Air Assist - Universal M-360

[Scott Winstead]

New to the forum and have went through all of the previous posts ... very impressive display of laser engraving knowledge.

I'm in the process of purchasing a new ULS M-360 this week and need some help with selecting a suitable air compressor for the air assist option that will be installed on this machine. The air compressor must be oil-free, 50 psi, and 2.5 CFM. This rules out most airbrush air compressors due to the 2.5 CFM @ 50 psi requirement.

The air compessor should also be relatively quiet (<75 db) because I will be operating the 360 in one of our spare bedrooms.

Any suggestions? I'm currently looking at the Senco PC0968 (1.5 HP) at ~ $175, and the Thomas T-635HD at ~ $280.

Thanks,
Scott

[Joe Pelonio]

I've spent many hours over several days looking for a 50 psi compressor that was quiet. Unfortunately that's a tough one. If you can place it in the garage and run pipe in to the laser room you can cut it down some.
I normally run 25 psi with the quiet airbrush pump but for certain materials when I need more pressure use this louder but quietest I found portable
$89 that's also handy for blowing dust and small paint spraying jobs.

[Scott Winstead]

Thanks for the info Joe but I think the Sears compressor is too light for the M-360, according to the spec it needs 50 PSI and 2.5 CFM. This is the compressor that I'm looking at (SENCO PC0968) @ Coastal Tool for $179 but I haven't found a reference for the noise in db.

Specifications
http://www.coastaltool.com/images/sq.gifHorsepower: 1.5 Peak
http://www.coastaltool.com/images/sq.gifAir Capacity: 2.5 Gallon
http://www.coastaltool.com/images/sq.gifCFM at 90 PSI: 2.2
http://www.coastaltool.com/images/sq.gifSize (LxWxH): 16" x 15" x 13.5"
http://www.coastaltool.com/images/sq.gifWeight: 38.0 lbs
http://www.coastaltool.com/images/_.gif
Features
http://www.coastaltool.com/images/sq.gifOil-less design for less maintenance and no messy oil leaks.
http://www.coastaltool.com/images/sq.gifTwin side-stacked tanks keep compressor compact and well balanced.
http://www.coastaltool.com/images/sq.gifDraws only 8.0 Amps so it won't trip circuit breakers.

[Joe Pelonio]

It's close, 2.0 cfm. What I did was go all over the place and made people plug them in so I could see how loud they were. Not many have a decibel rating. It seemed like the oiless are louder. You could consider a sound deadening partial enclosure, as long as you left enough ventilation to keep it cool. I did that on the pancake I have out in the warehouse/wood shop.
Just 2 sides, a top, and bottom, with scrap carpet inside, made a big difference by absorbing part of the sound.

[Lee DeRaud]

Thanks for the info Joe but I think the Sears compressor is too light for the M-360, according to the spec it needs 50 PSI and 2.5 CFM.That CFM number sounds high: even at 50PSI, I'd doubt the tubing and nozzle would flow that much air.

[Keith Outten]

Scott,

Someone recently posted here that Woodcraft had a Senco compressor that is very quiet. I don't remember the specs or model number but I am searching for a compressor as well and noise level is a major issue.

I'm Still Searching!

.

[Joe Pelonio]

I just ran into the box from that Sears portable, it says 79db which seems like a lot, but on the other hand my Porter Cable is 99db and it's a lot quieter than my big Coleman.

I just had a visit from the owner of a power tool repair two doors down and asked him. He says the belt driven compressors with oil are quieter than direct drive oiless. His customers are 99% building trades and they don't care about the noise so he has no idea which brand is quietest.:confused:

[Rob Bosworth]

I've got two of the air compressors ULS sells for their high end machines. IF someone is looking for an expensive air assist air compressor with dryers, drop me a not or give me a call. I don't use either one. They just came in with a couple of machines a while ago.

[Scott Winstead]

The operative words in the compressor search are "quiet, good value, and performs per ULS specs". The ULS compressors are big $$$.

Here are two other compressors that I've come across in my vision quest (learning way too much about air compressors):


SENCO PC1010 (this doesn't have the CFM needed for the air assist on the ULS m-360) but might work for others (Coastal Tool = $119):
PC1010 Compressor Specifications:
Motor: 1hp peak, 3400 RPM
Power: 4 Amps. 120VAC 60Hz
Decibel Rating: 69db
Tank: 1 Gal.
Pump: Oil-Less
Max Pressure: 120psi
Air Displacement: 1.4 cfm
SCFM @ 90 psig: 0.7
SCFM @ 100 psig: 0.6
Pump up time: 120 sec (0 - 120 psi)
Recovery time: 35 sec (90 - 120 psi)
Weight: 20 lbs.
Dimensions: 14" x 12.5" x 10.3" H


Thomas T-635HD (Amazon Tools - $294):
T-635HD Compressor Specifications:
Lightweight and portable, only 26 pounds
Decibel Rating: 69db
3/4 Horsepower - delivers 1.7 cfm at 100 psi.
Versatile - offers framing, roofing or finish gun capability
Low amp draw (6 amps) - works on 15 amp circuits and with extension cords
Long life, contractor quality machine - rated for continuous use

[Scott Shepherd]

Let me revive this old thread with the same questions. Anyone found 40-50 PSI compressors with 2.5CFM that's quiet. It will be in the same room with me, a commercial office building, with other offices 2 pieces of sheetrock away from us. For the blower, I built a box and dropped it over it and it's quite quiet.

I'm looking for something I don't have to box in. Anyone find anything with these types of pressures and CFM that's quiet?

[Mike Null]

You might have a look here.

http://www.hvlp.com/ApolloAir/

[Mike Hood]

As another suggestion, perhaps a smaller compressor (less noise) and larger reserve tank. Since you've got a really short duty cycle on a laser, and with a small pump and larger reserve tank... your neighbors will love ya.

[Scott Shepherd]

Mike, I'd like to keep in line with the smaller, air-brush type compressors if at all possible. Any ideas on those that won't break my piggy bank?

[Scott Shepherd]

Just got this one in. Looks like it meets the requirements and then some. Pretty quiet as well. Quieter than the Senco listed above. Cost was $149. It's a Bostitch CAP1516 TrimAir.

http://www.bostitch.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=BOS%5FCOMPRESSORS&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=CAP1516&SDesc=Trim+Air+1%2E5+Peak+HP+Oil%2DFree+Contractor +Compressor

[Dave Jones]

Make sure you get an adjustable regulator. 125 psi is going to be too much to feed in directly.

[Scott Shepherd]

Yes, it has one installed on it, so we should be good to go.