasche no longer have the DW4000 on their current catalogue. But TCP Global (aka. Airbrush-Depot) still list it as available for $250. The catch? It is "made-in-China". With your recent Paasche trouble, I am not sure you have the stomach for another one of this.

When I wondered around the appliance departments, I always see those nice looking dorm/apartment refrigerators for about $100. They have sealed, oil lub compressor which runs reasonably quiet and last a good many years. I always wonder when will an entrepreneur contract one of these refrigerator factory, make an under $200 super quiet compressor and take over the airbrush compressor market by storm.