[^o)][^o)]Hello, all!
I am about to embark on my aribrushing journey and I want to get started right with a compressor. My questions are these:
-I’ve seen the small nail art, cake decorating compressors; comments?
-for larger compressors (1/5 hp), tank or tankless?
Any other advice appreciated.
You want a tank for airbrushing. With no tank, the compressor goes puff puff puff, one puff for each stroke of the piston. It’s easier to brush, aim, set paint flow with a steady flow of air. You want a drain plug in the bottom of the tank to get the water out.
After the tank you want a water separator in the air line, followed by a pressure regulator. If the compressor lacks these, think about how you might fasten a piece of 1/2 inch plywood to the compressor to furnish a mounting place for these crucial accessories. Compared to most air tools, air brushes don’t take much air. I would expect any of the small compressors sold to drive nail guns would be plenty for air brushing.
You want a diaphram compressor. Instead of a metal piston, that needs oiling, a diaphrapm compressor has a rubber diaphram that the motor pulls back and forth. Never needs oil, and so the output air stays clean. A drop of oil from the airline mixed with water based paint is a bad thing.
First off it must be oil less. I got a new but discontinued air compressor from HD a few years ago with a 2 1/2 gallon tank and included regulator and gauges for less than $100. I do not do a lot of air brushing but its perfect for my needs. I run it to about 100 psi and turn it off. More than enough air for a session, and if its not, just turn it on again. Technically you should have a water separator but I’ve had no issues without one. There is a drain/pressure relief on the bottom and I’ve never noticed water coming out.
My $.02
Mark
I purchased this model (or the version offered at the time) from Harbor Freight nearly 2 years ago. Have used it for air brushing numerous times since then, a bit noisy but works fairly well. I always drain all air out before putting it away to prevent long-term rust problems. I also purchased a Moisture Trap (similar to this one, but I don’t recall it being advertised as trapping dust, just water).
Pretty reasonable combo that seems to work well - even the gauge on the compressor is accurate (enough).
Look at TCP Global (.com). They have tanked, oiless compressors that are quite quiet. They’ll have the moisture trap, etc. available. I bought the twin piston model (can’t remember the model name or #). I haven’t painted with it yet but friends who own one have and love it.
Be aware that the hardware store general construction compressors can be INSANELY loud!!! If you’re thinking of painting in the house or apt. with family members in the house they’ll likely drive them to rebellion. I was going to go that route because the availability and cost are attractive but after spending 3 min. in some garages with them on, I immediately decided the hobby compressors were going to be a much better choice and I wouldn’t need ear muffs or plugs.
Jim
I won’t suggest any particular compressor, as I’ve never had to buy one. [:D] However, I wouldn’t rule out a piston-type compressor - with an oil/water trap, they’re still a good choice.
Whichever one you choose, a tank is pretty-much essential to smooth out the pulses of the compressor. If all you’re going to use it for is airbrushing, you don’t need one with any more than about 35psi output, and an airbrush doesn’t require a large volume output either. Most of them, in my experience, are pretty noisy.
As far as oil in compressors is concerned, the one I use is a rotary screw type, with the rotors running in oil - the oil actual aids the compression process. There’s no air storage tank either, as the rotary action is pulse-free. This type of compressor is somewhat limited in pressure output, with about 50psi being the maximum. While it is equipped with an oil/water trap, there’s also an integral oil separator, which is part of the compressor design. Like most compressors, it’s fairly noisy, and, because there’s no storage tank (one could be installed) the motor (3/4hp) runs continuously.
I’ve been using it for over 20 years, including commercial painting, with the only service required being periodic adjustment of the drive belt.
While I’m exremely satisfied with this compressor, I am not at all suggesting that you look for one.
Wayne
Having already owned a 4 HP compressor and a portable air tank from my auto racing days, I have found that I like the relative silence and 15 to 30 minutes of airbrushing time one charge of the portable air tank offers. If I have a larger airbrushing project and I don’t want to listen to the big air compressor, I just hook up a 50 foot air hose, leave the compressor inside my garage, then paint outside at my patio table (good ventilation, too). I like having the flexibility of the large compressor to do work far heavier than airbrushing (I made extensive use of a brad nailer while building my layout benchwork). If you don’t want such a large compressor, a contractor-style compressor with either tube tanks or a pancake tank might make a good compromise. Portable with plenty of power for tools like brad nailers and small air tools while also offering the smooth air delivery offered by air storage tank(s). Add a portable air tank and you can airbrush indoors without bothering anyone!
I have the same set up as Hornblower. I use my shop compressor and run a length of air hose to the patio, the air hose attaches to the inlet side of a moisture trap / regulator on the outlet side I attach my airbrush hose. If air brushing in the basement I just fill a portable air tank.
if I knew the majority of my time air brushing was indoors then I would look at a specific airbrush compressor or just use the air tank if one had the means of filling it.
No need to say anything more…this…or equivalent:
Frank
Frank has the right idea. I have multiple compressors including a small Paasche that I like.
The HP is one thing but most important is the air delivery. Most airbrushing will be done maintaining about 20 to 30 PSI.
I set this by using a pressure regulator on the outlet of the compressor and pressing down on the button on my Paasche air brush. Than I feel its ok to shoot the paint.
Franks air compressor shown above should handle any brush out there but take a look at your air brush air delivery requirement. This is one area where oversizing is better than undersizing.
I am in the same situation: looking to start the airbrush adventure.
Would this one be good?
Thanks!
Antoine
Antoine,
Were it Me purchasing it? No…does not have a storage tank and don’t particulaly care for the air-brush, plus it’s limited in it’s uses.
But that is My opinion.
Frank
Thanks for all the great help! Here is the one I settled on after lots of research.
