Shopping for a compressor

Don,

Is there any way to put your compressor that's noisy in another location like a garage and run a long air hose to your modeling bench? I used to do that for years.

Don,

CO2. 

Tom

Don Stauffer

I was impressed with the quiet compressors I saw at the Nats.  I should have noted the model numbers while there. I started serious shopping yesterday and am frustrated.  One site featured at least a dozen compressors but had noise spec for only two of them.  How do I know which are quiet and which aren't.

I am going to try a local art supply place and hope they will plug in samples of what they have, but if not, how do I know which are quiet and which aren't?  Some mfgs give noise on their web sites- others don't.

The noise is the big reason I am shopping for a new compressor. I have a cheap general purpose one gallon model from the hardware store. It works fine but just about busts my ears when it is running.

Don,

Check this recent thread on Compressor Suggestions. It covered a lot of different aspect of the decision.

With so many options for a "quiet enough" compressor for the cost of a big kit, it is no reason to suffer the noisy one when you can get a quiet one at the same of lower price.

If there is no spec, don't bother with them. A noise spec of 56-59 dB is typical of the acceptable range. A 40 dB noise or less is superb, but will cost you an arm and a leg. Check the auto-on-off feature. The motor off pressure should be 60 psi or 4 bar or higher. A 0.8 CFM or 23 liter/min flowrate is sufficient, but a > 1 CFM will likely to indicate a bigger margin for steady flow.

In the link mentioned above, you can see that I tested a $40 airbrush compressor with tank from Northern Tools. It was quiet enogh for indoor use. But you are likely to get more durability by sticking with the established brand such as Iwata or Sparmax. Which web site was you talking about that did not show noise spec? Visit the Silentaire site for more background information on compressor noise. 

GreenThumb

Don,

Is there any way to put your compressor that's noisy in another location like a garage and run a long air hose to your modeling bench? I used to do that for years.

Yes, my first compressor is still rigged that way.  But I got tired of running upstairs and out into the garage to turn it on and off.  It is dying (it is about thirty years old) so thinking of replacing it- actually moving the small noisy compressor in my workshop out in the garage and putting the new, quiet compressor downstairs in my modeling workshop.

TB6088

Don,

CO2. 

Tom

That is my backup plan, but it is proving harder than I originally thought to find the right stuff.

  I ise a CO2 tank and I love it.  No noise  at all.

  Opps,   I shouid have read all the posts.  CO2 is your back-up.  Sorry.

Must it have a tank?  If not, check out the local Harbor Freight store.

I know they don't have near the volume of air output that a CO2 bottle has but a good sized scuba tank will spray at 15-25 psi for quite a while.

I have come across, on the internet, a brand called PointZero.  The compressors seem to offer a lot for the money, but I have never heard of the company before and would have to buy online because I do not know of a local distributor.

Has anyone else had any experience with this company?

Don Stauffer

 

TB6088:

 

Don,

CO2. 

Tom

 

 

That is my backup plan, but it is proving harder than I originally thought to find the right stuff.

If you don't mind sourcing it all online, the TribalLink stuff is really good, though pricey.  It's available through Amazon as well.  Tanks, regulators, hoses, all set up already for airbrushing.  They cater to the airbrush tattoo market, but it works just as well on plastic as it does on skin.  :-)

Don Stauffer

I have come across, on the internet, a brand called PointZero.  The compressors seem to offer a lot for the money, but I have never heard of the company before and would have to buy online because I do not know of a local distributor.

Has anyone else had any experience with this company?

The style looks like those from Fenghua Bida. If true, they are reasonably quiet, but not super quiet. The 59 dB noise spec is probably real.

One give away that these may be the made-in-China ones was the horsepower rating. The Chinese makers like to call 1/6 HP motor a 1/3 HP and 1/10 HP a 1/5 HP etc.

The prices are similar to other established importers such as TCPGlobal, BearAir and Badger. Not sure about the customer service of PointZero. They seem to sell mostly on Ebay.

 For cheap, quiet made-in-China compressor, you need to look no further than Northern Tools in Minnesota. This one with tank was sold for $40 last month.

I have never heard of that company either Don. Probably another knock-off Chinese compressor.

I say buy the best you can afford because a quality compressor like one from Silentaire or one of the other better companies will last you a lifetime.

If I may repeat, Don, the Sparmax TC-2000 is available at your local Hobby Lobby and will cost you only about $200 (+tax) with the 40% off coupon.  I have been using mine for a couple of weeks now, and am highly pleased with it.

Chuck

GreenThumb

I have never heard of that company either Don. Probably another knock-off Chinese compressor.

I say buy the best you can afford because a quality compressor like one from Silentaire or one of the other better companies will last you a lifetime.

