Compressor Question

Those "general" compressors will work but sometimes you have  problems with regulating the air pressure and they are really noisy. For me noise is an issue in the house, so I spent some money on a "silent' (20dbA)air compressor, Silentaire 20A-has a refrigerator motor and is not oilless. There are other oilless models, piston driven,  that are quiet(55 dbA)-Iwata, Badger 910, etc. Some of it is how much you want to pay.For me, the Silentaire company is in the same city I live in(Houston), so I got a deal. Be certain to have a regulated air supply regulator, not a bleeder valve means of regulating air pressure, and a moisture trap.

I just thought of a good overall discussion of air compressors. Check: www.craigcentral.com/models/airsource.asp . Not only is this easy to comprehend, but he has other inbedded links on airbrushing in the article that take you to thinning paint, regulating air pressure, etc.

 As with any of the many aspects of airbrushing( that I am slowly learning about from all of the other people on this forum who have more experience in it), some of it is how much $$ one can afford and getting the best deal for your hard earned money.

Some guys I know use CO2 tanks from welding supply shops, fitted with a regulator and pressure gauge.  Absolutely silent and lasts  a long time on one fill.

Sparmax TC-2000, available at Hobby Lobby, is also pleasantly quiet but a bit expensive.

rdmeyersr

I've had a JunAir Silent Compressor for the past 20+ years and was looking at our local home improvement store for a replacement since I cannot find anyone to do the maintenance on it. Question is, are the compressors for airing up tires, painting your house etc compatible with airbrushing? I've never tried one and could sure use some expert advice on it. Thanks in advance,

Ron

Did you contact Jun Air. After 20+ years, everything else will be a downgrade.

Headquarters

United States
JUN-AIR / Gast Manufacturing, Inc.
2300 M-139 Highway
Benton Harbor, MI 49023-0097
Phone: (269) 934-1216
Fax: (269) 927-5725
Email: technical.junair@idexcorp.com

Chili

Those "general" compressors will work but sometimes you have  problems with regulating the air pressure and they are really noisy. For me noise is an issue in the house, so I spent some money on a "silent' (20dbA)air compressor, Silentaire 20A-has a refrigerator motor and is not oilless. There are other oilless models, piston driven,  that are quiet(55 dbA)-Iwata, Badger 910, etc. Some of it is how much you want to pay.For me, the Silentaire company is in the same city I live in(Houston), so I got a deal. Be certain to have a regulated air supply regulator, not a bleeder valve means of regulating air pressure, and a moisture trap.

I agree that they are noisy and that is a real drawback.  However, I find regulation is not a problem.  My first one, a very large one, was kept in the garage with a line down to my workshop.  I added a regulator at the end of the line (in addition to the one on the compressor) so I could adjust the pressure from my workbench.  The second was a small pancake compressor next to my workbench.  Noisy as the devil, but the regulator on it worked fine, better than the regulator on the silent Iwata I now use.  If you can stand the noise, a general purpose compressor (one with a regulator) works fine and is cheaper than an airbrush compressor.

keilau

 

 

 

Did you contact Jun Air. After 20+ years, everything else will be a downgrade.

True! They are among the finest built silent compressors in the world.

Exactly, that's why I bought mine.  Very expensive at the time I bought it but it's very quiet and for the most part, maintenance free.  I've used it for everything from T-Shirts to Illustrations to modelling. Works great with my Thayer and Chander which I've had for nearly 30 years!