Airbrush fitting adapter

NPT stands for National Pipe Thread, and it is a standard for tapered pipe threadings.

I can't be sure looking at the picture of the compressor, but it looks like it already has a hose whose free end is the female side of a industrial standard "quick connect" hose coupler. I.e. the leftmost item in the picture at:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42444


If I'm right about this, you shouldn't be concerned at all about the 1/8" NPT output of the compressor as that is already handled by the hose that comes with the comrepssor. What you need is to put the corresponding male connector on your airbrush hose end, I.e one of the four other items in the picture.

Since it is very possible that the end of the hose on your airbrush won't directly match the 1/4" NPT thread on the male quick connect coupler, you'll also need to get an adapter for to convert the airbrush hose end to the quick connect thread. I noticed in the description that the airbrush comes with a "compressor adapter", so it might already have what you need. If not, a good hardware store will be able to help you get the right fitting.

QUOTE: Originally posted by limd21 NPT stands for National Pipe Thread, and it is a standard for tapered pipe threadings. I can't be sure looking at the picture of the compressor, but it looks like it already has a hose whose free end is the female side of a industrial standard "quick connect" hose coupler. I.e. the leftmost item in the picture at: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42444 If I'm right about this, you shouldn't be concerned at all about the 1/8" NPT output of the compressor as that is already handled by the hose that comes with the comrepssor. What you need is to put the corresponding male connector on your airbrush hose end, I.e one of the four other items in the picture. Since it is very possible that the end of the hose on your airbrush won't directly match the 1/4" NPT thread on the male quick connect coupler, you'll also need to get an adapter for to convert the airbrush hose end to the quick connect thread. I noticed in the description that the airbrush comes with a "compressor adapter", so it might already have what you need. If not, a good hardware store will be able to help you get the right fitting.

Yeah, the hose that came with the compressor fits over a nipple on the compressor itself and is then tightened down with a brass fitting. So I'm happy with the compressor and it's connections...just not my airbrush.

The "business end" of the compressor hose will accept either a 1/8" or 1/4" male attachment...unfortunately, my airbrush only has a 1/4" (?) female adapter...as if it's supposed to screw directly to the compressor (must be an Aztek/Testors thing).

I was reading "Airbrush Roundup, Part 1" last night and this morning, and it looks like all the Aztek airbrushes come with their own hose permanently attached and require an adapter, but other airbrushes like Badger and Paasche have a 1/8" fitting right on the brush, so you can hook up to your compressor's hose. For those of you who have those brushes, does that sound right?

I'd rather buy an adapter because it's cheaper, but part of me is ticked off enough with my airbrush that I'm almost willing to drop the $ needed to buy a new one. My wife doesn't care, she just wants me to be happy (she let me pick out hte compressor for my birthday).

Anyway, more input is most appreciated!

My Paasche (and Now Iwata) all have a 1/4" NPT end on them. It screws right on to the compressor. Badger makes an adapter for thier hoses to fit 1/4 npt.

QUOTE: Originally posted by mattfixit14813 My Paasche (and Now Iwata) all have a 1/4" NPT end on them. It screws right on to the compressor. Badger makes an adapter for thier hoses to fit 1/4 npt.

So the general consensus is that I should be able to get a fitting at my LHS or hardware store?

While we're on the subject, what do you all honestly think of the brush I have? Don't worry about hurting my feelings, I can't stand the thing myself.

QUOTE: Originally posted by knight667 The "business end" of the compressor hose will accept either a 1/8" or 1/4" male attachment...unfortunately, my airbrush only has a 1/4" (?) female adapter...as if it's supposed to screw directly to the compressor (must be an Aztek/Testors thing).

So the free end of the compressor hose is *not* a quick-connect type of fitting?

QUOTE: Originally posted by limd21 QUOTE: Originally posted by knight667 The "business end" of the compressor hose will accept either a 1/8" or 1/4" male attachment...unfortunately, my airbrush only has a 1/4" (?) female adapter...as if it's supposed to screw directly to the compressor (must be an Aztek/Testors thing). So the free end of the compressor hose is *not* a quick-connect type of fitting?

Correct, it is not.

Most airbrush companies tend to use either 1/8" NPT or 1/4" NPT connections. The 1/8" connections are smaller and provide a more compact connection at the airbrush itself. 1/4" NPT is the unofficial standard for compressor connections. Go to a hardware store and get a compressor and odds are it is going to have a 1/4" NPT outlet on it. Higher capacity compressors may go to 3/8" or 1/2" but the garden-variety compressor is going to be 1/4" NPT.

Badger makes a fitting that goes form 1/8" NPT male to 1/4" NPT female for adapting their 1/8" hoses to 1/4" connections. I'm sure some of the other companies do as well.

As to what we think about Aztek airbrushes, it doesn't really matter. What matters is what you think of it. The general consensus around here appears to be one of dislike, however there are several people who use them and get very good results from them. Personally, although I've never used one myself and am basing this on the recommendations around here, I wouldn't trade any of my Badger brushes for a bucket of Azteks.

QUOTE: So the general consensus is that I should be able to get a fitting at my LHS or hardware store?

Sorry, I didn't see that question. It is unlikely that a hardware store is going to have anything in 1/8" NPT however your LHS might since a lot of airbrushes use that size. Here is a link to the one that Badger makes:
http://www.badgerairbrush.com/access2.htm
It is part no 50-023 and is about halfway down the page. I have seen these in hobby stores, but you may have to order it. Dixie Art (www.dixieart.com) has them and I think they are around $5.

QUOTE: Originally posted by knight667 [ So the general consensus is that I should be able to get a fitting at my LHS or hardware store? While we're on the subject, what do you all honestly think of the brush I have? Don't worry about hurting my feelings, I can't stand the thing myself.

Actually Hobby Lobby has the exact adapter made for your airbrush including a decent selection of nozzles. The adapter is less than ten bucks as well as each nozzle.

I had an Aztec double action and it was adequate, especially starting out. I didn't want to make a big investment right away before I was sure I wanted to get back into modelling, plus I wanted something to learn on before I went bigtime. The nozzle that it came with was not the greatest for detail but Hobby Lobby had exactly what I needed with a .35 detail nozzle and a .40 med coverage nozzle. Like I said it was adequate and a cheap way to relearn.

I am not sure about the particular brush you have, but it looks to be more of a med coverage type brush and it doesn't look like you can change the needle (nozzle for an Aztec). For 39.95 or so at Wal Mart they have a kit with an Aztec double action, about 16 flavors of acrylic, a pipette for drawing up paint etc, a neat hobby kiosk with room for all your paints, knives and a center compartment for putting your brushes in etc... (and a compressor adapter) With at least the detail nozzle listed above it is a decent first airbrush or an economical way to get into detailing...

If you go to the testors site they have the complete Model Masters strategy book in .pdf at: http://www.testors.com/hobbyist_guides.asp

The section on airbrushing goes through a lot of tips on working with your brush and getting it down on fine detail type things.