Author Topic: Mini compressor - any good?  (Read 2475 times)

Offline john mills

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #15 on: December 22, 2024, 08:04:58 PM »
I have a 18v metbo mini compressor that works a lot better than i thought it would it turned over a big full size engine to see things worked but will run smaller models ok.i also have larger compressors a 2 stage twin cylinder and a meant to be silent its enclosed in a sound proofing box twin cylinder single
stage similar capacity not that noisy but both about the same noise level the one in the box is not that quiet  this two compressors are about the same noise level
john   

Offline dieselpilot

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #16 on: January 06, 2025, 06:45:14 PM »
Have they started putting silencers on these "quiet" compressors unloader valves yet? I have a California compressor. Yeah, they are relatively quite until they reach pressure and blow off to unload the compressor. I ended up adding a solenoid valve with a silencer on it, bypassing the original unloader valve.

Offline crueby

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #17 on: January 06, 2025, 07:01:56 PM »
Have they started putting silencers on these "quiet" compressors unloader valves yet? I have a California compressor. Yeah, they are relatively quite until they reach pressure and blow off to unload the compressor. I ended up adding a solenoid valve with a silencer on it, bypassing the original unloader valve.
Can you give more details on the silencer? I have not seen that.

Offline dieselpilot

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #18 on: January 06, 2025, 08:05:05 PM »
About a minute in. This isn't me, but he does credit me as the source or the idea. I guess some of the more expensive CAT do have silencers on the blow off. I found a much nicer silent compressor with dryer for the shop not long after I made the mods.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhvJEXilWug" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhvJEXilWug</a>

Offline PaulR

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #19 on: January 24, 2025, 04:52:43 PM »
Well I bought one of these in the end:

https://www.bimsonpower.com/products/bimson-power-8l-oil-free-air-compressor

... but I can't figure out the best way to hook it up to my engines (which mostly have 6mm or 1/4" connectors to push a silicone tube on). It has a quick release fitting so I need a male connector to plug in but there are so many fittings available it's quite confusing!

Any suggestions please?

Offline crueby

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #20 on: January 24, 2025, 05:00:42 PM »
The quick connect fittings on the compressors go to a 'standard' style connector on air hoses, though I've found over the years that there are a couple different standards they use. One for typical air nailers and such, one that commercial shops use. They look very similar but are not interchangeable!  :hammerbash: Not sure what names to look for on the connectors for each type, hope someone else here can chime in on that.

What I do a lot for connecting to the models is to get a multi-pack of the air hose quick connect fittings, and turn the ends to be like a barbed hose fitting, put the plastic hose over that, and add a turn or two of wire with a twist to hold the hose. A lot depends on what hose you are using out at the model. If you get the solid brass quick connect fittings, they are easy to drill/turn and solder to, to make up whatever you need.  More recently I picked up a kit of push-to-connect fittings for 1/4" OD air line, and am going to convert over to using that, so I can run lines around the shelves to all the models to run them without having to move bigger hoses around, but I have not gotten started on that process yet.

Offline uuu

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #21 on: January 24, 2025, 05:09:18 PM »
I looked up a supplier and found some described "Schrader" and "PCL" - and there's a link to some called "interchange".  See here - https://www.pclairtechnology.com/couplings-adaptors



Wilf

Offline Jasonb

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #22 on: January 24, 2025, 05:10:01 PM »
Male a manifold with some flow regulators so you can run several engiens at once at different speeds

If it is not upto that remove teh quick fit and put in a push fit phneumatic fitting to take 6mm line, probably 1/4NPT in in teh US or 1/4BSP or G elsewhere

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4X3Mu2x5UA" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4X3Mu2x5UA</a>

Offline mklotz

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #23 on: January 24, 2025, 05:59:11 PM »
I concur with Jason.  Make a manifold and plumb your air compressor into it.  Make the manifold large enough to allow for future expansion.  Plumb each outlet with something like this...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-4-in-OD-Compression-Brass-Valve-Fitting-800539/300096142?MERCH=REC-_-plpsearch_multi-_-202047059-_-5-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a

available for plumbing water into refrigerators for automatic ice makers.  Not all engines require the same flow so individual valves allow discrete control over each engine when showing a number running simultaneously at shows.

Another advantage of the manifold approach is the fact that you can keep the compressor at some distance to moderate its noise.
Regards, Marv
Failure is just success in progress 
That looks about right - Mediocrates

Offline PaulR

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #24 on: January 24, 2025, 07:52:57 PM »
The quick connect fittings on the compressors go to a 'standard' style connector on air hoses, though I've found over the years that there are a couple different standards they use. One for typical air nailers and such, one that commercial shops use. They look very similar but are not interchangeable!  :hammerbash: Not sure what names to look for on the connectors for each type, hope someone else here can chime in on that.

