Air Compressor
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- My Airmaster workshop compressor. Plenty of power but very noisy. 116 psi and 130 litres per minute.
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- AS09, the latest addition to my mini-airbrush compressor line-up.50psi and 135 litres per minute
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- My original (blue) AS06 mini airbrush compressor alongside the more powerful AS09 version.
Originally I thought that all steam engines ran on steam and yes they do. What I didn’t realise at the time is that they run equally well on compressed air which came as a huge relief saving me the work and cost of constructing boilers.
Some quick basic research led me to Machine Mart where I bought one of their entry level compressors for around £80.00 and sure enough this was fine for powering all my engines and was also used for air ‘dusting’ removal of swarf, chippings and debris from machine tools. The only downside to me was the noise and whilst I am fortunate in having very tolerant neighbours I was always concious about noise levels. According to the manufacturers spec the sound level is rated at 87dBL. Even running the compressor in a soundproofed cupboard didn’t really solve the problem.
My next step was to buy a small airbrush compressor which turned out to be perfect for use at my recent exhibition where it powered two engines continuously without complaint. As my engines will run on 10 psi or less the air pressure is rather less important than air volume.
My original Machine Mart compressor produced 130 litres per min at up to 116 psi - 87dBL
My mini AS06 airbrush compressor produces 68 litres per min at up to 40 psi - 55dBL - much quieter !
Compare this with my latest AS09 airbrush compressor 135 litres at up to 50 psi - 62 dBL
If you compare the specs of the AS06 and AS09 compressors you will see that they produce a much higher volume of air than many of their competitors. I will report back further when I have had the opportunity to carry out further tests.
Meanwhile if you require more information on these products take a look at ‘Everything Airbrush’ or contact Tim there if you have any queries and don’t forget to mention this site ! I have no connection other than being a satisfied customer.
What a great feature….Read every word and found it very interesting….You mention giving item a polish up a few times in your write up….Please may I ask what polishing machine you use….Could do with one of those myself….Best Regards Ken.
Hi Ken
For a polishing machine the popular choice is to buy a simple two wheel bench grinder like this model from Machine Mart . Remove the coarse grinding wheel and fit a ‘pigtail’ in its place on to which you can screw your buffing wheels. Take a look at for information on the polishing process and the items tyou will require.
You will probably find this excellent video on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLRoblphSeY of interest.
John S
Hi,
Great to find this article as I’m tryitng to find the best compressor to run my Stuart Turner Beam Engine and finding almost no information on this topic. I emailed a few times with Tim, would you say the AS09 is significantly louder than the AS06? Also do they run for a comparable amount of time continuously? I was leaning towards the smaller quieter AS06 but now not sure.
Many thanks
Colt
Hi Colt
I can appreciate your dilema and noise levels are very subjective. The AS09 is somewhat louder than the AS06 model as the figures I have listed indicate but in the general scale of things both models are much more acceptable than the normal garage type compressor. I took a gamble when I purchased the AS09 but in my view the modest increase in sound level is more than paid for by the volume of air it produces. To put it another way having had experience of both the AS06 and the AS09 I wouldn’t hesitate in choosing the more powerful model if I were faced with the buying decision again.
The other factor that I am sure you will be aware of is the need for higher air pressures when initially ‘running in’ a new engine. I recall with my beam engine there was a certain amount of additional friction caused by the linkage which took a fair amount of power to overcome in the early stages. In answer to the second part of your question I see no reason to think that one compressor will run continuously for longer periods than the other.
JohnS
Thanks John. One other thing, does the AS09 run all the time when the steam engine is being used or does it go quiet for periods of time? If the sound difference isnt huge then the the AS09 sounds good.
Thanks
Colt
Hi Colt
Sorry for the delay in replying, I have been having problems with my PC - hopefully it is sorted now. The AS09 runs continuously as it does not have a receiver tank. In my opinion it is the best compressor available for our needs at sensible money and I would be at a loss to recommend an alternative.
John
I have enjoyed browsing your site and it has given me much to think about. Thank you for constructing it.
Regarding compressors: the noise level is obviously subjective but have you any numerical advice on the required pressure and rate of air flow needed for model stationary engines?
Thanks,
Ferr
Hi Ferr
Unfortunately it is not possible to give you precise advice on required pressure and volume for model stationary engines as each engine will by design and standard of build quality require varying pressure/volume. In my experience with the type of engines I build I would say that you can initially require up to 20 psi or even higher when the engine is first run. Once run in after say an hour or so of running this can reduce to 10 psi or less. I have one or two engines that will run quite happily on 5 psi which enables me to run three or four engines from one compressor. I think the volume output is more important than the pressure level. Information is provided in my posting on air compressors.
John