Field expedient compressors?

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 24, 2003 11:22 PM

I use a fridge compressor hooked to an air tank. Quite economical and very quite. If you want ultra cheap, take the spare tire out of your car and fill it up to it's max pressure. Hook an airbrush and regulator up and away you go. The air might not be the 'cleanest', but it will work.

M.

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Thursday, April 24, 2003 10:39 PM

How about some kinda foot-operated bellows hooked up to a storage tank??
Sounded silly when I thought of it, but ya never know...might work!

~Brian

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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Thursday, April 24, 2003 8:57 PM

I agree with Mike, get a portable air tank and fill 'er up. Add a regulator and moisture trap and you're on your way.

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Thursday, April 24, 2003 8:54 PM

A cheap air tank, regulator, and filter is pretty economical. I had a guy tell me an old refrigarator compressor will do the job! No personal experiance with that suggestion though.

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Thursday, April 24, 2003 8:51 PM

You could buy a cheap air tank and fill it at the gas station.

The only problem is that you might run out of air in the middle of a project. I guess you could buy two if you wanted.

I believe you can rent C02 tanks from a welding supply, so you might look into that also, although I am not sure what that would cost.

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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naplak

Member since
December 2002
From: USA

Posted by naplak on Thursday, April 24, 2003 7:37 PM

A friend here uses old propane tanks with new fittings. He compresses them up at a gas station, and they last him a few days. He does have a regulator tho...

www.naplak.com/modeling ... a free site for modelers www.scalehobby.com/forum/index.php ... a nice Modeling Forum

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Field expedient compressors?

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 24, 2003 7:20 PM

Hey lads,

I was wondering if anyone has any 'cheapo' methods of propelling your airbrushes.

My old-faithfull compressor is on the scrap heap and i need a cheap temporary replacement, im also quite curious as to what people have used now and in the past.

The cost of new and used compressors in the UK range from $70 to $300, and the fiance doesnt want me spending that much yet (weve got the holiday abroad were saving for).

Lets see how creative, outstanding, astonishing and amusing the replies are eh! Smile [:)]