What I do a lot for connecting to the models is to get a multi-pack of the air hose quick connect fittings, and turn the ends to be like a barbed hose fitting, put the plastic hose over that, and add a turn or two of wire with a twist to hold the hose. A lot depends on what hose you are using out at the model. If you get the solid brass quick connect fittings, they are easy to drill/turn and solder to, to make up whatever you need.  More recently I picked up a kit of push-to-connect fittings for 1/4" OD air line, and am going to convert over to using that, so I can run lines around the shelves to all the models to run them without having to move bigger hoses around, but I have not gotten started on that process yet.

Thanks for the detailed reply. I was hoping to find a ready-made fitting with male plug for quick connect on one side and hose connector on the other - these look like they might be suitable, but I don't really need 10!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276815286324?_skw=air+compressor+brass+plugs&itmmeta=01JJCP9JS9F1X8VSK55BAMTV2K&hash=item40737a1034:g:aKMAAOSwXYVnhPgT&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKnGMyRi4HWhhTyjSaTS2DgPfmvR7yhdPVoHZO8LcnhA73Sqg26FZiCF9hBtMfWdg4RD8bN5a6VleQPBbhxmQe64Z9Bu9jA5qYPnbh0CH%2BquhG2nYchprhtTlHnOI68BtTQ1Gg8qYQviORcfsTUYExlxBIyJubXkGHW4RZCCUF4yarfCSu8y9IB0pyHbzbXqhUJsgdalHXjNkBWgoUfcU8j0YPPwQyk0ScmezlwhfeFfkEgQ1AgM8fw2H3GLCQBoWW0%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-ysppaTZQ

Jason, Marv: yes, definitely the way to go once I've bought all the essentials.

Wilf: thanks for the link. It'll probably be better if I can find someone to talk to who retails these things, there are so many!




Offline Laurentic

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #25 on: January 25, 2025, 10:59:16 AM »
I'm with Jason re the choice of compressor.  Having binned two compressors for being too noisy, like you can't think when they kicked off, I now have a little Hyundai in my shed which is on all the time.  When it kicks in you hardly notice it. .

Chris

Offline PaulR

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #26 on: January 28, 2025, 10:26:33 AM »
Happy to report the compressor is really quiet. I'm thinking of getting one of these 1/4" connectors to plug directly into it then just run silicone tube from there to engines/manifold- sound reasonable?


Offline ShopShoe

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #27 on: January 28, 2025, 02:06:43 PM »
FYI:

This link to McMaster-Carr provides a good reference for fittings:

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/quick-disconnect-hose-couplings/

Regarding Valves, search for "Needle Valves." they provide a very controllable option for the kind of flows to be used with air-powered models. I have a needle valve with a quick-release coupling on the input side for attaching to my shop air line and a barbed fitting that I turned myself on the output side for connecting to an engine.

Most well-stocked hardware stores and plumbing departments of home centers have an assortment of brass fittings that can usually be modified.

(Disclaimer: I have no relationship with McMaster or any other vendor other than customer.)

ShopShoe

Offline PaulR

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #28 on: January 28, 2025, 03:00:43 PM »
FYI:

This link to McMaster-Carr provides a good reference for fittings:

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/quick-disconnect-hose-couplings/

Regarding Valves, search for "Needle Valves." they provide a very controllable option for the kind of flows to be used with air-powered models. I have a needle valve with a quick-release coupling on the input side for attaching to my shop air line and a barbed fitting that I turned myself on the output side for connecting to an engine.
Thanks for this and the link!

Offline mklotz

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Re: Mini compressor - any good?
« Reply #29 on: January 28, 2025, 03:30:36 PM »
Happy to report the compressor is really quiet. I'm thinking of getting one of these 1/4" connectors to plug directly into it then just run silicone tube from there to engines/manifold- sound reasonable?

That's essentially what I did when I built the "heptapus" to use at shows to independently manage up to seven operating engines.

A male quick connector connects to the air lines supplied by the show sponsors.  A water trap is followed by a master flow control with attached pressure gauge.  From that the air goes to an hexagonal aluminum block from which seven needle valve controls emerge to silicone aquarium tubing leading to the engines.

The device is clamped vertically to the rear edge of the display table thus occupying the least amount of the available display space.
Regards, Marv
Failure is just success in progress 
That looks about right - Mediocrates

 

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