Recommendations for air assist compressor? [Archive]
Recommendations for air assist compressor? [Archive]
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John Bronleewe
Hello all!
I have an Epilog Mini 24 (60 watt) machine arriving tomorrow, and I still haven't bought a compressor for the air assist. I know the rep mentioned a $300 "airbrush compressor," but I don't have any more details and I'd love to pick up something ASAP. Any specific brand and model recommendations? Thank you!
Samuel Espy
I plan to purchase this one (http://www.tcpglobal.com/itemdetail_AB.aspx?itemno=MAS+TC-33) for $120 in about a month or so when I pull the trigger on a laser purchase. Obviously, I can't vouch for its performance yet. However, it is the big brother of one Dee Gallo suggested in an earlier thread, and numerous people seemed to like it. It is 1/5 hp and has a slightly larger CFM rating. Even the bigger brother is only 47 db (same as the smaller one), which is a really quiet noise level.
John Bronleewe
I plan to purchase this one (http://www.tcpglobal.com/itemdetail_AB.aspx?itemno=MAS+TC-33) for $120 in about a month or so when I pull the trigger on a laser purchase. Obviously, I can't vouch for its performance yet. However, it is the big brother of one Dee Gallo suggested in an earlier thread, and numerous people seemed to like it. It is 1/5 hp and has a slightly larger CFM rating. Even the bigger brother is only 47 db (same as the smaller one), which is a really quiet noise level.
Thank you. I had just pulled the trigger and ordered this one (http://amzn.com/B002JPPFJ0) based on an old thread here. It'll arrive tomorrow and at least get me by temporarily. I'll be sure and post about how much I like or dislike it for use with the laser.
Jerome Stanek
Thank you. I had just ordered this one (http://amzn.com/B002JPPFJ0) based on an old thread here. It'll arrive tomorrow and at least get me by temporarily. I'll be sure and post about how much I like or dislike it for use with the laser.
That's the one I have and it works very well. I have a 5hp 80 gal unit for when I need a lot of air.
Kit Dumph
Can I get an update on this pump? How do you regulate psi coming out or even tell without adding an inline gauge? I have a helix inbound and am looking at pumps.
Ross Moshinsky
Can I get an update on this pump? How do you regulate psi coming out or even tell without adding an inline gauge? I have a helix inbound and am looking at pumps.
Regulator.
David Somers
John,
I don't have a laser yet so I can't speak about vacuum pumps there. But I do use a pump for a vacuum chuck when I turn wood on a wood lathe. Obviously, with a bowl spinning at least at several. Hundred RPMs I need to know that my vacuum is adequate to hold the piece. So I do use an inline pressure gauge. I have a simple ball valve to regulate the pressure.
I could be all wrong, but it seems like something you would want on your laser vac table as well? At least if you have a pressure gauge you can see if your vacuum is dropping to the point where it will be ineffective, and you could pause the laser and correct the problem before you started damaging pieces. This is a total guess on my part though. An inline gauge, valve, and a set of filters for dust would not cost much at all. With parts available at Home Depot in the aisle with the air compressors.
Is my thinking off on this everyone? Am I being a worrywort since I am used to spinning bowls?
Dave
Rich Harman
Regulator.
I don't think a regulator is the right thing to use. A regulator will restrict the flow causing the pressure to build on the pump side, so would a ball valve. I use a tee with a gauge, ball valve, and dump hose.
The hookup goes like this; pump> hose> tee> ball valve> open-ended hose. Off the tee: > another tee (with gauge)> hose to laser.
With the ball valve fully open, nearly all the air gets dumped via the dump hose. As you close the valve, more pressure goes to the laser. With the ball valve fully closed, max pressure goes to air assist. With this system, the pump never gets overloaded.
Kit Dumph
Anyone try this one out yet? Seems you might cut down on some of the heat and abuse on the pump with the tank. Two-year warranty isn't half bad either... Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/BD38AA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A23ADOZFIJNPFB).
