air compressor

Anyone contemplating getting into airbrushing for painting should check out the air compressors in the auto dept. at their local Walmart. They got a 100psi model with a two gallon storage tank for about $70.00. Has a built in regulator too. Add a moisture trap and an air brush [which you can purchase in the toy/models dept.] and you are all set.

 

I have one of these units and it works fairly well.

The only problem I have is that it has a thermal cut-off. I have noticed that on larger jobs that the cut-off engages and it takes about 30 minutes before I can get going again.

To get around this, I have a fan blow air across the motor to help dissapate the heat. It helps some.

All-in-all, this compressor works for me. I can generally complete the tasks at hand - and at this price you can't beat it.

 

How is it for noise level. We have a small compressor in our computer shop, and it is terrible.

Len

 

IMHO it is pretty loud - and I use it in the garage.

 

I got a very similar unit at Target. No thermal cutoff. I purchased one at Lowes and one at Walmart. Each made enough noise to wake the dead. They were returned because the salesperson assured me they were fairly quiet. The Target unit is reasonably quiet. I work in the basement and wife can hardly hear it one level up.
Of course- the boiler/hot water heater is right there in the living room with her, so that might the reason she doesn't hear the compressor.

 

I always suspected the less expensive compresors could be used for model airbrushes. But for some reason I thought I had to have a model railroader compressor. I bought a Paasche. After reading the posts, I guess the big difference is the noise factor. This Paasche is very quiet.

 

Seeing as how they specialize in airbrush stuff, I'll bet that the Paasche has a darn good moisture filter on it. I have a 30 year old Sears 1 1/2 horse compressor. I intend to figure out how to mount the thing outside. At one time, I had thought about plumbing the whole house for compressed air. Sounds crazy but if it is there, it will get used.

Len

 

Then there is the 20 pound CO2 tank and a good regulator.

Advantages are:

whisper quiet

needs no electricity - use anywhere

needs a hydrostatic test (maintenance) every 5 years

takes up less that 1 square foot of floor space

a CO2 charge costs about $10 at a welding supply shop

one 20 pound charge will do 1000+ N scale cars/locos (if done in batches of 10 or more)

 

the big problem i found with the ch one from wal mart is many are rebuilds, i went through 2 before finding this out, i went to lowe's and got a delta 1hp with a 2 gal tank for $80 and have yet to kick it out sometimes running it for over an hour while mixing and such, also very quiet, able to still hear the xm over it.

 

Hey Kisatchie....can you post a pic of your set up? I have heard about Co2 tanks being used for airbrushing...just never seen one in action.

Thanks,

Mike

 

Hey Kisatchie....can you post a pic of your set up? I have heard about Co2 tanks being used for airbrushing...just never seen one in action.
Mike </font>[/QUOTE]I'll try to put some pictures up tomorrow (Saturday), if my son can come over with his digital camera.

 

Any ideas about using a mini scuba tank and having that charged at a dive shop?

Or, maybe a paintball shop?

 

Air from the scuba shop is excellent as its very dry and will not require a moisture trap. But you have to have a scuba cert to get it refilled. at 3k lbs of air it should last quite a long time.

Rob

 

Rats! Thanks Rob. Didn't know you need a Scuba cert. to refill it.