Airbrush Compressor Advice?

[Birdie]

I want to get a decent setup and need some hardware advice.

I need a compressor to deal with all the kinds of painting jobs, large and small, found on our wonderful RPF.
My last compressor was underpowered and caused no end of problems, so I need to look at recommendations for specs such as PSI, adaptability, reliability etc.

What do I need to cope with the job, I need education

 

[Gigatron]

Hey Simon,

I know you're over in that country where they speak that funny soundin' english, but if you can get your hands on this compressor http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?...UseBVCookie=Yes you will not be disappointed.

I've been using it myself for 2 years and have never had a problem. It can handle all paintbrush loads from super low pressure (for fine line work) to super high pressure for those automotive sprayers. It's a little loud (not unbearable, but don't use it in the bedroom) during fill up, but fill up is nice and quick as is the refill.

-Fred

 

[TK9120]

I've been looking at the same one. I have a 5 gal in the garage but was looking for something a little smaller and quieter for the basement. It's always on sale for $99. They just started going down to $89. I might have to get it now.

 

[SG Merc]

I agree with Gigatron on the Craftsman. I use one myself and it works very well. Coupled with an oil capture cup you can't go wrong. Alas it isn't the quietest compressor on the block, but I've heard louder ones too.

 

[neosporing]

<div class='quotetop'>(SG Merc @ Sep 20 2006, 09:56 PM) [snapback]1323673[/snapback]</div>

I agree with Gigatron on the Craftsman. I use one myself and it works very well. Coupled with an oil capture cup you can't go wrong. Alas it isn't the quietest compressor on the block, but I've heard louder ones too. [/b]

i too am in the market for one...people over at hobbytalk modeling section recommend the same thing.. and warn against the walmart cambell hausman ..

Can you have this 3 gallon sears inside the house? or does it run on gasoline? Isn't it over kill for an airbrush?

The other option i'm considering is just getting a 3-5 gallon tank, putting a regulator on it and using that... completely silent and only costs like 4 bucks to fill and rent.

 

[Birdie]

So what sort of PSI do you really need? My old one was adjustable and was a piece of crap, really.

 

[Gigatron]

This model (as well as most of craftsman's non-commercial grade compressors) is electric. I primarily use it in the basement where most people can't here it, plus I can vent the paint fumes out the window.

The required PSI is dictated by the brush. If you look here, http://www.dixieart.com/Eclipse.html , you can see that my brush, the iwata Eclipse BCS requires .5 CFM @ 25 PSI (though I generally shoot between 8 and 15 depending on the application). The craftsman is capable up to 2.4 CFM @ 90 PSI. Some hobby compressors don't put out enough volume at a given pressure, so those are the things you have to look for.

-Fred

 

[propsculptor]

This is what I use for Airbrushing Masks and Helmets (Fiberglass), and just about everything else, and it's almost silent..

I can use it all night long without disturbing the Neighbors.

$44.99 ITEM 92403-7VGA

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=92403


* Compact, portable, with 30 PSI output--ideal for most airbrush jobs

* Includes pressure gauge, filter, hose, 1/4" NPT male adapter, and roll of Teflon® tape

* Oilless for maintenance-free operation

* 1/8'' NPT air outlet

* 1/8 HP, 1700 RPM

* 115V, 60 Hz, 0.75 amps, 90 watts



They even have one with a Regulator, ITEM 93657-3VGA:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=93657

 

[Gigatron]

My only problem with those is that they're very single-purpose. With the craftsman, you have so many other application possibilities. You can use it for smaller air tools, filling the tires on the car/bike or you can run multiple airbrushes (if you have more than one person who airbrushes at home) without a problem. Plus you get the peace of mind that it's a craftsman, including all warranties.

But ultimately, the choice is up to Birdie.

-Fred

 

[stormtrooperguy]

i use one of these:
http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2581

it's meant for driving a nailgun, so when it's throttled down to the low PSI for an airbrush, it runs off of the tank more often than the compressor.

the downside is that it is LOUD.

i have it on the far end of the basement with a really long hose which makes it less annoying to work with, but you can hear it through the whole house.

 

[franz bolo]

I have a 1.5 HP Craftsman 4 gallon pancake style compressor. You need a regulator and a moisture trap.

I've had it for over 9 years. It's similar to THIS.

