Apartment friendly airbrush compressor

I have been searching for a new airbrush compressor (a quieter one) myself, and have commented in this forum how so many of the spec sheets I find on mfgs web pages lack a noise figure.  One that I am seriously looking at right now is the Iwata Silver Jet. It has a sound value of only 40 db, way below others I have looked at.  40 db is very quiet.

My only concern is the flow rate. I forget the rate at the moment, but when I went to find the rate of my brush I was unable to find it.  Most spec sheets on the web for the airbrushes themselves lack the flow rate value.

I find trying to match compressor and brush very frustrating because so few web pages really give good specifications for their products.

I suspect the Silver Jet, being one of Iwata's cheaper compressors, is a bleed type regulation, and the higher the flow rate, likely the lower the pressure.  The rated max pressure of 18 psi is right at the limit of what I use. I ordinarily use 20 for matt finish, 15 for gloss. I could probably get by with 18, but not much lower.

I assume with my single action Badger, my main brush, the needle adjustment affects the airflow, but have no idea of the range of airflow with normal settings.

I read a lot about compressors here on FSM, and it strikes me how strange the discussion is all the time... Now an airbrush doesn't need a whole lot of air, like pneumatic tools. But the compressor has to be quiet. Now I bet (nearly) everyone of you already owns a compressor close to those requirements - it's a part of your refrigerator. Some 15 years ago I went to a workshop where they fix fridges, and got a frige compressor unit for free. I added a manometer, some rubber hose, and I've been using it since then. With time I also added a presure switch, and later also a filter/reductor unit. The cool thing is most fridge compressors are built inside their tanks (the housing is air-tight and serves as a tank), so you don't even really need an extra air tank for it to operate. So I say it's worth to look for parts and spend some time - relatively cheap you can get yourself a fine compressor, perfectly suited to your needs and the application. Hope it helps, thanks for reading

Paweł

Pawel

I read a lot about compressors here on FSM, and it strikes me how strange the discussion is all the time... Now an airbrush doesn't need a whole lot of air, like pneumatic tools. But the compressor has to be quiet. Now I bet (nearly) everyone of you already owns a compressor close to those requirements - it's a part of your refrigerator. Some 15 years ago I went to a workshop where they fix fridges, and got a frige compressor unit for free. I added a manometer, some rubber hose, and I've been using it since then. With time I also added a presure switch, and later also a filter/reductor unit. The cool thing is most fridge compressors are built inside their tanks (the housing is air-tight and serves as a tank), so you don't even really need an extra air tank for it to operate. So I say it's worth to look for parts and spend some time - relatively cheap you can get yourself a fine compressor, perfectly suited to your needs and the application. Hope it helps, thanks for reading

Paweł

Agree with Pawel 100%.

Mine is made from a fridge compressor and hooked up to a nice tank. Works perfectly with my Badger and Paasche airbrushes.

Besides, it doesn't scare the bejusus out of me when it turns on late at night. Mounted on rubber feet, it's whisper quiet.

Don Stauffer

I assume with my single action Badger, my main brush, the needle adjustment affects the airflow, but have no idea of the range of airflow with normal settings.

Airflow is controlled by the trigger Don not the needle.

Don Stauffer

One that I am seriously looking at right now is the Iwata Silver Jet. It has a sound value of only 40 db, way below others I have looked at.  40 db is very quiet.

I'm not so sure about that, although Iwata don't quote a noise level for it, most dealers including some official distributors are quoting 50-57db.

Don Stauffer

My only concern is the flow rate. I forget the rate at the moment, but when I went to find the rate of my brush I was unable to find it.  Most spec sheets on the web for the airbrushes themselves lack the flow rate value.

As an airbrushing rule of thumb, 0.5CFM is an acceptable flow rate - this will obviously vary from brush to brush though, 0.33CFM seems marginal

Don Stauffer

I suspect the Silver Jet, being one of Iwata's cheaper compressors, is a bleed type regulation, and the higher the flow rate, likely the lower the pressure.  The rated max pressure of 18 psi is right at the limit of what I use. I ordinarily use 20 for matt finish, 15 for gloss. I could probably get by with 18, but not much lower.

I believe that the Silver Jet is bleed regulated & when you say "right at the limit" I thinks that you may be correct.

Having a quick look at the Sparmax site (Sparmax make most, if not all Iwata compressors), the Silver Jet looks very much like the AC-27, with the 1/8hp motor replaced with a 1/10hp one & some minor cosmetic changes. It's a shame that Sparmax compressors don't seem to be more readily available on your side of the water, as they are superior to many other imports, but don't carry the premium of the Iwata name....

.... Hold on, Merriartist do a range of Sparmax compressors, including the AC-27 with 1/8hp motor for pretty much the same price as the Silver Jet sells for  ($140ish). You just need to ask yourself if you could live with that lovely electric orange finish;

http://www.merriartist.com/Sparmax_Airbrush_Compressors_s/835.htm

Milairjunkie

Having a quick look at the Sparmax site (Sparmax make most, if not all Iwata compressors), the Silver Jet looks very much like the AC-27, with the 1/8hp motor replaced with a 1/10hp one & some minor cosmetic changes. It's a shame that Sparmax compressors don't seem to be more readily available on your side of the water, as they are superior to many other imports, but don't carry the premium of the Iwata name....

