Compressor Advice

Phil,

To go with my Infinity Quickfix Two-in-one airbrush I bought the Silentaire Scorpion II with tank. Link: http://www.dixieart.com/Silentaire_Scorpion_Compressors.html

It comes as you see for $289 delivered and is superb. Check the specs and compare: Testors AC500 = .6 Cubic feet per minute @ 20 PSI vs. Scorpion II = .74 CFM @ 55 PSI, AC500 = 1/8 horsepower vs. Scorpion II = 1/6 HP, AC500 = single piston vs. Scorp II = dual piston. I don't know about the AC500, but the Scorp II came with a second regulator and moisture trap, a brush holder, and two coiled hoses. As far as being quiet, it's half the loudness of my Badger 180 which it replaced, which was not all that loud itself.

Good luck with whatever you end up choosing,

PaulR

  I've been hearing about guys that use co2 tanks with regulators and flow meters, no more moisture problem, very steady pressure, and absolutely silent. I'm thinking of going that way eventually. (when my current compressor dies, or maybe before)

Many thanks for your advice.  The testors website was a good place to go.

Phil

I suggest you go to Testors' website at http://www.testors.com/ and look at their selection by clicking on "Aztek".

Read the descriptions and pick the one that suits you the most.

As you might notice the largest and most expensive one (the $400 model)has a receiver tank, and it is being sold as the "perfect compressor for the person who uses their airbrush all day long" as the tank keeps you air at a constant volume so you don't find yourself "fizzeling out" when doing a large job. Essentially this one is the $350 model with a tank added, and for only $50 more, I can hardly believe that they would sell more of the models without the tank.

The moisture trap, which is on both of the higher-priced two models, is essential especially if you are in a humid or wet area where the air you are using would contain enough moisture to cause your paint to splatter while spraying. The compression of the air condenses any moisture (humidity) in the air, resulting in actual water droplets which can come out of the spray gun.

As it turns out, if the $349 model would suit you, you can get the same basic unit at Harbor Freight for under $100.

OK?

Tom