Cheap Air-compressor???

I got mine from Harbor Freight - a small 3-gallon tank.  Was $69 but since then I've seen it for less.  The 3 gallon tank gives several minutes of spraying before it kicks on again for a minute or so.  It is noisy but since I am spraying down in the basement it doesn't bother anyone.   It comes with a pressure regulator. 

George V.

I bought mine at Lowes a couple of years ago. It has a 2 1/2 gallon tank and a regulator. It was on sale for under $100. Any oil free compressor with tank and regulator should suit your purposes.

I have a large compressor, for which I have multiple uses here at home.  The one thing I will say about compressors is to make sure it is well-made.  They range all prices, but look for quality construction.  Also; whatever you buy, set up some sort of air-cleaning and oil/water separation system so that you can put down a better spray.  A small booth is a good way to go as well.  A fire extinguisher kept nearby is a good idea; especially if you spray laquer or other flammables.  WHile on the subject, make sure you wear a respirator and have good exhaust/air circulation.

...Oh; and one last thing:  Buy a box of latex surgical gloves.  Paint sticks to everyhing...even you.

Rich

EF-3 Yellowjacket

I bought a paasche air brush kit at Hobby Lobby for around $25 (you can also find them on the internet).  The kit came with an adapter to reduce the diameter to the size of the hose for the air brush.  If not, the adapters/fittings can be bought at a hardware store.

I wouldn't waste money on the "canned air".  At some point the cost of buying these cans is going to exceed the cost of a compressor.  My suggestion would be to buy a small compressor from your local hardware store, that way you can also use it around the shop/garage.  When using a compressor, just set the regulator to 15-20 psi

Once I started to paint-metalize passenger cars, I realized that my tiny hobby compressor wasn't going to "cut it".  Here's the unit I purchased.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100645228/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

For the price, it's excellent, imho.  Even has an extendable handle to make rolling it around easy. So far my unit has been reliable.  In addition to airbrushing, I also keep my vehicle's tires inflated, and can perform minor air stapling tasks. 

Keep in mind that oiless compressors are going to be a bit noisy, but this unit is not bad at all.  Noise level is a little higher than that of a typical Moped when it kicks on to build up air pressure. After use, open the valve on the bottom of the tank to drain the moisture.  To make it easy, I cut a hole in the table I have my compressor sitting on so that the drain valve can be accessed without having to lift or tilt the compressor.

It's a good idea to spend a few more dollars and purchase a water trap. 

As mentioned I would check

www.harborfreight.com for any tools needed first. SIgn up for their coupons and you may get a coupon for a compressor.

You should also be able to check where the nearest Harbor Freight Tools store is to you.

Got my 3 gal compressor on sale at Ace Hardware for under $60.  As others have said, be sure it has a regulator and filter system.  Most air compressor will "spit" water vapor and that can really mess up a paint job.  Harbor Freight has compressors and the needed accessories, if yo don't have a dealer near you that carries such items.

Good luck,

Richard

steamfreightboy

I really need an airbrush, but the cost of the compressor always blows it way out of my budget. Is there somewhere I can get a cheap air-compressor, hopefully under $100? Or, is there some sort of airtank I could use instead. Thanks,

sfb

I have, for over 25 years now, had a 12 gallon air tank with all the bells and whistles. I used to go over to a tire shop and charge the tank to 75-85lbs of pressure which I would use to run my airbrush(s). I could tell how much air was left in the tank with a tire gauge; if it looked like I was likely to run out of air before completing my next airbrushing session I'd throw it in the back of the car and charge it up. I recently acquired a Bostitch 3 gallon compresser but since I don't want this thing kicking on regularly I now use it to fill the tank.

These portable air tanks can be gotten from a variety of places; I got mine at K-Mart -- the old-time K-Mart, not the new disposer-of-all-junk.. I believe I ran into one awhile back at Sears, Sawbuck but they are probably also available at Home Despot, Lowes, Ace/Tru-Value Hardware, etc.  

The only kind of tank that will work is the big kind, like Mr. Poteet said.  Don't try to use canned air.

I had a Testors Mini-Blue for about 18 months when I first started out.  It's not great, but you can find it for well under $100 if you shop around.

But really, if you just want to jump into the pool, shop around.  It doesn't need to be a dedicated "air brushing" compressor, so long as it has a regulator to control the psi of the delivered air.  Look for sales at home improvement stores, or sign up for coupons (Michaels offers a weekly 50% off any one item which would net you a Badger unit for about $75).

I bought a tankless compressor on Ebay a couple of years ago for about $70 and it came with 2 air brushes. I have used the compressor for several airbrush projects on my railroad but still use the old Badger airbrush (model 200) that I already had. I think I bought the compressor from Airbrush City or something like that. Check Ebay for what is available now. Not haveing a tank, the compressor runs all the time use are actually spraying but it is very quiet and was designed to be quiet.

  -Bob

I would stay away from the so-called "hobby" compressors, they are more suited to arts & crafts and have a tendency to "pulse". A regulator can help, but usually doesn't really get rid of the pulsing altogether.

I have been using a Cambell-Housfeld 2 gal./100 psi compressor that I bought at Walmart for $80, 8 years ago.

I do like painting at all times of the day or night, so I keep my compressor in the garage, connected to my paint booth in my workshop in the basement via a 50 foot high-pressure hose, ($35 at ACE) and extension cord (so I can switch it off from a power strip also at the paintbooth. I leave the built-in regulator on the compressor fully open and control the air with a regulator, pressure gauge and moisture trap at the paint booth.

There are several links to other discussions of the same subject here: http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/193546.aspx

try walmart or target I paid about 60 dollars for a cambell hausfeld 1 gallon 100 psi. It did not have a regulator I bought that cheap at home depot .rambo1...

Couple of suggestion you may have not considered. Try a pawn shop. In a bad economy many carpenters are selling their tools to pay bills. You may find a decent one there. Also look into Craigslist. They have a section where people sell used equipment. I have seen Campbel Hausfields mentioned. We have have had very bad expierences with those. If you use a compressor a lot it may be a problem. Occasional use may be okay.

I received a "20% off" sale flyer from Harbor Freight in Saturday's mail (June 25th).  On the front page they have a coupon for a Central Pheumatic 3 gallon 100 PSI oilless pancake air compressor with built-in regulator for $49.99.

It is the same price on their website.