Advice for Air Compressor

bluE

Hi guys,

I want to buy an airbrush and compressor set. For the airbrush I am getting the Badger 100LG model but I don't know what air compressor to get along with it. The shop wants me to get a Badger 180-15 Airstorm but I am not familiar with this. They say this is an upgrade of the previous 180-10 and 180-12. Can you help me decide by giving out your personal opinions, experiences? Thanks.

From the appearance and specification of the 180-15, it is not an evolutionary upgrade of the 180 series, but a brand new product from a new supplier. It is likely a made-in-China compressor. Badger did not state the place of origin of the 180-15, but the spec is the give away. It has a 1/6 HP motor producing 23 liter/min flow. The horse power is probably doubled from the actual 1/12 HP which is typical of Chinese producers. Similar compressors are offered by Harbor Freight, BearAir, TCPGlobal. You may want to check price before you decide. (Don't go back to the old 180-12 model. It was under powered for many tasks.)

It you like to stay with the Badger brand, look at their Silent Series. Those are high quality unit made by Silentaire for them.

If your budget allows, go to Hobby Lobby and take a look at their offers. The Windstorm and Storm Force are both excellent value when you use the 40% coupon. They are Sparmax compressors. The oilless compressor will wear out eventually, it pays to get a higher quality product.

Thanks keilau. Now I know this brand is no good. So you are saying that Sparmax compressors are actually good? What do you think of the Sparmax AC-500? This is one suggested by another hobby store to me but I thought Badger is good so I did not mind.

Given the choice between the 180-15 or the AC-500, I would go for the AC-500 every time. I don't know what the price difference is between them, but the AC-500 has comparable performance to the 180-15, but also comes with a 2.5l tank! 

bluE

Thanks keilau. Now I know this brand is no good. So you are saying that Sparmax compressors are actually good? What do you think of the Sparmax AC-500? This is one suggested by another hobby store to me but I thought Badger is good so I did not mind.

The Sparmax AC-500 is the twin piston with tank compressor. It used to carry the designation TC-5000. With the twin piston with tank, you are likely to get much more steady airflow for your airbrush. In fact, the AC-500 is supposed to be able to support 2 airbrushes at the same time. It is not cheap in the US.

Sparmax AC-500 is surprisingly cheaper than the Badger Airstorm 180-15 here in Singapore so I think Sparmax AC-500 is the logical choice here. How about Sparmax TC-610H vs AC-500?

bluE

Sparmax AC-500 is surprisingly cheaper than the Badger Airstorm 180-15 here in Singapore so I think Sparmax AC-500 is the logical choice here. How about Sparmax TC-610H vs AC-500?

bluE, I must qualify my answer that I am not a Sparmax dealer and don't know all of the product well first hand. I do own a Sparmax made twin cylinder compressor which works very well for me. The cylinder heads keep much cooler than those made-in-China ones after extended run of the motor. Heat is the worst enemy of an oilless compressor. The cooler and quiet running gave me the confidence on the quality of the Sparmax product.

On paper, the TC-610H seems to be the same parts as the AC-500, but package in a vertical metal case. They should work the same for you. The TC-620 is similar to the Iwata Power Jet.

From another thread in ARC, I was told that the choice of airbrush compressor in Singapore is limited and price really high. If you can find the Sparmax at reasonable price, go for it. Can you provide the contact info or post the information at ARC for the hobbyist in Singapore?

keilau, The AC-500 here isn't really that cheap - around USD210. It is actually a preorder from a guy who sells online but I find it 30% cheaper than what is offered in the shops here. The downside, you have to wait for at least a month since he orders in bulk directly from Taiwan. The Badger 100LG airbrush I am getting is at around USD135 from a local shop. I'll post it in the other forum.

Thanks for the replies. Appreciate it.

bluE

keilau, The AC-500 here isn't really that cheap - around USD210.

This price is dirt cheap by any standard. The AC-500 did not make it to the US yet. The similar TC-5000 is $300 plus shipping. I have never seen a price as cheap as yours.

bluE

The Badger 100LG airbrush I am getting is at around USD135 from a local shop. I'll post it in the other forum.

Thanks for the replies. Appreciate it.

That LG price is very high. I can get the Badger Renegade Krome for less than that in the US. The 100LG usually goes for about $80 in the US.

keilau,

I am getting the AC500SR which is actually the AC500 in a TC610H case. You can take a look at below site where I am ordering from. I told the admin I'll have my money back if I saw it is a China brand.

Link: http://www.gunplasg.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=150&osCsid=34059f43ee30a1c2e3cf1dfdca1ab9b7

For the Badger 100LG, I think that's the cheapest option i had so far.

bluE

I am getting the AC500SR which is actually the AC500 in a TC610H case. You can take a look at below site where I am ordering from. I told the admin I'll have my money back if I saw it is a China brand.

Link: http://www.gunplasg.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=150&osCsid=34059f43ee30a1c2e3cf1dfdca1ab9b7

For the Badger 100LG, I think that's the cheapest option i had so far.

Very interesting site. The Admin seems to know what he is doing, knowing where to find quality product from the nearest source. I noticed that he also inventory 2 older model Sparmax airbrushes. If you do a search on "phil_H Sparmax" on this forum, you will find some helpful opinion on the Sparmax airbrushes. In your situation, the Sparmax airbrushes at this site are excellent values.

Badger produces some quality airbrushes at very competitive price in the US market. But they are way overpriced in Europe and the Far East. I suspect it is partially because of distributor profit and partial because of inefficient distribution. The other way is true for buying Sparmax airbrushes in the US. Buyers have to pay premium price similar to those of Iwata and Harder & Steenbeck. While the quality may be similar, Sparmax lacks the customer service and parts distribution network of Iwata or H&S in the US.

There are many good airbrush products this day. It is my belief that the best value is location dependent. 

@ keilau

I think you explained the situation about the airbrush and the compressor pretty well. I just realized I bought my Badger 100LG on impulse since I found very good reviews about it without thinking of other alternatives. I could have at least 2 decent Sparmax airbrushes for the price of the Badger - so I do have a choice, I was just fixed on buying a Badger that time. Anyway, lessons learned. I'll have something to say when someone posts the same topic. :)

Check out Harbore Freight...see link....I have this compressor and it has served me well.  Even has a regulator and moisture trap...pretty darn cheap as well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-8-eighth-hp-40-psi-oilless-airbrush-compressor-93657.html

Hutch

hutchdh

Check out Harbore Freight...see link....I have this compressor and it has served me well.  Even has a regulator and moisture trap...pretty darn cheap as well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-8-eighth-hp-40-psi-oilless-airbrush-compressor-93657.html

Hutch

Hutch,

Harbor Freight has a better one with 1/5 HP motor. However, both of these HF compressors are somewhat over priced. You can get a Chinese compressor with 3-liters tank for $40 at Northern Tools.

bluE is in Singapore where the Chinese compressors are nowhere near as cheap as in US. In fact, the Northern Tools one with tank is $160 there, or 4 times what I would pay in the US.

Darn, I just looked it up and Northern Tools no longer carries it.....thanks for the tip anyway.

Hutch

hutchdh

Darn, I just looked it up and Northern Tools no longer carries it.....thanks for the tip anyway.

Hutch

Yes, their stock goes fast because of the low prices. They also had a twin cylinder which is also sold out. If interested, you can check their web for under 1-HP compressor now and then.

Copy....great tip...thanks

keilau is right. Even China made compressors are quite expensive here so I'd better get a good quality one since the price difference isn't really that high.