Camo Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Hey guys, After buying my Paasche VL I've discovered that dads air compressor really isn't suitable to be used with it, all the hose connections are really rusted and i'm pretty certain that the connections won't even fit my airbrush anyway, there's a nail through the hose, the regulator uses kg/cm instead of psi and the thing would probably be around 25-30 years old by now... So I went into the hobby shop this morning and checked out their compressors and they only had 2, couldn't see any brands or anything but. The cheapest one was AU$250ish, and was tankless, but apparently had water traps and all that. The other other one was AU$350ish and had a tank, and I assume water traps and what not. I'm kinda turned off the tankless compressor as I've read that they pulsate a lot and aren't good for airbrushing and I'm not really all that keen on spending $350 on the tanked one, but probably will I have to. Another option I've seen used on here is the refillable compressed air bottles with regulators attached. Are these as good as air compressors? Are the bottles easily available and are they very expensive? Can i just fill it up using Dads Air compressor or the tire pumps down at the servo? Thanks, Camo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tango35 Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 (edited) Why so expensive ?? Build your own compressor / tank combination for lesser money. You have to find a compresor from a refrigerator and ask your local fire department if they have out of use O2- bottles and than you need a bit other stuff. A friend of mine built it for me for less than 50 Euro. Here the result : enjoy and may the mighty glue with you LOL Thomas Edited April 30, 2009 by tango35 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fsgray Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I'm a fan of compressed CO2. Totally silent, reliable air source. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I'd check out home supply/DIY centers and look at compressors there. Some brand names are Campbell Hausefeld, Porter Cable etc. Only real downside is that they are noisy when filling the tank but you can airbrush for a long time after that. You can most likely find the necessary adaptors for your airbrush there as well. I use a Porter Campbell that cost about 160 USD and am very pleased with it. Most specialized hobby/airbrush compressors offer quiet running but at a price. brief periods of noise are not a problem in my situation You can also use them to fill your car tires or build your next house with nail guns and the like. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
strawberry mivi Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Not quite CO2 but I run my airbrush using my SCUBA tank. I found fittings to reduce to Badger size from various sources, including a Draper regulator. It's silent, i get free refills from my dive club and 15L of air at 230 bar lasts a fair while. Total cost, about £75, tank was £50 from a mate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dkobayashi Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I'd check out home supply/DIY centers and look at compressors there. Some brand names are Campbell Hausefeld, Porter Cable etc. Only real downside is that they are noisy when filling the tank but you can airbrush for a long time after that. You can most likely find the necessary adaptors for your airbrush there as well.I use a Porter Campbell that cost about 160 USD and am very pleased with it. Most specialized hobby/airbrush compressors offer quiet running but at a price. brief periods of noise are not a problem in my situation You can also use them to fill your car tires or build your next house with nail guns and the like. Bob Yup, that would probably be the best place to get a compressor. I have a CH one, it's somewhat noisy while filling the take but it only takes 10-15 minutes to get enough air for a full day's use of painting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camo Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 Thanks guys, I'll go check out the hardware stores this afternoon and see if they offer any small compressors with the filters and what not. Also, Dad reckons I should just get the hoses and regulator replaced on his compressor...but i'm still weary about using such an old air compressor that hasn't been used for painting in a good 20 years....Do the water/oil traps/filters and all that ever need to be changed? or will they still be fine after all that time? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Thanks guys, I'll go check out the hardware stores this afternoon and see if they offer any small compressors with the filters and what not. Also, Dad reckons I should just get the hoses and regulator replaced on his compressor...but i'm still weary about using such an old air compressor that hasn't been used for painting in a good 20 years....Do the water/oil traps/filters and all that ever need to be changed? or will they still be fine after all that time? Hi Camo, I would certainly forget about using the 20 year old fittings. Most of the new compressors are oil-less so that eliminates one hassle. You can probably pick up the moisture trap at the home center as well as adapters to connect the A/B hose to the compressor. Ideally the best type of moisture trap is an inline one since it will trap any moisture that forms in the hose This will have to come from the A/B manufacturer most likely since it has to fit their specific hose. That being said, I just use one that is attached to the compressor. I spray in a very humid basement and have not had a problem. Drain the compressor tank after every use to prevent rust from building up inside the tank. HTH Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CJ44 Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 (edited) I would also highly recommend a CO2 tank. Quiet, non-pulsating and you don't need a moisture trap. Edited May 1, 2009 by CJ44 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Rat Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Bought the airbrush, Now I need an air source... Try the Canadian Parliament or our senate, depends on how hot you need it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alvis 3.1 Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Try the Canadian Parliament or our senate, depends on how hot you need it. We use piped in hot air from the Provincial Legislature at the local hobby shop. We have to run it through 50 feet of activated charcoal to get the smell out however.... I picked up a $75.00 CDN compressor with 3 gallon reserve tank at Canadian Tire, they had all the proper fittings to attach my Paasche airbrush. It's noisy, however, as it is meant to be a shop compressor. I still jump when the compressor kicks in, which is a tad troublesomne when I'm doing fine detail work and suddenly BLAAAAAAAP!!! I think I'm gettting used to it... Alvis 3.1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RedHeadKevin Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Try the Canadian Parliament or our senate, depends on how hot you need it. DOOHHH HO HO HO HO HO HO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Irving Babbitt Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Dad reckons I should just get the hoses and regulator replaced on his compressor. I agree with Dad on this one, provided the compressor can still throw a reliable 25-30psi. A brass brush and a bit of elbow grease should clean up the rusted fittings. Baring that, a few bucks worth of fittings will replace the lot. Although I'm suggesting you go the thrifty route, I wouldn't skimp on the regulator. Behind the regulator, it's all aesthetics assuming your compressor is giving you an adequate air supply. From the regulator forward, quality does matter--a lot. Get a quality regulator and moisture trap. Fitting a brand new Paasche hose onto an Standard/Imperial reducer is a snap and should fix the nail issue. Last, there's no reason to be wary of an old compressor. I've been using a Paasche blue 1/8 hp compressor for 25 years. It's loud, it dances around the floor and no matter how much it's lubricated it refuses to stop shedding metal filings....but it keeps belching out a solid 25psi. If I were in your shoes, I'd first verify that Dad's old wind bag isn't up to the task before I plunked down the mega-bucks for a new compressor. Remember, airbrushing is awkward it will take a lot of practice before you start to get good. I'd prefer to blow my budget on kits (lots of really cheap kits) rather than a fancy compressor. Where's the fun in having a top notch airbrushing rig with no kits to build, right? Hope this helps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Huey Gunner Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 (edited) Yup, that would probably be the best place to get a compressor. I have a CH one, it's somewhat noisy while filling the take but it only takes 10-15 minutes to get enough air for a full day's use of painting.10 to 15 minutes? Wow. I use the same compressor for auto repairs as for my Iwata's. I have a line plumbed to my bench with a water trap/regulator bolted within reach while spraying. My Craftsman takes less than a minute. 5HP with 25 gallon tank. Edited May 4, 2009 by Huey Gunner Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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