Guys–I’m new to the hobby. Starting my first real layout and always on the lookout for shops, etc. putting things on sale I could use now or down the road. I’ve run across what looks like a decent price on an airbrush and compressor. I know I could use them in the near future.
Is there a good, better, best type of compressor? Specifically, is a piston better than a diaphram type? I’ve found one that has a regulator, moisture trap, and is oil less and is piston. What do you think?
Thanks for any advise you can give.
Jerry
Oil less is good, and with the regulator and moisture trap you’ve got it all. Some are really noisy (mine is) but I’ve got it sitting on a rubber mat and a box over it to keep the noise down.
My personal experiance is stay away from the oilless. I use a twin cylinder compressor with a 2 hp electric motor, works fine , runs about 160 psi. I also have a V twin with a 9 hp gasoline engine mounted in my service truck. This is probley not what you wanted to hear, but the info is FREE. Mike
I bought a small compressor with a tank from the local hardware store. It came with a regulator and a pair of gauges and nozzles for blowing, inflating tires and air mattresses. And it came with a bonus free brad nailer. The hose on my Aztek airbrush screws right onto the end of the compressor’s curly hose. The advantage is that I can let it pump up the tank to 100 psi and brush away in silence until the pressure drops to 75 psi and the compressor kicks in. Or I can turn off the compressor and keep going in silence until it drops to about 30 psi. And I can inflate a low tire on my car or bicycle without electricity–just pump up the tank indoors and carry it outside. The best thing about it? The price. It was on sale for $75 and hobby compressors (without tanks) go for at least $200. The only thing it doesn’t have is a moisture trap, but that’s easy to add.