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Compressor Recommendation for Paasche VL

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  • Member since
    November 2005
Compressor Recommendation for Paasche VL
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 5:29 PM

Hey all, new to FSM, and seeking some advice on compressors particular to the Paasche VL I just bought.  I had an A/B (a Passche single action which I liked very much) years ago and fiddled with it, but was far from an expert.   I'm investigating compressors, and based on what I seen on FSM forums and simlilar feedback/opinion sites, people have been generally satisfied with purchases of compressors like the Airbrush City Mini  ( http://www.airbrushcity.com/121tk.htm ) and the Airbrush Depot TC-20 ( http://www.airbrush-depot.com/scripts/depot.exe?pgm=compress.bbx ).  I have also seen, however, one or two VL users suggesting that the VL pushes out a lot of air and that the CFM on these compressors might be a little underpowered.

  I'll be using the A/B for models, but also for some illustration (hopefully) so I will at times be spending an hour or more with the A/B, so I realize that I'll definitely need a cut-off, and should probably opt for a models with a tank attached.  I probably won't be running anything thicker than diluted acrylics through the brush on a regular basis.  I'll be working at a bench in the basement and running a line from a compressor located elsewhere isn't feasible, so sound is a concern as well.

  Was wondering if (a) any VL users have any feelings as to the suitability of the above compressors for the VL, (b) anyone has had any bad or underwhelming experiences with either of them, and (c) how quiet are they, actually?

  Thanks in advance for any help.

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: White Mountains, NH
Posted by jhande on Thursday, January 12, 2006 9:27 AM
I can only help shed some light with the info that I found from my months of research and listening to all types of compressors.

First of all, super quiet, powerful and cheap don't mix very well. It's a difficult combination to find. Even my local hobby shop had little compressors that "looked" similar. But they cost $399 without the regulator/water trap, max PSI was around 35 or 40 and they were too loud. Actually those compressors you are asking about are the best combination that I could find.

How quite is it? Humm... about like a refrigerator cycling on or a fish tank filter. I had a concussion not too long ago which now causes me to get migraine headaches easily and I can watch TV in the same room while my wife is spraying and I'll fall asleep with no problems. When she vacuums, I have to leave the house. The sewing machine is in another room with the door shut and that still might bother me (just to give you an idea of my noise tolerance).

Can it pump paint through your Paasche VL? I don't see why not.
According to the Paasche specs, if spraying acrylics you would probably be using a #1 or a #3 head with no more than 30 PSI's. Even 60 is a normal T-shirt pressure, they're not recommended for production work, but an occasional seems ok. The compressor in question cranks out a steady 60 PSI (max 80). Don't forget, the lower the PSI while spraying, the higher the CFM's get.

If your like Tim the Toolman Taylor and want just a bit more power, you could always try the Air Shuttle. Wink [;)]

Hope that info helps and was kind of what you were looking for.

-- Jim --
"Put the pedal down & shake the ground!"

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 12, 2006 9:41 AM

Jhande,

     Thanks much for the response, exactly the kind of information I was looking for.  Fridge / acquarium pump loud is not a problem - I just wanted to make sure I didn't plunk down $150 on some monster that would shake the timbers.  On migraines, I can sympathize.  Noise doesn't trigger anything for me, but any sudden change in the weather (particularly from sunny to rain) makes one almost inevitable. 

   b/t/w, your numerous other posts in reponse to others' inquiries have been tremendoulsy helpful as well, so double thanks.

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: White Mountains, NH
Posted by jhande on Saturday, January 14, 2006 7:40 AM
You are welcome Arch.

I am glad to help others in any way that I can.

I know it was a lot of research and I drove my wife nuts.
Sometimes you just have to take a chance, try something and spend the extra few bucks to get a better quality product. Heck, you look in my rollaround and you'll find Craftsman sitting right next to Snap-on. Wink [;)]


-- Jim --
"Put the pedal down & shake the ground!"

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Cleveland, OH
Posted by RadMax8 on Saturday, January 14, 2006 9:26 AM
You guys will probably think i'm stupid, but i use CO2 to work my AB. It cost about $80 to actually get the tank, plus another $50 for the AB regulator. You'd also have to buy a tank regulator (I already had one) and tank rent is $7.47 a month. Air fills are about $16. Air lasts a long time. You can get it at any welding suppy place
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 14, 2006 7:12 PM

RadMax,

  Thanks for the suggestion.  I'm probably too lazy to get the tank refilled when I need it and the airbrush would sit idle.  I think I'll go in for one or the other compressors I referred to above.  If it ends up not being what I want or need, rest assured I'll be back at the forum!

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