Airbrush Compressor

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I hope this is the right place to post this.

I am interested in getting an airbrush set up. What is the proper PSI for the compressor? What type of airbrush?

-Ron

2

Ron

There have been several recent discussions on that topic in the General Discussion forum which might help you.

Update, Round 2: Help! Need advice on using Modelflex paint

Advice needed on Air Brush Compressor (that was my question).

Doc

3

After looking at several quality hobby copressors in the $125-$175 range I purchased a Sears 4 gal air compressor ($130) which is on a handy 2 wheel cart. In addition to painting, I have a brad nail gun which works off the air compressor for nailing benchwork together. I can also use it for-non railiroad projects too.

I use water based acrylic paints which require higher (30-35) PSI setting than solvent based paints.

4

Thanks. Appreciate the help.

5

The Sears compressor mentioned above is a very good unit.

I recently purchased this unit from Home Depot. At $99, it is a sweet bargain. So far, it performs very well and has left me smiling.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5/R-100645228/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

6

Even though the Husky version showed by antonio is a new style, my club has been using it for a number of years for our spraybooth.

I am using a very similar portable one in the Crafsman line. I actually like this compressor so much that it is used professionaly in place of my much larger Hitachi for nail guns, etc.

Home Depot also will run specials on the Porter Cable compressor and nail/ brad gun sets. The smaller Cambell Hausfeld is also another good choice.

Many of these 1 and 1.5 gal units will do anything you need for the hobby and then some. They are usually well under $100.

If you are looking for a little larger unit, The twin tank Makita, Hiachi or Dewalt are excellent ones. I have used these and seen other contractors on the job have fantastic luck with them.

7

I use a Campbell-Hausfeld 2 gallon compressor that I bought at Wal-Mart around 5 years ago. It’s good, not overly loud and is oilless so no lubing is required. It has it’s own regulator but it’s pretty general. I use a smaller inline regulator to keep the pressure at 28 psi for my Testor’s Aztec airbrush. I did have to get a moisture trap to go inline due to the high humidity here. It keeps any water from the air supply from fouling the paint.

8

I’m looking to graduate from a Badger hobby compressor to something larger and with a tank. One question looms: What fitting(s) do you need to step down to the size needed, and where did you find them? Thanks! Steve W

9

I’m looking to graduate from a Badger hobby compressor to something larger and with a tank. One question looms: What fitting(s) do you need to step down to the size needed, and where did you find them? Thanks! Steve W

10

Thank you for all the great advice on an air compressor. Next is the AirBrush. I’ve heard of the Testor’s Aztec and the Paasche. Is Badger any good?

Is the dual or double action kind the type i want to get?

Looks like i’m going to get a 3 gallon compressor with hose and regulator. What is the optimal PSI setting for airbrushing?

Thanks for your help.

-Ron

11

The psi will depend on the paint which you’re using, the degree to which you’ve thinned it, and, of course, your own personal preference. It’s best to start with the paint manufacturer’s suggested pressure, then alter it (or not) as you see fit.

I’ve been using a Paasche VL (double action) for the past 30 years or so, and it does pretty well anything I’d care to do as far as painting and weathering models. I even used it to apply a clear urethane finish to an oak kitchen table. [swg]

When you get your airbrush, practise on a sheet of cardboard before going on to the oft-suggested “cheap boxcars”. A couple of cartons from the supermarket, sliced open, will give you a nice blank “canvas” on which to test different paints, pressures, spraying distances and the speed of your passes. A good exercise for learning to control the airbrush was suggested in the booklet that came with my VL: use a pencil to draw a grid on the cardboard - not too small for the first one - then try to place a dot of paint where each line intersects with another. The aim is to not only place the dot perfectly, but to make it as small as possible and without runs or spatters. When you have dotted all of the intersections, use the airbrush to connect them with the thinnest, straightest line that you can manage. While you’ll seldom need to dot and line your trains, this is a great way to learn control and will stand you in good stead when you actually get to the trains.

Oh, and those cheap boxcars? Why not spruce them up with a few details, give 'em a decent paint job, and put 'em to work on your railroad? [swg]

Train Miniature (used) - $4.00

Train Miniature (used) - $4.00

Athearn Blue Box (used) - $2.00

[IMG]http://i23.phot

12

Thanks Wayne.

Nice work.