Well I've decided to take the plunge and buy into airbrushing. Does anyone have any experience with the self-contained system sold by Micro-Mark? Thanks for any input.
I was persuaded to try airbrushing by the owner of a now long-gone hobbyshop, as I was brush-painting Athearn locomotives (in TH&B colours) because I had submitted photos of them to Model Railroader.
By the time I finished 66 of them, Atlas came out with nicely-done ones, as did Walthers.
I then decided to try airbrushing, and followed some of the basic suggestions that were contained in a small booklet, which came with my Paasche dual-action airbrush.
The first suggestion was to try to make the tiniest small dots (with the least spattering) and once that exercise was done, connect the dots with the straightest and thinnest lines possible.I was surprised that I quickly accomplished the tiny dots, and then began connecting them, with what appeared to be straight lines done with a pencil and ruler...but no pencil nor any ruler was used.
There were probably more suggestions in the booklet, but I simply went ahead and started airbrushing about four dozen boxcars that I had recently purchased, changing colours, as-needed, then began mixing slightly different colours.Once the airbrushing was done, I used both C-D-S dry transfers and Champ decals to letter the cars, then decided to add some weathering effects, again using the airbrush.
I've probably done several hundred pieces of rolling stock for various friends and acquaintances, and dozens of brass (and plastic or cast metal) locomotives, too.Pretty-well all of the structures on my layout were also airbrush-painted.
I doubt that I could do the tiny straight lines nowadays, but I still do a lot of airbrush work for several friends and acquaintances, and, when I have time, also for mself.
Wayne
Hello All,
Check out Harbor Freight Tools.
They have an inexpensive beginner airbrushing "kit" for $89.99 (minus tax & shipping).
It's a good place to start with a great compressor.
You can always upgrade the other components around the compressor.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Things have gotten smaller, haven't they? https://www.micromark.com/Micro-Mark-Self-Contained-Portable-Broad-Spray-Airbrush
No experience with it. 40 years ago I bought a Badger airbrush and compressor. I never did the exercises Wayne did, because if I was trying to paint a straight line, I used tape to mask the area.
In my previous move, I couldn't find my airbrush and bought the HF. I didn't think it was as good, but I was painting a building, not some angel on a Harley tank, so it was good enough. The Badger compressor had a tendency to spit water so I got a pancake compressor, when they cost <$100. No more water droplets and lots of spray time compared to the Micro Mark 20 min.
If you freelance you can paint your own color scheme or if you build kits, you can make your building unique. Painting is one of my favorite parts of this hobby.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Lots to learn with airbrushing, air pressure, thinning, temperature, technique, etc., can be fun, yet frustrating at times. Much time could be saved had I taken more reference notes. Greatly important; a clean airbrush is a happy airbrush.
Of course, everyone's different and 'practice makes perfect', but I've found it difficult to put aside old single-action brush habits and get consistantly good results with a double-action, might have been better off starting with a double.
Still in all, when the airbrush gods smile it's quite rewarding to lay down a nice smooth coat or feather in just the right amount of weathering.
Good luck and regards, Peter
I was going to recommend starting with the Harbor Freight single action airbrush but I can't find it or the dual-action (just the airbrush) on their current website. HF used to offer a single action airbrush for $10 that was a virtual clone of the Badger 350. It was a perfect "beginners" airbrush as you could make all of the usual beginner mistakes with it and when you finally destroyed it, you were only out $10. However, with a little care, it is a perfectly good airbrush. I'm currently on my third one (yes, I destroyed the first one makng all the beginner mistakes while the second one rusted out from the inside from not drying it out after cleaning). The current airbrush has lasted several years now and still works perfectly. In fact, it works so well I have no desire to purchase a more expensive unit. The dual action airbrush sold for around $20 and appears to be the same airbrush sold in the previously mentioned "beginner's airbrush setup" for $90. I also have one of these airbrushes and it works even better than the single action airbrush. It is also much better quality than the single action airbrush (all metal versus mostly plastic). I bought one of HF's small portable compressors with a tank so that I don't get any pulsing in the air flow PLUS I can use the compressor for other tasks/tools. I got mine on sale for $35, too! Yes, it's much louder than the airbrush compressor but I just use a long air hose to get away from the compressor.
Hornblower
Going to Harbor Freight today to check things out.
DunderheadGoing to Harbor Freight today to check things out.
Hopefully, HF still has their single and dual action airbrushes on the shelves. If you don't see them, ask for assistance. Also look at the HF braided air hose as it is as good as any name brand airbrush air hose I've ever seen and you can't beat the price.