FB

 

[Hirohawa]

Anyone else have experience with the harbor freight model?

That price is almost too good to be true.

 

[Birdie]

Unfortunateley the Craftsman doesn't appear to be available in limey-land

 

[TK9120]

All you need to do for the sound is build a box out of styrofoam. The smaller ones don't take long to fill so the heat generated shouldn't be a problem.

 

[dijinn]

Why are the Campbell-Hausfeld's not recommended? I have one (model 2048) I purcased from Walmart for $80. Threw a $30 moisture-trap/regulator combo on there and it works great. It has a 2 gallon holding tank, the compressor goes until it fills the tank with 90PSI and then shuts off. When the tank gets to 40PSI, then the compressor kicks back on again until it fills the tank to 90PSI again. It's oil-filled and pretty much maintenance-free.

It's not super silent but I cut up some foam mousepads, stuck them under the legs of the compressor and it's quiet enough I can use it at night without waking my wife up in the room next door. It's also quiet enough I can hold a conversation with someone sitting next to me.

Honestly, as long as it has a holding tank, can be set it turn on and off at certain PSI's and you can slap a moisture trap on it... why would it be bad? The holding tank eliminates any erratic air pressure caused by the compressor kicking on and off, a good aftermarket moisture-trap/regulator (I purchased an Iwata one for $35) eliminates any problems with an in-efficient built-in regulator and you just don't spray with it when the compressor turns on... just wait a few minutes for it to build the tank pressure back up to 90PSI and kick off. I'm just curious why people were giving negative views on this compressor.

- J.

 

[Serafino]

Slight veer O.T.: is there a one-stop place to go for information on creating the sort of durable painted finishes needed for prop replicas? Recommended paints, handleability ratings, etc? Latest and greatest metallics, etc.?

 

[Hirohawa]

<div class='quotetop'>(Serafino @ Sep 21 2006, 05:51 PM) [snapback]1324242[/snapback]</div>

Slight veer O.T.: is there a one-stop place to go for information on creating the sort of durable painted finishes needed for prop replicas? Recommended paints, handleability ratings, etc? Latest and greatest metallics, etc.?
[/b]

I would like to know as well.

 

[hydin]

i gotta give props to the harbor freight one as well (pardon the pun).

i dont paint much, but the thing is quiet (can hear my tv or radio over it), works great with either airbrush i have (got the 1500 kit they offer for 9 bucks on sale, double action and all metal. love it.) and the best part of all is that even when it is on the table with me instead of the floor, it doesnt shake rattle and roll the table.

i havent painted anything BIG, i.e. trooper armor or helmets or anything. mostly model kits and small scale stuff, but i think it has enough oomph behind it to handle most anything. i would seriously consider a bigger/better airbrush and compressor combo if you are painting big stuff like armor, etc. smaller stuff like model kits and resin kits it can handle great.

i also dig thier 12" bandsaw, even if its a royal PITA to find blades for it. i am a bit prejudiced though, cause i have a local store
chris

 

[Gigatron]

Let's not confuse parts of the issue, though. It doesn't matter if you're painting a house, if the compressor doesn't meet your airbrush's minimum CFM/PSI requirements, it won't work regardless of how expensive/cheap/noisy/quiet the compressor is.

Different brushes have different source requirements and that's what Simon has to match up (unless he's willing to buy a new brush to match his compressor output).

And the only reason I recommend the craftsman over any of the dedicated AB compressors is because they (the dedicated compressors) are single purpose. At least with the craftsman, you get some versatility.

-Fred

 

[Birdie]

<div class='quotetop'>(Gigatron @ Sep 22 2006, 02:40 PM) [snapback]1324467[/snapback]</div>

Let's not confuse parts of the issue, though. It doesn't matter if you're painting a house, if the compressor doesn't meet your airbrush's minimum CFM/PSI requirements, it won't work regardless of how expensive/cheap/noisy/quiet the compressor is.

Different brushes have different source requirements and that's what Simon has to match up (unless he's willing to buy a new brush to match his compressor output).

And the only reason I recommend the craftsman over any of the dedicated AB compressors is because they (the dedicated compressors) are single purpose. At least with the craftsman, you get some versatility.

-Fred
[/b]

I'm going to be in the market for a new brush, too. I'm weighing up the pros and cons of various combinations at the moment. Unfortanateley everything in this country is so ****** expensive :angry