Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hello all,

I've always been pretty poor with the airbrush. I have 2 of them, and no matter how much practice I put in with them, I still get a lot of spatters, and drips, and what have you. As Eliphas is aware, it's a poor shepard that blames his flock - but I'm beginning to wonder, if perhaps my craptacular compressor is to blame. I got it on clearance at a art store, and I think it's older then I am. I added a cheap moisuture trap and regulator from Harbor Freight, which was low in cost and dubious in quality. Perhaps these were unwise decisions.

In any event, I was looking at a really high end Iwata compressor in the Dick Blick store ($250) and when I turned it on, i was surprised at how quiet it was - just a low hum, unlike mine, which sounds like a motorcycle in need of a new transmission. So, I think maybe it's time to get a compressor. Before I make such a capital expenditure, though, I think I better consult some wiser heads then mine.

Help me out, Dakka: what do you guys recommend? I'm looking for the last compressor I'll ever buy, not the cheapest one I can get (see above). I'm hoping for the $200 range but really just want the most reliable, most hassle free, easiest to use and maintain there is.

Thanks!

I have two compressors that I use to airbrush with. One is a 200 gallon permanatly mounted Ingersol and Rand compressor it works great, I seem to remember it costing around $500. The other compressor I have is a Campbell and Hausfeld 2 Gallon compressor, I got it on sale at the local Tractor Supply for $69. Both compressors work great.

The moral of my story is... Unless you really need an ultra quiet compressor then your best bet is going to be a general purpose compressor, not made specifically for an airbrush. You'll get much more for your money.

This is the two gallon compressor that I have:

http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/chPrd3_10051_10001_102079_-1_10646_10692_

If your getting alot of splatter, I would recommend increasing your pressure to atleast 45psi.

Sounds like you have the same skill level as me Ouze.

Unless you are not getting consistant airflow from your compressor then I would suggest that it is not the compressor that is the problem, and even then it would have to be really bad. (I know non tanked ones can "pulse" but it doesn't seem like the problem to me?)

Do you regularly clean out/take apart your airbrush? Are the seals and washers in good condition? It would be easy not to notice this and some chemicals can attack rubberised materials (especially if like me you use all sorts of random household liquids in place of the [expensive] proper thinners and cleaners )

Is there any damage to the needle?

Is you paint thin enough? Prehaps re-experiment with mixes if your paint has been in use for a while?

I'm an absolute newbie when coming to airbrush, and I've had phenomenal results with this:
http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/d3000.html

Comes with everything you need.

notprop wrote:Sounds like you have the same skill level as me Ouze.

Unless you are not getting consistant airflow from your compressor then I would suggest that it is not the compressor that is the problem, and even then it would have to be really bad. (I know non tanked ones can "pulse" but it doesn't seem like the problem to me?)

Do you regularly clean out/take apart your airbrush? Are the seals and washers in good condition? It would be easy not to notice this and some chemicals can attack rubberised materials (especially if like me you use all sorts of random household liquids in place of the [expensive] proper thinners and cleaners )

Is there any damage to the needle?

Is you paint thin enough? Prehaps re-experiment with mixes if your paint has been in use for a while?

Oh, it's absolutely possible I'm just missing something.

1.) I take it apart to clean after every use, while it's still wet. The only cleaner I use is badger air brush cleaner and water.

The seals look OK to me.

The needle appears to be OK to me. I run it across my finger at a few angles to make sure it's not burred, and it looks nice and straight.

I mix the paint right before each use.

The brushes I use are a badger 150 dual action, and a badger renegade spirit with the side feed (I love love love the swivelling side feed, you can use it pointing straight down). Apparently with the latter you should be able to get hairline to pencil lines with it? The tightest line I can get is slightly less then half an inch when holding the airbrush about 3 to 4 inches from my target. Any closer and I'm sandblasting with paint. I'm using 30psi for the badger 150, like the book says to.

I'd recommend increasing to 45 psi personally...

I'm going to be getting myself one here soon and they may not be the expensive one that will last forever well because nothing really does.

They can be found here.
http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/compress.aspx
I would recommend the ones with the tanks because your using the motor less so it does not wear and tear as much as one without.

$150.00

$170.00

$200.00 The only difference that I can find between the $170 one and this one is the protective case.

They also come with a 2 year warranty if that matters to you.

Catyrpelius wrote:I'd recommend increasing to 45 psi personally...

You don't think 45 is overkill? I was thinking that 30 was too high...

Broadside wrote:I'm going to be getting myself one here soon and they may not be the expensive one that will last forever well because nothing really does.

They can be found here. (snip)

thanks for the links. I'm probably going to get it from TCP global; as I got my last airbrush and a couple of other things from them and they have been very fast.

I make you right Ouze, 45 psi is way too high as is 30 psi. I have been following advise from a number of sources while trying to improve my airbrushing and most suggest 20 psi max for scale modelling, which is something I follow. Indeed I have a how to airbrush book (from fine scale modeller) that has a number of example projects where the respective artists state anything from 5-18psi used.

I have a comparable version of the $200 model shown by Broadside. In researching my airbrush before buying I found that most of these types are all made by the same chinese company and sold with all of the necessary equipment and 2 airbrushes for £100 from a variety of sources. I believe that they are copies of Iwata equipment.

Now allot of people will knock it, but at my basic level this is ideal introductory equipment and more than sufficient for hobby work. Obviously real artists will want something a bit more up-market.

Ouze I have sent you a PM with a few extracts from a troubleshooting guide that may help.