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Hey everyone!

I'm just starting out with an airbrush, and I've heard that using a compressor as opposed to buying cans of compressed air for exorbitant prices is a wise idea.

Is there a specific good standard/cheap/beginner compressor that I should use? I can't quite tell if the generic ones are for car tires/rafts only, or if they have an adapter compatible with an airbrush?

Give me 1 minute and I'll link you one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-8-eighth-hp-40-psi-oilless-airbrush-compressor-93657.html

Hm, that looks like a very solid choice indeed, but I was wondering if there are ones that are a bit more budget? I will likely invest in a large compressor like that eventually, but for my noobish purposes I think a simpler/cheaper one might suffice.

Sadly that IS the cheaper side. Usually you can get them on sale for about $50.

Compressors from Airbrush companies run hundreds of dollars. And a $20 one from ebay will end up being a waste of money.

Ah, I see. Thanks for the advice.


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So you would say a compressor like http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-96068.html would not be worth it?

Check your local walmart they have a 3 gallon pancake one for $90 Canadian should be cheaper in the states but 3 gallons means leas moisture and that it wont be running the whole time.

Yes it will be noisier but you dont have to run it all the time you have cool air preventing moisture from coming into the paint and ya.

Anyways its a bit more expensive my friend uses it and no problems with it and ya 3 gallons is 3 gallons and it is quite compact for its tank size.


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The compressor you listed is a car compressor it wont do what you need it to and it will pump unevenly.

Ah, gotcha.

Hope that helps a little I had it explained to my why exactly thats a good thing but ya you can brush for a long time and no moisture woot.

You can use general-purpose compressors for airbrushing if you add the proper fittings (you'll definitely need a reducer to attach the airbrush line, a filter/moisture trap, and possibly a secondary regulator, as most common compressor regulators aren't meant to fine-tune pressure settings at the bottom end of their working range). The thing is, you'll want a tank on that compressor, otherwise you'll run into serious issues with pulsing (and possibly overheating, as they usually aren't designed to work longer than it takes to fill a tire, raft, etc.).

The Harbor Freight airbrush compressor is, from what I've heard, about as cheap as you can go while still getting solid enough performance. As a tankless compressor, extra precautions should be taken to guarantee good and consistent results, but it is designed with airbrushing in mind, even if it's a bit bare-bones.

You can definitely find a cheaper compressor, but those that aren't designed for airbrush work are significantly larger and noisier. If that's not an issue, than they're often a more flexible option, as they have the extra oomph to do heavier tasks, like inflating tires and operating pneumatic tools. Just be aware that the extra fittings I mentioned may bring the cost in line with the HF compressor, so the consideration is more one of flexibility versus size and noise than actual ability to run an airbrush (although having a tank is the ideal option, even if tankless can be made to work).

I use this one it's loud as hell and I wish you could set it's auto on pressure but it is very funcional. I use a quick release collar and an Iwata moisture trap at the brush.
http://m.sears.com/productdetails.do?partNumber=00915206000P&sid=IDx20070921x00003

I use the exact one I linked and it works like a gem. Whisper quiet and no pulsing.

The harbor freight one was my first compressor, and a couple of friends of mine use them.

Works like a champ, but a bit noisy (I use mine in the garage).

davethepak wrote:The harbor freight one was my first compressor, and a couple of friends of mine use them.

Works like a champ, but a bit noisy (I use mine in the garage).

really? mine is really quiet.

I use a Saturn S25. It was the most basic one I could get - though I have a feeling, that both airbrushs and compressor are far more expensive for a comparable product here in germany, than in other parts of the world.

Also, I gathered some basic airbrushing information in my blog, maybe the part about the compressor is of some help to you.

http://ik-painter.blogspot.com/2011/07/advanced-tools-i-airbrush-and.html

Hope this helps,


IK-Painter

I got one of the harbor freight airbrush compressors yesterday. I have a question though. It turns off at like 58 PSI, which is fine. If I push the trigger on the brush down, it immediately starts dropping and when it hits 30, it levels out. So that means from initial pull of the trigger to when it hits 30 it has dropped pressure and I do not want to be painting then, right? Is this just how these work? I have never used this type of compressor before is all.

Also, if I use the primitive pressure regulator it leaks air all the time and the pump then runs all of the time no matter what. Is that normal too?

I ask all of this as I am used to using my big honking 30 gallon air tool compressor in my garage with a water trap and couplers, but am trying to have a station in my house to paint at and it stay quiet. So I am used to when I stick the regulator on 30PSI it is always 30 PSI, no movement of the needle. If I put it on 20, it is always 20, etc.

So am I doing something wrong or is this just how these little compressors work and if I want consistent air I should just suck it up and do my airbrushing in the garage?

My compressor doesn't have an air tank so that may be your problem. Try getting a better regulator as that is where the drop in pressure is happening.