.... Hold on, Merriartist do a range of Sparmax compressors, including the AC-27 with 1/8hp motor for pretty much the same price as the Silver Jet sells for  ($140ish). You just need to ask yourself if you could live with that lovely electric orange finish;

http://www.merriartist.com/Sparmax_Airbrush_Compressors_s/835.htm

For some reason, Sparmax had withdrew from most of the retail market in the US, except the compressors. Two of the compressor models are sold at a major hobby store chain called Hobby Lobby. It is most everywhere in the midwest of US, but not where Don lives. (About 90 miles away from him.) There are a few mail order seller left. The AC-100 will be a good beginner airbrush that meets your criteria.

http://www.madisonartshop.com/sparmax.html

Currently, the biggest Sparmax airbrush sellers are the cosmetic suppliers. But their price is not pretty.

there is no need to quote the post directly before you ... eats up bandwidth for the  dial up people.and slower connections

stymye

there is no need to quote the post directly before you ... eats up bandwidth for the  dial up people.and slower connections

stymye, the quote consume very little bandwidth unless it has lots pictures. It was done to address specific questions. We also post pictures often which does take up bandwidth. While I understand your frustration with a slow dialup, but there is no reason to ask the majority of us to cut back on activity because of the few. I am sorry.

keilau

 

stymye:

 

there is no need to quote the post directly before you ... eats up bandwidth for the  dial up people.and slower connections

 

 

stymye, the quote consume very little bandwidth unless it has lots pictures. It was done to address specific questions. We also post pictures often which does take up bandwidth. While I understand your frustration with a slow dialup, but there is no reason to ask the majority of us to cut back on activity because of the few. I am sorry.

I think it depends on whether the quote is the original post or a more recent comment.  Sometimes a thread splits and goes in different directions.  In that case a quote is needed to let people know which branch of the thread your comment is about.  I generally do not quote the original post, but may for those more recent comments when my reply is for that recent comment, not the original post.

I use an Iwata Silent model.   It's super quiet. Auto shut off when not in use.  Very light with handle and brush holder.   Got it for $100 off of Ebay.   Love it.

This won't take up much bandwidth...... or $,

I have the little black Iwata compressor. Its is unbelivably quiet and only runs wehn you push your airbrush button.  I have it in an apartment, and it is super quiet.   Also best value for money I think because it comes with regulator, auto shut off, and special hoses.  I think i got it off amazon.com for under $300.  Really nice, I am very pleased with it.  I used to use a Paasche and i will never go back.

How come nobody ever recommends watching Ebay for deals on good, used silent compressors?

I have seen some really good silent units sell for less than $300 at times. With care one of those will outlast the modeler!

I use a Thayer and Chandler Airstar V, that I bought at Towerhobbies. It's very quiet. When I lived in an apt., I used it all the time.

GreenThumb

How come nobody ever recommends watching Ebay for deals on good, used silent compressors?

I have seen some really good silent units sell for less than $300 at times. With care one of those will outlast the modeler!

I did. But they are so rare I gave up after a few months.

keilau

 

GreenThumb:

 

How come nobody ever recommends watching Ebay for deals on good, used silent compressors?

I have seen some really good silent units sell for less than $300 at times. With care one of those will outlast the modeler!

 

 

I did. But they are so rare I gave up after a few months.

That is true although there is the occasional great deal on there sometimes.

I too went on such a search about a year back. The really 'silent' ones was way outside my budget ($1K+), I finally settled on the Grex compressor.  I saw it demo at a model show, with all that background noise, you could hardly hear the thing go off.  In my quiet work room, you definitely can hear it, but you can easily hold a comfortable conversation with it on if you wanted to.

It has auto shutoff, so when you are not spraying, the compressor is not running and making any noise. Has a pressure guage and moisture trap built in and can be found online for $200 (or under if you dig a bit).

waikong

I too went on such a search about a year back. The really 'silent' ones was way outside my budget ($1K+),

$1K+? What were you looking at the Jun-Air dental compressors? 

The Silentaire Super Silent 20A is less than $600 from Dixie Art.

Yes that is a lot of money for a compressor but it will last you a lifetime if you take care of it.

I bet many of you complaining about that kind of money for a compressor have $2-3k or more in models in your stash. That always amazes me.

panzerpilot

I use a Thayer and Chandler Airstar V, that I bought at Towerhobbies. It's very quiet. When I lived in an apt., I used it all the time.

That is a nice little compressor and I recommend it as I used it with Ken Schlotfeldt at the Nationals in AZ back in '04. I thought it was nice and very small and portable to boot.

GreenThumb

waikong:

I too went on such a search about a year back. The really 'silent' ones was way outside my budget ($1K+),

The Silentaire Super Silent 20A is less than $600 from Dixie Art.

$600? What are you talking about?

It is $470 and free shipping at Chicago Airbrush Supplies. There is an additional 7% off till end of October, that makes it $437.10 total.

Even better yet Keilau.

That is really not that much money in today's world when people are paying $800 for an iPad 2.