I recently picked up a Badger 175 at 1/2 price (Michael’s). Now I need an air supply. (I will be using the airbrush for weathering and painting of structures.)
Should I go tank-less (for example a Badger Whirlwind) or get a compressor with a tank?
Is it possible to use a spare tire with a regulator/moisture trap?
Anyone familiar with the Airbrush Depot Model TC-20T ? Reliable, works as advertised? sufficient capacity?
Any other recommendations for model or alternatives?
Thanks in advance.
Doc
I picked up a compressor at harbor freight. It includes a regulator valve, adapters and hosing. $60.00 It’s tankless and oiless. I’ve had it two weeks so far and I’m happy with it.
It cranks up to 60 psi, but it’s constant operating pressure is closer to 20 psi. So when you first press down on the air nozzle (dual action airbrush) you might get a good blast that quickly fades. Other than that minor drawback, and for all intended purposes, it works well.
I would get one capable of running more than just an air brush. I would also avoid an oiless unit since they are LOUD and ANNOYING!!!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40400
There’s about 6 more pages of units to choose from.
PS-Don’t waste your time with a tire. you can’t keep the PSI constant.
i would suggest you go with overkill on the compressor and use some sort of tank with a pressure regulator and moisture trap. any variation in pressure will make things more difficult than they need to be.
i seldom use water based paints but my experience is that they require more pressure to push the paint than solvent based paints.
grizlump
Good point! I have to thin my polyscale acrylic down with 50:50 mix of water + 1 drop of dish detergent @ 20 psi. Otherwise it’s too thick, and clogs the nozzle quickly.
I highly recommend the Campbell Hausfeld 2 gallon oilless compressor. I’ve been using one for about 10 years and it works quite well. It comes with it’s own regulator and can set at any pressure between 0 and 128 psi. I keep mine locked down at 28 psi for use with my Testor’s Aztec airbrush. Stay away from using an innertube. That’s worse than using canned propellant.
A few recommendations:
Go with a compressor with a tank and an automatic shut off. That way the compressor doesn’t need to run constantly. Once the tank pressurizes and shuts off and you can paint for a long time before it kicks on again. The tank also absorbs and prevents any surges in pressure.
Go with an oilless compressor. You don’t want the possibility of oil getting into the air line and ruining a paint job. Plus, who wants to have to remember to oil it.
Even if the compressor comes with a built in regulator, get a second regulator that has a more accurate and finer scale. The built in regulators are a little on the crude side and are difficult to finely set the output pressure.
Get an in-line moisture trap. Water in the line will quickly ruin any paint job.
Check here . I’ve had the TC-20 for a few years and it works great. Very quiet ( only 59db), no oil, very reliable, smooth air flow, lightweight auto shutoff etc…
Because I already had a way large compressor with tank from the shop in my old (and sold) business…I have one way bigger than you would normally want to own (its a giant red Craftsman that is nearly indestructable), I would think having at least the ability to use the compressor in other processes would be an advantage…bike tires, compressed air blower, athletic balls…portability will be important.
Also, well said above about a water trap, a better pressure regulator than the built in one, and screen for your paint media.
I already had a compressor for powering my pneumatic nailer and inflating car tires.
I added another regulator at the airbrush hose connection and it works just fine.
That is one tank model I am seriously considering.
In general I think for the add cost a tank makes sense.
Whatever you decide, do not buy one without a tank and a regulator. You’ll dissappointed if you do.
Go to Harbor Freight Tools if you have one. They always have some compressor on sale for $80 - $100. They have all of the hoses, regulators and accessories as well. Jamie
You might check Lowes. You can get this compressor for about $100 and it includes a tacker/stapler, inflator tips, and blower tip.
I also highly recommend this compressor.
Stopped at my local Sears. They have a Craftsman 4 gal. 3/4 hp Pancake Air Compressor on sale for $109 with hose, some accessories.
Anyone with experience with this item? It’s rated 2.7 SCFM as 40PSI; may need a water trap / regulator (hard to tell given Sear’s high quality product displays).
Thanks
Doc
I’ve been using an airbrush professionally for over 30 years and all I ever use when not in the shop is a pancake compressor from a nail-gun, you ALWAYS want a compressor with a tank no question about it and an inline regulator like the ones found in Lowes and Home Dedpot etc. are a must.
Although my shop compressor has moisture traps and filters on every outlet I don’t find I need it when using the small compressor. You generate water in a compressor when it cycles on and off quite frequently the air generated from the compressor going into the tank is hot and when it hits the cold steel of the tank and piping it condensates and the water vapor settles in the bottom of the tank as water, which eventually will get picked up and travel through the lines and out of your gun. Typically an airbrush isn’t used long enough or should I say consumes enough air for this problem to occur.
If you want to make a poor man’s air dryer. What I do in my shop is run the supply line the full length of the shop 60’ to a holding tank which is nothing more then an old air compressor tank with no compressor or motor.then a line comes out of that tank and back the length of the shop where line dump off of it to various parts of the shop and permanently mounted equipment.BTW this system works better then the $1500 air dryer I purchased and have since sold.
In you case just run a really long hose from your tank to your air brush. By the time the air travels through the hose to the gun the hot air has cooled down to ambient temperature and hence no water vapor. If you feel you still need a filter by all means put on in line but I can almost guarantee that every time you check it there will be hardly any moister in it worth worrying about.