After 25 Years: Upgrade Both AB and Compressor or No?

if you got the money, treat yourself to a whole new rig.

After 25 years,you deserve an upgrade.Cars,furniture,appliances,homes all get upgraded sooner,so do it.

I'll agree with Tojo .  

If I may, take a look at the Fortress line of compressors from Harbor freight.  I have the 2 gallon model.  A little bigger than a dedicated AB model, but can put out 135 psi.  Has 2 outlets, regulator and runs at 60 db, so is quiet. About $160, but can use for tires, and will run a nail gun or finish nailer if need be

With any compressor I'd add a water trap and a fine tune regulator.  I put those on a QD on the compressor end of the hose.  A "pumpkin" style water trap is great and only a couple of bucks at an auto parts house or HF.

I'll let others make recommendations on a new AB, but take a look at Don's air brush site. I run a NEO for almost everything and like it, but that's just me.

Decide what kind of airbrush you want then check to see if the manufacturers sells an AB/Compressor combo.

I'll echo what the others said.  Get a regulator.  If your new rig does not come with one, get a combination regulator/moisture trap from the hardware store.  Being able to control output air pressure makes a huge difference, since different types of paint need different spraying pressures.

I would also suggest a quick disconnect fitting on the compressor outlet and airbrush hose.  It makes it easier to store the airbrush when not needed.

As far as the airbrush goes, if it is badly worn, replace it.  That being said, my go-to airbrush was purchased around 1980.  I have changed the air valve twice, the needles once, and the Teflon washer numerous times (all lost at the workbench or disappeared into the yard with an accidental "whoosh").

I'll second what goldhammer said about the Fortress air compressor at Harbor Freight. I have the smaller version with a 1 gallon tank. They didn't have the 2 gallon in stock and I needed it then. It's a good little compressor and generates a much higher working pressure, refills very quickly and is very quiet. Built in regulator. I would suggest a moisture trap and a QD but on a compressor with a tank, the tank pretty much acts as a trap. It's a Fortress Ultra Quiet. I think mine was $120. If you have access to HF and if you decide on a new compressor. 

As far as a new airbrush, you probably already know what you need and want. Spraygunner seems to be a good company to deal with. So are Midwest Airbrush, Dixie Art and Coast Airbrush. Or, Badger will rebuild your 175 if you're attached to it and think it's salvageable. I have one but don't use it a lot. Very versatile with the different needles. I mainly use it for refinishing gun stocks but haven't done many recently. 

Let us know what you go with. 

RPH1030

 

New to the forums but a longtime subscriber and modeler, and a search did not show this particular issue addressed before (though my parameters could have been off):

I have been using a Badger 175 Crescendo for 25 years along with a decent, if unshowy, compressor that is unregulated (but does have autostop when the pressure is full up and runs fairly quietly, all in all).

My Badger (which I use primarily in siphon mode) is just worn out. Now, I know full well that airbrush results depend far more on the user and experience than on the device, but I plan to upgrade all the same, and probably will stick with a double-action AB, since it's what I know. (I have to believe there has been SOME technological improvement in 25 years. Certainly paint technology has changed.)

My big question is: Do I need to upgrade to a regulated compressor as well? I f I do not, will the lack of regulation affect my ability to get the most out of the newest ABs?

Thanks very much for any input or advice.

 

 

I can only say how I'd approach this because the topic really is subjective. Unless the body is shot I'd fix up the 175, Badger parts are cheap and usually available. And put a regulator with water trap in line between the compressor and airbrush since you say it still runs well and have been running it unregulated. Done deal but then I'm frugal.

What are you hoping to gain by buying new main components though ? Only you have the answer to that.

A really quiet compressor is nice.  I replaced my old noisy tanked compressor with a quiet airbrush compressor a few years ago.  Even though it does not regulate quite as well as my old unit, I love the peace and quiet of the new unit.

Thanks very much to everyone who has offered advice and suggestions.

