Airbrush Problem

[JeremyB]

Hi Guys

Can I buy a compressor at a hardware store and If so would I need an adapter and were would that be purchased

Jeremy

[nfmisso]

Yes; you can buy one at Wal-mart or Harbor Freight or....

You'll need a regulator, filter, oil and water trap; some or all of these functions may be combined into one part. The business you get the compressor from should have this, the adapter coupling for the airbrush MAY have to come from the hobby shop.

[Anonymous]

Ace hardware, Sears and other paint stores haveadapters. I have a Sears quick release at the end of a flexible hose. I can use a automobile tire inflator or plug in the air brush hose. Set the regulator before plugging in your air brush hose. You do need to be alert to the thread sizes on the adapters.
Lindsay

[Jetrock]

I just hook my airbrush up to my garage (non-hobby) air compressor and it has worked fine, though I'm something of a newbie when it comes to airbrushing. I suppose that an oil/water trap would be good to avoid contaminants on my paintjob but have kind of been lazy--as to the regulator, is the pressure control on a compressor not sufficient for this? What are the additional benefits of a regulator?

A plastic adapter came with my airbru***o connect it to a standard compressor hose.

[lupo]

jetrock,

With the regulator you can add effects to your airbrushing: e.g. If you put the pressure very low and give much paint, your brush starts to spit and spakkle ,wich can give nice effects, If you use high pressure and solvent based paints, the paint can be almost dry when it leave the brush, so you can add another effect

There could be a problem using your garage compressor: these things run around 100 - 120 PSI or more, for airbrushing around 30 PSI is enough, and from experience I know that some hoses and couplers used in airbrushing can't handle the higer pressure, so you run the risk of blowing a hose and that can be dangerous because when a coupler breaks the hose could spring like a whip and you might not like that,
it is better to put an extra regulator/oil/water dust separator between your normal airhose and your airbrush.

take care , and have fun with airbrushing, "practice" a lot, concentrate on where the paint is going and after a while airbrushing becomes as easy as writing [:)]



[8D][8D][8D] and this post gives me my second star!! [8D][8D][8D]

[Jetrock]

My garage compressor is adjustable to any range, with a dial so I can check the current pressure. I dial it down to around 30 PSI for airbrushing. I still have some money left on my Home Depot gift card (read: model railroad benchwork and tool store) so I think I'll pick up a regulator/filter unit.

Although I need a new airbru***oo--I bought one of those cheap Aztek ones and the nozzle got bumped against something and chipped, and this is one of the cheap ones that doesn't feature a replaceable air nozzle. So I have to crank it up to 40 PSI or so and get a weird spatter of paint--it still sort-of works for rough jobs (painting track and roadways, other "area" jobs) but I figure I should move up to a better-quality airbrush anyhow--and the second regulator will complement that nicely.

[Anonymous]

Before you buy a compressor you may want to check out Princess Auto. They sell hobby size compressors and do mail order.

[RhB_HJ]

Hey guys,

I've got one of those silent compressors (same type as in a fridge). Regulator, moisture trap and manifold so that three airbrushes can be connected.

On occasion we have worked with two and three airbrushes for 3 hours at a time. Then we gave the compressor a one hour break - while we had lunch - and after worked for 3 more hours.

Admittedly it got warm, but it always works perfectly!

Used to have one of those piston types as well, that was a bit of a problem when it kicked in while explaining things during a class. [:)][:)]

[AntonioFP45]

For the $100 price range there is a newer self contained style air compressor that's been on the market for a while. Home Depot has them. Shape is unusual, when compared to the traditional compressors. Water trap is internal and the gauges are on the top on an angled flat panel.

I remember recently that JPM35 chimed in stating that he bought one of these units.
Out of curiosity I'm going to look at one at Home Depot or Lowes.

As for good performing airbrushes that don't cost a ton of money, one can with a Badger 200 or a Paasche VL.