New Maplenoll Ariadne owner needing advice

Readers: A tidbit or two. As may know I'm dedicated Noll'er. Unless you are one of the most fortunate of all owners, this table can drive the novice crazy with all its querks. For instance, I recently had a email exchange with a fellow who did not know the air plenums adjacant to the quite air pump need to be evacuated of water every 6 months or so. He didn't ; waste water in the two small pleniums backed-up into the pump, there goes $700 bucks. Another, never move the Noll with the platter on. That one cost me the center pin , a hard bird to find. All the best.

AS may know ... As you may know ... (sorry)

Readers: This weekend I received a flyer in the mail from www.harborfreightusa.com, detailing sales to 6/9 including a Central Pneumatic, Quiet Pump: Oiless Compressor,1/4 horsepower (rated) with Air Tank Capacity 3 Gallons (Model # 90168). According to a review of the manual the max. pressure is 120 PSI, Air flow Capacity.5 CFM@90PSI,.7 CFM@40PSI with a weight of 18 LBS. The sale price $67.00(regular price $84.99); the pump is made in China. The pump pictured in the flyer is complete with regulators ; gauges and pressure switch (all UL listed). Perhaps a replacement to Maplenoll quiet pump ?? Personally, I'm going to drive to the nearest outlet to give it a look over as a reserve unit. Just want other 'Nollers to know the information.

R: I drove to the closest Harbor Freight and "auditioned" the quite pump. The news is mixed. It appears the pump can power a 'Noll and while it is "quiet" no Super Quiet here. The pump seems quieter than the origional 'Noll 20 PSI but much noiser than the Super Q. It requires a sound damping enclosure and placement far,far away but on a tight budget with no where to go ... It is a inexpensive limited option for the DIY'er but no Super Q. I only used it @90PSI so perhaps its a tad quiter @40PSI.

my experience is the oiless pumps are alway noisier than a corresponding oil based compressor. Not sure why but the specs with most brands confirm this. Having said that, the price is right for this compressor. You could mount in a separate room and run the tubing pretty easy thus eliminating the noise issue in the listening room. I did that when i had a shop air compressor in my workroom at my previous location.