I should have been clearer and noted that while I don't have a regulator I do have an inline moisture trap (I currently use the hose from Micro-Mark with the trap pre-installed, though I have installed my own in the past). I did not know that installing a regulator was as simple -- relatively, anyway -- as putting on a moisture trap; I always assumed if it didn't come with the compressor you were out of luck or in for major surgery.

Someone suggested rehab for the Badger, and I do think that's on the block; it IS a versatile AB (the kit came with three needles and tips) but I think it's more suited for wider coverage and siphon work. The color cup that came with it is not good.

I am looking for several things from a new AB: Lighter hand feel, a better color cup (with a cap, ideally, though I know that adds weight) and finer tip(s). Price is important but quality and durability matter (as you can tell from the Badger's years of service).

Thanks again to all who have replied so far. Further guidance appreciated as well.

RPH1030

 

Thanks very much to everyone who has offered advice and suggestions.

I should have been clearer and noted that while I don't have a regulator I do have an inline moisture trap (I currently use the hose from Micro-Mark with the trap pre-installed, though I have installed my own in the past). I did not know that installing a regulator was as simple -- relatively, anyway -- as putting on a moisture trap; I always assumed if it didn't come with the compressor you were out of luck or in for major surgery.

Someone suggested rehab for the Badger, and I do think that's on the block; it IS a versatile AB (the kit came with three needles and tips) but I think it's more suited for wider coverage and siphon work. The color cup that came with it is not good.

I am looking for several things from a new AB: Lighter hand feel, a better color cup (with a cap, ideally, though I know that adds weight) and finer tip(s). Price is important but quality and durability matter (as you can tell from the Badger's years of service).

Thanks again to all who have replied so far. Further guidance appreciated as well.

 

 

What exactly is this compressor you have anyway ?

It's a Badger 180-11.

Do you know, I didn't realize until you asked that it was a Badger product as well! It's been tucked away behind my booth, faithfully chugging away all these years, and I never thought to look. (As Bugs Bunny used to say, "What a maroon!")

As I vaguely recall, it was a package deal at Michael's lo, these many years ago.

RPH1030

 

It's a Badger 180-11.

Do you know, I didn't realize until you asked that it was a Badger product as well! It's been tucked away behind my booth, faithfully chugging away all these years, and I never thought to look. (As Bugs Bunny used to say, "What a maroon!")

As I vaguely recall, it was a package deal at Michael's lo, these many years ago.

 

 

That's a little diaphram compressor which is probably why it's not regulated with a conventional regulator. I'm surprised it would keep up with the 175 and large tip if you ever ran the 175 that way. The outlet on that I believe is a form of bleeder regulator ( little screw on the side of the fitting).

I hear you. The 175 is a good sized airbrush. Being able to switch between different size tips and needles is convenient but is something I got tired of. I'd rather plug in a different brush.  

I prefer Iwatas. I like the way they feel and the way they spray. I like the angle of the cup and the balance. I don't own one but an Eclipse may be a good choice, you can switch between .35mm and .5mm setups if you want. I have two Revolutions, a BR and a CR. They've been very good, I haven't had to replace anything in the 10 or 12 years I've owned them. Now I use an HP-BH and an HP-C+ mainly. I like them a lot.

If you want a Badger, I'd take a look at the Krome. Different needle and tip sizes available and although the tips are tiny, they're drop in. The 100 series brushes are good and not difficult to swap needles and heads. Sotar is good but smaller. The 360 is the first brush I bought and I wore it out. Lol. But Badger rebuilt it for me and it's like new. The 105 is from the same family but I can't say it's a favorite. 

I bought a Creos PS289 this spring and after polishing the needle it's a nice brush and not very expensive. Has all the latest features. Spraygunner sells and supports them. They used to be sold as Gunze Mr Hobby now it's Creos ProCon Boy, lol, but they have been around a while. Mine is a .3mm and they sell one with a .2mm setup. They're interchangeable and easily swapped if you chose to. They are supposedly made in the same factory as Iwatas but I don't know. 

Wingman_kz

The 175 is a good sized airbrush. Being able to switch between different size tips and needles is convenient but is something I got tired of. I'd rather plug in a different brush. 

