Compressor/airbrush question(s)

Thanks for all the responses guys, they all helped quite a bit.  Paasche customer service told me to mail in the compressor and they're going to warranty service it even though its a month past the 12 month point.  As lousy as it is for it to wear out in a year, the customer service has been quite impressive so far.  

I believe that the D500SR is a branded Chinese compressor..... While not specifically the D500SR I'm aware of a few of these that have the con-rod come detached from the motor shaft either due to a loosened fitting bolt/nut or broken con-rod. It usually causes what you describe - a loud noise as the con-rod comes adrift & then very quiet running when the motor continues to run without any load.

Removing the four Philips screws from the front cover reveals the motor shaft / con-rod assembly & it should be pretty easy to tell if that's the problem.

A failed non return valve in the head, a failed seal or a failed flapper valve would all cause little / no pressure output, but it doesn't sound like any of these.

The next significant step up in quality from the D500SR would most likely be a Sparmax.

I googled your compressor, it looks like a pretty simple setup. My first thought is that the diaphragm ruptured in the pressure regulator. Can you remove the pressure regulator and see if there is air coming out of the compressor?

Roger

I just put these up ... they might be helpful

Harp - I have no experience with the Paasche compressor, I used a Badger diaphragm model for decades with no problems, but now with hearing aids too loud so I went to piston type. I used Paasche airbrushes for many years, parts quality went down in past few years, went to all Badger and am sold on them.

For my compressor I use a California Airtools, model 1610A. Twin cylinder, onboard tank, zero to full pressure takes just over one minute, extremely quiet. When at full pressure I switch it off, then I can spray for 10-15 minutes before I need to switch it back on. My wife, (who often hears TOO well,) can't hear it in the next room. Home Depot carries it, $150 delivered to home. I recommend it highly.

Just my personal input: There are many fine airbrushes out there, I've tried several of them, but overall I find my most often used are all Badger's, the 200 single action siphon, 200G single action gravity cup, 100G double action gravity cup and 155 double action siphon, with super fine detail optional parts.

I find the Badger airbrush line to be of dependable quality and function, the affordable prices make them a good value. If you watch for sales at Chicago Airbrush or TCP Global, (I have bought from them both,) you can pick one up quite reasonably. But if your Paasche H works well for you, it is quite a workhorse and does a good job.

I understand the Tamiya airbrushes are made for Tamiya, by a company that produces them for a major airbrush brand. I think they are kind of pricey, but should be of good quality.

Have you visited Don's Airbrush website yet? Just Google it, you'll find a wealth of info about most everything related to airbrushing and associated equipment. Well worth a look through it. Good luck in your search.

Patrick

Switch to CO2 and forget about your compressor woes.  No noise, no moisture.