I was just curious as to how many of you modellers use a silent compressor? I remember at least one of you mentioning that you had a Silent Air compressor I think. [?]
Mike
MikeV,
I don’t have a silent one but would certainly love to have one! The silent ones I’ve seen, such as those made by Air Force (not the US Military), appear to have incorporated the same setup as used in a refrigerator compressor. I was wondering if there is a way to take an old refrigerator compressor and build one yourself without having to pay the exhorbitant prices for a commercially assembled compressor. Know of any resources to do this??
TIA, and sorry for being a smidgen OT.
Gip Winecoff
Sorry, I couldn’t hear your question over my compressor; could you repeat the question? LOL
Yes, in all actuality they are basically the same thing.
By the way, I don’t think Air Force is building compressors anymore as far as I know. The biggest brands are Silent Air, Iwata Medea, and Jun-Air. I have a Jun-Air 1/2 hp myself. [:D]
I sure do! [;)] Try these links Gip:
http://clubhyper.com/reference/compressorgi_1.htm
http://www.geocities.com/hugedom/model_misc.html
You can find a good deal on refrigerator motors on Ebay sometimes and you are halfway there. [;)]
Mike
You need one of these my friend:
[:D]
Mike
Mike,
How much do these things cost nowadays.
Mike,
Thanks for the info! I checked the links, and the step-by-step instructions were great. Evan a non-mechanical person like myself might actually be able to build one!
One last question or so: I have typically found the silent compressors–commercial and home built–to be excessively heavy compared to the “regular” compressors (I have a small Paasche), which somewhat limits their portability. Is this still true? Is your Jun-Air fairly portable? And to echo Dwight’s question: What kind of price range are we talking about for these things, and where’s the best place to buy?
Gip Winecoff
I am not sure what the Jun-Air like I posted sells for nowadays as they don’t seem to sell like they used to. I bought mine used for $250 from someone on Ebay. I called a Jun-Air repair place in southern CA and was told that the head assembly like I have is $800 new. [:0]
The most popoular one right now is probably the Silent Air and they run between $700-$900 for one like the Jun-Air picture I posted. These compressors are designed for T-shirt airbrushing really as they have 5-6 gallon tanks on them.
A silent compressor for modeling wouldn’t need any more than a 1 or 2 gallon tank and these units tend to be a few hundred dollars cheaper, although still too much for most of us. [;)]
I think buying a used one if it is in good condition is the way to go as these compressors if cared for will last 10 years easy.
Keep an eye out at Ebay as I have seen some great deals there at times.
Gip, yes they are still heavy as always because one of the things that makes them so quiet is the heavy, cast iron head on these compressors, along with the oil in the head that cools them. The oil is expensive too and runs $18.50 a bottle from Dixie Art. Jun-air oil costs close to $30 a bottle if I am not mistaken. Talk about ripping off the consumer. [:(!]
Mike
Mike
Thanks for the great info, I appreciate it. Based on your assessments, it looks as though the budget is going to dictate my staying with the Paasche for a while longer. I’ve had that little compessor for about 25 years or so.
I think it would be cheaper to try and build one myself. Know someplace I can find some junked refrigerators? 
Gip Winecoff
Hey guys,
Haven’t been able to check in very much lately, but I thought I’d mention that I use an old fridge compressor for my rig. Pretty simple really. The compressor feeds a 7 gal. storage tank which. There’s an air tool ‘oiler’ on the inlet to the compressor, and a moisture trap on the ‘outlet’ before it goes to the air tank. There’s a pressure switch mounted to cut in at ~70psi and cut out at ~100psi. Dead silent and quite cheap. Check the yellow pages for appliance repair places. They’re usually willing to let go of an old compressor for pretty low $. I bought mine for $10 about 5 years ago and it’s stil going strong.
But, yes Gip, it’s not as portable as some of the other little compressors I’ve seen. I don’t really move around though so I’m happy with my setup.
Murray
Gip,
Check Ebay for “refrigerator motors” or “air conditioning motors” and see what turns up.
I found this one for a Buy It now price of $21.99, although I am not aware if the quality of this brand.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2563022086&category=26261
If you find one you like I could ask my buddy Chuck about the quality of them since his dad is a refrigerator repairman and he is an electrician. [;)]
Mike
Murray,
Great to see you back, my friend! I’ve missed seeing your posts. Everything OK? Like you, I’m not too worried about portability until some of our club guys get together at someone’s house to model, and I need to airbrush. Oh, well, alternatives abound…
Mike,
Again, thanks much for the heads-up on compressor sources. We have a lot of appliance repair places near my house; I just need to shake the trees here, and see what falls out. Of course, I never even thought of e-bay. Thanks again!
Gip Winecoff
Gip,
Glad I could be of help my friend. [;)]
Keep us posted of your compressor building endeavors should you get started on one.
Mike
Compressor seekers,
I made an inquiry to my local welding supply company who said he could hook me up with a 5lb CO2 tank w/regulator for $75 and a recharge would be about $6. I had once read about a modeller who used a bigger CO2 tank but I would rather have one that would easily transport around the house and didn’t require the tanker truck to come to the house.
Gip,
Osprey Publications have a book called “Airbrush Painting Techniques”, it’s No.6 in thier Modelling Manuals series. There is a whole chapter on building your own compressor using a 1/8 HP fridge motor and a small fire extinguisher as a tank. Plenty of photos, plan drawings with dimensions and measurements and step by step text. the build includes specs for all parts including regulator and moisture trap. Hope this helps.
Mike, my compressor says “silent Compressor” on the side but I dont know if you would classify it as such, it is rated at 1HP, oil-less, regulator and moisture trap with a 6 litre tank and has a 65DB noise level. It is made in Italy by FIAC and is thier “Leonardo” model. I love it but have never seen it refered to in the forum.
Kind Regards…Snowy.
Snowy,
That article is the same as the link I posted above I believe.
http://www.geocities.com/hugedom/model_misc.html
That compressor sounds like it is pretty good, but at 65 dB it would not be considered “silent” compared to others.
My Jun-Air is about 40 dB and is about the same volume as a house refrigerator when running. Some silent compressors are 35 dB which is pretty quiet considering that normal human speech is about 50 dB.
Mike
MikeV, I recently bought a small silent compressor from PEP boys for $79. I sold my old vibrating compressor for $20, so I’m ahead of the game. I would’nt say it’s real quiet but it sure is better than what I had. Martys
PS: check your six!!!
Guys,
Thanks for all the helpful info. It’s appreciated–a lot.
Gip Winecoff