zerosystem Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 well with some tax money coming back this year thought it might be time to invest in a new compressor. currently running a badger 80-2 and would like something quiet but would like to keep the price in the $250 or less range. anybody have any reviews or recommendations? thanks, peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Loggie Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Two suggestions, but one is not within your parameters. Go to a CO2 (carbon dioxide) system. It uses only a commercially-available CO2 gas cylinder (cost unknown) and a regulator (ditto). Guaranteed to be noiseless. A cylinder will last for maaaaany model before it needs a refill (cost unknown). Others will confirm this info and will be able to fill-in the details. My compressor is as quiet as a fridge, because I scratch-built it from a 16 y-o fridge compressor. The fridge sat in my FIL's back yard for 4 years. I got an old truck brake-tank from a wreaking yard for $5, and an in-line regulator/water-trap from an auto-parts shop for $20-00. Fittings & hoses cost me $50-00. So far, it has lasted me 18 years. Dunno about commercial/off-the-shelf units. George, out............ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Netz Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) Ditto above, I have used a regular garage Craftsman compressor for ever, I bought it new in the early 80's so it is a belt drive not the obnoxious diaphragms they sell now. But aside from that if I were to change to a different type of air source I'd go CO2. I think your investment will be the same as a good quality airbrush dedicated compressor,I checked into this last month, the local welding supply will exchange a 20lb bottle for less than $15 (your refill) with that I'd recommend trying to find a used bottle new ones run $100.00 but you only need a core (make sure the hydrostatic pressure test is current or that will run an additional $15-20) , buy an empty used one (pawn shop, or where you can find used tools)and go in and exchange it for a full bottle. Your next cost will be regulators, they can be bought from the same shop or you can check e-bay or beverage shops, they will be a double gauge type to read the tank pressure and regulate the air pressure, you will have to buy specific gauges for the CO2 as a normal gauge cannot handle the pressure, let the sales person know how low you need the operating pressure to be (0-40lbs)if they can't get that low at least get to 100 lbs and a second regulator can be added. sounds like allot of stuff, but it's just a tank and regulator. I think you could get into a CO2 setup for under $200, at least I know I could :}, and just think it will never breakdown on you!!! Curt Edited February 5, 2012 by Netz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Netz Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Here's an Ebay deal, the guy has a 5lb tank (it looks bigger to me)sitting at $40 and a regulator at $30. Curt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kei Lau Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 well with some tax money coming back this year thought it might be time to invest in a new compressor. currently running a badger 80-2 and would like something quiet but would like to keep the price in the $250 or less range. anybody have any reviews or recommendations? thanks, peter Hobby Lobby Storm Force Dual Piston Compressor. No sure how far you have to drive to get to a Hobby Lobby. If not practical, this compressor is also marketed as Sparmax TC-2000, Paasche DA400R or Iwata Powerjet lite. The Sparmax or Paasche would definitely meet your budget. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AVGBob Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) My suggestion: Iwata IS850 - Smart Jet. I have one and love it. It is at the top end of your budget though. Link to Amazon customer reviews Edited February 5, 2012 by AVGBob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kei Lau Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) My suggestion: Iwata IS850 - Smart Jet. I have one and love it. It is at the top end of your budget though. Link to Amazon customer reviews The Iwata Smarthet compressor uses a "Bleed valve airflow adjustment to lower air pressure". One of reveiwer (cgoldberg) at Amazon commented: One thing you should consider is that to adjust air pressure on this model, you have to open a valve on the moisture trap which, at very low PSI, creates a constant hissing sound which prevents the compressor from shutting off when not in use (as intended). It sprays just fine but it is markedly louder at lower pressure. You can go one step up to the Powerjet Lite to get a true adjustable pressure regulator. Edited February 5, 2012 by Kei Lau Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AVGBob Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 The Iwata Smarthet compressor uses a "Bleed valve airflow adjustment to lower air pressure". One of reveiwer (cgoldberg) at Amazon commented: One thing you should consider is that to adjust air pressure on this model, you have to open a valve on the moisture trap which, at very low PSI, creates a constant hissing sound which prevents the compressor from shutting off when not in use (as intended). It sprays just fine but it is markedly louder at lower pressure. You can go one step up to the Powerjet Lite to get a true adjustable pressure regulator. This is true, but it has never really bothered me. The added noise, in my opinion, is not that bad. But the PowerJet Lite is a really good choice, just a bit more expensive. If I had the money to get that one, I would. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Have you looked at the Silentaire series? A little more expensive, but I think a worthy investment. I bought mine for ~$500 back in 2003, still going strong (and quiet). http://www.madisonartshop.com/scorpion-iitt.html http://www.madisonartshop.com/scorpion-iw.html http://www.madisonartshop.com/scorpion-ii.html http://www.madisonartshop.com/scorpion-ic.html http://www.madisonartshop.com/silentaire.html Cheers Collin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kei Lau Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Have you looked at the Silentaire series? A little more expensive, but I think a worthy investment. I bought mine for ~$500 back in 2003, still going strong (and quiet). http://www.madisonartshop.com/scorpion-iitt.html http://www.madisonartshop.com/scorpion-iw.html http://www.madisonartshop.com/scorpion-ii.html http://www.madisonartshop.com/scorpion-ic.html http://www.madisonartshop.com/silentaire.html Cheers Collin Collin, do you know who makes the Scorpion series of compressor for them now? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CF104 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Hi Peter, Although it's out of you current budget I second Collins' recommendation of the Silentaire compressors. I've been using the Silentaire Super Silent 20-A for the past three years and it's unbelievably quiet and has been a rock solid investment. The best $500 I've spent in my work shop. Cheers, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Model-Junkie Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Can anyone confirm whether some of the Iwata, Sparmax and Silentaire compressors are the same models just re-branded? For example the Iwata Smart, Sparmax TC-501 and Silentaire Scorpion 1-W all look the same with different style moisture traps/pressure regulators. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
coladito1 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Ebay, nuff said. Got my iwata smartjet and airbrush for $160. Works great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Air-Craft Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Can anyone confirm whether some of the Iwata, Sparmax and Silentaire compressors are the same models just re-branded? For example the Iwata Smart, Sparmax TC-501 and Silentaire Scorpion 1-W all look the same with different style moisture traps/pressure regulators. Sparmax, Iwata, Revell(Germany)& some others are all manufactured by Sparmax. The Silentaire Scorpion series looks to be Chinese. The silent Silentaire "Super Silent" & Badger "Million Air" range are Werther Sil-Air units. The Scorpion 1-W isn't a Sparmax unit, the airbrush holder location, plastic end plate (rather than chrome), the regulator, air filter cover, all black pressure gauge & bundled recoil hose are all suggestive of a Chinese (Fengda/Royal......) unit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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