compressor question..

Yes, you will need a regulator. They are not very expensive. Maybe $10 on low end to $30 at the high end. They make them in a combo of regulator /water trap. I have this combo on my compressor in my garage. I have plumbed the air to my wookshop where I also have a water trap/ regulator for my air brushes. If you go with the combo expect to pay around $40 to $60. You really need them both if your using an air compressor. Hope this helps.

James covered it very well but I would add that you should put your regulator/water/oil filter closest to your airbrush and not on the compressor itself if you are going to run an airline from the compressor to where you paint.
Water can collect in the airhose from the heat the compressor produces and eventually send that moisture down the hose to your airbrush.

Mike

I'm surprised it doesn't already have a regulator on it. Virtually all of the Craftsman compressors have a regulator of some sort. Are you sure there isn't one already on it?

Other than that and the noise it will work just fine. I use a "General Purpose" Porter-Cable compressor.

As to other air sources, an air tank or compressed CO2 are probably the most popular. The cans of Propel (and other brands) don't work that well and get expensive pretty quickly.

well yeah it has a pressure guage but i don't think i can change the output psi. i would guess if i am doing models i would want to have only about 20 or so psi vs the 100 that it puts out now. i am gonnna have to check out some regulators and see what i can rig up. i figure why go out and buy a compresso if i already have one. yeah it will be loud but it is a fairly large tank. it only runs for a few minutes to fill back up.

If you say it doesn't have a regulator, then I'll take your word for it. It's the first time I've heard of a Craftsman tank-type compressor without one though.

Mine has a 6 gallon tank and once it fills I can turn it off and just work from the tank. When it dumps I turn it back on a let it refill. Lot less noisy that way. The pressure switch cuts in when the tank drops below 120 psi and brings it back up to 140. Since I airbrush at about 15 psi I can let the tank drop way down below that 120 cut on point.