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Hello all, been a while since I've posted on here. Getting back into the swing of painting and picked up a Mastercraft airbrush kit from a local hardware store. But, in my haste to get painting quickly, I didn't realize the compressor's native setting of 58 psi was nearly triple what I've seen recommended in nearly every bit of research I've done since when figuring out what other things I needed for it. I've also since realized that the gravity feed brushes seem much better for miniatures than the siphon feed one my kit came with.

My question is, should I get a new regulator/water trap and replace/slap it on in series with the old one that has no knob for adjustments, or should I look into a new compressor altogether? I'm not looking to do much other than basecoating my main colours onto the models, so if I can keep the current system without issue then that would be easiest on my wallet, though I feel that won't be the case. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Harbor Freight and im sure ebay or amazon carries regulator and water trap combos


like this

you would need some fittings but you could jerry rig it onto it probably as the connections are usually universal.

dunno about pricing though

so it might be worth just getting a new compressor.

@Desubot has a great suggestion. You can also find inline regulators at any store that sells air fittings, Harbor Freight, Lowe's, etc. There are simpler versions that the integrated one with the moisture trap, but having a moisture trap on the compressor you describe would be pretty critical.

And, yes, gravity feed brushes are much finer for small details and much easier to clean than siphon models. My Iwata will work on literally one drop of ink/paint.