HELP: AGH! 2nd Compressor In A Week!!!

[DarthVeach]

I bought the Harbor Freight 1/8 hp Airbrush compressor a couple weeks ago after I met a lady at a convention who owned one and loved it. Well, needless to say I am a little ticked because I am on my 2nd one after exchanging the first one and I cannot figure out what is going wrong. I have used all the correct attachments, teflon tape for the seals and these are my 2 main issues.

1) It is losing air SOMEWHERE because about every minute it turns on for a second and then shuts off. This was happening with the first compressor so I took it back.

2) No matter how high I set the regulator, if I hold open the airbrush trigger for more than say 3 seconds, it drops to 20 psi and never goes any higher, no matter what I do to the gauge. (this is a new problem unique to this compressor. Didn't have the problem with the other one) As soon as I let go, the gauge goes back up to 30, 40, 50 whatever I set it at, but no matter what, I can't spray any higher than 20psi.

PLEASE if anyone can lend me some advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Please refrain brand bashing if you happen to not be a fan of Harbor Freight! But at this point I think I will have to go with something a bit more higher end!

 

[Lazrith]

Well you should expect a drop in presure when you begin painting, I usually set my presure about 5psi higher to compensate for this. As for why it drops so far, what size hoses are you using? If it is the same model from before, its going from a 1/8" outlet on the compressor to a 1/4" fitting on the Paasche hose correct?

If this is the case, the compressor might not be able to pump out enough air to push more then 20psi through a 1/4" hose.