I’m new here and looking for some a few good suggestions. I am looking at buying a Badger Patriot 105 and need a quality QUIET compressor with it. I am brand new into the airbrush/compressor scene, so I was hoping for some tips on what to look for (PSI, moisture catch, regulator, tank size, etc).
I was hoping some of the forum veterans could share experience on what to look for in a quality compressor.
I also ran into some notes on going the CO2 path. Any ideas on that would also be great.
As you have probably noticed a decent compressor will cost as much, if not more than a decent airbrush…
I am brand new into the airbrush/compressor scene, so I was hoping for some tips on what to look for (PSI, moisture catch, regulator, tank size, etc).
A reputable piston compressor with an output of roughly 50PSI minimum is a good start & a combined filter / regulator is pretty much a must. A receiver compressor is also well worth the investment, with somewhere about 2L probably being fine for single user scale modelling use. If you can splash out on a twin piston unit, comparative to a similar single piston, as well as being more powerful these will usually give a longer service life as the components are not worked as hard.
I was hoping some of the forum veterans could share experience on what to look for in a quality compressor.
I’m not exactly a veteran, but - Reputable brand (Sparmax, Iwata (which is more or less Sparmax), Badger, Paasche, Silentaire & Sil-Air are some) with receiver.
I also ran into some notes on going the CO2 path. Any ideas on that would also be great.
Lots of pro’s & con’s;
Silent, no electricity source required, constant pressure output.
Without weighing your bottle, it hard to tell how much CO2 is left, the bottle is heavy & potentially dangerous, unless you have a second bottle it’s possible that you will occasionally run out
Thanks for the quick replies guys. I will give these suggestions a look-over. I am looking for something that will introduce me to using a compressor without spending an arm and a leg for it. But I also live in an apartment, so noise is a deal breaker for me.
I am not going to be using it in long bursts, just for laying down a even layer for body work, etc. I’m getting tired of spray cans!.. haha I’m sure you all have been down that route in your greenhorn days.
I’ll look into the tips here. There’s still some terminology I don’t understand, but I will research and post back with an questions. Thanks again guys.
Harbor Freight tools are NOT known for reliability, but can be good value for the money. This is typical of the made-in-China compressors. Modern compressor relies on a very thin telfon type coating on the cylinder and piston wall to keep it cool and quiet. The coatings wears out. A precision made compressor runs quieter, cooler and lasts a lot longer.
There are reports of happy HF compressor users on this forum. You can do a search for them.
I would have perfer the Sparmax or Iwata compressor due to their established track record for the low end offerings in the $200-300 range. Even that is much more than the HF.
I couldn’t get the link to open but I was wrong, it’s the 1/8hp (without AB). Are there better compressors out there? Sure But for as little as I have it on at any one time, it suits me fine. I really can’t say anything bad about it, I was concerned about having consistant air pressure, due to no tank, but can not tell any difference.
Quiet operation. Delivers 0 to 40 PSI constant pressure for a quality finish. Works with all airbrushes.
Auto shut off at 40 PSI, auto-on at 3 PSI
Adjustable pressure regulator with moisture trap
Direct hook-up with all airbrushes using universal 1/8"-28 NPS
Fitting with 1/4" NPT male adapter
Thermal overload protection with automatic reset
Rubber suction cup feet for stability
Built-in carrying handle for maximum portability
Includes 10 ft. coiled air line, Teflon tape, easy-to-read pressure gauge
1/8 HP, 115 volt, 2 amps, 1750 RPM
Overall dimensions: 9-3/4" L x 5-3/8’’ W x 9-1/4’’ H
The Smart Jet is a fine compressor, but you may get a higher spec Sparmax for much the same price. As far as I am aware the Smart Jet is made for Iwata by Sparmax…
Thanks! As I looked more into the Smart Jet, I don’t like how the initial burst of air is around 60 PSI and then it drops to a constant 35. The reviewer I was watching said that this really isn’t a big deal since you’re going to test spray the first shot, but I can see it getting annoying. Also, the regulator is just a knob at the bottom of the moisture trap that constantly lets air out (keeping the motor running constantly). To solve this, couldn’t you just leave the regulator closed and buy a regulation adapter that screws onto the airbrush-side of the hose? I saw someone with one of those. I don’t know how accurate they are…
These were just two little oddities I noticed with the Smart Jet.
I will definitely research the SparMax. Thanks for the help guys. [:D[
EDIT: Briefly looked at Sparmax’s website. Do they have a U.S. - based office? Or is everything in Taiwan?
Many of the ones suggested are not particularly quiet- in fact some are pretty noisy. One problem is that in ads some of them are labeled quiet or silent with no actual sound pressure level (db) specified. If it is sold as a quiet or silent compressor that spec should be there. I also am looking for a silent solution and definitely looking into CO2.
The only quiet compressors on the market, which you might call “silenced” as opposed to “silent” are those from the likes of Sil-Air & Silentair that use refrigeration motors. Most of these, before you get to the very powerfully ones are rated at about 30dbA, which although not silent is definitely quiet, but they are expensive.
I think most of the hobby compressors that are described as quiet / silent / whisper… operate in the 45>60dbA bracket & I would agree that the lower end of this bracket is reasonably quiet. I think the overstated descriptions come from comparisons to your typical DIY / small workshop compressor, many of which are certainly noisy.
CO2 is a valid choice & will certainly have a smaller initial outlay than a “Silenced” compressor, but with cared for Sil-Air’s lasting to & beyond the 15 year mark they are probably more cost effective in the long run. CO2 does, like anything have it’s pro’s & con’s; /forums/t/139497.aspx
Has anyone here used/experienced the TC-2000/Stormforce compressor? I’m wondering what the decibel output is and whether the parts are of quality construction.
This little machine looks to have drawn me away from the Smart Jet. I like the dual pistons. Just wondering if it is as quiet or close to the Smart Jet.
Yes, Sparmax has a good track record of quality construction. The TC-2000 is supposed to be the same compressor as the Iwata Power Jet LIte w/o the case. I have an older model Paasche DA400 which was made by Sparmax and use the same motor. They all have a noise spec of 56-58 dB.
Sparmax stopped publishing the more detailed spec when they pulled back from retailing business a few years back.
I noticed that the Stormforce compressor is out of stock at Hobby Lobby now. It is no assurance that they will sell the twin piston compressor made by Sparmax. Many compressor sellers switched to manufacturer in China to maximize profit. BearAir, Paasche and Badger are among those who did.
I have to agree with Reasoned. I bought a 3 gallon 100 psi compressor at Harbor Freight and I just love it for my airbrush (Iwata HP). I had a coupon so I only paid $39.99 plus another $20 for a decent filter/moisture trap. It’s not as quiet as some compressors, but it works for me. People upstairs can’t hear it running until they get to the top of the basement stairs. To put it another way, I can run it at three o’clock in the morning without waking anyone up (my workstation is in the basement). The final decision is obviously yours, but for the price I think I’ll always use Harbor Freight compressors. Even if I have to replace it every couple years I think I’ll be better off than if I had spent hundreds on one of the fancy expensive compressors.
Ah crap, they are. Just when I was about to print my 40% off coupon and go buy one. Haha No worries though, with 40%, it still comes to around the same price that other online retailers are selling them for.
I definitely will. I can’t wait to get my airbrush… there’s so much I’ve been wanting to do with models that I haven’t been able to. You guys have been very helpful.
Also, quick question - how is this magazine? I’m thinking about getting 10 months, but I was mainly wondering how much of it is tips/technique as opposed to other stuff.
But I think it would be worth the change.
