Is there such a thing? Well, after doing multiple Google searches, I found multiple guys using refrigerator Freon compressors as air compressors. I thought a give it a try. I am not looking for a lot of capacity, just the occasional air blast to clean out the milling machine vise or to blowout carbs (or maybe something to run a Brad nailer). Has anybody ever used one of these? And what is the life expectancy of the compressor???
Silent air compressor?
- Thread starter Matt Matt
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phy6
Well-known member
I don't think you're going to be satisfied with the performance. For the price of your time tinkering with it (unless you really love to tinker), you could be off and running with a 2nd hand air compressor off craigslist (that's what I did).
If quietness is really your limiting factor and not cost, you can try building a sound isolation box around a standard compressor.
I just built one for mine:
I made a box for my upright 2 stage 80 gallon compressor which was normally really loud. The compressor is in a corner under with rafters right above. I made a 30x36x87H" box to enclose it under the rafters, and a 30x36" top screwed to the bottom of the rafters to enclose the top.
Then I put 12x12 foam noise cancelling squares on all the interior surface, like a sound booth. I bought the foam off eBay, I think 96sqft. I still have some left over to make a little box for the rotary phase motor.
I first used spray adhesive to get the squares on (3M Super 77). I also tried the loctite medium hold spray but it sucked, so I went back with an air stapler and secured all the pieces in place.
The panels for the box were made from 1/2" plywood. I used some left over door hinges along one side to secure them together, but you could have used a rigid corner mount.
If quietness is really your limiting factor and not cost, you can try building a sound isolation box around a standard compressor.
I just built one for mine:
I made a box for my upright 2 stage 80 gallon compressor which was normally really loud. The compressor is in a corner under with rafters right above. I made a 30x36x87H" box to enclose it under the rafters, and a 30x36" top screwed to the bottom of the rafters to enclose the top.
Then I put 12x12 foam noise cancelling squares on all the interior surface, like a sound booth. I bought the foam off eBay, I think 96sqft. I still have some left over to make a little box for the rotary phase motor.
I first used spray adhesive to get the squares on (3M Super 77). I also tried the loctite medium hold spray but it sucked, so I went back with an air stapler and secured all the pieces in place.
The panels for the box were made from 1/2" plywood. I used some left over door hinges along one side to secure them together, but you could have used a rigid corner mount.
Dagny
Well-known member
It will get very hot.
Considering the limited use, it might be worth it to look into a CO2 tank. I use them a lot when I need to run air tools or air up tires and I'm too far from my compressor. There are a couple companies who sell ready to use kits, but I've been able to source the parts on my own and save some money.
But as far as quiet compressors go, I put mine in a seperate small barn next to my garage. The garage and compressor barn do not share any walls,roof, or floor. So there is no transfer of sound like there is if there is a common wall. When I turn on the compressor circuit from the garage, I have to open the garage service door to hear the compressor running. With the service door shut I can't hear it at all.
My compressor is an old (about 1970) Quincy 2 stage low pressure (125psi).
But as far as quiet compressors go, I put mine in a seperate small barn next to my garage. The garage and compressor barn do not share any walls,roof, or floor. So there is no transfer of sound like there is if there is a common wall. When I turn on the compressor circuit from the garage, I have to open the garage service door to hear the compressor running. With the service door shut I can't hear it at all.
My compressor is an old (about 1970) Quincy 2 stage low pressure (125psi).
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Lelandwelds
Well-known member
Gotta love Google. Youtube has vids.
If you do those three things and dont add to your list, they're (meh) OK. How long did your last frig or AC hold up? They last OK if you occasionally change the oil. They're really best if you get everything for free, have lots of free time, and are a patient sort of guy. Best use I've seen (wasnt mine) was operating tiny pnuematic cylinders for low volume Halloween animations.
You can make a veneer vacuum pump from one too. About the same so so performance.
metlmunchr
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Refrigeration compressors are designed to let the refrigerant carry oil thru the system so they have no oil control rings on the pistons. Using one as an air compressor means you get plenty of oil in the storage tank and all air lines. One from a typical home refrigerator might produce 1 (one) cfm on a good day. Also, the motor windings rely on the returning cold refrigerant for cooling. Any sort of continuous use as an air compressor would fry the motor windings in a short time.
We use a little 8 gallon 1hp California Air Tools compressor on a touring "Brand Experience" trailer and when I set it out at the end of 10' of hose you can't hear it cycle. Granted it's on a busy street, not an otherwise quite garage. They run $170 at HD and it's plug & play. Though I understand that sometimes the DIY build is kinda the point.
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theoldwizard1
Well-known member
pepi
Well-known member
Dragfluid
ALLIANCE MEMBER
This. ^
So in other words, every time you blow air, some refrigerant oil will come out with it.
Until it runs out of oil.
If you want to quiet down a compressor, run the intake of it outside. The intake is where the majority of the noise comes from.
bamendaboy
Well-known member
I think someone posted about a compressor the other day. Let me find the link.
Those were the compressors.
Those were the compressors.
bamendaboy
Well-known member
This link right here
PCMusicGuy
Well-known member
There are plenty of very quiet compressors. Most of them are scroll type compressors. You will find them in fridges, dentist offices, airbrush setups, etc. Industrial size scroll compressors exists but are often prohibitively expensive for the average user. The youtube links above are for a new Eastwood compressor. They are the cheapest entry point I've seen yet for an industrial sized scroll compressor. Certainly worth a look if silence is a premium.
Another bit of information on the California Air compressors. I've got the Husky rebranded one that is a clone of the 4610a compressor from California Air. I picked it up for $99 a couple years ago from Home Depot. While much more quiet than a typical compact oil-less compressor, I think it is still louder than anyone would imagine. I would not use words like "silent" to describe it.
