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Hey Everyone, i'm just getting started using an airbrush, i've read most of the articles here about airbrushes and have found a semi-expensive airbrush (Badger Patriot Arrow 105) all these articles are nice and what not but i still don't know what kind of compressor to get :(. i'd only like to spend about $100 on the compressor and would like to have a hose and a water trap as well, if anyone can point me in the right direction or recommend me one that would be fantastic!!

Thanks!!

Ideally the minimum you want is one with a regulator, and preferably and air tank. The air tank reduces and pulsing in the air supply, improving the finish. Can't recommend a specific model for you thought.

it's funny, becuase some air brushes, you can actually hook up to the spare tire of a car, and it will work in place of an compressor... not sure if yours can though...

Stupid question: Would an air-compressor with a 50 gallon tank and regulator normally used for powering pneumatic tools be unsuitable for use with a model airbrush?

I would imagine that it would be incredibly noisy, large, and operate at too high a pressure. If you can run it from 15-50 psi then it might be used I suppose...

I use an airbrush compressor from Harbor Freight that has a regulator and water trap. its only 80$ but it still helps to get an inline water trap too (you can get one where you got your airbrush for around 12$).

I run a 50 gallon Craftsman oil-less air compressor that I originally bought for my air tools for my truck years ago. It has a regulator built in and I added a Badger brand braided airbrush hose with an inline water trap. I plug that into my normal hose. That water trap is critical.

Yes the compressor is VERY noisy when I fill the tank, but I fire it up when I am getting everything set up, it gets up to 100 psi and with that I can airbrush for around an hour or more at 30-40 PSI. For that entire time it is nice a quiet. Usually in that time I need to run into the house to get something anyhow and turn on the compressor to top it off. My current plan is to get a small standalone tank that I can fill from my big one and then take that into the house so I can airbrush with some better heat. :-) Those small tanks are around $30 on amazon.com and can go to 100 PSI and usually include a regulator.

So if you already have a big compressor with a nice tank on it, I say use it. The air is consistent and works quite well, IMO. Either use it directly from the big tank like I am doing at the moment or get a tiny tank and fill from the big one.

Zuul wrote:Stupid question: Would an air-compressor with a 50 gallon tank and regulator normally used for powering pneumatic tools be unsuitable for use with a model airbrush?

If you didnt know yes people use those like Darth Burn uses it for commisions and he says that its silent