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AIRBUSH COMPRESSOR ON EBAY
I'm looking at getting a compressor for my airbrush (after multiple failed attempts with air cans) and saw a few of the above compressor going on ebay, for hopefully quite cheap.
Looking in model stores they seem to go for $200-400 AUD here, which is far too much for the amount I'd be doing, which would only be basecoating and the occasional tank.

Can anyone who knows anything about airbrushes tell me if that model looks alright? For those who don't want to follow the link, its specs are:

Type: Single Cylinder Piston Compressor with Air Tank
Power: 1/6HP
Voltage: 220-240V/50HZ
Electric Current: 1A
Auto Stop: Start at 3 Bar, Stop at 4 Bar(Special Pressure Available)
Air Output: 23L/MIN
Safety Valve: Release the Air Pressure Automatically When the Pressure Over 6 Bar in the Air Tank
Air tank: 3.0L
Pressure adjust: 0.2-6 in the Air Tank
Fitting: Manometer; Pressure Regulator; Air filter
Connections: with connection 1/8"BSP
Weight: 5.2KG
Dimension: 310x135x310mm
(1 bar = 14 PSI, 3L ~3/4 Gal)

Thanks for any help!

I think this tank go's for about $270 in the hobbie shops. Its light, quiet and can be used up to 3 hours on a nice day. Its rather small too and im looking at getting one maybe this week.

Compressors arnt cheap front what iv seen. Too cheap and you may get something a little dodgy (and very noisy).

Im no expert so hopefully someone will reply to this post.

Maybe post in the painting and modelling folder?

Yeah, that thing would be great. Here is a link to the one I use: http://www.paascheairbrush.com/compressors_d500.html
with a seperate tank. Compare the stats and yours is in the right ballpark across the board. Good find.

You know, the one I use doesn't have a tank, and it works fine. I always thought that the point of a tank was to avoid pressure variations as the compressor cycles, but TBH I've never noticed any with mine.

I have noticed slight puffing with mine, which was why I added the tank. It's more common wiht the smaller pancake compressors. The reservoir does indeed provide a buffer against it. At very low pressures and volume (such as what you use with an airbrush) a volume even as small as you find in some of the air dryers can be enough to provide a smoothing effect.

Ahhh...maybe that's it. I do have a decent sized moisture trap attached to mine. I never thought of that!

The one posted has the built in moisture trap which is good.

Some come with auto shut off when you're not spraying which is nice. However its a matter of finding one.

Its more then likely a cheap Chinese knock-off of a higher quality compressor. With that said these things are either hit or miss. They are the Durabrand of the compressor world, either it will never work or it will work OK for ever. I generally suggest going with a larger non-hobby air compressor. You will get a large capacity, generally a better product and you can do other things with it. I use a 100 gallon air compressor that is permanatly mounted in my garage to airbrush with.

After looking further at the listing there are several things that would stop me from buying this model. While I'm not sure how much Australian grammer changes from American grammer here it is.

- 90 Days Warranty
- It operating at absolutly low boise.
- airbrush nail

And the list goes on.

Catyrpelius has it spot on.

Ebay the world over is chock full of this very model and its associated range. They are copies from China (specifically the Fenghua Bida Machinery Manufacture Co. Ltd) and are now being sold the world over under differant brand names, but what you get is the same machine.

When I looked into buying an air rig I found that there is very little beginners/budget kits that didn't cost £300+ for all of the basic things that seasoned airbrushers recommend (known brand, 3L+ tank, gravity fed airbrush, filter etc). Now I'm not short of a bob or two but I didn't want to shell out on a basic rig that didn't do what I wanted or a top of the range one to find I didn't like/use it.

So in the end I actually bought a similar model to that one (but cased) from a UK based model tool webstore (RDG Tools, well known in UK model circles), so that I had UK consumer protection. With all the kit, 2 airbrushes and cleaning kit it cost me approx. £110.

I did so with my eyes wide open and have not been disappointed with the results. Now i'm never going to be a Di Vinci of the airbrusing world and have mainly use it to undercoat and base coat my tanks and minis, so if it falls short on the finish I have not noticed. I have happily run GW paint/screen wash mix through with good results.

My only complaint is that they do not run at what I would consider to be low noise. Its somewhere between a PC running and tumble dryer spinning, okay during the day but not quiet enough to use at night if you were in a block of flats or the baby was asleep next door.

All in all I see these as a good first step into airbrushing at basement prices so long as you recognise the limitations of what you are buying.

PS Something I have learned professionally is to alway check Chinese electronics, they have an unfortunate habit of leaving important safety features out, like fuses or earthing.

Do you have large home improvement store in Austrailia, if so just go and buy a 1.5 gallon or larger pancake compressor, it will do all that you need with an airbrush and it will still operate an air nailer or fill a car tire.

Thanks for the feedback guys! further looking seems to show that the same store is always selling them, so no rush.
I'm trying to get a smaller, hobby sized one because I don't really have room at the moment for a larger one. Bunnings (Lowe's equivalent) stocks some decently large DIY compressors, nearly all of which are below half the price of a hobby compressor, but size is really a factor.

I think I might chance it with one of these ones, but thanks for the heads up on possible quality

Good luck which ever way you go.

Trasvi wrote:Thanks for the feedback guys! further looking seems to show that the same store is always selling them, so no rush.
I'm trying to get a smaller, hobby sized one because I don't really have room at the moment for a larger one. Bunnings (Lowe's equivalent) stocks some decently large DIY compressors, nearly all of which are below half the price of a hobby compressor, but size is really a factor.

I think I might chance it with one of these ones, but thanks for the heads up on possible quality

I got a 2.5 gallon pancake compressor from a local hardware store, intended for air tools, but with the regulator on the side it's easy to set at whatever pressure one needs for an airbrush, it is a bit large, but it could be stored upright in a large cabinet. I have had mine for 10 years, and I have done hundreds of models, buy one of those locally.

At least then if you have a problem, there's a store you can go back to for an exchange or refund etc.

Also, I know space is an issue, but the pancakes with slightly larger tanks are really great, you can work much longer between compressing with a larger tank, spraying off of it for hours, instead of listening to the putter constantly. If you can spare the space get a hardware store one!

Good luck!

I did the same thing, small pancake compressor for very cheap, tossed a regulator on it and done. It may be loud, but its way cheaper.