- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
- Messages
- 165
My basement shop is about 14' x 14'. I don't use much compressed air, just a little for occasional gentle clearing of chips from holes, but mostly for the power drawbar on the Bridgeport. I had been using a portable 3/4 HP oil-less compressor that I have had for 30 years (it refuses to die). The problem is that it is REALLY noisy. It only starts occasionally with the light duty it has. Several times in recent weeks it decided to roar to life just as I was touching off on the lathe or mill - and made me jump big time. I decided it was a safety hazard and looked into more quiet compressors (I was able to sell my wife on the safety hazard thing.)
There is at least one manufacturer that uses refrigeration type (oiled) compressors. They make no more noise than a refrigerator, but they cost about as much as a new fridge.
I found another outfit in California that markets a Chinese built "ultra quite" compressor. The company is California Air Tools - I think they also market under the GMC trade name. The one I bought is a 3/4 HP portable with an aluminum tank. It weighs about 35 lb. Twin cylinder, rubber mounts, 1.5 cfm @ 90psi. The manufacturer claims it is only 58 dB of noise. I have no way to confirm this, but it is really quiet. Two people can have a conversation right on top of it without having to use raised voices - I think my bench grinder makes more noise. The compressor cycles between 90 and 120 psi, so I can leave the power drawbar regulator set at 80 psi and always get the same torque. When the mill or the lathe is running, I can hear when the compressor starts, but it is strictly background noise and is not a shocker. Turns out Home Depot is a dealer for this compressor - but you have to order it over the internet and have it shipped to your home (free shipping). I think I paid about $170 (on sale) + MN sales tax for it. So far, I am very happy with it.
If you need a smaller compressor with low noise - you may want to consider this one.
Terry S.
There is at least one manufacturer that uses refrigeration type (oiled) compressors. They make no more noise than a refrigerator, but they cost about as much as a new fridge.
I found another outfit in California that markets a Chinese built "ultra quite" compressor. The company is California Air Tools - I think they also market under the GMC trade name. The one I bought is a 3/4 HP portable with an aluminum tank. It weighs about 35 lb. Twin cylinder, rubber mounts, 1.5 cfm @ 90psi. The manufacturer claims it is only 58 dB of noise. I have no way to confirm this, but it is really quiet. Two people can have a conversation right on top of it without having to use raised voices - I think my bench grinder makes more noise. The compressor cycles between 90 and 120 psi, so I can leave the power drawbar regulator set at 80 psi and always get the same torque. When the mill or the lathe is running, I can hear when the compressor starts, but it is strictly background noise and is not a shocker. Turns out Home Depot is a dealer for this compressor - but you have to order it over the internet and have it shipped to your home (free shipping). I think I paid about $170 (on sale) + MN sales tax for it. So far, I am very happy with it.
If you need a smaller compressor with low noise - you may want to consider this one.
Terry S.