Point well made. And it does not have to be expensive. Silentaire's Super Silent series would be nice. The much cheaper Sparmax TC-2000 would be a superb choice too. 

Don,

I didn't have any problems getting set up with CO2.  I went to the local welding supply store and they provided me with the regulator (the majority of the cost) and a filled tank for around $200.  When the tank runs dry, I just swap it for a new one (about $15).  I'm not an every day modeler, so a tank lasts me for 18-24 months.  Aside from the fact that the operation is completely silent, and there are no power costs, I like the fact that there are no moisture problems with CO2, so no need of moisture traps or the rest of that hassle.  To be honest, I don't see why anyone uses a compressor.

Tom  

TB6088

Don,

I didn't have any problems getting set up with CO2.  I went to the local welding supply store and they provided me with the regulator (the majority of the cost) and a filled tank for around $200.  When the tank runs dry, I just swap it for a new one (about $15).  I'm not an every day modeler, so a tank lasts me for 18-24 months.  Aside from the fact that the operation is completely silent, and there are no power costs, I like the fact that there are no moisture problems with CO2, so no need of moisture traps or the rest of that hassle.  To be honest, I don't see why anyone uses a compressor.

Tom  

I have heard that the threads are reversed and you have to use a special regulator.  Not sure if the special regulator has to do with reversed threads, higher input pressure, or both.

TB6088

To be honest, I don't see why anyone uses a compressor.

Tom  

...for airbrushing. There! That makes more sense.

I rejected a CO2 tank because of some really big reasons. I have tires, four cars worth. And bicycles, got four of those, too. That's twenty-four tires, already. And a pneumatic hammer, and impact wrench, and... well, by now you get my point. Some of us use a teeny little airbrushing compressor, and some of us use shop compressors, and oddly enough, we even have shops attached to them. Try that with your CO2 tank!

All this is in jest and fun. I knew what you meant, and am just pulling your leg. One of the reasons I rejected CO2 is I have a real bad problem with procrastination, and I would put off refilling the tank until it ran out. On Friday night, of a long weekend.

TB6088

To be honest, I don't see why anyone uses a compressor.

Because you can run out of air, I won't. Power costs are minimal for the low power of a compressor. Plus filling that CO2 tank over a lifetime will cost more than a good compressor that also will last a lifetime.

I'm now considering an Iwata Silver Jet.  Only thing that bothers me is pressure range of up to 18 psi. I generally do flats at 20, gloss at 15. If it really puts out 18, I guess I can adapt.  But, flow is only .33 cfm.  Will it hold 18 psi with my brushes?  I went to badger site to see what flow rate my airbrushes are- no specs!  So I am wondering- if the compressor spec says 5-18 psi, might it be considerably lower depending on what brush I use?

Don Stauffer

I'm now considering an Iwata Silver Jet.  Only thing that bothers me is pressure range of up to 18 psi. I generally do flats at 20, gloss at 15. If it really puts out 18, I guess I can adapt.  But, flow is only .33 cfm.  Will it hold 18 psi with my brushes?  I went to badger site to see what flow rate my airbrushes are- no specs!  So I am wondering- if the compressor spec says 5-18 psi, might it be considerably lower depending on what brush I use?

Don, consider this carefully. The Silver Jet does not have the auto-on-off feature which means that its motor runs continuously. It adds to the wear and tear of the compressor. I will think twice before buying a compressor without auto-on-off. One step higher, the Sprint Jet can go up to 40 psi and 0.64 CFM so that power is not an issue.

For a few dollars more, you can get the Sparmax TC-2000 from the same factory, with all the features you need for airbrushing. If you must stick with Iwata, get their Smart Jet instead, at least. It is the same power as Sprint Jet with auto-on-off. Or you may want to go with the Iwata Power Jet Lite which has the same spec as the TC-2000.

You may want to read up on the posts about compressor at this forum which should be helpful to you.

I agree with Keilau on this. I think the Iwata compressors are a little pricey because of the name anyhow.

Iwata doesn't even make compressors.....or airbrushes for that matter.

Roger that- Sparmax makes the compressors that Iwata puts their name on.  The TC-2000 is a very nice one, and I am very happy with mine.  Hobby Lobby has them, and with a 40% off coupon, it's a great deal.

Don,

I bought a Senco 1010 (1 gallon of air) for about $125. Had to get the right fitting for an air hose but it's been a champ. Senco claims a decibel level around 60 and I believe it. I use it in the house and not a complaint. (I have an Iawata-clone for my condo in St. Paul and it's designed for quiet indoor use. It's a little quieter than the Senco but not much.) The Senco has all the valves etc. I heard an Asian knock-off sold at Menards for about $65 and it made a real racket. I'd guess the Senco will last as long as the Pyramids.

