[Neosakai]

Hi

I've been using air cans... But they are too expensive and they get weak unless you let it rest....

So I'm thinking of buying a compressor.

But these questions came into my mind...
I have a Badger 350 Single Action airbrush... If I buy http://www.currys.co...D=92&SubcatID=6 ..... Will my airbrush be compatible with it? Or do I have to choose the right compressor?

[frankzilla]

Most compressors if not all come fitted with a universal 1/4" fitting on the end that you connect your hose to. Yes aircans are a pain,but, if you put it in a bowl of warm water,yes i said "warm" not "hot" water, it will give you a longer,smoother spray time. If you get a compressor you also will need a moisture trap and pressure regulator. If the compressor doesn't come with these already you can buy these at Home Depot,etc. The best way to set it up is to have at least 6 feet of hose from the compressor to the moisture trap so the moisture builds up before it is taken out of the line then you can connect your airbrush hose to the other side.

Hope this helps,
Frank

[Neosakai]

Thanks.... Guess I can really go for the cheap one.....


Err one more question.....

What's the difference between cheaper and more expensive compressors? They just provide air.... What do the more expensive ones do that the cheap ones don't?

[redrage]

Neosakai, on Jan 22 2005, 09:21 PM, said:

Thanks.... Guess I can really go for the cheap one.....


Err one more question.....

What's the difference between cheaper and more expensive compressors? They just provide air.... What do the more expensive ones do that the cheap ones don't?

Noise, horse-power, storage capacity, psi & cfm ratings, durability, etc. are all dictated by cost. Will you be doing anything else with your compressor besides painting? Is size or noise a factor for you? Is cost an issue?

An airbrush really shouldn't put any significant strain on a small "shop-type" air compressor. If you don't plan to do anything except paint models with it the I would get a cheap one. (i.e. $79.00 to $99.00 at various locations) You can power a few basic hand tools with them and some will have a regulator. Some models are noisy while others are bearable for indoor use. All should be compatible with 1/4" NPT threads; you can get quick relases for your hose at the hardware store. If you go this route be sure to buy a moisture trap. All said and done you will spend about +/- $100.00 to $150.00 for a small compressor, auxillary regulator/ mositure trap, supply hose and all required fittings. If noise isn't an issue then this is the rig I like to suggest for the value.

If you buy an airbrush specific compressor from an art suppy store be prepared to spend more money than you would for a shop type compressor. (+/- $150.00 to $1,200.00 and up) The upside to that is that most artist's air compressor should be ready to go out of the box and they range from very quiet to silent. Unless you are doing production work, t-shirts or commercial illustration it can be hard to justify the cost of a high end artist compressor. I have a silent compressor but in hindsight I wish I hadn't bought it; too finicky.

You can get airbrush compressors at the hobby shop but most of the ones I've seen don't have much (if any) storage capacity, low psi & cfm ratings and tend to be over-priced for what you get in my opinion. (That's just my opinion)

All things said I prefer using my 5 hp shop compressor because it suits my specific needs; great if you live in a house and have a shop but a really bad idea if you live in an apartment.

What do you want in a compressor?

Hope that helps some.

[Rusty]

Hey I have that air compressor. I got it off ebay for 45 dollars. I'm sure you can find a cheap one too if you look. Also there's another type quiet air by campbell hausfeld but I think its a lil more expensive.

[Baka Musouka]

btw, a lot of Badger brushes use 1/8" size fitting (not sure about the 350, since 150 and 155 is the only badger I have). Remember to get an 1/4" adapter if you need one (some places provide you with them)

[EVAyanami]

I have an Iwata Sprint Jet I have only used it briefly, but from what I've seen it is very nice. It can fit Iwata ab's but also has adapters which allows it to fit airbrushes from Paasche, Aztex, and Badger.

