Can't Choose between 3 Compressors

[dimsh2000]

I've been running on air tanks for the past couple of years and decided to finally get a compressor. I need one thats fairly cheap (80-130) and quiet because I'm a student right now. I've been doing some research and I've narrowed it down to these 3 compressors: Paasche D100, D500, and Campbell Hausfeld FP2040. Which one would you recommend? I used a Thayer&Chandler Omni 4000 airbrush, so I don't know which hoses I would need to get for the compressor.

Thanks

[Hawkeye's Hobbies]

Stay away from the Campbell unit. The D100 & D500 are made for professional use. The CH isn't worth the tin it was made from. At least with the Paasche units you can get parts...CH changes suppliers and designs frequently. My D3000 has been reliable. If you have a Hobby Lobby near you, take advantage of the 40% off coupon and you can pickup a Paasche or Iwata compressor from there at a good price.

Edited December 28, 2007 by Hawkeye's Hobbies

[f14peter]

Am I correct in assuming that the Campbell-Hausfeld unit is a compressor/tank combo?

If so, then it is recommendable. I have a C-H unit, although I can't recall the model number, but it is a good unit ... comes with regulator and pressure guage, very competitively priced, uses very standard and readily available fittings, and as the compressor itself isn't running all the time, a good unit to consider if noise is a concern (a fully charged tank should last an average airbrushing session), although hopefully you're not in the middle of an airbrush pass when it does kick in down by your foot as it can be startling (that's personal experience talking!).

You also reap the benefits of using a tank ... a steady flow without the pulsing common to most compressor-only arrangements. There's also non-modeling benefits as I've used mine to pump up air mattresses, airbeds, and so forth. Don't know for sure, but it may be able to pump up an auto tire if necessary. If you do go with a C-H, get the accompanying watertrap, I believe it's around $12 extra.

Fitting my C-H unit to my airbrush (Paasche H) was easy-sleazy ... I took the airbrush hose, watertrap, and the compressor to a local mom-n-pop hardware store and said "I need to hook this ..." holding up the airbrush hose and pointed to the compressor and said "... to this ..." and showing the watertrap, added "... with this in the middle." About ten minutes later and around $25 poorer I left with all I needed, most importantly a slip-joint fitting so that I could pop my airbrush hose on and off in an instant.

EDIT: Just read Hawkeye's post and can understand his concern. However, unless you're a full-time airbrusher (As in using it alot every day), I believe the C-H unit would hold up nicely for the less demanding work of a modeler. That all said, there is much to what he says and if you are going to be using your compressor alot, then maybe indeed consider a more dedicated unit.

Edited December 28, 2007 by f14peter

[smithery]

I'd go for the CH unit, as it is similar to mine, and mine runs perfectly fine. As for th ehose you need, please see my response in the Tools and Tips section.