Another bit of information on the California Air compressors. I've got the Husky rebranded one that is a clone of the 4610a compressor from California Air. I picked it up for $99 a couple years ago from Home Depot. While much more quiet than a typical compact oil-less compressor, I think it is still louder than anyone would imagine. I would not use words like "silent" to describe it.
Lelandwelds
Well-known member
Go to an independent welding supply and ask for a spring piston fixed pressure co2 regulator. They are tough and won't freeze.
The best sound reduction is from adding mass ( masonry ), reducing vibration transfer ( horse stall mats), or absorbing some frequencies (rockwool bats). Adding distance reduces by an inverse square ( stick it outside). If you are willing to tune it, some frequencies can be canceled ( add some form of muffler or silencer).
All can be applied at once.
Joe Reed
Well-known member
I did everything you're not supposed to do with mine 
It's one of those extremely loud airless compressors...and it's located under my workbench. Locating it outside or in an adjacent structure isn't feasible
First, I put pads where it touched the concrete floor. Didn't help much.
Next, I built a plywood box to go over it with the front hinged to get to the controls. The back is open since it's pretty close to the wall anyway - and that provides a place for air to enter the box. Helped quite a bit with the most annoying frequencies, but still plenty loud.
Finally, I used fiberglass house insulation to line the box and placed it on the floor and the wall behind it as well. My thinking was that at least I'd kill this compressor and have an excuse to buy a better one. So far it's still going strong The insulation *really* made a huge difference in the sound. It's considerably quieter...especially at the high frequencies that I found so annoying.
I don't recommend this solution, but so far it's been good for me. I can work in the garage with the compressor on and it no longer is a PITA. I'm sure it would kill a compressor pretty quickly if you had a large demand for air. For my occasional use, it looks like I might be stuck with this unit for a while longer...
It's one of those extremely loud airless compressors...and it's located under my workbench. Locating it outside or in an adjacent structure isn't feasible
First, I put pads where it touched the concrete floor. Didn't help much.
Next, I built a plywood box to go over it with the front hinged to get to the controls. The back is open since it's pretty close to the wall anyway - and that provides a place for air to enter the box. Helped quite a bit with the most annoying frequencies, but still plenty loud.
Finally, I used fiberglass house insulation to line the box and placed it on the floor and the wall behind it as well. My thinking was that at least I'd kill this compressor and have an excuse to buy a better one. So far it's still going strong
The insulation *really* made a huge difference in the sound. It's considerably quieter...especially at the high frequencies that I found so annoying.I don't recommend this solution, but so far it's been good for me. I can work in the garage with the compressor on and it no longer is a PITA. I'm sure it would kill a compressor pretty quickly if you had a large demand for air. For my occasional use, it looks like I might be stuck with this unit for a while longer...
mooseracing
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If you don't need alot of air, the California Air Tools brand is pretty quiet. Or pick up an older small belt driven.
For machinery I am a vacuum user as well. I don't care to blow chips all over or into the ways and lead screws.
For machinery I am a vacuum user as well. I don't care to blow chips all over or into the ways and lead screws.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
It's common in the hobby world to use refrigerator compressors for an airbrush, but that's about all I would expect one to be able to handle.
Tommy
Tommy
VR6ix
Well-known member
I found a neat compressor on Kijiji a couple years ago. It's actually meant for exercise equipment found in gyms so quiet was part of the original design.
Keiser 1030 is a 10-gallon, 3.0 CFM compressor, has 2 motors that each have their own pump, dryer and cooler system. Runs on 115 volt and the 1031-model is 230 volt. I think I paid $200 for it? The manual says it puts out 53dB, it's much quieter than a typical compressor but it's not silent by any means.
For hobby use it's been great for me. I have no idea how you might find another one but look for stuff like dental or medical units. Might find something for cheap on Craigslist if no one knows what it is.
Keiser 1030 is a 10-gallon, 3.0 CFM compressor, has 2 motors that each have their own pump, dryer and cooler system. Runs on 115 volt and the 1031-model is 230 volt. I think I paid $200 for it? The manual says it puts out 53dB, it's much quieter than a typical compressor but it's not silent by any means.
For hobby use it's been great for me. I have no idea how you might find another one but look for stuff like dental or medical units. Might find something for cheap on Craigslist if no one knows what it is.
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ddawg16
Well-known member
The CO2 tank is an outstanding idea...and a really cheap way to get compressed air.
PhysicsDude
Well-known member
I found a neat compressor on Kijiji a couple years ago. It's actually meant for exercise equipment found in gyms so quiet was part of the original design.
Keiser 1030 is a 10-gallon, 3.0 CFM compressor, has 2 motors that each have their own pump, dryer and cooler system. Runs on 115 volt and the 1031-model is 230 volt. I think I paid $200 for it? The manual says it puts out 53dB, it's much quieter than a typical compressor but it's not silent by any means.
For hobby use it's been great for me. I have no idea how you might find another one but look for stuff like dental or medical units. Might find something for cheap on Craigslist if no one knows what it is.
I bought a compressor similar to that, except smaller off craigslist. Seller said it was a Dentist compressor. Had a bunch of filters on it and rubber pads, really neat.
It wasnt nearly as quiet as I thought it would be. I had an older SpeedAire oil lubricated belt driven compressor and the dentist compressor was almost as loud as it, although the Speedaire compressor was pretty quiet for a compressor. The Dentist compressor was maybe 75% as loud? Didn't make a lot of difference to me, it was still loud enough I couldn't have a conversation with someone else with the compressor running 10 feet away from me. It probably vibrated less though, I imagine in an insulated closet it would be really quiet.
That is exactly what I use, a fixed pressure regulator. It's set
for 150psi. No gauges to get broken, very rugged.
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