Airbrush compressors

[Pipe Wrench]

I am looking for a small oilless airbrush compressor with at least a 3-liter tank. Noise level should be under 50 decibels. Looking at online reviews has not helped me much, mostly because most reviews seem to be by the people who sell the compressor in question. Many don't even run the compressor so you have no idea how loud they really are. I'd be willing to spend up to $250. Can somebody please make an experience-based recommendation?

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I am looking for a small oilless airbrush compressor with at least a 3-liter tank. Noise level should be under 50 decibels. Looking at online reviews has not helped me much, mostly because most reviews seem to be by the people who sell the compressor in question. Many don't even run the compressor so you have no idea how loud they really are. I'd be willing to spend up to $250. Can somebody please make an experience-based recommendation?

I have one of these, fills quickly.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-gal-13-hp-100-psi-oil-free-pancake-air-compressor-61615.html

Doesn't seem so loud compared to the 33gallon Craftsman.

 

[BigEd]

Here's an article that may help:

https://wisepick.org/best-airbrush-compressor/

 

[454ragtop]

Where are you located? I have a genuine Paasche compressor I could part with.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Where are you located? I have a genuine Paasche compressor I could part with.

Now that is a very nice thing to do!

I have a set of Paasche air brushes and one of their compressors, and they all work great for paint touchups on vehicles!

Jim

 

[jw3]

Pipewrench are you using this for slab leak locates?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rlitman]

...Noise level should be under 50 decibels...

50dB is setting the bar pretty high. If you really need silent usage, you could always hook up to a CO2 cylinder.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

There are plenty of cheap compressors than can handle airbrush duty, but 50 dB is next to impossible without spending a ton. Most nice air brush specific compressors can barely get down under 60 dB.

 

[engineer2]

We have a Silent Aire "Super Silent 20A", 30 dBa, but it is not oil free and it's closer to $500+.
See www.silentaire.com/ their Scorpion line is 50dB, oil-free and the price is closer to what you are budgeting for.

 

[Pipe Wrench]

Pipewrench are you using this for slab leak locates?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am not a plumber. I did say "airbrush compressor."

 

[Pipe Wrench]

We have a Silent Aire "Super Silent 20A", 30 dBa, but it is not oil free and it's closer to $500+.
See www.silentaire.com/ their Scorpion line is 50dB, oil-free and the price is closer to what you are budgeting for.

The Scorpion does not have an air tank, I think. I don't want to have the compressor running nonstop.

 

[Pipe Wrench]

Here's an article that may help:

https://wisepick.org/best-airbrush-compressor/

Once I start reading the reviews it turns out they are generally all over the place. Leaky hoses, fittings that don't fit, couldn't be better. If only we had a local hobby shop that's still in business...

 

[Pipe Wrench]

I ended up getting a Paasche D3000R for $129 (List price over $190 at the Paasche website). It's quiet enough at 47 dB and the tank at a 3/4 gallon is okay.

 

[Toxictom]

I've heard of guys repurposing the compressor from a small refrigerator for use as an airbrush compressor. They are pretty quiet.

 

[rlitman]

I've heard of guys repurposing the compressor from a small refrigerator for use as an airbrush compressor. They are pretty quiet.

I can't imagine painting with one. Refrigeration compressors are designed to work with a constant flow of oil going through them.