Dave Sheldrake
Have a look at the duty cycle on whatever compressor you choose, CFM is rarely free air, it's cylinder displacement, FAD (Free Air Delivered) will be a smaller figure at a given pressure. Airbrush compressors are designed to be used in an open system. If the air on your machine has an on/off as it runs, you risk overheating it and burning it out.
cheers
Dave
Stuff like these are good
http://szdental.en.ec21.com/Products--.html
Kit Dumph
Those are all pretty big. What about this little guy from harbor freight? http://www.harborfreight.com/16-horsepower-58-psi-oilless-airbrush-compressor--.html
Bill George
So how much CFM and PSI does one need?
Kit Dumph
I was told 30 psi by the Epilog rep.
Rich Harman
I have been using a Gast 71R for over two years now.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=&d=&thumb=1
David Somers
Hey Rich,
That is actually the way mine is rigged. There is always full flow to the pump, just not to the vacuum chuck.
Dave Sheldrake
30 psi is a measurement of pressure Kit. The rep should be able to tell you the free air requirement
cheers
Dave
ps: on the bigger machines I use the 036a Junwei (sold as Titan here) one compressor to each machine.
Kevin Gregerson
Hello all!
I have an Epilog Mini 24 (60 watt) machine arriving tomorrow, and I still haven't bought a compressor for the air assist. I know the rep mentioned a $300 "airbrush compressor," but I don't have any more details and I'd love to pick up something ASAP. Any specific brand and model recommendations? Thank you!
http://www.homedepot.com/p/California-Air-Tools-6-3-gal-1-HP-Ultra-Quiet-and-Oil-Free-Steel-Tank-Air-Compressor-/?cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-&ci_sku=&ci_gpa=pla&ci_src=&gclid=CMmS3Y-t8cACFUxqfgodYngAJw
Your rep didn't give you a link to a product??? Not a very good rep....
Kit Dumph
Gave me links for everything else, but suggested either to find a 30 psi or just get the Epilog one. I've heard a lot of good things about that compressor, but I was hoping for something smaller.
Dave Sheldrake
You will need to know 30psi at what volume (flow rate) Kit. Even a cheap $5 balloon pump can push 30psi.
cheers
Dave
Bill George
You will need to know 30psi at what volume (flow rate) Kit. Even a cheap $5 balloon pump can push 30psi.
cheers
Dave
Usually rated at CFM (cubic feet per Minute) at so many PSI or free air. Those larger oil-free with vanes are usually noisy.
Dave, we never hear about your remodeling progress? Having done remodeling in the past, I can only imagine. But mine were never in a 400 year old house. The oldest house I had to work in was just 90 years.
Kit Dumph
Hmm my searches for CFM for a 50 watt helix haven't turned up much yet. I'll ask the rep tomorrow and see.
Dave Sheldrake
Bill, it's about 18 months' work :)
That's why I'm not about much these days :)
Kit, as soon as you know the CFM requirement let us know and a suitable compressor will follow :)
cheers
Dave
Ross Moshinsky
You don't need to know CFM. The volume we're talking about is negligible. We're talking about a tiny hose that is only a few feet long. "Any" compressor is going to be able to provide a constant 30psi under those conditions. 30psi is the same whether you use a big compressor or little compressor as long as the volume is the same. The only way you'd need to even look at CFM is if you decided to run a long hose from the compressor to the laser, and that's simply because you're increasing the volume significantly.
When picking a compressor for a laser, you're looking at duty cycle and noise. A low-quality air compressor will have a low duty cycle (not want to run all the time) and will be noisy. A high-quality air compressor will have no problem running constantly and do so at a comfortable volume.
As for using a regulator, there should be no concern. Running the compressor with a constant bleed is not exactly ideal. The compressor has to overcome a constant pressure loss which I'd almost guarantee is more taxing than restriction.
Bill George
Actually CFM and PSI do make a difference in the selection of any air compressor. Since not all lasers are the same and the size of the nozzle opening where the air exits varies from unit to unit. A longer pipe or hose, causes pressure drop which not only reduces pressure but the CFM available. I would go with the recommendation of the laser manufacturer as the needed psi and CFM. Lacking that, members who own the same machine usually can give feedback on what works for them. After the psi and CFM are considered, the running noise would be a big factor for me anyway.
