Another good way to keep everything quite is to place the compressor on a soft pad, I used pipe insulation. It has rubber feet on it already, but sitting on my book case, it transmists a lot of vibes, so that is one thing to look into when you purchase one, where are you going to put it and will the vibration make it louder.
Good point Colin [;)]
I put mine on a piece of scrap carpeting even though it’s already on a thinly carpeted floor. Made a noticeable difference.
I bought a TC-20T from airbrush depot recently and 47db sounds reasonable. It´s very quiet and I was pleasently surprised when I first turned it on. Having a normal conversation while it´s turned on is no problem and because it has a tank it´s not running all the time. It also has rubber feet so that vibrations are reduced. For the price I think it´s a very good option.
Think you want to try measuring the sound with a sound level meter? 
I´d love to do that, but I live in Norway so that meter quickly gets expensive. Buying something similar here costs almost $150.
Actually it is easy to keep up with how much CO2 you have. When you get a 20lbs cylinder, you buy 20lbs of CO2 above the weight of the cylinder. Just weigh the cylinder before starting a project. If the total weight weight of the cylinder has dropped 17 or 18 lbs, go get it filled. You don’t have to wait till you run out half way through a paint job. Greg
I’m getting a little obsessed with this
I went down to one of the art supply shops in town with my Sound Level Meter, and actually convinced them to let me measure an Iwata Sprint Jet. Let me start by saying the Sprint Jet is a very cool looking compressor. It’s half the size of my Paasche, and weighs nothing. It has a very nice carrying handle, as well as rubber feet.
The Sprint Jet was pretty darn quiet. I measured about 65dbs coming off of it, similar to a room AC or standing floor fan. I would have bought it right there, but this art supply shop charged about $200 too much for it (much to my chagrin).
Okay – I haven’t updated this thread in a while, but I have some results!
I finally purchased a Iwata Sprint Jet from Dixie Art. Great price and good service. The compressor is far more “deluxe” than a Paasche D500. Smaller, Lighter, more preasure when I need it. Integrated moisture trap andd regulator, all for $160 new. Worth EVERY penny. The on/off switch and the carry handle are a HUGE win over the Paasche D500.
The SprintJet runs in the low 70db, (compare to the D500s 85). The sound it makes is of a much higher pitch; instead of the horrible rumble of the Paasche, it’s more of a gentle wheezing. For me, it’s a much more tolerable sound. it does NOT scare my girlfriend out of the house like the Paasche. SprintJet doesn’t vibrate very much either; my Paasche would do a dance across my hard wood floor if I didn’t put something under it.
All in all, the Sprint Jet is a much more pleasant Compressor to work with. I recommend it!
Mine has a hum that is quieter than my computer while it’s running. Since it has a 1/2 gal tank, it doesn’t run constantly, even with heavy spraying.
Totally worth the investment if you are a serious modeller.
Greg,
Hey, another one of US! I was beginning to wonder if anyone else had stumbled upon the only truly “silent” (and dry) air source— a CO2 tank. It also handles presssures far higher than most of the compressors that are being discussed. I get way more modeling between refills than you, but even at the rate you use it, it’s a bargain, especially since it uses no electricity. Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone.
TomB
Hi Everyone,
I’m also looking to get a compressor (my first) and this thread has convinced me to get the ABD TC-20T. Before I do I would like to get some clarification on a few final things so please indulge:
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For you TC-20T owners out there: is its built-in moisture trap enough to keep the air clean at the business end of the hose? Is there a need to get a separate moisture trap closer to the AB?
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What is everyone’s views on tankless compressors? Are they more trouble than they’re worth?
Thanks in advance for your imput. I can’t wait to hear it so I can order this baby!
Jeff
Bgrigg
I’m with Greg. There seems to be a belief that a CO2 setup is hugely expensive. Well, I guess that depends on how much you spend on your hobby, and how much the advantages of a silent and dry air supply are worth to you. I bought my tank and regulator about 6 years ago for $220. I build a half-dozen models a year, more or less, and I’ve had the tank swapped out 4 times in the past 6 years at about $15 a pop. I don’t hear from listening to the forum that a decent compressor/regulator/ moisturetrap/whateverelse setup can be had for much less than $200, so I think the start-up costs are roughly comparable. Sure, I spend money on refills, but I don’t spend any money on power. Considering the advantages, I think it’s well worth it.
TomB
My Badger Million-Air is about 35 dB or so, about the same as a refrigerator.
My Jun-Air is about the same, maybe slightly louder, maybe 40 dB.
I can paint when my wife is asleep in the next room and she hears nothing.
So far I haven’t found a need. The setup works fine as it comes. You could however relocate the regulator/moisture trap into one of those bench airbrush holders if you wanted to, running a hose from the compressor to the regulator. They’re not welded together LOL. By the way, I plan on doing just that soon.
I don’t think tankless compressors would be any more trouble, other than running hotter under heavy use thus dieing an early death, or causing pulsation under certain circumstances. Since I’m used to large garage compressors, I just wouldn’t have it any other way than own a minature with a tank.
Hope this found you quick enough to help in your purchase decision Jeff?