Originally Posted by
Jim Dawson
Your first problem is trying to do this in an apartment, but it's not impossible. Compressors like to run with proper ventilation else they will overheat. There are ''silent'' compressors that are designed to run in medical offices, new they are crazy expensive but I have seen used ones that were pretty cheap. As far as the tank blowing, that should not be a concern as long is it is operating within its normal pressure range. Isolating the compressor from the floor of the apartment will make a lot of difference in the noise, set the compressor enclosure on a mattress or other soft surface.
When cutting aluminum it is not required to blow the chips away, but it helps. Maybe just use your nozzle to occasionally blow away the chips. The main thing is to keep the tool somewhat wet with coolant to keep the aluminum from ''welding'' to the tool. Choosing the proper coolant is important. As louieatienza said, WD-40 in a squirt can or spray bottle works well. My prefered coolant is kerosene, applied at the rate of about 1/2 cup per hour for normal cutting, but this requires a lot of air to apply properly. I have also used soy oil (cooking oil) with good success, applied with a small brush.