Good air compressor for airbrushing?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I need a small one, preferably under 100 dollars. Any suggestions?

–Austin

2

Is there a Harbor Freight Tools located near you? They have a few compressors for <100

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?CategoryID=521&pricetype=

[LATER EDIT:] Here is a link to a CampbellHausfeld compressor that seems to match exactly what you need (courtesy of curtw_944 on another thread): http://www.campbellhausfeld.net/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10051&productId=66021&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10537

3

I got one at Costcos, It’s made by Campbell or hausfield. It comes with several attachments and yes it was made to work with airbrushes. It was $64.99 plus tax, it also has a regulator. Try your local Costco, Bj’s or whatever club shoppers store you have where ever your at.

4

I have several, but I just got a Coleman powermate VP201. They were on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $95. I almost bought it, but looked around on e-bay and got one for a total of $32 after shipping and all. I like it over my others because it has a tank. It pumps up to 100 psi pressure and then shuts off. I can then blead off the pressure at 10 psi for a loooong time before it kicks back in. It is so nice to paint in silence.

5

I saw those, and that actually seems to be my first choice as of now, just for the price. But I also like the silence part, about how long does it take to pump to a full 100psi?

I like it :slight_smile:

But if I can get one for 30…

6

Any small 1.5- 2gal portable should work fine.

I would recommend a slightly larger version if you ever want to use it for small nail/ brad nailers as well.

I have various compressors that are used for my trade as a finish carpenter and have found that the small Cambell Hausfeld, Husky, Porter Cable or Craftsman will fill your needs. My kids gave me the small craftsman, I nickname R2D2 for father’s day a few years ago. With all my other compressors I was still using an air tank so not to drag a heavy/ awkward one to the basement just to airbrush.

I find myself using this compressor daily (so light I’m spoiled), It will run any of my nail guns including a Hitachi framer and roof gun. Now my larger Emglow and twin tank Hitachi just sit in storage 90% of the time.

7

I recently purhased an ABD TC-20 compressor from AirBrush Depot. It’s very quiet, includes a regulator, a moisture trap, and an automatic shut off. It only runs when the pressure drops below your set pressure. It’s $129.98 plus shipping, so may be a bit more than you want to pay. I consider it a good value.

http://www.airbrush-depot.com/scripts/depot.exe?pgm=itemdet.bbx&custnum=WEB-CUST++&password=&sesid=0803165431&id=ABD+TC-20

8

I haven’t timed it but it seems like 3-5 minutes. It came with a tire nossle so I’ve also been using it on bicycles, trailers, lawn mowers etc., where I never give it a chance up to full pressure.

9

I have a small compressor but I rarely use it. I also have a five-gallon compressed air bottle and that is what I usually use. There is no pulsing from the compressor and I can fill it at any gas station in a few minutes. It only weighs a few pounds. It was about $20 at an auto parts place (Pep Boys, maybe) so it’s also cheaper than a compressor. Plus, no noise or need to plug it in.

10

Well…

…here is what I bought.

–Austin

11

I bought a small air compressor with a two gallon tank from Wal Mart for around $75. It works well and is relatively quiet.I suggest you try either Wal Mart, Home Depot, or other DIY stores. The dedicated hobby compressors are not very powerful, usually have no tanks, and are quite expensive.

12

My link was bad :slight_smile:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280037679283&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=018

13

Although not certain, I imagine that has an aluminum pump. Good luck with that.

14

Cast iron would have been better. You can get them as cheaply as 79 bucks.

15

The air compressor that I use is an old condensor unit off of a drinking fountain, but as for your problem I sugest going to a home improvement store, they have wonderful air compressors rhat would work perfictlly for your needs

16

Dear Austin (and others),

You are getting a lot of advise on compressors, and each is very worthwhile. I have three, ranging from a small piston compressor strictly for airbrushing to a fairly large shop compressor that can store several hours worth of air. Each has its benefits and its liabilities. Two words of caution I would like to offer, since they are seldom mentioned:

  1. With some of the larger shop compressors, it IS possible to damage some of the more delicate airbrushes. Make sure you use the regulator properly.

  2. If you purchase a compressor with a holding tank, be sure to drain the tank after EACH use (typically, I bring mine to full pressure and open the petcock to allow the escaping air to entrain most of the moisture). I have seen compressor tanks explode due to corrosion, and it wasn’t pretty. One was a 30 gallon tank my friend used in the shop on his farm, and it took a section of the wall out when it blew.

HTH,

Paul