Bill George
Bill, it's about 18 months' work :)
That's why I'm not about much these days :)
Kit, as soon as you know the CFM requirement let us know and a suitable compressor will follow :)
cheers
Dave
It looks beautiful at least from the outside! And its brick.
Dave Sheldrake
Granite blocks, Bill :)
Like you say, the CFM value is essential. It will define things like duty cycle limits :)
cheers
Dave
Pete Simmons
Those are all pretty big, what about this little guy from harbor freight? http://www.harborfreight.com/16-horsepower-58-psi-oilless-airbrush-compressor--.html
I have used this type for 10 years. On the second compressor now. The first one lasted maybe 6+ years. Pressure/CFM - who cares? It is enough to calm the flame down on some items and is enough flow to make a difference when engraving. Depending on material, I sometimes do not run it when rastering. I always use it when vector cutting. Works for me!
Kit Dumph
Ok guys, just got off with Epilog this morning. I need 1.1 CFM with 30psi max. Suggestions now?
Glen Monaghan
This is very similar to the little Harbor Freight airbrush pumps, just mounted on a tank. You can plumb a compressor to a holding tank yourself with a T and one or two valves (I have hose from pump to T, valve between T and tank, and a second valve between T and laser, so I can run pump to fill tank, send air from tank to laser, send air from pump to tank and laser, and cut off tank from both laser and pump to save built-up air for another session).
The nail salon type of compressor that Dee has mentioned is a similar arrangement but only has a tiny tank inside the case.
The main issue is that the small pumps run progressively longer to fill larger tanks and to try to restore pressure as soon as you start sending air from tank to laser, so, really, the pump tends to run all the time unless you manually shut it off and just let the pressure bleed down from the tank. So, if the pump isn't rated for 100% duty cycle, it's going to get very hot fairly fast, likely leading to premature failure. It helps a lot to position a small fan to blow across the pump's cooling fins, which can reduce pump temps from scorching to merely hot.
Those little pumps will work, but you may wind up replacing them now and again, unlike something such as the Gaast pumps.
I've been thinking that I ought to try out the old sleep apnea blower that I no longer need... It's designed to run constantly and is whisper quiet. Not sure what the air flow is rated, but it subjectively feels like plenty of air volume and pressure...
Dave Sheldrake
Gast 72R Twin Cylinder as Rich said I think would be right, it gives 4cfm at 40 psi but a 50% duty cycle so will provide 2 cfm at 40 psi @ 50% duty.
A receiver would be good to keep a stable pressure and level out the duty cycle.
Airbrush compressors simply don't have the rating or volume to do the job reliably. Most are under 0.75cfm at atmospheric and will overheat (leading to wet air) very quickly.
What works acceptably isn't always the best item to use; get a better system up to the job and there are big benefits.
cheers
Dave
Rich Harman
Gast 72R Twin Cylinder as Rich said I think would be right, it gives 4cfm at 40 psi but a 50% duty cycle so will provide 2 cfm at 40 psi @ 50% duty.
A receiver would be good to keep a stable pressure and level out the duty cycle.
The Gast pump is rated for continuous duty. I don't use a storage tank. In fact, they recommend against starting the pump under pressure.
Bill George
The Airbrush compressors I looked at HF online seemed to be about .5 to .7 CFM, much lower than what you will need at 1.1. The other option is to buy a standard larger one as suggested and then use a good regulator to drop the PSI down to the 30 you need. Glad you waited and got the specs for the one required.
Dave Sheldrake
The Gast pump is rated for continuous duty. I don't use a storage tank. In fact, they recommend against starting the pump under pressure.
Even better, that will keep it nice and cool if it only has to provide 1.1 cfm at pressure. Not many pumps like to start under load, hence the venting on most commercial tank systems to ensure the pump starts into an open line.
cheers
Dave
Rich Harman
The other option is to buy a standard larger one as suggested and then use a good regulator to drop the PSI down to the 30 you need. Glad you waited and got the specs for the one you need.