Can an air conpressor be had for less than $50?

I bought a LARIN 3 gallon oilless with a built on regulator at FREDS DISCOUNT STORE for 49.99.It works great and it came with rubber suction cups for feet to reduce noise,and a hose with a tire chuck to air up a tire if needed.It works great with my Badger 155 i just bought two weeks ago ,or at least i think it does .Iam still trying to learn to use it.

Heck, if you want a cheap compressor for airbrushing I couldn't think of anything better then my old standby, the medical compressor. I used a boxy one for two years before I bought my first silent compressor. The little box medical compressor put out about 15 lbs of pressure, fine for AB work. I see them at Ebaby all the time and they go for less than $20. Mine was very much like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2969437288&category=11779

Here are some more little compressors:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2578780063&category=26236
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2364972149&category=22662

There are two more powerful medical compressors at Ebaby right now. They look very much like the more compressors that airbrush users have. The sellers have a starting bid of $1 and $9.99.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2973288070&category=45207
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2581871146&category=11819

You can't beat the price if you are on a budget.

I just bought a badger 180-11 (auto shut-off, reasonably quiet) compressor and Paasche H (single action) airbrush on Ebay for $75.00 ($93.00 with shipping and insurance). The compressor sells new for $225.00 and the airbrush for $45.00 at Dixieart (free shipping). So I paid about 25% of retail.

You have to be careful and sometimes have to wait a long time (3 weeks or more) to get the right deal. It is still amazing to me that people will pay full retail (and sometimes more) for used equipment that you can buy new at Dixieart with free shipping. Stay away from the big houses like Airbrush City and look for a sale "by owner." Good luck.

Its getting a little late in the year, but you might check out yard & garage sales. Last month my brother picked up a nice little Cambell Hausfield w/20 gal tank for $30.

Hey, it must be contagious. I bought the same one too. LOL!

Now if my dang airbrush ever gets here I can try it out.

James

Erock68 I just bought the same compressor you show a picture of. How is your's holding up? I have had no problems so far. Seems to supply plenty of pressure/air. Just curious. BTW I bought it at PEP BOYS for $79 with a $10 mail in rebate. All the best. martys PS check your six!

Harbor Freight Tools is a good place to look for a cheap compressor. www.harborfreight.com They have one that is reconditioned for $69.99 (item #55113-0AAA), but this one looks promising for $79.99 as it has a tank, is of the oilless design, and comes with a regulator (item #47407-0AAH). They also have a air tank for $19.99 (item #41712-2AAA) and a regulator for $6.99 (item #44938-0AAA). I hope this helps.

If you can spend a little more, I have been using a Campbell-Hausfeld (with a built in regulator) I bought at a local department store. I also picked up their moisture trap. The cost was $98.00 for the comp and $10.00 for the trap.

I have been using it for a year now with not a problem, It's pretty quiet and it's definately a bargain. I get great results low or high pressure using a Badger Anthem 155 and an Aztech.

g

AttackDonut,

(Love your handle, BTW) I have an old Sears AB compressor I got in an airbrush lot on eBay - it's ugly, noisy and missing one foot but it pumps air very well. I'll cut it loose 'cuz I recently went to a CO2 tank and have a Binks AB compressor for backup. Contact me off-list and maybe we could trade for kits or something.

My parents for my Birthday bought me an air tank. They are about $30 or so and they are easier to use than a tire. But you use them the same as a tire, you can go to a convinient store and refill it. But I would also suggest a regulator.

I'd recommend a couple of things:

1. Search for a used one
2. Buy an airtank that can be refilled at the gas station. That will get you started and you will need to get a regulator too. You should be able to do that for under $50. The great thing about this is that sometime later down the road, you can get a seperate compressor and hook it up to the tank to finish off the tool. (I used a fridge compressor to charge up my tank and am very happy with it.)

Murray

Hi,

I've seen some adapters for Badger and a car tyre here, you will
need the regularor as well

http://www.airbrushes.co.uk/airbrush_accessories.htm

If you are open to a really cheap method you can use a car tire (on the wheel). Not sure how you hook it up but supposedly it works. When it runs out of air, just roll it down to the gas station and fill it up again. I know, sounds crazy, but I have seen people post that it works. Although I am not sure how well. LOL!

James

Have you checked your local classifieds? I recently bought a rechargable tank at Wally World with a regulator and a quick connect so I could paint outside and compressor wouldn't wake the rugrats. The whole set-up cost about $40. I can get about 7 -10 color changes out a charge. You can refill them at most gas stations.