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Airbrush Compressors


thepager

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Hey B&C artist extraordinnaires... I am just getting into using an airbrush to paint my models and I got the GW flamer airbrush thing and I have been reading up about airbrushing and am not wanting to keep buying propellant all the time. SO, I want to get a compressor but am very confused as to which one to get... Now i found this on amazon and an amazing price... Can i use it for airbrushing??

 

http://www.amazon.com/AIR-COMPRESSOR-MINI-...O/dp/B001OBSY7U

 

 

or this one on ebay?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...3#ht_3943wt_877

 

Any help about how to get a really cheap compressor would be AWESOME !

Thank you B&C !!

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The problem with lower cost compressors, is that they tent to be loud. So, if you want to a low priced compressor, you probably won't be able to use it in the early/late hours of the day. That is unless you don't live in the city.

 

And you want one with a tank. The one from amazon is more for a bicycle/air mattress, and is not going to keep the pressure up.

 

You are probably going to be looking at a minimum of $100.00 for a decent compressor that is going to last. And you want to be able to get one from a store that you can return it too if you don't like it.

 

Generally, any air compressor that you can plug into a cigarette lighter in a car is NOT going to work for painting. In my experiance they barely work for blowing up car tires or air mattresses.

 

If you are lucky you can find a half decent compressor with air tanks that is portable for around $50.00 on sale. If you are in Canada, try Princess Auto. If you are in the US or another country, Princess Auto is a store that sells odds and ends for almost everything.

 

This is probably the smallest compressor that I would use. 1.6 Gal Hot dog compressor

 

Now that is probably a little out of your price range or what you want to spend, but I have seen some cheaper else where when on sale to be about $50.00

If you are in Canada, try Princess Auto. If you are in the US or another country, Princess Auto is a store that sells odds and ends for almost everything./quote]

 

I second this. I work at Princess Auto, and there's plenty of selection for compressors at my store.

read up on what it is you want

 

let me explain a few things I know

 

you will WANT a PISTON compressor not a diaphram

 

a cup airbrush ( the little paint cup on top ) is better for what we tend to do as a siphon bottle can fall off or get in the way

 

LEARN what your paint will and will NOT DO not all paint is the same

 

SHOP AROUND !!!!!! dont just buy from the store you like look around and look for the best price for what it is you are looking for

30-60 sounds high... I have absolutely no clue what pressure mine has (elephant), but more than enough and very silent.

 

Regarding the consistency... that is "solved" with a thinner. The main issue is the grain, which clogs the AB.

 

He who masters the paint consistency shall master the boards :D

It is common to have the lower end compressors hit around 30. Lower PSI does tend to cause splatter, but more importantly, having higher pressures can help force the paint out better. Too much is not good however. Let this article help you understand this better...:ph34r:

 

http://www.goldenpaints.com/technicaldata/airtips.php

My wife just got my a PS900 airbrush for our anniversary so now I'm also looking into compressors as well.

Hobby Lobby ( a local hobby store) sells airbrush compressors for ~$300 but they don't have a tank and look like they run whenever you use the brush.

I saw this one online which is another local store but they have it in stock at my local store.

2 gallon hotdog compressor

 

now I now it doesn't have a moisture trap, but I can add one of those for pretty low cost.

 

The biggest issue I seem to be running into is alot of the compressors sold near me don't list if its a diaphragm or a piston system.

 

Also do you need to buy a "hobby" compressor built for airbrush or would a good quiet smallish "hardware" one work just fine?

The well known "elephant" compressor goes usually for some 50 Euros (BNIB).

 

If you search ebay for "aribrush compressor" I'm sure you'll find it... is has the shape of an elephant, with the trunk looking up :P

 

This thing?

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/33000337/Images/11/31CPR002-AS16-A.jpg

If you're on a tight budget, you can use an inner tube from a large bike tyre or small car, pump up using any hand or cigarette lighter pump; Badger do an adaptor that screws onto the tyre valve and connects to the gun hose.

Never done it myself, but a 50yr old graphic designer/illustrator friend did this for years, before he could afford a compressor, in the days before his industry got destroyed by computers. He also suggested a cheap non-reservoir compressor and an-line reservoir might be picked up cheaper than an all-in-one.

On this subject. Ive had my GW airbrush now for a year and cant get it to work at all. Ive tried thinning the paint and will ocasionally get a spurt or something out the end but ive never managed a fine coating.

 

I was using a propellant cannister as suggested. I currently now use the airbrush as a paperweight. Is there any suggestions on to what im doing wrong or is the product just crap?

 

Thanks.

Don't get your hopes up, it's a tool for us paint-haters to save time!

 

Thorough cleaning is vital, paint proportions make a difference, and propellant is a big factor: The cans temperature plummets in use (you'll see the can getting frost-covered in a humid room). If you're doing a tank, you'll be better served with a pair of cans, swap them as they get too cold.

 

I like mine, and was using it for basecoating everything in Mechrite red, as per the proportions on the little glass bottle. A friend gave me an old compressor, and that works MUCH better than propellant cans.

 

Mind you, I haven't used it since I discovered Army Painter coloured spray...

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