Recommended compressors?

I went to Wal-mart and in the auto dept they carry a compressor with tank for $100. I've used it often and it does great. It has a pressure gauge for the line pressure as well as the tank pressure, but no moisture trap. I run an old Badger single action and a Paasche double action with it with no problems.

Glenn

I'm thinking about getting a compressor - not sure what type. I saw the Testors Mini Blue Ice (?) recently. Price looks good but does it work well? It apparently doesn't have a storage tank so the airflow might fluctuate. Does anyone happily use this? Can you hook up a regulator and moisture trap to it? Any other types you recommend?

Many thanks for your info.

Jim

I run a Badger 180-11 and have used it for nearly 17yr. It may no be the best but it puts out a smooth stream of air. I've used it to fill airtanks and car/truck tires and it works as good today as it did when I got it!

Seeing as you're in Canada Jim ..... head off to the Co-op and pick up the light industrial compressor made by King Canada. Comes complete with regulator for around $125. While you're there pick up a brass adaptor to size it to your airbrush hose and a moisture trap. Set to paint models and inflate the tires on your car.

How much money do you want to spend on a compressor? If you want a cheap compressor that will do the job you could find a small medical compressor at Ebaby for $10 to $40. Those medical compressor are continuous running, fairly quiet, just a little louder than an aquarium pump, and have just enough air pressure (about 15 to 20 lbs) to airbrush with (at least with my Iwata HP-B and HP-C airbrushes). A medical compressor is probably equal to the quality and life of a Testors Blue compressor.

If you want to get serious about airbrushing then consider a silent compressor. I use a SilentAire 20A silent compressor. It has a quiet refrigerator motor. The 20 in the model name means the Decibel rating…20 dB. As a comparison a whisper is 30 db. I’ve put my cell phone inside the compressor and my friend on the other end of the phone couldn’t hear the compressor going. The silent compressors will last a lifetime, can run two airbrushes, air pressure to 85 lbs., but they will cost a lot more money.

A side question. Does anyone know why compressor makers don’t put Decibel ratings on their compressor? It sure would make it easier to figure out which compressor people could live with.

How much are you willing to spend for a compressor?

Roosterfish,

That's a good compressor you have there and I would echo your comments about checking Ebay. I bought a used 1/2 hp Jun-Air silent compressor from a guy that had it on Ebay for $200. I bought a 5 gallon air tank and built my own silent compressor on a hand truck. Mine is 220V so I had to buy a step-up transformer, but I can't complain with a compressor as high of quality as a Jun-Air. The compressor motor alone is about $800 new.
Mine puts out 120 psi and is a little louder than yours at around 40 dB, but it is still as quiet as a refrigerator.

Mike

i have a cental pnuematic, and its pretty quiet, and the price was right, the compressor and Paasche VL brush with water trap and regulator and all the fittings for $144, plus the compressor comes with a 2 year Garuntee!!