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I've just had a quick look on eBay and found this compressor. I don't understand why it is so cheap! What am I missing here? The seller seems reputable.... And it's not the only one there - there are loads on eBay. Just try searching for "AS compressor",

Because it's big, bulky and noisy?

It lists the dimensions as 310x130x310mm which isn't very big, and elsewhere this compressor is reckoned to operate at 54dB which seems acceptable to me.... here it is listed at £91.91 which is a bit different from £0.99. Very puzzled by these appearing to be so cheap on eBay

It's a starting bid FFS

Yes. I realise that. But it just seemed quite a low starting bid and there are so many on there that they must end up going at that price.

None go for that price, £53 is the lowest recent sale and thats with almost £10 shipping.

Its a common ebay tactic, if its a popular item you can start at 99p and get loads of bidders for it to find its price.

Its the same compressor as TCP Global sells.... A TC-20T for $110 which is appx 70 GBP.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/compress.aspx#abd_tc20t

It's also a crap compressor

Thare1774 wrote:It's also a crap compressor

mind adding something constructive?

http://www.oshax.org/info/articles/decibel-levels

osha states that 50 dbm is the chattering noise of a buisness office so it can be because its loud. does it have all the extra fittings needed for a good airbrush setup?

Constructive? He asked why it was cheap, the simple answer is its a crap compressor.

Thare1774 wrote:Constructive? He asked why it was cheap, the simple answer is its a crap compressor.

OK. Could you help me a bit then please? I'm trying to work out an affordable set up for an airbrush. What would you recommend as an affordable and 'good' compressor? Something under around £100 would be good. Specific models would be helpful! Thanks.

Really any compressor with a moisture trap and a psi regulator at that price is going to be about the same performance wise. You have to decide for yourself if you'll be doing enough extended airbrush use to need a tank. Really if your just going to base with it its not going to matter if it has a tank. I always tell people to try and stick with a major brand with a good warranty like Iwata, Badger, Paasche etc. You won't have problems with compressors from these brands and if you do you'll get good customer service, Iwata has really good customer service. Now is your 100 budget just for the compressor or is that your limit for a complete setup?

Thare1774 wrote:It's also a crap compressor

Not helpful and a bit rude

Thare1774 wrote:Constructive? He asked why it was cheap, the simple answer is its a crap compressor.

Not helpful and a bit rude

Thare1774 wrote:Really any compressor with a moisture trap and a psi regulator at that price is going to be about the same performance wise. You have to decide for yourself if you'll be doing enough extended airbrush use to need a tank. Really if your just going to base with it its not going to matter if it has a tank. I always tell people to try and stick with a major brand with a good warranty like Iwata, Badger, Paasche etc. You won't have problems with compressors from these brands and if you do you'll get good customer service, Iwata has really good customer service. Now is your 100 budget just for the compressor or is that your limit for a complete setup?

A great response

Why didn't you just start with the 3rd one??? It is a great answer and super helpful to the topic... frankly, if you hadn't, you probably would have received a warning for the first two. I don't say this to call you out in public, but to encourage you to make the great posts you are capable of. I see the third one, I see helpful and knowledgable. I can only hope that is the kind of impression you want to make.

P.S op - I completely agree with him. I recommend you look into Sparmax, the Iwata compressors are rebranded Sparmax's (Sparmax still makes them but Iwata slaps their logo on them), but they tend to be cheaper. I have a Dual Piston Sparmax with tank and have had zero problems, I love it. About 20-30% cheaper than the Iwata too. Granted, I cannot vouch for their customer service, but only because I have never needed to use it.

I don't think it was out of line, it isn't a good compressor. Also all he asked was why it was cheap, he wasn't asking for suggestions on buying a compressor. If he had I would've posted my third post first. When I'm speed reading and commenting on posts I'm not going to give a long suggestion on buying compressors if the OP isn't asking for it. I guess I could've worded it a little differently but if anything it was rude towards the compressor in question and not anyone in this thread.

OK, ignoring the debate on being out of line or not, thank you for the advice. This thread is actually in addition to another thread talking about making my choices for an entire set up (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/426326.page). I would really massively appreciate any input from anyone who knows about these things!

In answer to your question, my entire budget is in the £200-250 range and consequently the compressor forms about half of that. Would the first on this list be ok? http://www.everythingairbrush.com/acatalog/Sparmax_Compressors.html
I do intend on using the airbrush for detail work and so on, not just for base-coating, so how vital is a tank? I can't afford to buy the best of everything but I'm really trying to do the best I can with limited funds!
Thanks again.

The tank is good to have on cheaper compressors because youll get constant psi to your brush with no pulsing. I have an expensive iwata with no tank and it maintains psi just fine, but I've had cheaper compressors in the past with no tanks that can't keep up a constant pressure. IMO the best entry level brush for all around use and cost is the Iwata Eclipse both in quality and performance, they're about $130 US. I can't speak on sparmax compressors but if they are the same as Iwata they are probably pretty nice.

I got mine from the hardware store.
Up side's are it has a tank and cost me 60 bucks.
Down side its loud.
Up side its not that loud and listening to music drowns it out when it turns on every half an hour.

InyokaMadoda - A compressor is one of the most important items for airbrushing (aside from the airbrush) and you don't want to skimp on quality. As mentioned, a tank will help reduce pulsations in the air pressure. A reputable compressor w/o a tank will also do but then, you'll get to hear it spin up and down everytime you use it. From my understanding, this start/stop process (duty cycle) creates more wear on the internal parts and is a big factor on the life of your compressor given that airbrush compressors are almost always oil free designs. You'll also run into issues with over heating from cheaper compressors.

My recommendation is to save your money and get a high quality compressor from a reputable brand. This will last you through your hobby life. I'd much rather get a solid compressor and a cheaper airbrush and upgrade to better airbrushes later than the reverse.

Thanks for that, Eggroll. It's hard to know where your money should be spent when you're starting out so advice like that is really helpful. I will look at some cheaper airbrushes then with an aim to the better compressor.