Have fun and don't spend too much !
The 1/5 HP 58 PSI Oil-Free Airbrush Compressor Kit includes a moisture trap and pressure gauge. The pressure gauge only monitors the PSI output.
I added a pressure regulator to the output side of the moisture trap.
This addition required plumbing some adapters but really helps when airbrushing to monitor the pressure to the airbrush.
When I started airbrushing, I used this small piston-type air pump, powered by a 1/4HP electric motor....
Later, I inherited a compressor that my late father had built from some odds and ends at his workplace.I can't offer much info on how it works, but it has been faultless for almost 40 years....no leaks, no water in the compressor's air, and absolutely no maintenance needed.I was told that the compressor consists of two intermeshing vertical screws in an oil bath making the provided air. Here's what it looks like from the back...
...and a couple of other views...
...the hose for the airbrush goes on the brass fitting above the on/off switch, which controls the electric motor.I would have thought that the black fitting to the right (made from two welded-together items originally used on older refrigerator motors) was for collecting moisture from the compressed air, but opening the valve produced no water at all.
While I can't explain exactly how it works, I've never experienced any difficulties with it at all.
Yeah, I'm gonna back off on something that has a noisy compressor. That's why I was looking at the self-contained unit.
If I want to use an airbrush indoors instead of outside on my patio, I have a 15 gallon portable air tank from my auto racing days that I charge up with air from my garage compressor and use that as my air source. This produces only a soft whooshing noise as air is released. Harbor Freight sells similar tanks. You could also use an automotive spare tire the same way.
having airbrushed for about the last 30 years I can say I would be leary of that unit. I find I need to adjust air pressure depending on the paint I use. I can vary anywhere from 20 PSI up to 40-45 PSi. I doubt that self contained unit can do that. Also I am suspecting that thing won't last long. I never have good luck with battery technology. My big shop air compressor is plumbed into my basement shop so I don't have to deal with the noise.
Dan
Thank you for all your replies everyone. Obviously there is more here to consider. Happy Trails.
Allen
Dunderhead I'm gonna back off on something that has a noisy compressor.
Hi Dunderhead,
Modern technology has allowed compressors to run very quietly. I recently replaced my extremely loud pancake compressor with one of these and the difference is amazing! This is a Canadian listing so your price will be lower:
https://www.amazon.ca/California-Air-Tools-CAT-1P1060S-Compressor/dp/B01LYHYHEA/ref=sr_1_2?crid=33ZMHR77G8QOG&keywords=California+air+compressors&qid=1683664522&sprefix=california+air+compressors%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d0e27fc4-6417-4b26-97cb-f959a9930752
You can get the same compressor with an accessory kit that includes a flex coil hose, air nozzle and various fittings for about $22.00 more but personally I don't like the hoses with the permanent coil.
This compressor has enough power to inflate tires and blow leaves and debris out of gutters etc. It weighs just over 20 lbs and is quite compact.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
jjdamnit The 1/5 HP 58 PSI Oil-Free Airbrush Compressor Kit includes a moisture trap and pressure gauge. The pressure gauge only monitors the PSI output. I added a pressure regulator to the output side of the moisture trap. This addition required plumbing some adapters but really helps when airbrushing to monitor the pressure to the airbrush.
My plan is to purchase a 1/4" NPT (M) x 1/8" NPT (F) fitting for the compressor side and a 1/4" NPT (M) x 1/8" NPT (M) fitting for the airbrush side. Do you recall if these were your specs for the fittings?
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrain jjdamnit The 1/5 HP 58 PSI Oil-Free Airbrush Compressor Kit includes a moisture trap and pressure gauge. The pressure gauge only monitors the PSI output. I added a pressure regulator to the output side of the moisture trap. This addition required plumbing some adapters but really helps when airbrushing to monitor the pressure to the airbrush. I have the exact same setup which I just purchased this week at Harbor Freight. As you indicate, it does require plumbing some adapters since the fittings on the compressor and the airbrush are all 1/8" NPT and the fittings on the regulator are 1/4" NPT. My plan is to purchase a 1/4" NPT (M) x 1/8" NPT (F) fitting for the compressor side and a 1/4" NPT (M) x 1/8" NPT (M) fitting for the airbrush side. Do you recall if these were your specs for the fittings? Rich
I have the exact same setup which I just purchased this week at Harbor Freight. As you indicate, it does require plumbing some adapters since the fittings on the compressor and the airbrush are all 1/8" NPT and the fittings on the regulator are 1/4" NPT.
I was less impressed with the HF airbrush than anyone else in the forum. I'm a Badger single action fan.
