I own a Paasche D500 compressor and is it LOUD! I live in an apartment and hate running the thing (Imagine how my neighbors feel about it!) My girlfriend can’t stand it either, and I’ve begun looking into something new (and quieter). I’ve measured the D500 at 80+db, using a Radio Shack sound meter. Prolonged exposure to 85+db can cause hearing damage according to the American Hearing Association, so this is no laughing matter.
I did a search and here and came up with a few opinons, but the majority of posts are all rather old (circa 2004) so I’d like to get some fresher opinions. How loud are these compressors compared to the D500?
Paacsh D500- The Reference db to beat
80-85 db (VERY loud)
Just below the hearing damage range
Iwata Sprint Jet
65 db - Measured in a loud art supply shop; might actually be quieter
Tank Compressor that switches on occasionally. Quiet during the filling phase
Reportedly 47dbs- CO2 Tanks
20lbs of air will last around 4-5 models
No moisture problems
Must be refilled
Fill ups don’t cost much, but there’s a start-up fee involved.
EDIT – SilentAire claims 40 PSI.
A concern I have is the max PSI. The Scoprion I is very attractive, but is rated at only 20PSI. I usually brush between 18 & 20, and I’m worried that a MAX of 20 won’t cut it once I have my moisture trap/regulator on there.
Any other suggestions? I’m a little uncomfortable with the CO2 tanks, and I’m hoping to spend under $200.
How do the “silent” tank compressors work?
They works on the same principle as the larger compressors. It kicks on to replenish the air supply in the small tank (quietly). Once the pressure is met it shuts off.
Any sound above 85 dB can cause hearing loss, and the loss is related both to the power of the sound as well as the length of exposure. You know that you are listening to an 85-dB sound if you have to raise your voice to be heard by somebody else. Eight hours of 90-dB sound can cause damage to your ears; any exposure to 140-dB sound causes immediate damage (and causes actual pain).
EDIT – Information I’ve gotten out of the posts. EDIT – I’ve measured a Paasche D500 at 85+db EDIT – Added DB ratings I found by searching the forums EDIT – Links to information about decibel ratings EDIT – Measured the Iwata Sprint Jet at 65db
I have an Iwata silent compressor. It comes with a built in moistur trap and regulatro and even so gives me a max working pressure of about 28 PSI. It’s not very loud at all. I forget which model it is though.
Can you be a little more specific about how loud it is? Would you compare it to your fridge, or a hair dryer? Maybe a power drill (but less high pitched)?
It’s definitely quieter than a hair drier. It really can’t be heard more than 15-20 feet away from it. I would say it is about as loud as a comparitively quiet power drill, but as you said, less high pitched.
Tankmaster7 wrote the following post at 07-17-2006 6:57 PM:I have an Iwata silent compressor. It comes with a built in moistur trap and regulatro and even so gives me a max working pressure of about 28 PSI. It’s not very loud at all. I forget which model it is though.
BTW specifically which silent Iwata compressor are you using? The Spirit Jet?
I have the scorp. I, noise will not be an issue with this unit. I get just a tad above 20 PSI with the built in moisture trap and a regulator I bought at a hadrdware store and attached my self. The PSI I get is just fine for my work.
How exactly does that work? Does it click on and (loudly) fill up the air tank, and then stay silent until the air is depleted? Does it fill up the tank quietly and then only fill the chamber as needed?
I’ve seen a lot of tank models that claim to be quiet, but I have a feeling that they are NET quietier; that they fill up the tank and then switch off until more air is needed. Is this true?
The 2 above are basically the same compressor. I had mine (ABD TC-20T, because I ordered as an Iwata AB kit) since Christmas. It is very quiet when it fires up. Think of it as one of those fish tank power filters. It’s a bit noiser than a refrigerator (at leat mine) and quiter than a sewing maching, actually almost anything else that has an “on” switch in my house besides light bulbs, LOL. I get migraine headaches easily, but I can fall asleep just fine with that compressor running in the same room.
It also has plenty of power (cfm and max PSI) to handle most task compared to other compressors costing much more. My wife uses it for the occasional T-shirt spraying (50 - 60 PSI).
