Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

I am in the works of buying a small air compressor since I’m adding to my collection and don’t always want to steam up a boiler.

What fittings do I need so I can hook up aquarium tubing to the compressor?

I mounted a regular at my bench, the compressor will likely have one but some of us have forgot that we turned the regulator up for another job in the shop and popped a seam in a Doll boiler when we hit it with 90 PSI, story below:

http://steammods.com/runonair.html

Most shop compressors and air manifolds at shows require a 1/4 NPT.

You will want a precision regulator large enough to run a good sized steam engine. I will post pictures of  these components tomorrow or Friday.

Some quick disconnect fittings and 1/4" hose barbs of 1/4 & 1/8 NPT .

Harbor Freight has  good selection of reasonably priced compressors including some that are compact and very quiet. I will add a picture of this as time allows.

edit:  you can view some here.
https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=ultra%20quiet%20compressor

I mostly use the 2 gallon Fortress compressors.

I also have A 30 gallon rather loud one in the garage.

Gil

Thanks for this info!

Currently I’ve been using the home made fittings as seen in the photos below. I use silicone tubing with a nylon connector and then a small zip tie to secure it. The other end is an 1/4” Compression Union to 1/8 Pipe threads with a 1/8 barb.  Secured in with the smallest hose possible that my hardware store supplies and a zip tie.  I can interchange almost any engine this way with ease, albeit it can run under 15-20 psi that the Jensen boiler puts out.  It works great!  👍🏻 I will see to getting the right fittings and an air compressor soon.

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Quote from: RedRyder on March 20, 2024, 07:17:50 pm

Most shop compressors and air manifolds at shows require a 1/4 NPT.

You will want a precision regulator large enough to run a good sized steam engine. I will post pictures of  these components tomorrow or Friday.

Some quick disconnect fittings and 1/4" hose barbs of 1/4 & 1/8 NPT .

Harbor Freight has  good selection of reasonably priced compressors including some that are compact and very quiet. I will add a picture of this as time allows.

edit:  you can view some here.
https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=ultra%20quiet%20compressor

I mostly use the 2 gallon Fortress compressors.

I also have A 30 gallon rather loud one in the garage.

Gil

I just bought an Ultra Quiet California Air Tools compressor with aluminum tank and long life motor, only 60 decibels, I love it!! You can run it in the living room and talk to the person sitting across from you 

https://www.californiaairtools.com/industrial-series-of-quiet-compressors-industrial-grade/cat-8010alfc/

One reason I love Steam. It’s barely 1 decibel, unless you’re using a whistle LOL!

Your compressor will have a regulator on board.

I like to add a precision regulator close to the engine.

Here is the one I recommend. It provides precise pressures from 0.7 PSI to 30 PSI.
This is a right sized regulator for demonstrating model and small steam engines up to 2 HP.
They can be found on ebay for $25-35.


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