I'm a member of Flory Model forums and a lot of Brits need quiet compressors. There's an Italian company called Silentaire that makes a range of compressors from about $150 to $1500. They're sold by Chicago Airbrush http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/ - a really sweet place run by people that know their stuff. I bought my Harder Steenbeck there for the lowest price in town and their customer service is terrific. They even pick up their phone. Chicago also sells many other brands.

Eric

EBergerud

Don,

 Senco claims a decibel level around 60 and I believe it. I use it in the house and not a complaint. (I have an Iawata-clone for my condo in St. Paul and it's designed for quiet indoor use. It's a little quieter than the Senco but not much.)

Eric

The one who is complaining is me. I use my airbrush in a basement shop.  No one outside can hear it.  So I am not worried about neighbors or spouse.  But when that little one gallon hardware store compressor starts up it sure startles and bothers ME.  I am looking for something in the low 50s or 40s db range.  I once almost dropped the model when that compressor roared into life :-(

Don, is there another room you can put the compressor and run a longer hose into your shop? I actually drilled a hole through my basement foundation, and have my compressor in a housing outside. I can only hear it if it's really quiet in the house. I then mounted a regulator and moisture trap on my spray booth. The neighbors probably don't like it, but then they have an AC unit rattling all day long.

Or, consider the CO2 setup. Dead silent, (well if the dead hissed, I guess) and if you do run out in the middle of the long weekend, just switch to your compressor as a backup.

EBergerud

Don,

I bought a Senco 1010 (1 gallon of air) for about $125. Had to get the right fitting for an air hose but it's been a champ. Senco claims a decibel level around 60 and I believe it. I use it in the house and not a complaint. (I have an Iawata-clone for my condo in St. Paul and it's designed for quiet indoor use. It's a little quieter than the Senco but not much.) The Senco has all the valves etc. I heard an Asian knock-off sold at Menards for about $65 and it made a real racket. I'd guess the Senco will last as long as the Pyramids.

I'm a member of Flory Model forums and a lot of Brits need quiet compressors. There's an Italian company called Silentaire that makes a range of compressors from about $150 to $1500. They're sold by Chicago Airbrush http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/ - a really sweet place run by people that know their stuff. I bought my Harder Steenbeck there for the lowest price in town and their customer service is terrific. They even pick up their phone. Chicago also sells many other brands.

Eric

Eric, I agree with everything you said about Silentaire and Chicago Airbrush Supplies. Being in the midwest, shipping is cheap and fast from Chicago.

I got my Paasche DA400 and H&S Evolution from Chicago Airbrush Supplies. No complaint about their price and service. Their occasional 10 or 13% discount code at the home page are sweet too.

Don is doing the good thing for himself trying to get a quieter compressor. It is all about enjoying our hobby.

Chicago Airbrush has comparative DB data for their Silentaire "Super Silent" series at http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/susiaircofrs.html. You'll note that they claim 32DB which is really quiet: about the noise of a normal refrigerator. (Lower than the Silver Jet which Chicago rates at 40 DB.) The entry level is $350 but I've spent more than that on paint. I've spent as much on air brushes - doesn't everybody need four? The entry level model is an insulated cylinder with 1 gallon air tank. There must be some rich modelers around if someone will spend $1500 for a portable compressor. But it does carry more air.

I use a Chinese clone of an Iwata Silver Jet. According to Chicago the Iwata will handle 30psi. Mine does - max.  My clone is quiet enough for condo use but it's also on all the time and because it has only a tiny holding tank the pressure will drop very quickly when you first start. You can adjust for that when you get used to it. They are small and have convenient holders. I know a guy who has had an Iwata for many years and claims it's perfectly adequate and very well built. Unfortunately, we all know that "made in Japan" (like my friend's) may now mean "made in Indonesia" and no gain in quality. I'm sure Chicago would return a product you didn't like. (I'm not talking about the Iwata mini-compressor. Think that's really only for short projects where portability is needed. Doesn't have any gauges. Those max out at 12-15 psi.) Personally I prefer the occasional noise from the Senco compressor to the continual noise of the Iwata clone but your mileage may differ. (I bet a clever gent could figure out some really simple insulation gadget to quiet down a Silver Jet further.) If the Senco wasn't so good, I'd buy the Silentaire. Serious modeling eats time like crazy - might as well avoid distractions. And model boats and planes are cheaper than real ones: I know because my brother has one each of the genuine variety.

I know a guy who has CO2 delivered in big tall tanks to his attached shop where he builds mega RC airplanes among other things. He does like them. He's also seriously loaded and the delivery guy moves them around because they weigh as much as a real boat. The things are loaded with gauges and hold about 20 airbrushes. That's not my life. (But my stereo system is better than his so I'd take my set-up any day.)

Eric