Currently, I’m using a gargantuan automotive tire compressor that emits an ear rattling buzz of at least 90dB when being used. It will hit about 100PSI and can get hot enough to give you a nasty burn if you touch it after it has been running for a bit. Needless to say, it’s overkill for hobby use.
My budget is super-tight right now, but my folks are nudging me about things I’d like for my birthday, so I need to figure out a particular model I like. I’d like it to be quiet enough to run in a bedroom, but other than that, I don’t have any real specific needs. I’ve got my moisture trap and hose set up, so all I need is a source that can go up to about 25PSI. I’d steer clear of the atrocious-looking Testor compressors with their translucent plastic, but other than that I’m completely open (I hear those aren’t too great compressors anyway). So, essentially, I’m looking for the quietest compressor on a budget…and I have no idea where to start. If this simply can’t be done, and I’m delusional for thinking there’s a decent sub-Benjamin air source out there, let me know what the better choices are beyond. Perhaps I can pitch in some hard-earned cash and skip the movies a few times.
I use a testor blue with an air regulator and moisture trap and have no troubles at all [;)]. Aztek makes a decent small cmpressor mated to a tank…forget what its called. In my opinion that would the next step up. I plan on going to that because I really want a tank, even with the testors as quiet as it is living in a 740 sf apartment its still heard.
I use the testors blue compressor as well. It suits me just fine, and is relatively quiet. However, there are a number of compressors out there that are much better, albeit somewhat more expensive.
I had the Testors blue compressor and it wasn’t bad. However, I decided to upgrade to a 1/4 HP compressor with a 3 gallon tank from Harbor Freight for about $80.00. It’s a bit noisier as it builds up pressure, but after about 10 minutes (100 psi), it shuts off. I can then turn off the power switch so that it won’t kick back on at 70 psi and spray for about an hour in complete silence…other than the “pppssssttt” from the brush.
I use a Cambell-Hausfeld Quiet Air aircompressor with a 2 gallon tank. It shuts on and off automatically, and can put out up to 100 psi. but is adjustable, so IF you wanted you could spray at 1psi. it has a water release at the bottom of the tank, but i also use another water trap where my hose hooks up. It wasn’t expensive either, i can’t remember exactly what i spent on it, but it was about $90 something i think, just for the compressor, but i bought about $20 in other accessories for other uses. it works great for my aibrush, i’ve had no problems with it. It’s really quiet, if you used it in your room, more than likely no one else will hear it. and if so, it’s not loud enough to bother anyone. I got it at Wal-Mart over in the automotive section. Cambell-Hausfeld Quiet Air. It even advertises being used with an airbrush on the box. it’s a great compressor.
I also have the CH Quiet Air aircompressor…the tank is already connected to the motor…it is relatively quiet. My wife watches t.v. right above the room where I airbrush, and I ran upstairs to see if she heard it. She gave me the thumbs up, meaning it didn’t bother her. It comes with a regulator and I bought a moisture trap to connect with it for $20. All told, I spent $120 or so. Works great…I let the thing build up air pressure up to the 100psi limit and then crank the regulator down to about 15 or so, depending on what I am doing. The two gallon tank lasts along time before the motor kicks in again.
I use a CH quiet as well. It uses a standard 1/4 inch threads. Any adapter you may need can be found in the compressor section of a Lowes Hardware, Home Depot or Sears.
I have an aztek A470 A/B and all I did was take the hose that came with the A/B and attached it to the hose that came with the compressor. No adapters necessary. It works great.
Hmm, you guys all seem to attach your compressors to a tank for completely silent operation. Is it simply not tolerable to keep the compressor constantly on? And does the tank automatically get re-compressed when pressure in it drops below 15?
If I leave my compressor’s power switch “on”, the motor shuts off at 100 psi and automatically kicks back on when pressure drops to about 65 - 70 psi. When the pressure gets back up to 100 psi, it kicks off again.
One option you might want to consider is getting just an air tank since you already have a tire air compressor. I bought an 11 gallon Husky air tank for $33 at Home Depot that can be filled up to 125 PSI. An equal size tank with compressor attached would have run about $300 or more. Also, it is my belief that a 11 gallon tank will last a fairly long time since airbrushing doesn’t require a huge amount of air. The only problem is I have yet to be able to test my new setup with an airbrush since I’m still waiting for it in the mail.
Just thought you might like to consider this option since money is a factor. Originally I was going to buy the 2 gallon C/H quiet air compressor unit that several people here have commented on, but after going to both lowe’s and home depot and seeing 10 or 11 gallon tanks for a little over $30, I figured that it would suit my purposes well plus save me about 70 dollars all the while getting a huge tank. After all, if most of the people here are getting by with 2 gallon tanks, there’s no reason I shouldn’t with an 11 gallon one.
No. I bought everything together, it had a tank and a regulator already on it out of the box. all you will have to buy is the compressor and that’s it. everything else comes with it, assuming you already have an air hose for your airbrush. It has 1/4" fittings so the stuff you have will fit on it. It’s really quiet as well. More than likely, you can just shut your door and not disturb anybody in the next room. plus it shuts off automatically and doesn’t run all the time. and when you get to 100psi. just turn the switch off and just run from the tank. Its 2 gallons, so it lasts for a while. It works great for me. you may find a better one at a lower price, but it’s a pretty good setup. i also connected a moisture trap onto it to make sure all the moisture is out. it has one in the tank. it’s a release valve at the bottom that’s supposed to collect the water, but i put another one on anyway. it was free, i got it from work, so what the hell.
Get a C02 tank and regulator, you can find one for around $100, it’s silent, it’s portable, and it’s dry air. I use one and I will never go back to a compressor.
