Suggestions for Best Cheap-O Air compressor?

[Demihuman]

The name says it all. I have a pretty big compressor but it is too loud and requires regular maintenance to keep happy. What's the best e-bay-Amazon-Micheal's air compressor to pick-up for cheap and abuse for the next 2-3 years?

Like, less than $60 ideally, but I could be convinced to spend as much as $120...

Ooh, I need 25 psi.

Thanks!

 

[sunsanvil]

$60 is shooting pretty low for an airbrush-type compressor. You basically can grab something non-name from someplace like Harbourfreight (dubious IMO), or hit ebay for a rare deal such as this:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Silentaire-Scorpion-I-/131271638411?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e90663d8b

 

[airhead]

For that price, you can pick up a pancake compressor at the big box stores (Home Despot/Low).

This one is $59 and rated at 78 dB (pretty quiet) and .5 CFM @ 90 psi. You'll need a regulator and moisture trap.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-2-ga...7817?N=5yc1vZc27pZ12l2Z1z0v5qj#specifications

 

[sunsanvil]

78 dB (pretty quiet)

I never put stock in noise level quotes as there are too many ways of expressing them (read: get a lower number). That one for example only gives a telltale "outdoor" qualifier (no weighting, no distance) which means that indoors it will be a lot louder, probably the same as any typical tool compressor. Even if it was an honest "A weighted at 1 meter", I would not consider 78dB quiet.

My Badger TC910 measures 60dB outdoors. In my hobby room it suddenly measures 75dB (using the same metrics). By using damping I've been able to bring it down to a tolerable 65 or so.

 

[Zab]

Azteck is decent. Testor's house brand I believe. Master makes a few as well.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/ABD-TC-20_2.html#.U_NmrPldXzg
http://www.tcpglobal.com/ABD-TC-20T.html#.U_Nm2fldXzg
http://www.tcpglobal.com/ABD-TC-60.html#.U_Nm9PldXzg

http://www.tcpglobal.com/Airbrushing-Supplies/Master-Compressors/

 

[sunsanvil]

Master makes a few as well.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/ABD-TC-20_2.html#.U_NmrPldXzg
http://www.tcpglobal.com/ABD-TC-20T.html#.U_Nm2fldXzg

Although those are getting out of the OP's target budget its worth saying: if at all possible, get the one with the tank!

 

[Demihuman]

OOh E-bay looks like a winner. Keep my fingers crossed. I think that is a decent little machine.

I do have an air compressor, with tanks, its just loud. I was hoping one of these artist compressors could be had on the cheap. I see the master compressors packages with 3 airbrushes and I thought maybe you could find the compressor a la cart for like $40. I hear rave reviews all the time about the cheap airbrushes so I thought compressors might be available too.

Airhead, glad to see you're still around! You got me started with my airbrush a few years ago. Also your advice to give my Paasche VL a second chance was pure gold. When my Iwata was down I did all of the OSL with my VL on this guy:

http://www.coolminiornot.com/360556

It worked great, but you sure have to watch opening it up past that first 1/4 or so...

 

[Splurch]

Harbor Freight has a decent one for $70 that looks very similar (http://www.harborfreight.com/1-6-hp-40-psi-oilless-airbrush-compressor-93657.html). A standard 20% off coupon will drop it to $56. Great deal if you have one nearby, not sure what their online shipping is.

 

[Scherdy]

I've been using the harbor freight one a couple times each month for the last 2 years with no issues.