A $700 SILENTAIRE Airbrush Compressor After 1 Year | an honest review
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- One year ago I purchased a silentaire DR 150, which is a "virtually noiseless" airbrush compressor. I've wanted one of these airbrush compressors for about 20 years so I decided to finally go ahead and buy one. These compressors are quite an investment, so I'm making an updated video for anyone who might be interested in my thoughts after one full year of HEAVY use. I'll also talk about the maintenance procedures that I follow, along with my first oil change. Honestly, I love this thing. It's quieter than I thought it would be and just makes painting so much more enjoyable. An expensive but awesome purchase that I'm glad I made.
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In this video:
Silentaire DR 150- amzn.to/3XsvGRc
Video Equipment:
Camera (Z5)- amzn.to/3dOsvAU
Second Camera (Z30)- amzn.to/48WHyPN
Lens- amzn.to/3E0aHgK
Macro Lens- amzn.to/3jFlZyE
Slider- amzn.to/3rkmqT6
Tripod- amzn.to/3D3L6BQ
Audio Equipment:
Microphone- amzn.to/41sW3GS
Audio Interface- amzn.to/3Q36VXU
Boom Arm- amzn.to/3O0p8Wy
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Yes, it's the best compressor ever! I have mine for 31 years with Zero issues I do agreed with all your comments. Expensive but the best!
that's amazing! I hope mine lasts just as long
Love my silentaire! Mines about 8 months old and used daily with no problems. The great thing about it is you don't have to crank the music to hear it , but I still do 😁
Me too. It's one of my favorite items that I own! and it's so true- even if you don't have anything on in the background, it's still hard to hear it. It's just incredible. Thanks Duane- have a great weekend my friend.
I bought my Italian silent compressor in 2006 (not Sil-Air but very similar). Perfect performance. Never drain oil, just refill when its level low. Need to drain the rusty water from the tank once every 3-4 months. Fixed twice because of broken air pipe and moisture gauge. Other than this, it is a nice investment for the hobby. 😂
I got HTC 30A, great oil compressor. Worth every penny.
I just purchased mine (coming soon). When I saw this video title, I thought to myself "Oh crap, please don't tell me I made an expensive compressor purchase mistake!" But it looks like it was the right call. Damn costly, but I suspect it will be worth every penny! Thanks for the update!
I bet you are going to love it as well. It's one of my favorite things in my studio! It's kind of shocking how quiet it is when you are painting with an airbrush. Thanks and all the best!
I own a 30 yr old Junair 12-40...LOVE IT !!
WOW, you weren't kidding about it being expensive. For me, a part time painter of model trains I'll stick with my little TimberTech. But I would imagine for an artist like yourself who probably paints every day it more than worth the money. If you want a quality product, start with quality equipment. Love your videos, Mark. Take care
Those little airbrush compressors are fantastic. They are relatively quiet and require no maintenance, which is awesome. Thanks Mark- hope you have a great weekend!
I've had a Timbertech for nearly 4 yrs now bought cheap on Amazon it's still going strong but gets warm after 45mins constant use so I just turn it off and let it cool down , I've a larger workshop compressor with the airline reduced down to take a brush , I can fill the tank switch it off for a few hrs before it gets weaker , then just fill the tank back up etc 😊😊😊😊 thanks for the video Mark enjoy your uploads immensely
I'm a big fan of those small airbrush compressors too! They work very well, are reliable, and no maintenance. That small one I showed in the video is from like 2008 I believe and it still works like it did on day one. Thanks for the great info Dean!
I was waiting for you to turn it on.Wow must have. The compressor I am using makes me jump when it kicks on at times.The compressor motor on your silent air looks like a refrigerant type compressor .Found in appliances like house hold freezers, refrigerators , dehumidifiers etc . That is why oil is expensive as well.Just looked at compressor DR-150 Canadian price crazy $1267.00
All you really hear is a quiet "dink" as the pressure switch kicks in.
And yes, it uses the same principle as gas refrigerators.
I know! the prices on these can be very steep. That's why I never bought one until a year ago. Took me like 20 years to finally cave in and buy one.
