Hi Folks, I am in the market for a small air compressor for general DIY use however it would have to be low noise, any recommendations ?

In my experience belt drive models are quieter than direct drive ones but they are bigger in size normally.

I would suggest that the first step needs to be a calculation of the air flow your air tools will require and the size of air storage tank needed - then have a look around at what’s on the market.

FWIW I changed my compressor last year and bought one from SGS. I was very happy with quality, service and price - not necessarily in that order! For the avoidance of doubt I have no connections with SGS other than as a customer.

If you want really quiet take a look at the Bambi range, they are excellent but don’t come cheaply.

When you do that bear in mind that the tool manufacturers think tools need less air than is the case, and the compressor manufacturer is hugely optimistic about the output.

Even a small 75mm grinder will cause a 100l 3HP compressor to run continually.

Compressors are for sprayguns.

Yes most small compressors are noisy and are direct drive , Also a compressor over 50ltr air storage capacity may well require a yearly insurance test certifecate like a Steam Boiler because they are classed as pressure vessels.

Good Luck in your search

Bee.M

I got one of these recently, not as quiet as a Bambi but considerably quieter than the Machine mart one I had before it. They do give the FAD figures where most smaller compressors they quote displacement which is a lot more than actual free air delivery.

I got a KIEI one last Christmas which has done the job nicely. It's not whisper silent but you can have a conversation in the shed with it on without raising your voice.

I think I got mine from mano mano, but I can't find it on there - and I also think it was on offer so ended up being very good value for money.

Iain

It all depends on what you plan using it for. Bambi compressors are low noise. But are not designed for running more then 10 to 15 minutes at a time. There are larger silent compressors on the market, but the prices are high. After looking around for a time, I ended up purchasing a used twin cylinder unit and putting it in a small garden tool storage Box, the exhaust makes the most noise and I fitted an extension to the outlet which feeds into a bucket of water. This cuts down the noise nicely, a trick I picked up from seeing American rv s parked up with their generator exhausts in water buckets.

The one linked by Jason or a similar type is the one to go for. I got mine from Vevor, 30l tank, brilliant. Of course I do not use a lot of air - for me it is for the airbrush, tyre filling and blow swarf off my machinery. Even if I work later in the evening, it is not disturbing. And against what has been said several times above - it is a direct drive type but is really quiet.

I bought an Orazio low noise oilless silent 24l compressor from e-bay a few years ago. They are now £150.00 It is quiet enough to hold a conversation still when it is running. It runs a pencil die grinder and a small US Pro die grinder comfortably. It also powered my compressed air-propane torch easily. It was good value for money.

James

The church ruined (seized ) a Bambi by leaving it constantly powered, to operate the door from the car park.

Very slight leakage meant that it was able to run 24 /7.

The replacement is now powered through a timeswitch so it only on line for the times when it is required.

My direct drive compressor is noisy, you would not want spend time in a small workshop within running. It only taken outside to run,so that the sound level is lower.

A ventilated enclosure with the internal walls, and roof covered with fibre (cardboard ) egg boxes would reduce the noise level considerably

Howard

Hi

I recently bought a small Hyundai compressor from Curry’s online, also from Amazon.

Been impressed with it, very quiet in use, I only use it to power my engines and general workshop duties, don’t know if it would be up to large volume of air requirements but depend upon your requirements.

Ian

I also bought a Hyundai 50ltr like Jason's and can vouch for it's relative quietness. It's not silent but really nowhere like noisy.

Alan,

I bought the Hyundai 50 litre air compressor, 1cfm, 100psi, oil free, low-noise electric, 2hp (hy27550) a couple of months ago from Amazon UK. It tooks a few weeks to arrive. The metal air filter cover was badly distorted. The red pull/press On/Off switch is very difficult to pull On. Otherwise it is fine. I bought an air regulator to go with it.

It drives my Stuart 10V model steam engine without issue. My plan is to eventually use it also for air brushing. I haven't tested it with air powered tools.

Regards,

Ches.

Ches did you not get a regulator already fitted? my one from Hyundai UK cam with it plus another 10cfm making it 11cfm (displacement)

+1 for the Hyundai . Had mine for 4 months. Used regularly with no issues . I changed the couplers to match the hoses etc. that I already had . Took all of 5 mins . Lots of similar ones on the well known auction site all seem to have the same compressor unit. Hyundai sell "seconds" at greatly reduced price .( £ less than £90 ) including carriage . My "second" had a tare in the box and a small scratch on the handle . I will put up with those for the saving I made !

Brian

Jason,

My Hyundai is a smaller version of your one and did not come with a regulator - just a pressure gauge and a quick-release port. It was about £110.

I replaced the 'Euro' (IIRC) quick-release port with something more common (to me) and added a small regulator with it's own pressure guage.

On the Amazon page for the Hyundai, underneath it Amazon lists 'Frequently bought together' parts that should have fitted the compressor ie hose and quick-release fittings...neither matched the Euro connector on the compressor.

I can run my 10V engine for a minute+ off the air tank before the compressor kicks back in. The compressor is quiet enough to hold a conversation whilst it is next to you but I wouldn't exactly call it 'low noise' as Amazon does .

Ches