[octaneteddy]

EVAyanami, on Jan 23 2005, 06:34 AM, said:

I have an Iwata Sprint Jet I have only used it briefly, but from what I've seen it is very nice. It can fit Iwata ab's but also has adapters which allows it to fit airbrushes from Paasche, Aztex, and Badger.

I got that same compressor. Nice and quiet. I love it! But I've had alot of problems with condensation. So I had to get an inline moisture trap by pasche. Now it runs perfect.

[Razer]

I would deffinetly suggest trying to get a quiet model. I didn't, mine is f'n loud. Not sure what type it is, can't check at the moment(at work) but it does have a 2 gallon tank. When it's running low on air the motor kicks in and starts filling the tank so I have constant airflow which is nice. But when the motor does kick in it scares the S#!^ outta me and I end up spraying all over.
(so far I've been just practicing so spraying all over is ok, but when I am painting my model it probly won't be good.

I don't suppose anyone has any suggestions on how to deal with a noisy compressor. (besides get a new, quiet one, but that probly won't happen)

[Neosakai]

Thanks for the replies all =)


Hmm I'll only be using the airbrush for painting my models... Noise shouldn't be a matter unless it's so loud anyone in the house can be disturbed by it... But yeah, it's not like I'll be leaving the compressor on while I sleep

Price is the matter, since the cheaper it is, the sooner I get it..
Btw, what does capacity and psi&cmf ratings affect in a compressor?

I'm looking at the $1 - $230 range... What decent compressor can I get at Curry's Art Store?

http://www.currys.com/

[EVAyanami]

A plug for the sprint jet $219.95 canadian at Curry's..

[redrage]

Neosakai, on Jan 23 2005, 02:46 PM, said:

Thanks for the replies all =)


Hmm I'll only be using the airbrush for painting my models... Noise shouldn't be a matter unless it's so loud anyone in the house can be disturbed by it... But yeah, it's not like I'll be leaving the compressor on while I sleep

Price is the matter, since the cheaper it is, the sooner I get it..
Btw, what does capacity and psi&cmf ratings affect in a compressor? 

I'm looking at the $1 - $230 range... What decent compressor can I get at Curry's Art Store?

http://www.currys.com/

There are many correct answers to this question; these are my thoughts.

Okay; youre only going to be painting with your compressor so you really need a minimum of 35 psi continious supply for an airbrush; of course a little more is better and with a storage tank your compressor will cycle less.

None of the compressors listed at currys in your specified price range has a storage tank so I am reluctant to endorse one, however, many people on the forum have had good luck with the Iwata smart jet and sprint jet compressor. Neither of these compressors has a storage tank so they will cycle frequently; this will cause a significant moisture build-up however both models have a moisture trap so it should be okay. They list a max pressure of 35 psi for both models so in actuallity your max usable pressure will be somewhat less due to pressure drop when you pull the trigger. I do illustartion work with my airbrush so I need to be able to shoot between 5# and 45# depending upon the medium I am using.

I personally would go with Campbell Hausfeld model ($99.00) posted by Ragnarok and buy a separate moisture trap & regulator. That would have all of the HP & CFM requirements for painting and would cycle less frequently or the Scorpion II-TT Compressor ($403.57) if I had to select one from Curry's inventory. That model has all of the features you need for illustration but it is nearly 2x your stated budget.

All things being said the Iwata is within your stated budget and should serve you well but you may want to upgrade later if you stay interested in the hobby or decide to pursue airbrushing further.

That's my $0.02 (USD ) Hope it helps some.

Cheers

[octaneteddy]

OH GREAT REDRAGE.

You sound very knowledgable in airbrushing and compressors. I have a couple for you.
As in your previous post you mention about moisture traps. Well I have a moisture trap that was part of the compressor and another inline trap to fully remove any water spraying through. This works very well but my concerns are. Is this related to mainly on the fact that my compressor runs for long periods?

Another thing was, I did notice my pressure drop from 25 psi to around 18 as soon as I press the trigger. Should I set my pressure to 25 psi's while I have the trigger pressed?