Compressor Advice

I brought my first compressor last year, & have been impressed with results, got this one from my local model shop MR MODELS,(do you think he will notice the free advert and give me  .....ah never mind), for £150.00.

http://www.expotools.co.uk/532_1_1015163.html

 

Scott.

You should never buy a compressor made by Revell, Testors, Badger or any other company involved in the hobby business, ever. You'll pay triple the price for mediocre performance. The best place to buy a hobby compressor (if you live in the United States) is a hardware store or even better an automotive supply store. As a rule, tires and compressors like to hang out together so any suppliers of tires will probably have compressors for inflating them. I own a Campbell Hausfeld purchased from an automotive store on sale for about $80. A comparable compressor from a modeling company will cost you $300 just because it has a Revell logo on it but will offer you no performance advantages whatsoever.

All you need for the Hausfeld is a moisture trap because it uses an air storage tank for silent operation (periodically it will auto turn on to replenish the tank) and there could be some moisture in the tank.

The website where I found this picture offers the compressor for $109 and this is a steep price because if it's on sale you could get it for as little as $70-$80.

MonsterZero wrote:

You should never buy a compressor made by Revell, Testors, Badger or any other company involved in the hobby business, ever. You'll pay triple the price for mediocre performance. The best place to buy a hobby compressor (if you live in the United States) is a hardware store or even better an automotive supply store. As a rule, tires and compressors like to hang out together so any suppliers of tires will probably have compressors for inflating them. I own a Campbell Hausfeld purchased from an automotive store on sale for about $80. A comparable compressor from a modeling company will cost you $300 just because it has a Revell logo on it but will offer you no performance advantages whatsoever. All you need for the Hausfeld is a moisture trap because it uses an air storage tank for silent operation (periodically it will auto turn on to replenish the tank) and there could be some moisture in the tank. The website where I found this picture offers the compressor for $109 and this is a steep price because if it's on sale you could get it for as little as $70-$80.

This is my compressor! Except in Canada it's called Husky and mine came with a 2" nailgun. I bought the whole kit for $119 CDN (about $100 US). I parked mine outside, with an airhose running inside the house. I have a pressure regulator attached at the end of the airhose, and a moisture trap attached to the regulator. The AB airhose attaches to the moisture trap. Silent operation, at least for me! All I hear is the hiss of air, and the occasional far off compressor noise while it recharges the tank.

I bought a set of quick release connectors for $20 and a couple of long airhoses. I've been using the nail gun for replacing the baseboards in my house, and I never have a flat tire! I also bought a large paint gun and can use the compressor for painting with latex or enamel house paints. Best tool for the money I have ever bought!

I've seen that Campbell Hausfeld (and a few others) at Wal*Mart, and I think it was going for around $68.00...?? I sure would have liked getting that one, but it was a bit to loud for in the house.

So I picked up this - ABD TC-20T
Well actually I got it in this kit - ABD 4211-T and we're real happy with it. Especially after comparing the prices of similar small hobby compressors.

But if you can handle an occassional noisy compressor kicking on for a few minutes, the small auto type with at least 100 psi for under $100 (as above) would be the way to go.

I have had a Sears Craftsman 3/4 hp home compressor for 18 years.  It is a little loud, but I use it in the garage or outside anyway, so who cares.  I can use it on the airbrush with my tank and gauges set-up one minute, then connect the airtools and work on my truck.  Much better value than the hobby ones. 

Thanks everybody for the advice - greatly appreciated. Will try my local hardware stores and if no luck there, will try MR. MODELS (mentioning the free advert!!)

Cheers and happy modelling,

Dermo

I would be very careful about a 35dB compressor...I'm willing to bet that's a typo, it's probably more like 85dB.

The average lawn mower or vacuum cleaner is between 70 and 90dB...and even my expensive super-quiet compressor is 45dB.

A library or quiet room is typically 35dB.

A compressor is an investment. If you have the ability, investing in a good compressor and a good airbrush makes life alot easier.

Jeff

http://www.airbrushcity.com/121tk.htm I just bought this one. I got it tonight it is small, very, very quite, and builds pressure pretty quick. I haven't had a chance to spray with it yet, but I have turned it on and ran it and let it build pressure, and it worked very well. Check this one out. If you want I can post a pic wiht a RM kit box next to it so you can have something to judge the size from. Good Luck!

The workshop type compressors are great if noise isn't an issue, however it might be worth considering when you are most likely to use your new compressor, If it's in the evenings and at weekend, your neighbours might be none too appreciative of the noise from a workshop comp.

Also bear in mind, these are often quite large, whereas I run a Werther 3, which is both quiet, and compact, about 18 inches, long, 9 wide and about 12 high. The dedicated AB comps are more expensive, but then they are designed to different, and arguably higher, standards, particularly where noise is concerned.

Just my tuppence worth.

Karl

 

 

 

I've had my Badger 480-2 for almost 10 years now, and I'd like to think I have gotten my money's worth....and it still runs quiet as a mouse.

MonsterZero wrote:

You should never buy a compressor made by Revell, Testors, Badger or any other company involved in the hobby business, ever. You'll pay triple the price for mediocre performance. The best place to buy a hobby compressor (if you live in the United States) is a hardware store or even better an automotive supply store. As a rule, tires and compressors like to hang out together so any suppliers of tires will probably have compressors for inflating them. I own a Campbell Hausfeld purchased from an automotive store on sale for about $80. A comparable compressor from a modeling company will cost you $300 just because it has a Revell logo on it but will offer you no performance advantages whatsoever. All you need for the Hausfeld is a moisture trap because it uses an air storage tank for silent operation (periodically it will auto turn on to replenish the tank) and there could be some moisture in the tank. The website where I found this picture offers the compressor for $109 and this is a steep price because if it's on sale you could get it for as little as $70-$80.

I would be careful of those C-H compressors!
They tend to die young!

Jeff Herne wrote:

I would be very careful about a 35dB compressor...I'm willing to bet that's a typo, it's probably more like 85dB. The average lawn mower or vacuum cleaner is between 70 and 90dB...and even my expensive super-quiet compressor is 45dB. A library or quiet room is typically 35dB. A compressor is an investment. If you have the ability, investing in a good compressor and a good airbrush makes life alot easier. Jeff

My Badger Million Air is about 35 dB and my Jun-Air is about 40 dB.

Mike

I have an old CH compressor, with a 5 gallon tank, I keep at my camper that is over ten years old.  I have never had a problem with it.  For Christmas my wife got me a CH compressor with a 30 gallon tank to replace my 30+ year old Craftsman, which had only a 20 gallon tank.  The CH will build up 250 PSI compared to the 125 PSI of the Craftsman.  I keep it in the garage.  I have a T fitting coming off of the compressor and one line is hard piped underground to my model room.  I have two pressure regulators and moisture traps attached to it, one where it comes off of the compressor and one where it comes out of the wall in the model room.  I also have two SOV's so I can cut off the air in the model room when I am through using it. 

The only complaint is it is very loud when it is running.  More than the old Craftsman.   

Bernie,

I was not referring to C-H compressors in general, I was talking about that little cheap one they call the "Quiet compressor" not the industrial ones like you have which are built well.
My appologies for the confusion.

No problem Mike.  Thanks for clearing it up.