Airbrush Assembly Question

[Hasti]

Hey guys,

 

I have a question about airbrush to compressor assembly. After reading thoroughly through search, researching MoM's posts, amongst others, really countless hours of google-fu, I've decided on an airbrush system. None of the posts contained relevant information to my specific question, so this is why I'm asking. So anyhow, let me get started.

 

The system I'm getting is from AB Depot, going with the HP-CS and AB Depot Tanked compressor. Models here

 

HP-CS .35mm Eclipse Airbrush

W/ ABD TC-20T Tank Compressor

Item #:ABD KIT-4207-T

Mfg Item#:ABD KIT-4207-T

 

 

1.) When you are running the hose, from the compressor, I assume the hose attaches to the regulator/moisture trap. Is this correct? (Compressor -> Regulator -> Hose -> Airbrush).

 

2.) I understand a quick connect is pretty much necessary, which, based on the above you would have a regulator already on the compressor, so then why would you need this part; because as I understand it, you regulate the air pressure into the brush from the valve on the brush. Am I mistaken?

 

3.) Considering the above points, I understand it is also good to have a line trap as seen here. If the in-line trap connects to the brush, does the quick connect go to the trap to the hose. Something like (Compressor -> Regulator -> Hose -> Trap -> Hose -> Airbrush).

 

4.) And lastly, if 3.) is true, how many hoses should I purchase, and how long (my workspace is not confined, and can run the tank below my hobby desk).

 

 

I appreciate any help or advice, and also if someone would be kind enough to post pictures of their set-up, so I could actually see what it looks like, that would be tremendously helpful.

 

 

Thanks! ~8)

[Gurth]

1.) When you are running the hose, from the compressor, I assume the hose attaches to the regulator/moisture trap. Is this correct?

Yes. The moisture trap needs to be between the compressor and the airbrush, because warm, moist air from the compressor has a tendency to condense in the relatively cool hose, and so you would end up with water droplets being dragged along with the air and out the nozzle of your airbrush. This is Not Good™ :tu:

 

2.) I understand a quick connect is pretty much necessary, which, based on the above you would have a regulator already on the compressor, so then why would you need this part; because as I understand it, you regulate the air pressure into the brush from the valve on the brush. Am I mistaken?

Yes and no. What you want is a regulator before the airbrush so you can control the amount of air coming into the airbrush; the trigger/valve/whatever on the airbrush can then fine-tune that air pressure. Compare it to hooking your TV up to a stereo: you can change the volume on both the TV and the stereo, but will probably get best results if you set the TV to a certain "fixed" volume below its maximum, and then use the stereo to control exactly how loud you want things to be.

 

3.) Considering the above points, I understand it is also good to have a line trap as seen here.

An inline moisture trap, you mean? I don't really see the need for this unless the line from the compressor to the airbrush is very long. I use about a two-metre hose between air regulator/moisture trap and airbrush, and have no problems that way.

[Hasti]

Hi Gurth,

 

Thanks so much for your reply's. I've modified my post with the links (so that they are working). Would you mind checking those parts out and giving me a layman's explanation of assembly? Much appreciated!!

[Gurth]

Looking at the links, I'm not sure I see a need for those specific parts. Like I said, my setup has a combined pressure regulator/moisture trap (much like these) maybe two metres before the airbrush (it depends on which airbrush I use, as they need different hoses) and that works fine. The quick-connect coupling with built-in pressure regulator could have some use, but I would buy a real regulator with a gauge on it myself — that gives you the ability to set the pressure accurately, which I doubt you can do with the coupling you linked to.

 

As for the moisture trap directly below the airbrush … my first thoughts are that it is probably unnecessary unless it is very humid in your area (to put my own situation into perspective: I live in a temperate/oceanic climate, maybe 500 metres away from the sea, and have no need for this device), and that it will probably make your airbrush much harder to handle, given that there is a large lump of stuff directly attached to it. I'd recommend you leave it for now, and if you do experience moisture problems you can always add one later.

[GumbaFish]

I agree I wouldnt get the in line moisture trap or regulator to start off with, if you have a decent regulator/trap at your compressor that should be sufficient. I only use a 10ft hose I believe, but where I airbrush the compressor is right next to me. If you have your setup already I'd suggest taking a piece of string or something and measuring it off to like 10, 15, and 25 ft lengths to see what might work for you. The thing with getting a longer hose I believe is it gives more room for for moisture to condense in the line on the way to the brush, or at least that is my understanding from what I have read.

