Compressor for airbrush?

[grayfox1119]

I think it is perfect for hobby/craft use, and the moisture trap is easy to add, but for nailing and air tools?? I would get a larger model. It would work for brads, finishing nails, etc. but for larger nails...nay, nay, I think it would not be sufficient.

[ereimer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grayfox1119

The latest catalog from Northern Tool & Equipment just arrived in the snail mail today, and on page 8 they have a Delta 2 gallon air compressor , 120V, 2.2A, listed as "Great for Crafts", and LOW NOISE. It sells for $99, delivers 0.50 CFM @ 40 PSI and 0.35 CFM @ 90 PSI. It has an oil-free design for durability and low noise motor for QUIET operation.
How about this baby guys?

looks like it would be fine for airbrushing with the addition of a moisture trap . i think it's kind of funny that in the description it says 'not recommended for air tools' and below that it lists accessories they recommend , including an air grinder (think super-sized air powered dremel) and a framing nailer ! now i'm not sure about the grinder , but do you think that little compressor is going to drive 3.5 inch nails into 2x4s ?

[grayfox1119]

The latest catalog from Northern Tool & Equipment just arrived in the snail mail today, and on page 8 they have a Delta 2 gallon air compressor , 120V, 2.2A, listed as "Great for Crafts", and LOW NOISE. It sells for $99, delivers 0.50 CFM @ 40 PSI and 0.35 CFM @ 90 PSI. It has an oil-free design for durability and low noise motor for QUIET operation.
How about this baby guys?

[modelmaker51]

Check with your local hardware store, yuo should be able to find adaptors in the airtool section or the plumbing department.

Badger and Paasche both have adaptors to step up from 1/4" to 1/2".

[Seamonster]

How do you connect the airbrush hose to the tank fittings? My Aztek has a screw-on fitting at the end of its (very small diameter) hose that attaches nicely to the cans of compressed air, but I can't picture in my mind how to mate that to the big quick-disconnect fittings that the tank would have in order to connect to power tools like nailers. What adaptors would a person need and where would one get them? Home Depot? Hobby shop?

[grayfox1119]

I had not had the experience of a hobby sized compressor failing. I would then recommend placing the larger storage tank type compressor in it's own sound insulated "booth". This should dramatically cut down on the noise and keep everyone happy. Those who have layouts in a garage or room over garage have a distinct advantage here, but for us cellar dwealers, we have to be considerate of those folks upstairs, and maybe neighbors if you live in a duplex or apartment/condo.

[modelmaker51]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Leon Silverman

Grayfox119:
You can't have it both ways. Do you want to match the tool to the job size or avoid breaking the bank and making too much noise.
A hobby rated compressor can cost $150 and have to run continuously to power the air brush. My compressor cost $90 on sale (regularly $119 at Target), had wheels to make it easily transportable, and came with a pneumatic nailer. It only has to run continuously to initially pressurize the tank, then it rests totally silent until the pressure drops to 90 psi. The twenty five or fifty foot air hoses means that the comprssor can be located that far away in another room (outside?) if the noise is objectionable.

I totally agree here. The "hobby" compressors are over priced and because of their continuous duty cycle, will wear out long before one of those cheap sets with an airtank (I paid 80 bucks for a Haupage) that you can get at Walmart and other discount stores.

I paid another $25 for 75 ft of air hose and put the compressor in the garage. I also moved the regulator from the compressor to the paint booth. Works great and all is quiet.

Most of these cheap compressors are just beefed up tire inflators with a single cylinder. After my 3rd "hobby" compressor failed, I bought a $35 tire inflator (powered by a MRC power pack!) with auto shut off (K-Mart) and hooked that up to an old freon tank and regulator I had for a temporary replacement...it worked for 2 years before it burned out. Economically I wouldn't recommend this unless you already have the tank and regulator.

[Leon Silverman]

Grayfox119:
You can't have it both ways. Do you want to match the tool to the job size or avoid breaking the bank and making too much noise.
A hobby rated compressor can cost $150 and have to run continuously to power the air brush. My compressor cost $90 on sale (regularly $119 at Target), had wheels to make it easily transportable, and came with a pneumatic nailer. It only has to run continuously to initially pressurize the tank, then it rests totally silent until the pressure drops to 90 psi. The twenty five or fifty foot air hoses means that the comprssor can be located that far away in another room (outside?) if the noise is objectionable.

[grayfox1119]

Guys , your not spray painting the side of a house, or using a nailing gun to build a barn, your only spray painting a little locomotive or box car......good lord, have you people heard the noise that these double cylinder air compressors make? Your CFO will throw you and your layout out in the cold from that roar.
You only need a little electric compressor, a pressure regulator, a water seperator, and a drain for the tank ( moisture in the tank from compressing humid air will eventually cause the bottom of the inside of the tank to rust out.....not nice when it blows at 135lbs on big compressors ) Us the size tool to match the job !!! Don't break the bank, don't make too much noise.

[Anonymous]

Considering I'm in Georgia, it's a good call.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher

QUOTE: Originally posted by On30Shay
Buy a good water seperator.

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.

[TomDiehl]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher

QUOTE: Originally posted by ghofmann
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?

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!

I agree Tex, I used to do this and the tire thing, but it didn't take long to become a royal pain in the butt.

[Tom Bryant_MR]

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

[Anonymous]

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.

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by electrolove

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 on the size of the tank which, is why, I like a larger tank.

QUOTE:
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?

It depends on the size of the tank and what you consider to be a days work... As stated, it will run out at the most inconvenient of times. Not to mention, that around here anyway (SE Michigan) most stations Charge for air. Factor that into getting in the car (with gas at $2.30 per gallon) or on the bike, Getting the air, returning, discovering you forgot to clean the airbrush before you left, etc... It's well worth the $100 or so for the compressor.

Jeff

[electrolove]

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.

[jwar]

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.

[sunsetbeachry]

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

[MichaelWD]

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

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by On30Shay
Buy a good water seperator.

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.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ghofmann
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?

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!

[Anonymous]

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.

[grayfox1119]

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.

[olequa]

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?

[Anonymous]

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.

[cwclark]

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

[Texas Zepher]

I use an automobile tire for a tank.

[TomDiehl]

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.

[waltersrails]

i agree get a tank one thats what i have and it works perfect for me.

[rolleiman]

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