Dean on tue 2 sep 08
aloha all, I've been working on a vegetable oil firing system that requires compressed air to vaporize the oil. I've got a Makita construction compressor, the kind with two small tanks that will run a couple of nail guns. It generates plenty of air, I could probably use a smaller one. However it is NOISY and I don't want to listen to it for 10 hours every time I fire my kiln. Does anybody know of a relatively quiet type of air compressor?
please cc me off list
Thanks,
Dean
lightwavepottery.com
James F on wed 3 sep 08
Dean...
The problem of noise has it's genesis in the quest for portability=2C and s=
tems from three factors: The small=2C light weight compressors (and other =
portable power tools) use so-called "universal" motors. These motors are s=
mall=2C very powerful=2C and noisy as h*ll. They are also relatively short=
lived=2C but have the advantage of running on a standard 15 amp household =
outlet. The small compressors also tend to be one-cylinder=2C so to genera=
te a sufficient volume of air they need to run twice as fast=2C hence twice=
the noise. Lastly=2C since the tanks are so small=2C the compressor cycle=
s on much more often.
Larger compressors use induction motors=2C which run much=2C much quieter. =
They also typically have two cylinders=2C so can run slower=2C and have mu=
ch=2C much larger tanks=2C so cycle on with far less frequency. The downsi=
de is that they require a 20 amp outlet (not a big deal to install or to ha=
ve installed). They also tend to be oil-filled (as opposed to the "oil-les=
s" compressors found on portables)=2C so you will want to add an oil separa=
tor (not expensive).
Note also that the small portable compressors like yours have a much lower =
duty cycle than the larger paint spray compressors=2C so in your applicatio=
n=2C which I am guessing entails almost continuous duty=2C I think your lit=
tle compressor will prove itself unsuited to the challenge.
Where portability is an issue=2C I use my small=2C portable (in a nominal
sense only) DeWalt and simply tolerate it's hellish noise. If I am using i=
t
indoors I wear hearing protection. Where portability is not an issue=2C
I use a conventional paint sprayer compressor. My own is a Sears
Craftsman=2C but there are at least a half dozen brands out there=2C and al=
l of the
name brands will be good=2C and similarly priced.
Another option is to locate the compressor (of whatever type) in another ro=
om=2C and pipe the air to where you need it. I am in the process of doing =
this in my own studio. One caveat here: If the compressor will be in an u=
nheated space (and assuming it gets cold where you live)=2C make sure to cu=
t the power to the compressor before leaving your studio. A friend burned =
down his sculpture studio because his compressor tried to kick on unattende=
d in the middle of the night in sub-zero weather=2C the thermal overload pr=
otection failed=2C and the motor overheated and burned.
I hope this helps. Be well.
...James
> Date: Tue=2C 2 Sep 2008 23:29:19 -0700
> From: mangodean@YAHOO.COM
> Subject: Is there a quiet air compressor?
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>=20
> aloha all=2C I've been working on a vegetable oil firing system that requ=
ires compressed air to vaporize the oil. I've got a Makita construction com=
pressor=2C the kind with two small tanks that will run a couple of nail gun=
s. It generates plenty of air=2C I could probably use a smaller one. Howev=
er it is NOISY and I don't want to listen to it for 10 hours every time I f=
ire my kiln. Does anybody know of a relatively quiet type of air compressor=
?
> please cc me off list
> Thanks=2C
> Dean
> lightwavepottery.com
_________________________________________________________________
Want to do more with Windows Live? Learn =9310 hidden secrets=94 from Jamie=
.
http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!5=
50F681DAD532637!5295.entry?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_WL_domore_092008=
James F on wed 3 sep 08
Dean...
The problem of noise has it's genesis in the quest for portability=2C and s=
tems from three factors: The small=2C light weight compressors (and other =
portable power tools) use so-called 'universal' motors. These motors are s=
mall=2C very powerful=2C and noisy as h*ll. They are also relatively short=
lived=2C but have the advantage of running on a standard 15 amp household =
outlet. The small compressors also tend to be one-cylinder=2C so to genera=
te a sufficient volume of air they need to run twice as fast=2C hence twice=
the noise. Lastly=2C since the tanks are so small=2C the compressor cycle=
s on much more often.
Larger compressors use induction motors=2C which run much=2C much quieter. =
They also typically have two cylinders=2C so can run slower=2C and have mu=
ch=2C much larger tanks=2C so cycle on with far less frequency. The downsi=
de is that they require a 20 amp outlet (not a big deal to install or to ha=
ve installed). They also tend to be oil-filled (as opposed to the 'oil-les=
s' compressors found on portables)=2C so you will want to add an oil separa=
tor (not expensive).
Note also that the small portable compressors like yours have a much lower =
duty cycle than the larger paint spray compressors=2C so in your applicatio=
n=2C which I am guessing entails almost continuous duty=2C I think your lit=
tle compressor will prove itself unsuited to the challenge.
Where portability is an issue=2C I use my small=2C portable (in a nominalse=
nse only) DeWalt and simply tolerate it's hellish noise. If I am using iti=
ndoors I wear hearing protection. Where portability is not an issue=2CI us=
e a conventional paint sprayer compressor. My own is a SearsCraftsman=2C b=
ut there are at least a half dozen brands out there=2C and all of thename b=
rands will be good=2C and similarly priced.
Another option is to locate the compressor (of whatever type) in another ro=
om=2C and pipe the air to where you need it. I am in the process of doing =
this in my own studio. One caveat here: If the compressor will be in an u=
nheated space (and assuming it gets cold where you live)=2C make sure to cu=
t the power to the compressor before leaving your studio. A friend burned =
down his sculpture studio because his compressor tried to kick on unattende=
d in the middle of the night in sub-zero weather=2C the thermal overload pr=
otection failed=2C and the motor overheated and burned.
I hope this helps. Be well.
...James
> Date: Tue=2C 2 Sep 2008 23:29:19 -0700
> From: mangodean@YAHOO.COM
> Subject: Is there a quiet air compressor?
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>=20
> aloha all=2C I've been working on a vegetable oil firing system that requ=
ires compressed air to vaporize the oil. I've got a Makita construction com=
pressor=2C the kind with two small tanks that will run a couple of nail gun=
s. It generates plenty of air=2C I could probably use a smaller one. Howev=
er it is NOISY and I don't want to listen to it for 10 hours every time I f=
ire my kiln. Does anybody know of a relatively quiet type of air compressor=
?
> please cc me off list
> Thanks=2C
> Dean
> lightwavepottery.com
Want to do more with Windows Live? Learn =9310 hidden secrets=94 from Jamie=
. Learn Now
_________________________________________________________________
Stay up to date on your PC=2C the Web=2C and your mobile phone with Windows=
Live.
http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093185mrt/direct/01/=
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