Suitable Compressor?

Using a hardware store compressor is certainly a viable choice.  

I have a 1 gallon Porter-Cable.  It came with a 18ga brad nailer which I've been able to put to use on projects around the house.  It cost me about 60 USD about 2 years ago.  It does not have a high enough air flow to drive most air powered tools,  but it will fill the tires on the car or inflate the kids pool toys.  The gauge on the tank measures the pressure in the tank (up to 80 psi) but CFM is low.   You will also need get a regulator to limit the pressure to the brush.  This is another hardware store item.  In the States, Sears, Lowes and Home Depot hardware chain stores carry small suitable regulator/filters for about 20 USD.   You will also need some pipe fittings to hook eevrything up.  Again a small cost.   Ask the store clerk to assistance in piecing things together. 

Perhaps the only rap against it might be the noise.   Airbrush compressors are made to be silent.   They might be a good choice for apartment dwellers or live with light sleepers.   However most hardware store compressors have a storage tank and the motor will cut off when it is full and allow you to work off the tank until the pressure falls below a set point.

I also use my compressor to pressurize a tank when I do resin casting,  crank it up full.

Airbrush compressors are essentially a unitask tool.   They do the job of powering an airbrush well.  However they cannot fill your tires or power an air tool.  

It depends on what you really want to do and your budget.  That 300 AUD could get you a good mid-range compressor, a nailer, regulator, and all the fittings to hook it up, plus some change back.

 

The Poacher wrote:

Was expecting to have to pay about $300 (Aus) for a compressor from my model shop

http://www.stanbridges.com.au/index.cfm/shop.AIRBRUSH-SETS-AND-COMPRESSORS

Scroll to the end of this product page and you will find a Sparmax Twin Cylinder 501 compressor for AU$255. It is a powerful, quiet, well made airbrush compressor at a very good price.

I understand that Australia is a big country and this hobby shop may not be near you. Just an idea for you to consder what to look for under AU$300. Domestic shipping may not be too bad and there is no import tax.

If you buy a DIY/tools type compressor, the output threat could be BSP or NPT. They are similar, but slightly different. Make sure to get a flexible host from compressor to airbrush that match the thread. If the compressor is made in the US or for the US market, it will come with 1/4" National Pipe Thread NPT. For Europe or the rest of the world, it is 1/4" British Standard Pipe BSP. You are likely to get the BSP in Australia, right? Ask your airbrush vendor what hoses do they carry which can match your compressor.

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the advice, I will mull over what you have said before I take the plunge.

Regards

Andy 

For $220 I bought a 150 L per min compressor from total tools. This is big enough to run larger spray guns, some air tools, pump up tyres etc. I bought this because I did not want to spend big dollars on an airbrush only compressor. If you are worried about the noise then do what I do. Pump up the compressor and turn it off. The tank is large enough to supply air for the largest painting job on a model.

I recently switched from the entry level Silent Aire Scorpion I and got a Makita MAC700 from amazon and could not be happier.  The mac700 is an industrial strentgh compressor but is pretty quiet (I keep it in my hobby room).  A nice feature is that it's oil based (quieter, but by no means a silent compressor) and comes with a 2.6 gallon tank - as it fills the tank it shuts off.  The only item you need to purchase separately would be a regulator (got mine at Home Depot for under $20). My airbrushing abilities have greatly improved since I made the switch. Good luck

Best

Robert