@@theartworkshop I was incredibly lucky. I live in a small apartment, so can't have big compressors chugging away annoying the neighbours. On a complete whim, I checked eBay and there was one for auction. It had belonged to a nail parlour. I don't think they realised what they had, and I won it for £65, (about $90 US)
It was a bit tatty and full of water and needed some TLC and an oil change, but it was a total bargain. They even threw in a couple of cheap airbrushes and hoses!
I have had this model for about 9 months now, and it has not given any trouble whatsoever.
Due to the fact it is so quiet, I fitted a neon panel indicator in line with the power switch, which was a pretty simple job.
It's too easy to forget it's even switched on.
As for the oil, my model has a circular cutout in the silver panel for the level glass, so you don't need to remove the panel to check.
I also got the original, (and expensive), oil as I think it would be silly to use anything else and risk damage to a pricey machine.
I am of the same opinion, if you are serious about airbrushing and can afford it, there is no alternative to the SilentAir.
I'm pretty sure this thing will outlive me, and most other people. It's worth the investment.
The neon indicator idea is brilliant! I never thought of that. Yes, I forgot to turn it off a bunch of times in the beginning as well. It's hard to tell when it's even on at times. I agree- I think this compressor will outlive me too as long as I look after it and keep up with the matience. Thanks!
@@theartworkshop Fitting a light has saved me a few times when I forgot about it.
You can either wire it into the switch block, or at the compressor end. As for lifespan, just ensure you drain the tank regularly.
I guess as you use yours every day, once a month would be typical, but it also depends on how humid your air is.
Great information, thanks for sharing!
Thank you Louis!
I just purchased the California Tools AC and I do like it. I wish I would have seen this before...
California Air compressors are awesome! I have 2 of them and love using them. My 6 gallon one is from 2013 and it's still my go to for varnishing with a spray gun.
My next item to get. Hate the compressor noise.
I’ve had mine (a Sil-air/Werther 15D) since 2008 and it’s still going strong. Never had a problem with it. Paid 230 Euro for it at a clearance and it was a steal even back then. Considering how long it has lasted it would have been worth paying full price for it.
thanks for this. That is exactly what I am hoping for mine- at least 15-20 years of use. Man, 230 Euro is an unbelievable price- congrats on that!
Did you bought this model on amazon?
I have the Sil-Air 4 gallon from the same company and it is great. Buy once cry once..
amen to that!
What about a comparison with an Iwata Silver Jet (tankless compressor), which I find reasonably quiet. Or do you find the tankless, like the silver jet, just aren't up to the larger tasks you do?
I prefer a compressor with a tank, but Iwata makes very good products. The silver jet is very nice, but I haven't spent much time with it to fully compare. Is that what you are using?
@@theartworkshop Yes. I picked up an airbrush compressor off FB market place a few years ago, since using my garage compressor was extremely unfriendly. I was only doing base coats on models before, so it was more a convenience thing.
I am now looking at trying to do more fine art sort of things, and realized that the silver jet + the revolution CR I got in that deal were both above the quality I would have expected. I think the silver jet is louder than your silentair but a lot quieter than your other examples. It does run constantly though there's never a "tanks up to pressure" stop.
I asked you a question on another video, but I am finding the CR a bit challenging to get good thin lines with. While I accept that's at least partially a skill issue, I don't want to get to soured on learning because I have a more medium sized airbrush. Would you recommend picking up a fine line style airbrush or just pushing through with the CR?
I built one of these out of an old dehumidifier compressor and a scuba tank. Cost me around $100 for everything and works exactly like the Silentaires.
I love this! A few others have told me they made their own too. Nothing more special than a tool that you made yourself.
it’s kind of ugly though
@@doofwop looks don't matter. It's all about that noise level!
Hi Sir
When the compressor kicks in to recharge the tank. Will it make a PSSSST sound when the tank is full?
Appreciate your reply. Thank you
Yes, it does. You'll hear a slight click when the compressor turns on. When it stops, you'll hear that audible venting sound (the PSSHHHTT) for a brief moment. At first I found it kind of annoying, but I learned to appreciate it because it helps me know when the tank is filled.
