Air Compressors

Well Air Compressors are very econimical vesus sray cans, and a good solid compressor will cost upwards of 200 dollars or more. I have a Badger and a Aztek. Both have regulators and airtraps, and that is a must. I use my Aztek almost exclusively now since it is silenced and doesn't drive my wife up a wall. Just make sure you use the correct airhse for the brush you use. I use a Badger 150 and a Tamiya HG Superfine...and I need an adaptor for my Tamiya brush, as the nozzle is to big for the Badger air hose.

Aztek Compressors are modestly priced, and it is well built. Not much maintenence.

I went to buy an air conpressor on the weekend from a local hardwere shop and the guy there was rather rude and told me that the compressors there wouldn't do the job, or rather would be overkill. It was a small workshop type around 2hp with a 27lt tank. I wanted to know what conections were needed. I know people in my model club uses these types of compressors so I know they do the job well.

I use a Campbell Hausfeld compressor, I purchased from my local WalMart. It's a 2 gallon compressor with a built-in regulator and 100 PSI max. I purchased the CH moisture trap and mounted it directly to the compressor side. You do need a moisture trap because all compressed air will have water form in it. This will work it's way into the airbrush, mixing with your paint and onto the model. The trap also collects dust particles and such.

I have been using it for a few months now with no problems (using with an Aztech 470 airbrush) The one and only complaint is that it IS a bit noisy. I paint in the garage so, it really isn't a big issue. I don't get a cut in pressure, when the motor kicks on, to start refilling the tank either (this is an issue with some compressors) Some will drop pressure in the middle of painting and make the airbrush tend to "spatter" the paint instead of spraying it.

My airbrush also came with an adapter so I had no problem with connections. For the price, I couldn't beat it. $89.00 for the compressor, $10.00 for the moisture trap. Plug it in, turn it on, close the valve to fill the tank, connect your airbrush, set the PSI for the airbrush (I use between 21-28 for my Aztech) and spray away. No maintenance.

Pretty cool concept there Erock, is that compressor built for airbrushes?

Any air compressor can be used for air brushing. I have a small Craftsman Air compressor. What it was to have is an air regulator and a moisture trap. It should come with the regulator were you will have to buy a moisture trap. Testor and Aztec Airbrushes normally come with the proper adapters through my experiance.

James Simmons
Lcpl, US Marine Corp

I'm new to the airbrush/compressor scene as well. Here's something I found on eBay that looks pretty interesting. Any comments/suggestions about this combo from the experts???

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2328169181&category=28111

Dwanguy,
I know the airbrush alone is worth ~ $80.00 in a walk-in type retailer. Paasche is a good company - been making air brushes along time. As far as the compressor - it's like the guys above said - it blows air and has a moisture trap (that canister near where the hose hooks in) but the biggest thing is the noise and how it effects you. At this moment you may say - oh it doesn't matter- but if you use it long enough, it will matter.
That compressor has no airtank so it must run constantly to keep the air flowing. Compressors with tanks, will run until the pressure is reached and then shutdown, until you use up the pressure (by painting) and then kick back on. It's not just a matter of how much the compressor runs. The motor on different units can be louder. Like all the guys up above said, it's going to work, but there is more to it.

You should also search back to other dates in the forums. There have been alot of guys with good comments made in the past.

Moses,

Yes, this one is recommended use with airbrushes. It's the "Quiet Air" model from Campbell Hausfeld. Although, I think they mean that the air is quiet when it's sitting in the tank!

LOL Erock, looks like a really good compressor. Funny, I love how most compressors that say they are silinced are still loud enough to get the wife in a bad mood.

Oh and Erock, i checked out your site, very nice...loved the 1/35 scale King Tiger, and great tips. Keep it up bud.

Rob