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What's a Good Airbrush Compressor?

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  • Member since
    March 2012
What's a Good Airbrush Compressor?
Posted by SoCal Dude on Friday, December 28, 2012 10:22 PM

Can anyone recommend a decent airbrush compressor?

I got one at what I considered a reasonable price from a company that's all over eBay, but in retrospect, maybe I should have spent a little more moo-la. I've only used it a couple of times, and tonight it overheated and shut down. After I let it cool down a while (took a long time), it did start up again but now it kind of skips. I don't seam to be getting a steady, solid air flow.

Maybe that was my fault, or maybe you just get what you pay for. Either way, I would be willing to spend a little more $$ to get something reliable.

Any suggestions?

Mike

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, December 29, 2012 9:46 AM

I know friends with many brands of compressors, and folks swear by them.  If you stick with a name brand company that also makes airbrushes, that is your best bet.  However, I know folks who buy bargain compressors from Harbor Freight, and those seem to work well too.  I did buy one decades ago from a bargain store that lasted only six months or so, but I learned a lesson with that.

Biggest factor in price is noise. If you want a really quiet one you will pay a lot.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Windy city, US
Posted by keilau on Saturday, December 29, 2012 11:46 AM

SoCal Dude

Can anyone recommend a decent airbrush compressor?

Maybe that was my fault, or maybe you just get what you pay for. Either way, I would be willing to spend a little more $$ to get something reliable.

Any suggestions?

Mike

If money is no objection, try the super silent type made in Italy by Werther International. They are sold in the US by Silentaire and Badger. The cheapest model will set you back ~$500 minimum.

Next to them, the Sparmax or Iwata, both from the same factory in Taiwan, will provide quiet, reliablae service for many years. Hobby Lobby carries the TC-2000 (Storm Force) model. Stay away from the cheap Iwata models whick are too low powered.

The cheaper compressors from China are getting better this day, but quality control is still an issue. Stay with TCPGlobal or BearAir in case you need services. Some users have better luck than others.

SoCal Dude
I got one at what I considered a reasonable price from a company that's all over eBay, but in retrospect, maybe I should have spent a little more moo-la. I've only used it a couple of times, and tonight it overheated and shut down. After I let it cool down a while (took a long time), it did start up again but now it kind of skips. I don't seam to be getting a steady, solid air flow.

Does it come with ANY warranty? For couple of times of use, shouldn't you be able to return it for repair or exchange?

  • Member since
    July 2012
Posted by Hasenpfeffer on Saturday, December 29, 2012 12:04 PM

SoCal Dude - Just FYI, but here is another option you may want to entertain... I purchased this CO2 tank and regulator for about $200 back in the mid 90's. It is completely silent, can be regulated to any pressure you'd need and doesn't require any type of moisture trap. You'd have to do a little research for a place to purchase, but maybe it'd be worth it. (I'm still on my original fill...)

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