Whisper compressor for air fed lubing star sizer?

[jayjay1]

Hello guys,
what I have read, 70 PSI is the maximum some of you are running their air fed lubing system.

Is that correct?

So I´m looking for a compressor which makes this as silent as possible.
How strong / big has this compressor to be, any suggestions please?


Greetz,
Jay

[HATCH]

It doesn't require much cfms.
I would recommend you had a small tank on your compressor though... Just a 1/2 gal would do.
You don't consume air when lubing. It's just for pressure

[jayjay1]

Ok, thanks so far.

I would place it under my bench and don´t want to lose all of my inlays when it starts, so, are there some compressors which are very silent?

How about an airbrush compressor?

[bangerjim]

I sell a virtually silent compressor that goes along with the analytical lab equipment I sell. You cannot hear it run, but it costs almost $1k. It is designed to be in a lab environment and makes hardly any noise.

I have 3 different airbrush compressors and they are NOT silent!!!!!!!!! Even the one that cost $350.00. That thing HF sells is rather noisy also.

You can check into an old refrigerator compressor. Those are quite but will not build up over about 45# or so. I have a cousin that uses one to pump up his car tires to 35#. There is oil in the freon that it pumps, so I do not know what impact it will have on it compressing clean oil-less air.

Good luck matching your needs with your pocketbook!

bangerjim

[dragonrider]

As compressors go, the smaller they are the nosier they are. My compressor is a 5 HP 2 stage unit and is not loud at all. It sits out in my garage and my reloading is in my cellar, I hard piped it from the garage to the cellar and I don't hear it all. I believe the best thing to do it place your unit away from where you are working and pipe your air to where you need it, even if you just run a long hose. I wish I could help you about a small unit but every one I have seen/heard has been obnoxiously loud. I do know that you do not want an "oil less", they are very loud prone to failure. I certainly don't want to seem like I am urging you to get a large comp. like mine, buying more than you need is never a good idea, well maybe not when buying guns or building a shop, but you know what I mean. Another option would be a spare air tank that you may be able to fill at a local gas station. Using quick disconnects you can just unplug it and then fill it and plug it back in. Perhaps if you had two of them you can keep one full and ready to use when one empties, hence not having to run out to fill one when you need right now. Just some ideas hope it helps.

[chloe123]

It doesn't require much cfms.
I would recommend you had a small tank on your compressor though... Just a 1/2 gal would do.
You don't consume air when lubing. It's just for pressure

...not consuming air is a good point

JJ, I bought a oilless 3gallon air C and though it is loud when running in a closed space, at 100psi--as long as there are no leaks--it really shouldn't be kicking on. Meaning, its vibration shouldn't be tearing anything up. Especially as you can turn it off and be assured it's not gonna need to be turned back on during a session

The other point about not being stingy is sound too. If you are interested in running other tools, you're gonna be in a bit of a pickle with a unit like mine. Apart from maybe a staple gun, it's gonna be hard pressed to keep up. It's more for adding some pressure to your car tires

[AggieEE]

There is a manf. called Juneaire. I think they are the same ones that bangerjim is selling. you do want to be setting down and have a doctor handy when you look at the price. the biggest noise out of them is when it shuts off and the air bled kicks in. You might consider using a compressor out of a window ac unit. My dad took one to make a vacuum pump out of to do auto ac work with. It will run up to about 350psi so have a pressure switch on it. As to running oil-less air didn't seem to hurt it just once in a while give it a little shot of compressor oil.

[jayjay1]

I have a big compressor in my garage!

No need that this one goes for big tools, so.

But my garage is about 50ft. away and standing free, so I would have to lay a loooot of pipes.

This one should be only for the cellar and small game!

I think 70psi, a small tank, regulated, should be good.
Not too expensive if possible.

[HATCH]

You could just get a portable air tank and fill it up when your gonna be sizing.

[jayjay1]

Interessting!

But how can I regulate pressure then?

[HATCH]

My star air setup is like the factory. There is a pressure regulator on top of the air cylinder

[HATCH]

Ok, I got one a computer so I can respond better to this thread.

I am not sure on your exact setup.
On a factory Star Air lube feed setup you have a air cylinder with a regulator on top.

This is a picture of a aftermarket setup
112134

This is a picture of a factory setup
112135


On a factory setup the only air consumed is just to pressurize the air cylinder initially.
Unless you have leaks in your connections, you are only dealing with the amount of air that can fit inside your cylinder and your air lines going from your tank (compressor) to the sizer.

I think you could get a tank like this one
112136

Get a longer air line with a quick disconnect.
This would last you all day and then some unless you had a leak

Hope this helps you

[jayjay1]

Great writeup!

Totally to the point, thanks a lot!
:drinks:

[jmorris]

I have a few compressors that a friend gave me made by Jun-Air. They came from a dental building. Fully enclosed, regulator, auto condensation drain, fan cooled (if the temp gets hot enough). I have never seen a compressor that has the output that makes less noise, my case feeders are louder.

Its the white cube on the bottom shelf in this pic.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/reloading/IMAG1210.jpg

[Spruce]

Nice setup jmorris, and a great little compressor. Thanks for sharing pic.

[rodsvet]

I use a tank from Harbor Freight. I think I paid like $25 out the door. Jayjay1, you can fill it up and it will power the Star for a month as long as you have no leaks. If you have a compressor in your shop, you only have to carry it 50 feet. If you don't, a trip to the gas station every once in a while is all you need. Rod

[jayjay1]

JMorris,
oh my gosh!

I´m light years away from this setup....

What is that in the corner of the desk?

[jayjay1]

I use a tank from Harbor Freight.

Hey Rod,
seems that there are no "simple" air tanks over here.

You can only get scuba tanks over here, which are used still pretty expensive.

[bangerjim]

Do you have 20# propane tanks for grills over there?

For years I used one as an air tank! Works great. Definitely can handle 120# of air.

banger

[bbqncigars]

Another option would be one of those refillable paintball gun tanks. The refillable airgun tanks would work too, but they're pricier.

[jayjay1]

Hey guys,
I got it.

Had to look for just "airtanks" (Lufttank) and there they were.

Thanks a bunch folks!
:drinks:


@bbgncigars:
The least buddy, not the most.
:smile:

[HATCH]

Just make sure you have no air leaks and you will be fine.

[mold maker]

This might be an application for a refrigerant compressor like from a deep freeze or refrigerator. On another thread a fellow used one just for air to clear primer dust etc from his press. I brought up the need for oil and he explained that his was from an old defunct refrig, and had been serving air under his bench for more than a few years. it provides ~ 100 psi. I'm sure there is a way to recirculate enough oil to keep it happy, and most are really quiet.

[jmorris]

If you use an old compressor from a fridge or freezer (they can be used for vaccum pumps too, on the suction side) you should have a high pressure shut off on it. They can generate several hundreds of PSI. I use them (after I fill a tank with water (it does not compress, so less chance get hurt) to pressure test them. They will make 200 psi with no problem.

You don't want a tank to fail with something that can expand...

Water will just crack and leak out of a tank at pressure, gasses can react with different results.