General Discussion (Model Railroader)

I am getting reading to start using my air bursh, but I do not know if I can use my Porter Cable pancake air compressor that powers my nail guns, or should I puchase an air compressor made specfically for air brushes?  What have others used or recommend?

Thank You,

Ray Barry

Ray,

I regularly use my 6HP 60 gallon vertical compressor to spray with my airbrush. I drop the pressure to about 23psi with the regulator and it works fine. It helps to have a moisture filter on your compressor.

Don Z.

I have the same compressor as you. It works just fine with my two airbrushes. As said above, a moisture trap and regulator is a must for the best results.

I bought a small 2 gallon air compressor from Menards for about 50$ on sale.  It's about the same size as the compressors they sell specificly for air brushing, but for a fraction of the price. I also added a combination regulator and moisture trap.

 John

I bought my compressor from the same place I got my airbrush. They have a lifetime warranty on their products, too.

Airbrush City

  Your pancake compressor will work fine. You might want to consider installing a pressure regulator with a built-in moisture trap and an in-line paper filter between the compressor and the airbrush.  This will ensure no dirt, oil, or water will get to the airbrush components and the paint.

       I use a small 2 gallon compressor that I purchased  at Walmart for around $60.00 and it works well with my badger single action and my paasche double action airbrushes....chuck

 Any compressor, large or small, with a regulator will work. I use a Campbell Hausfeld compressor rated for a max of 128 psi to supply my airbrush. I have the regulator locked down to 28 psi. A moisture trap is also desirable as this will catch any water coming from the air tank and keep it out of your paint.

I agree with all of the previous advice, but I suggest getting a regulator that is designed for use with an airbrush.  I usually paint at around 8 psi and clean it at about 15.  I find that the higher pressure makes it harder to control the paint and air volume, and that all that air tends to blow parts around.  You also get a lot more overspray with higher pressure.

The big regulatopr that you have on that pancake compessor may not reliably adjust to such low pressure.

If you are using acrylic paints, your pressure values may be different than mine.  I use Floquil paints with organic solvents.  I've never used the model maker's acrylic paints, so I don't know how they are different from the more toxic stuff.

 Where would I find a a pressure regulator with a built-in moisture trap and an in-line paper filter?  Is this a speciality item, or should my local Home Depot or hobby store carry this item?

Ray

rmbarry:

 Where would I find a a pressure regulator with a built-in moisture trap and an in-line paper filter?  Is this a speciality item, or should my local Home Depot or hobby store carry this item?

I did a quick search and found this one:

http://www.artsuppliesonline.com/catalog.cfm?cata_id=2860

I think you can get them for less if you shop around.

Edit:  I found this one for under $20.  I think it's the same as mine.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=ABD+TFR-2000

HD has the regulators and traps. Look in the tool dept. where the compressor acc. are located. I used to work there. BILL

This is a badger airbrush regulator with a moinsture trap that is around $45.00 -$50-00. Do a search and you may find one on sale somewhere.

The inline paper filter can be purchased at anywhere that sells air compressors....chuck

Harbor Freight has a bunch of filters/regulators too.
http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=air+filters

David, using the small  Pasche would work but it would take a whole bunch of time to do it. Unless you have a larger compressor in the garage, I wouldn't recommend it.