I’ve searched and tested compressors for months before I decided on this one. It is the quietest I could find and I really like the extra power.
Highly recommended by this hobbiest. [;)]
Gee… I should start getting a commission… [:P]
– Oop’s… Edit –
To answer the other part of your question…
It works on the same principle as the larger compressors. It kicks on to replenish the air supply in the small tank (quietly). Once the pressure is met it shuts off (silent LOL).
Of course I am now left with an image of you face down on your build table, hissing Iwata in hand, while your snoring drowns out the compressor’s relatively quiet “pock, pock” sound. [:o)]
Does anyone have any waranty/reliability information about the the TC-20T, SilentAire, or the Spirit Jet?
My D500 actually broke down after only a year of use. I sent it back to Paasche (big pain shipping a 12lbs chunk of blue iron) and they return it to me in tip-top shape after 10 days (free return sipping.)
Another interesting find – SilentAire claims that the Scorpion I actually runs around 40PSI, and the II at 55PSI, and rate their loudness closer to 50 db.
So I went out and bought a Radio Shack sound meter today! I measured my D500 with it… EIGHTY DECIBELS! 80+ db is very loud. It’s just shy of the range that causes hearing damage with prolonged exposure.
I had a lot of fun on the way home with this meter. An NYC subway runs at 90+db while you are inside riding, and puts out about 85 db while passengers are getting on and off at a station. Walking down Midtown NYC at 4pm, there’s about 75db of ambient noise. My aircondition puts out about 60, and my microwave puts out around 55. The scale is logarithmic, so a 75 is MUCH louder than a 55.
I use a 20 lbs CO2 cylinder with regulator. It is completely silent. The only noise is the air exiting from the airbrush. There is no moisture in the CO2 to need to trap . There is no need of power to run it. It is completely portable. There are no parts to wear out. The 20 lbs size is very common and easy to get. I can easily do 4 or 5 models before refill @ $12.00. That is about $3.00 or less per model. That’s a lot of models before I incure the cost of a good, silent compressor. Just my opinion Greg
While I agree that a CO2 tank is probably the quietest, I can’t help but notice that you didn’t include the cost of the tank and regulators in your cost analysis… [:)]
I’m lucky in that I don’t have to worry about noise and hooked up a garage compressor with tank that only cost me about $75. When it breaks down (I am under no illusion about it’s longevity!) I will replace it with a more expensive and much larger tank garage compressor. If I was worried about noise, I would certainly look into the CO2 system.
That’s one reason why I don’t use CA glues and just Testors Model Cement. It wasn’t a pretty sight when I woke up only to find my face glued to my build. [:O]
During my pre-purchase research (summer & fall of '05), I contacted quite a few people & places regarding compressors, especially the TC-20T & 121TK / 121ACN.
I had received an email regarding the decibal levels. I can’t find the email or remember the exact numbers, but 37 to 47 rings a bell. I think it might have been 47db?? Even at 47 that is a very exceptable noise level. It’s a bit noiser than my A/C unit, but I can talk on the phone, watch TV, listen to my wife ramble… uhm talk, listen to the stereo while it is running without distraction.
I was also told that it was believed to be a product of Sparmax [look at their TC-501(asr)] as they will custom build their products for their clients.
I have to agree that CO2 would be the quietest way to go. But I’d rather have my compressor. Unless it dies on me, I don’t have to worry about running out of air and making a trip to finish a build. Plus it’s a one-time investment, no cost of constant refills.
47dbs is VERY VERY quiet. A conversation between two people runs between 65 & 75 dbs. If this is true, then the TC-20 is a real winner!
I actually wrote to ABD last night and asked them to purchase a sound level meter and measure their various compressor models. The meter costs only $50 from Radio Shack and if their compressors really are that quiet, it would be a huge marketting win for them. Lets see what happens!
And thanks for all the replies everyone - I’m hoping to grow this thread into something that can be stickied.
I know I can hear my wife and kids talking too easily over the sound of the compressor. [:(]
Good luck in getting them to purchase the sound meter and advertise the decibal levels. After all, those compressors are already their biggest sellers.
You are welcome, hopefully it helps in your decision making.