I know that this have been discussed before but I can’t find it.
I have ordered the Paasche H and I will get it in a couple of days. I’m searching right now for a compressor. My question is:
What is the important thing to look for in the compressor jungle?
Silair seems to be a common compressor here in Sweden.
I’m in the same puzzle zoo. What compressor to by for a simple airbrush for model painting only.
Get one with a tank. From there, most will probably work fine. I suggest staying away from Airbrush compressors but spend your money however you wish.
Jeff
i agree get a tank one thats what i have and it works perfect for me.
The home centers and big department stores in the US carry compressors that will power small air tools, designed mainly for intermittent home use. These sell for under US$100.00. They have a small 1 to 2 gallon (4 to 8 Liter) pressure tank and (most important) a pressure regulator. Just set the regulator for the pressure your air brush requires and you’re ready to go.
I use an automobile tire for a tank.
there is a hausfield campbell air compressor with a 2 gallon tank sold at wal-mart for about $65.00 which fits all the needs for my airbrush…the only thing I added to it was an inline regulator with a moisture trap and an in line throw away paper moisture filter for the air brush…chuck
Absolutely 100% agree to buy one with a tank. I had an “airbrush” tankless compressor that nearly convinced me I couldn’t airbrush. Now I use a small porter-cable compressor + tank (that I got with a brad nailer for package price around $100). It’s got a 2.5 Gal tank and regulator - seems like I can spray a half day without the compressor kicking on.
Isn’t another option just to get a tank with a regulator on it? Fill it up at the gas station or wherever. Would it store enough air to allow a day’s airbrushing without requiring another trip to fill it up?
The DVD that MRR sent to us has an entire section on air brushing and, it shows a pancake tank compressor. Having used compressors for many applications, definetly get one with a tank, a filter, and a regulator valve, If your going to paint indoors, you will also need a small painting hood with and exhaust with filter.
Yall left out the most important part. Buy a good water seperator. If you don’t, you can kiss your chances at a good paint job goodbye.
Yes, I used to do this. But it always seemed like I needed to run to the gas station at the most inconvienent times (job half done, paint half dry, etc.). Check the gauge often!
Excellent advice if the painting is being done in a humid environment. For those that live in an arid (e.g. Phoenix) or even semi-arid(e.g. Denver) part of the country this is not needed.
when you get the tank compressor check to see if it comes with tools. a nailer/stapler might be useful on the layout
Mike Dickinson
We have a large compresser {5 gallon} i’ve used it for framing houses and rebuilding same. I still use it for airbrushing, just remember to use a regulator set at 20 lbs or less a good paper water filter and patience. The tank usuall lasts through a whole painting session and then drained. A lways remember to drain the tank after finishing for the day and it last for a lifetime, and you can always use it to work on the MRR.
chuck and kathy
You might think of other task for an air commpressor on down the road, If you think you will use air grinders or air drills ect for other non modeling tasks, get a larger Air commpressor.
However before purchasing the air compressor look on the Specifications plate and dont get a cheepo air compressor thats has a 30% duty cycle. These will pump up a few times, then the thermal overload will kick out for ten to fifteen minits before it will start to pump again.
The air brush air compressors are to expensive and not much of an air compressor for other jobs.
How big do you recommend the pressure tank to be (minimum) and what pressure must the compressor be able do deliver to drive a airbrush like the Paasche H?
Is that what they call psi?
Are there any more specifications it must meet?
If I have these numbers it’s easier for me to find something that works.
PSI= Pounds per Square Inch… Tanks are measured in volume as you’ve already presumed… I have an auxiliary 5 gallon tank that I can disconnect and take from the shop to the layout that is run In the shop by a tankless compressor (not an airbrush compressor)… A one piece unit with a 1 or 2 gallon or better tank would serve most of your needs, including a small air nailer if you so desire… It’s my opinion, the bigger the tank, the better, simply because the compressor won’t run as much…
Compressors are rated by 2 factors… Air Pressure (PSI) and Air Volume (Cubic Feet per Minute, CFM) that they can deliver… The problem with airbrush compressors is that even though they may be capable of 30 PSI (wich is a good enough pressure for most airbrush jobs), they Can’t deliver the volume needed to sustain a constant airflow. What you will get with an airbrush compressor is a constant sputtering in the air supply that will truely frustrate any effort for a decent paint job. Jobs such as running an air grinder, air ratchets, drills, heavy nail guns, large paint sprayers, etc, require a larger CFM to keep up. With an airbrush it isn’t that critical but nice to have… The tank serves the primary purpose of providing a Constant air flow. Most compressors will charge the tank to 110 PSI… You use the regulator to dial your output down to 30-40 psi depending on the paint, how thin it is, etc… When the tank in the compressor drops below 80 or 70 PSI (this is adjustable on some), the compressor will kick on, recharge it, and then turn off. How OFTEN that happens, will depend
Yes I have the cheap hanyman air compressor, and it works fine, as discussed above just set the regulator at the desired rate and you have hours of air…
Mike.
How about this one on homedepot.com
Overkill ?
Porter Cable
Easy Air To Go 1.75 Gal, 135 Psi Mobile Compressor W/deflation Kit
Model Y1010
$99.97