 

Oh one other tip, make sure you get some teflon tape (they usually have some right by where the air tools are in hardware stores) as you will need to use some of that on the connections between fittings for a quick disconnect if you add one. I'll see if I can take a picture of my setup later, but for now its off to watch world cup.

[Flak]

I used to have a tank compressor system with a piston driven compressor. It was loud, obnoxious and a pain to carry around all the hardware. I just recently purchased this CP101A compressor and I love it. It is an all in one system and I've had zero issues with it so far. It's indescribably quiet compared to my piston compressor and very compact. It has no tank so it has a constant pressure valve that releases air when the brush isn't engaged. You may be able to find different/better diaphragm constant air models but I'd definitely go that route.

[Hasti]

Hey everyone, thanks so much for the reply's.

 

I think I understand now what Gurth was saying after looking through a few more forums, I suppose it's the company(s) way of trying to edge out more money at checkout by providing you with a bunch of options that as a newbie you might "think" you need, only to find out they really aren't necessary. I still wouldn't mind if anyone could post pic's of their set-up just so I can see what it looks like all put together :devil:

[Tanhausen]

At work so no pics to post, but some experience to share.

 

Though I don't live in the Amazonas, Barcelona (Spain) is certainly humid...and without the filter I got a drop of condensed air every 3-4 seconds. None of that after I got my 11 Euros (cheap) filter :P

 

I use a normal cheap compressor, with a 2m "coil" tube... and have no problems whatosever.

 

Just remember to point away from the model the first burst when starting/resuming the painting :)

 

BTW, my config is: compressor - coil - filter - airbrush

[CarbonCopy]

The system I'm getting is from AB Depot, going with the HP-CS and AB Depot Tanked compressor. Models here

 

I have nearly the same, exact compressor...

 

 

Is this correct? (Compressor -> Regulator -> Hose -> Airbrush).

 

Yes.

 

2.) I understand a quick connect is pretty much necessary, which, based on the above you would have a regulator already on the compressor, so then why would you need this part; because as I understand it, you regulate the air pressure into the brush from the valve on the brush. Am I mistaken?

 

The airbrush pictured does not have a MAC valve. The in-line regulator can act as a MAC value to control pressure at the airbrush, allowing for an order of magnitude more control over paint effects from the brush. Give it a try.

 

However, it will add weight, increase bulk and generally make the brush uncomfortable to use. Look for a brush with a MAC valve once you start to get comfortable with airbrushing.

 

3.) Considering the above points, I understand it is also good to have a line trap as seen here. If the in-line trap connects to the brush, does the quick connect go to the trap to the hose. Something like (Compressor -> Regulator -> Hose -> Trap -> Hose -> Airbrush).

 

In-line moisture trap = No

 

An inline trap is not typically needed unless you are dealing with METERS (plural) of tubing or you are in an EXTREMELY humid environ. As mentioned, I have nearly the same, exact compressor, which has a moisture trap. I also live in Seattle (lots of rain during some parts of the year). I have zero problems with moisture in my lines with just the one moisture trap.

 

If you were running lines from a large compressor in another room, with over 8 meters of between, I'd say an in-line moisture trap would be a good idea. Otherwise, don't bother.

 

4.) And lastly, if 3.) is true, how many hoses should I purchase, and how long (my workspace is not confined, and can run the tank below my hobby desk).

 

quick disconnects = yes

 

I have a T-valvue connected at the compressor, two hoses (one from each branch of the T-valve) and a quick disconnect at the end of each hose. Without the quick disconnects, I'd have to shut off the compressor and bleed the tank every time I needed to clean a brush.

 

							 |--> Hose --> Quick Disconnect --> Brush
compressor w/ trap --> T-Valve --|
					|--> Hose --> Quick Disconnect --> Brush w/ MAC valve

 

And I second the teflon tape comment!

[Hasti]

Wow Carbon, thanks for the in-depth reply.

 

I still haven't made my purchase yet, as I was making sure that I got all the stuff I needed before hand. I've also read up since the teflon tape recommendation and others recommended something called "thread compound", it apparently is a type of goo that goes onto the threads before the tape to make a more leak proof seal. This I guess can be picked up at any home improvement store along with the tape. I don't know if any of you guys use that stuff or not.

[CarbonCopy]

Thread compound would be helpful, but not entirely necessary. Teflon tape does well enough at the pressures I run my compressors. (I still have a slight leak around the T-valve -- I think I'll get some compound for it.)

 

A vacuum chamber would be an entirely different story...