As for hose to compressor fittings, it is a confusopoly like buying a new cell phone or life or health insurance. It is intentionally too complicated to understand.
BigDaddyAs for hose to compressor fittings, it is a confusopoly like buying a new cell phone or life or health insurance.
I recently treated myself to an Iwata airbrush and I bought a 'package' that included a ten foot hose. I have dozens upon dozens of various fittings around here being a former pipefitter, I thought certainly I had 'something' that would work.
Nope, I was wrong. The Iwata compressor end of the hose required a ¼" BSPP thread (British Standard Pipe Parallel). This fits the flat face of the male fitting to the O ring in the threaded nut of the hose. I believe the end that threads into the brush is 1/8 BSPP.
From what I gather the airbrush end is a 1/8 BSPP thread.
My other brushes are Paasche models and I have two 'throaway' double action ones I use for scenery and other 'non-critical' stuff.
This is the fitting I required to go from ¼ NPT to ¼ BSPP:
https://a.co/d/d9HXn5q
It is called ¼G here (originally for German Gas thread but the pitch is the same as the British Pipe) but it is the same pitch as the British thread and fit the nut perfectly.
Good Luck, Ed
Well, those are certainly distressing comments from Henry and Ed. I guess that I have no choice but to use the airbrush and compressor without a pressure regulator since I cannot find fittings that will work. Either that or return the airbrush and compressor and buy a pair of items with better control.
Rich, check your e-mail.
Sorry for the delay in responding.
Here's my reply:
Hello Rich, Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. Thank you for reaching out to me via e-mail. I just looked at the Harbor Freight website and it appears that the exact regulator I have is no longer in stock. This seems to be the one they now carry is: https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-compressor-accessories/filters-regulators/150-psi-air-compressor-regulator-kit-with-dial-gauge-68223.htmlIt has Female 1/4 inch NTP fittings on each side. What I did to plumb this was to remove the 1/4 inch NPT to 1/8 inch 27 NPT adapter (airbrush hose) on the stock moisture trap/pressure gauge. I then used a Male/Male 1/4 inch NPT fitting to connect the regulator to the moisture trap. I found this in-store at Harbor Freight, but they are available and hardware and big box stores. On the moisture trap side of the M/M fitting I added an "O" ring to prevent leaking. Then on the regulator side of the M/M fitting I used Teflon tape on the threads to seal that side. The stock 1/4 inch NPT to 1/8 inch 27 NPT fitting that I removed from the moisture trap threaded in to the other side of the regulator, again using Teflon tape to seal this side. Without the "O" ring I did experience a leak. Adding this stopped the leak. Let me know if you need more info. Hope this helps.
JJ, thank you so much for getting back to me and for the detailed reply.
I never gave a thought to moving the compressor output fitting to the other side of the regulator. That was pure genius on your part. That's the good news.
The bad news is that the fitting on my compressor is a 1/8" x1/8" fitting, not a 1/4" x 1/8" fitting. I do have a 1/8" x 1/8" fitting on hand, but I cannot thread it on the opening created on the compressor. So, I am right back where I started. Ugh.
The problem seems to come down to the threading. What is so baffling is that the air hose will connect the airbrush to the compressor, but the Central Pneumatic fittings seem incompatible with standard fittings.
The thing that is so weird about all of this is that the air hose supplied with the compressor fits both the airbrush input port (1/8"-27-NPS) and the compressor output port (1/8"-27-NPT). These are the stated fitting sizes in the owner's manual.
Hello Rich, Thank you for your kind words. Which specific compressor are you dealing with (make and model)? So if I'm understanding you correctly the output of your compressor body is 1/8 inch female?On the regulator you are installing what size is/are the females?
Welcome to the nomenclature/nightmare of plumbing!
NPT refers to "National Pipe Taper" or the pitch of the threads.
Although the fittings are 1/8 inch on the airbrush hose, that pesky number "27" refers to the TPI- -threads per inch- -even though it is still an NPT fitting.
A "regular" 1/8 inch won't mate with the 1/8 inch 27, NPT, as you have discovered.
"NPS"- -National Pipe Straight- -will mate with an NPT with the same TPI. In this case, they are both "27."
There are a multitude of adapters that you can use to plumb the regulator inline eventually ending with a M 1/8 inch 27, NPT.
If you can answer the three questions I posed this will help us solve your plumbing dilemma.
Hi JJ,
The answers to your three questions are:
1) The compressor is from Harbor Freight, Central Pneumatic No. 60328. It is a 1/5 HP 58 PSI Oil-Free Airbrush Compressor.