 

That's largely how I feel. Add that to the highly mediocre color cup on the 175 and the nagging sensation that after 25 years I was missing out on some technological advances, and I felt like it was time to see what was out there.

I'm self-aware enough (I think) to realize I won't suddenly be painting Italian smoke-ring camo freehand in 1/72 ... but I am looking for the improvements I mentioned above, and even just the feel of a newer machine that isn't glitchy on the pull would be a nice switch.

I don't know the answer.

I do think a quality compressor might be a priority.

I've owned a small number of air brushes that have all performed well. My main concern with them has been their simplicity to maintain, use their supply valves and clean up.

But afas compressors; I've owned big noisy shop ones, car shop dual compressor ones; ones with and without holding tanks.

I would suggest finding a good small compressor with a tank, a regulator on the output side, and add water traps and and quick disconects. 

It'll cost you a three C, but it is where you want to go to control your parameters to paint and application.

Bill

Wingman_kz

I bought a Creos PS289 this spring and after polishing the needle it's a nice brush and not very expensive.

I feel People way under rate the effectiveness of polishing needles, especially finer ones in some otherwise good lower cost airbrushes. I'm in your boat on this, I think there are a few of us here in this boat actually. I used to feel it made some difference, somewhat visible, you could say smoother patterns but those were pretty good to begin with. Then I ran into a badly performing .3 and polishing actually rescued that combo. Now I'm a die hard.

I agree. I've proven to myself that it helps. And unless you don't have some fine or super fine sandpaper or polish, all it costs is a few minutes of your time. But...

I probably should have given a little more detail about this particular airbrush so as not to cast any doubt about the brand. This was a returned item that could have had a factory defect or could have been damaged by the person who returned it. There was dried paint that restricted paint flow and there was a ring or rough spot on the needle tip. Cleaning the brush and polishing the needle fixed the problems. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one and honestly, their PS771 has been tempting me. Lol

Hi;

     I recently did it. I retired my 45 year old DeVilbiss medical compressor( Small) for a new W.R.Brown unit with Moisture trap and Regulator and four new A.B.s. The A.B.s were gotten at a yard sale and they had never been used. One Badger, OneBinks and two DeVilbiss sign models.

     The sign models are super for Frosting edges and doing Super Fine lines. They normally are out of range" Price-Wise" for the average hobbyist. My original one was used for painting stripes and Little Murals on older VolksWagen cars and Vans of course!

    I got all four at the sale for $90.00 bucks. Not cheap, but no where the actual price for one of the pro models. They will probably become part of my Saleable Estate when I kick the Transom!

That's some deal, Tanker-Builder. As I recall, my combo AB and compressor was in the neighborhood of $150, but in 1995 dollars. Four ABs for $90 -- especially two that are good for super fine work -- seems like a hell of a bargain.

It's a good thought to keep an eye out for that sort of thing, though. In a way eBay has kind of undercut the world of garage/yard/tag sale bargains, but you can get lucky once in a while.

(And that's not to say I don't turn to eBay, that great garage sale of the world, when I need a kit or an aftermarket bit, because I surely do. It just seems to me that, in the same way online shopping has changed brick-and-mortar retail, eBay has affected the classic garage sale. The observation has probably been made before. :-) )

RPH 1030;

    Yeah, all you said. There is a chance, always that something will pop out when one least expects it. I bought a Spray-Booth at a yard sale. Ladie's Brother had passed in a different State. Sis, brought some stuff back to TEXAS and didn't know what all of it was. Sold most to my Museum. They didn't know what the little suitcase was so they didn't buy it.

      Told me her address. She was still having a garage sale. Of his stuff. Saw the suitcase with a little fan on one large side. Brought out a twenty and asked her how much. She said Eight bucks cause she wanted to get rid of the rest that day. I gave her the twenty and walked quickly away.

      She still looked puzzled as I drove off. Yes, I was a dirty dog!. She had the Micro Mark  2 piece spray booth. Her brother had ordered the booth with the extension parts and I got it all for twenty Bucks!! It works fine and NO, I do not feel bad!