Using a Porter-Cable pancake compressor adapted to airbrushing?

Thanks for the input, men.

The only problem I see is noise. Assuming you empty your storage tank between uses, you'll need to use a certain amount of power to fill it again, with all of the attendant noise that makes. I use my airbrush pretty often, at least once or twice a week, so it gets to be a bit much to power up the shop air.

I just looked at the Micromark regulator, it appears to be just the ticket. The gauge in the photo reads well in the lower pressure range, which is where you need the most control for your airbrush. The price is what I would expect to pay for any similar setup.

Like you, I use my shop compressor for other tasks, so what I've done is to build a separate manifold for the AB, using a quick connect for the hose from the compressor, then the trap/regulator and finally a fitting to the AB hose. The advantages are that you still have your hookup intact for the nail gun, etc., and that the pressure reading you're using is pretty much "at the gun". The fittings are all standard hardware stuff, unless your airbrush brand requires a proprietary thread. I set my compressor at 40lbs +/-, then dial down at the manifold.

Hope this helps you!

Mike

It should work fine, but keep in mind that many airbrushing orientated regulators have a maximum inlet pressure of 100>130psi, whereas you compressor is probably capable of 150psi - if that's the case be sure to adjust you compressor regulator down below that.

If your using anything else with the compressor that requires higher pressure than the airbrushing regulator will allow, you could consider putting a quick connect (tool size) on the compressor regulator output & onto the inlet of the airbrush regulator so that you can easily remove / refit it as required.

If you have pressure adjustment on the original regulator that accurately goes down to your required pressure range for airbrushing, why not just use the existing regulator - moisture may not be an issue as much of it will be condensed in the large tank & even if you were to get some an inline filter could be fitted?