I would love one of these, noise does become an issue sometimes. But not really practical for my work, not only do i airbrush but i use spray guns and air tools so need a bigger tank with a much higher CFM. A silentaire for that size would run into the thousands I guess. 😢
Oh yeah those large ones are VERY expensive! For larger 20 gallon compressors, I'm going to go with an oil less and place it in another room or in the garage and run a long hose
So I got the Silentaire 20a used off ebay. The person selling it apparently never did even the most basic maintenence on it, so the tank was literally full of mud. I'm still trying to wash it out. The compressor chamber was also pretty dirty. But it seems to work despite all that abuse. So I'm just gonna fix it up and call it a deal.
I'm sure you can get it going. I wonder if you can swap out the tank for a new one. Hopefully you got a good deal on it, because even used these things are expensive!
I did the same, and mine was also full of water.
Be sure to regularly drain it every so often.
Just be careful the tank has not got rusted through.
They are fairly standard parts and can be replaced for about $50US
@@theartworkshop They are fairly cheap, or if you want to pay around double, you can get an aluminium one, which won't rust.
Nice to know no issues cause after expending $700 it should still work like the first day! I have the CAT which I love! 8 tank! Air lastes a pretty good while before it needs to refill. Also have had the pancake type and that thing it’s loud! So I don’t use it😂😂as a matter of fact don’t know where it is now 😂😂Also the first one you showed is like a badger I had many yrs ago and it threw more water than air😂😂 maybe cause where I am it’s humid but I honestly thing was just a piece of junk!! Cheers, great review!
Exactly! I hope it stays this way for the next 20 years. Nothing beats a large compressor like that. Place it remotely and you'll never hear it and can use it for all pneumatic tools. I started with a pancake compressor and use it for a full year in a small studio- never again 😂🤣
@@theartworkshop 😂wow you da man! A whole year of suffering! But it paid off Mark! Look at you now! 👌
@@jc2200 Thanks JC! hahah I try.
so i went from timbertech as186, CAT 8gall alu tank (too loud), really considered silentaire but decided to take a risk on linear compressor mr hobby L10, not as quiet as silentaire but i love it for my gunpla needs.
I've always wanted to check out the Mr. Hobby L10. That brand Creos (mr. Hobby) makes fantastic airbrushes, so I bet that same quality is there in their compressors. So awesome to hear that you bought one. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it because I'm interested in buying one of them someday. thanks!
@@theartworkshop I'll keep it short, surprisingly great for the unit. Powerful enough to spray 2k clear, yet can spray fine delicate lines. Sustain is pretty good, not as great as a tank unit but still, unless ur spraying HUGE art type peices, for car/diorama/gunpla needs its pretty nice. Noise on hardwood floors isn't ideal, but not that much of a dealbreaker compared to my previous units. You will accumulate water in the lil acrylic-glass "tank" enclosure so make sure to keep it dry. beyond that, bullet proof in my few months of ownership since this post. thanks.
Just got one the other day based on your recommendation. Very silent during fill up for sure, but when the tank is done filling there is a loud blast of air. I presume this is a pressure release that tells the compressor to turn off, but again it is quite loud to the point of startling. I feel like it defeats the purpose of silently filling up. Does anyone else get that or is there something wrong with mine or my settings?
Mine is the exact same way. I found it annoying at first too, but eventually learned to appreciate it because it's the only indication that the compressor is on. Helps me remember to turn it off when I'm done painting
👍👍👍👍👍
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Excelente eu tenho um odontológico de 30 litros funcionando perfeitamente
those are awesome! I was so close to getting one of those a few years ago. Happy to hear it's treating you well!
I'd like it better if you could attach 2 airbrushes to it?
That would be nice, but it only allows you to connect one air hose. I'm sure you can rig up a splitter or manifold to run multiple airbrushes but I've never tried it.
No filter?
Hey Andrew- nope, no oil filter in these. There is just an air filter which I am going to replace. Just ordered a new one. Thanks for everything my friend.
@@theartworkshop Do you use a moisture trap in your line?
I do, but so far it's remained as dry as a bone.