2) The air outlet is 1/8" male. (More on this later)
3) The air pressure regulator is also from Harbor Freight, Central Pneumatic No. 68223. It is a 150 PSI Air Compressor Regulator. Both sides of the regulator are 1/4"-18-NPT Female. I can confirm that those fittings sizes are accurate - - 1/4"-18-NPT Female.
The owner's manual states that the air outlet on the compressor is 1/8"-27-NPT Male. It further states that the air inlet on the airbrush is 1/8"-27-NPS Male. That said, when I just went back to look at the compressor box, it states that the air outlet on the compressor is 1/8"-27-NPS Male. So, there is an inconsistency between the owner's manual and the label on the compressor box that I just noticed for the first time.
My best guess is that the label on the box is correct. This would make sense since the air hose connects perfectly from the airbrush to the compressor. Therefore, the air hose fittings must both be 1/8"-27-NPS Female.
Interestingly, I do have NPT fittings where the 1/8"-27 female end connects to the 1/8"-27-NPS males. However, I have tried without success to connect a 1/8"-27-NPT male to a 1/8"-27-NPS female.
Hello Rich,
Thanks!
OK, that's the exact same unit I have.
As I advised, remove the M/M fitting on the moisture trap- -the glass unit.
Don't worry about the other dial gauge on the moisture trap- -leave it in place- -more on that later.
The 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch 27 NPS is what you will use to "adapt" from the newly installed regulator to the airbrush hose.
That F fitting from the moisture trap is where you will use the 1/4 inch M/M fitting to attach the pressure regulator with the "O" ring to prevent leaking.
The dial gauge on the moisture trap stays in place.
In the end, you will have both the pressure gauge on the moisture trap AND the pressure regulator.
I'm a "suspenders and belt" type of person so I also used Teflon tape on the threads of the fitting along with the "O" ring.
Apply Teflon tap to the other side of the M/M fitting.
Then thread on the pressure regulator.
On the output side of the pressure regulator apply Teflon tape to the M/M 1/4 inch NTP to 1/8 inch 27 fitting.
You have to remove the 1/4 inch NTP to 1/8 inch 27 NPS to plum between moisture trap to the pressure regulator.
In the end, you will have the dial gauge on the moisture trap along with the pressure regulator.
The pressure gauge on the moisture trap monitors the total output from the compressor.
By installing the pressure regulator you can control the pressure to the airbrush.
As you use the airbrush you will see a fluctuation in the pressure regulator gauge- -this is what you want.
jjdamnit Hello Rich, Thanks! OK, that's the exact same unit I have. As I advised, remove the M/M fitting on the moisture trap- -the glass unit. Don't worry about the other dial gauge on the moisture trap- -leave it in place- -more on that later. The 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch 27 NPS is what you will use to "adapt" from the newly installed regulator to the airbrush hose. That F fitting from the moisture trap is where you will use the 1/4 inch M/M fitting to attach the pressure regulator with the "O" ring to prevent leaking. The dial gauge on the moisture trap stays in place. In the end, you will have both the pressure gauge on the moisture trap AND the pressure regulator.
I took two photos of the compressor.
In this first photo, the M/M fitting is the silver colored one coming out of the upper portion of the moisture trap. It is 1/8" x 1/8". Is this the fitting that you are referring to?
In the second photo, this is a view from above.
YES!!!
Remove that fitting on the output side of the moisture trap!
On mine, it's brass- -but no matter.
That's where the M/M 1/4 inch fitting will go on the output of the moisture trap to the new pressure regulator.
Don't forget the "O" ring to prevent leaking on the "upstream" (input) side of the pressure regulator.
Then attach the pressure regulator "inline" (output) from where you removed that fitting.
That same fitting will be the "output" of the pressure regulator so the airbrush hose will attach to that.
Leave the moisture trap and the regulator in place.
That should give you what you are seeking.
Post Script: Thank you for reaching out and never giving up on the solution you seek. HTH- -JJDI.
JJ, therein lies the problem. Your compressor air outlet port holds a 1/4 x 1/8 M/M fitting. My compressor air outlet port holds a 1/8 x 1/8 M/M fitting. So, I cannot do what you did. Interestingly, your fitting is brass. Mine is nickel plated brass for whatever that is worth.
I may have an explanation for why the M/M fittings are different on my and your compressor.
My compressor has an SKU 60328. However, the website shows three variations: 95630, 69434, and 60328. The link that you provided in an earlier reply shows SKU 95630. Check the actual number on your compressor if you get a chance.