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Is an auto air compressor OK to use for airbrush?

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  • Member since
    September 2011
Is an auto air compressor OK to use for airbrush?
Posted by Gentoo on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 4:32 AM

Like the title says, I already have a 20 gallon belt driven air compressor that I use for auto work. Assuming I can get step down adapters from the 1/4 in quick release to attach to the airbrush hose, would it be OK to use for airbrushing models?

I can regulate the pressure down in PSI, and I have a moisture trap attached to it.

Thanks!

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Scotland
Posted by Milairjunkie on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 5:23 AM

As long as you can regulate sufficiently at approximately 10>30psi it should be fine.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 8:57 AM

The airbrush will take to it fine, but aren't those things pretty noisy to work around?  I had mine up in the garage with piping down into my basement workshop- would hate to be in the same room with it while painting.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 9:10 AM

Yup, been using mine since 2005! Noisy isn't nearly as loud a word as the compressor makes! Mine is on the opposite side of the basement foundation wall. I can barely hear it. Just throttle the reg down and you'll be fine.

So long folks!

  • Member since
    July 2008
Posted by Greasy on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 4:42 PM

With a 20 Gallon tank I don't think it will need to refill while air brushing.  Besides if the noise is too much get a little 5 gallon take and refill it from the 20 every so often.

  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by Gentoo on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 7:21 PM

Thanks guys. Its not really all that loud, it is the older style with a belt and oil lubricated. The loud ones are the sealed diaphragm ones. Anyways, I won't even be able to hear it, I plan on running a 50' hose from the garage to where I'm going to be painting.

Just have to find adapters. Anyone know what is the standard size of an airbrush coupling?

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Windy city, US
Posted by keilau on Thursday, September 15, 2011 7:04 AM

Gentoo

Just have to find adapters. Anyone know what is the standard size of an airbrush coupling?

Most airbrush connector are 1/8" BSP with the exception of Badger (Metric M-5) and Paasche. Most airbrush hoses are designed to connect to the specific airbrush they intended for and have either 1/8" or 1/4" BSP female on the compressor end. If your compressor takes the 1/4" NPT quick disconnect, you can connect the airbrush airhose to a male quick disconnect. The 1/4" BSP to 1/4" NPT is not a perfect fit, but it can work with telfon tapes or some pipe thread seal paste.

You can get the Iwata airhose for $12 at Hobby Lobby or a generic airhose at Habor Freight for $7 which should fit most airbrushes. Hobby Lobby also carries the Paasche airhose. You can get the Badger airhose at Michaels.

If you go from your garage to basement, you will need a lot more than 50 feet of hose. Layout you routing before going to the hardware store. You may also find a nice airbrush compressor is cheaper than the long hose and more convenient in actual use.

  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by Gentoo on Saturday, September 17, 2011 11:33 PM

Thanks very much for that info.

I won't need more then about 25' of hose to get where I want it, and I literally have 4 or 5 old hoses from my old work laying around unused.

I was going to buy a small inexpensive compressor, but I will be painting next to my kids room, and I don't want the noise to wake them. (I only get to paint when they are asleep :)

That was the reason for using the auto one.

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Windy city, US
Posted by keilau on Sunday, September 18, 2011 7:38 AM

Gentoo

I was going to buy a small inexpensive compressor, but I will be painting next to my kids room, and I don't want the noise to wake them. (I only get to paint when they are asleep :)

That was the reason for using the auto one.

With a 20-gallon tank, you should not need to worry about keeping the motor on while airbrushing.

Most of the modern airbrush compressor are very quiet and reliable. Best yet, they are priced reasonably if you ever need one. Don't touch those cheap tools compressor at Habor Freight or Walmart.

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by GreenThumb on Sunday, September 18, 2011 3:26 PM

Most of the new industrial type compressors that are oil less are noisy but the belt driven oil lubricated ones are really not that loud. That is what I would buy if I needed a compressor to fill car tires, run an impact gun, and airbrush. Smile

Mike

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by Gentoo on Sunday, September 18, 2011 11:45 PM

GreenThumb

Most of the new industrial type compressors that are oil less are noisy but the belt driven oil lubricated ones are really not that loud. That is what I would buy if I needed a compressor to fill car tires, run an impact gun, and airbrush. Smile

 

Good choice. They also are more durable and any air tool shop can repair them if they have an issue. I bought mine in 1998, and its been going fine ever since with regular use and some admitted abuse and poor maintenance at times. My friend got one of the oil-free kind and in addition to making an unholy racket every time he uses it, even though he babied the thing it started having problems about 3 years out.

And they really aren't that loud. The oil free ones would wake the dead, but mine is in the garage, and working in the driveway you can't hear it kick on over either the tool or the radio, and it is a smooth mechanical sound, if that makes any sense. Just make sure to drain the tank when you are done. I was on a jobsite where one exploded because of rust in the bottom of the tank. Launched the thing probably about 5 stories into the air. Thankfully noone got hurt.

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