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Using a 5gal compressor for airbrushing?

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  • Member since
    February 2016
Using a 5gal compressor for airbrushing?
Posted by Slingshot on Friday, February 12, 2016 8:15 AM

obviously out of the box this compressor needs some bits and pieces to work???....

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-5g-compressor-matte-1998563p.html#.Vr3m9_DEirU

 

Is it reasonable to buy an in-line moisture catcher, pressure regulator between the compressor and the airbrush or for how much it will cost to get these parts, just eat it and buy an actual airbrush compressor with tank?

I have this compressor that's nearly new in my garage. Trying to be environmentally/fiscally responsible by not adding to my quiver a tool that I otherwise have that could be modified? (If that's at all possible)

 

If it's actually not feasable, I would look to you experienced airbrushers for a recommendation of a unit that works well and has value to it's pricepoint.

 

Thank you in advance.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, February 12, 2016 9:34 AM

Actually, that compressor would work straight out of the box, except for a water trap that might not be absolutely necessary depending on your location. In any case, water traps are pretty cheap- maybe ten to twenty bucks.

Noise would be a problem if you have it in your workshop.

For many years I used a large general purpose compressor. I kept it in the garage, so the noise didn't bother me.  I owned my home, and my basement workshop was close to my garage in planform, so I ran plumbing pipe from compressor to workshop.  I connected the compressor hose to the piping by a quick disconnect so I could use it for other purposes easily.

I mounted a dryer and regulator in my workshop so I could adjust airbrushing pressure without continually running upstairs to the garage.  I eventually tired of having to run upstairs to turn the compressor on, so ended up with a quiet airbrush compressor in my shop, but used the previous arrangement for well over a decade.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by oldsalty on Friday, February 12, 2016 10:13 AM

Heres something you might be interested in? Even at a canadian price its still good. They are very low noise, I live in an appartment now..no problem.  

http://www.tcpglobal.com/Airbrushing-Supplies/Compressors_4/

OldSalty

  • Member since
    February 2016
Posted by Slingshot on Saturday, February 13, 2016 10:16 AM

after a bunch of running around trying to fit my existing airbrush hose to the coupler in the compressor... it was determined that replacing the hose would be simpler and more cost effective.

So with a new air line, new brush air hose and a coupler - total cost out of pocket was $54.00 Cdn

It's -42C outside (with windchill), and -5C in the garage where the compressor is... I think I'll wait a few days for it to warm up before trying it.

Bringing the compressor in the house is grounds for divorce!

 

Cheers.

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by Nathan T on Saturday, February 13, 2016 10:55 AM

Not cost effective, trust me! I recently added a 1 gal tank to my Iwata smart jet, and the cost of all the parts, hoses, regulator etc... About equalled a new compressor with a built in tank. I even got all the parts on Ebay cheap. Problem I ran into was the cheap eBay regulators came with very crappy psi gauges, that were marked in 10 or 20 psi increments- not sutable for airbrushing, so I was forced to buy the regulator from Iwata for 60$$

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by oldsalty on Saturday, February 13, 2016 11:06 AM

For a few dollars more you can get the quite TCP compressor, (dont buy the name brands) adapter for your airbrush etc. I dont understand what you need? None of the compressers at Canadian Tire are quite. Ive had that little compressor for almost 8 years. I use my Paasche & Badger airbrushes.

OldSalty 

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