Badger 80-2 compressor assistance

Well, first off you need an airbrush!

Compressors, especially ones like the 80-2 are pretty simple. They have an On/Off switch and a connection for the hose. On for air flow, off to turn it off. I recommend a water trap, compressors are really good at compressing the water out of air. A regulator is nice. Both can be found at places like Lowes or Harbor Freight. You can buy "airbrush" specific ones, but they are pretty expensive. The nice thing about them is they are graduated for lower pressures, the ones from hardware stores are more for pneumatic tools.

I couldn't find instructions for the 80-2, but I could for the 180-10 which replaced it.

http://www.badgerairbrush.com/PDF/180-10%20and%20180-12%20Instruction%20Book.pdf

Don't use it for parts numbers, though! Contact Badger directly. They may even have the instruction book on hand.

http://www.badgerairbrush.com/Contact_Us.asp

Hey Bgrigg,

Hope you don't mind my clarifying - I have an old 80-2 that I got at a garage sale.  The on/off switch is actually the plug.  plug it in it runs, unplug it it stops.  Badger will send you an instruction book on request (at least they did for me).  They don't make the 80-2 anymore, but you are correct the 180-10, which has an on/off switch, did replace it.

Clarifying is good!

Wow, that must be an old compressor! I would recommend getting a foot activated extension so it doesn't run all the time. Very bad for small compressors!

But, the rest of my advice is as simple as compressors really are. On/off and blows air!

Thank you for iinfo. Have llooked on ebay and several other sites  Lots of them are still selling these new sealed in boxesl

wayne

wasjr

Thank you for iinfo. Have llooked on ebay and several other sites  Lots of them are still selling these new sealed in boxesl

wayne

It is always wise to check the spec before purchasing. From the Internet Hobby site:

Designed for portability and cost effectiveness, it is lightweight, quiet, and virtually maintenance free. It operates one air brush of most makes. 1/20 HP, 23 PSI, 115 volts, 60 cycles, 2.5 amp.

Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days.

BAD-80-2RETAIL PRICE: $183.00SALE PRICE: $146.40

The ""1/20 HP, 23 psi" will make it pretty limited on what airbrush and task you can use it for. A modern design twin piston compressor can be had for just $15 more and is more versatile. It you are adventurous enough, house brand compressors can be had for a fraction of the cost. This old post has some good suggestions.

They got the compressor at a garage sale, Keilau. Hopefully they didn't pay that much for it.

I certainly concur that when spending $150 or more, you can buy better compressors, and I recommend twin piston ones myself, but I started with a similar compressor and it is sufficient for model airbrushing. 23 psi is enough for even siphon fed airbrushes.

I actually only paid about $5 for it.  I just made sure it worked first.  The cool thing about it was I got the instruction book right away from Badger, and they actually offered to check it our for me if I wanted to send it in to them - never did, for $5 it worked fine.  I do only use this for odd jobs in remote spots with my gravity feed guns.  It's actually what I keep handy in the car when I go contest or shows, just in case of an odd emergency I may want to use my airbrush for.  so for $5 it's fine as is.  I doubt I'd even try it with my bottom feed guns if I ever use them again - just don't think there's enough sustained pressure.

For $5, you have a great portable compressor. Surprisingly, it will pump out just enough air for a siphon fed airbrush, but only just. Enjoy!

I bought my compressor from an auto supply store. I bought one which is adjustable so I can use it to pump air into my tires or use a spray gun. I bought it mainly because I was about to repaint a car I had at the time. I paid about $100 for it and have had it for 20 years. It was a good investment. I put the appropriate adapters and filters on it to use with my Badger 200 airbrushes.