Badger 180-1

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

I just bought a badger 180-1 compressor for a total of $60. I was wondering how quiet it was and if I made a good choice in buying my first compressor. Also am I really missing out by not having the auto-shut off feature? How hard is it to add a tank to it? Thank you, this is my first post and I am glad to be here.

2

I got the Badger Whirlwind II and I think it’s great for my needs. It doesn’t have a auto-shut off either, but that doesn’t both me at all. I plug the compressor into one of those multiplug electrical strips with the on-off switch. I don’t find it too noisy, I can paint in the basement at night without waking my wife or daughter. In terms of adding a tank, I have no idea.

Jesse

3

hey thanks for the reply. the electrical strip thing is a great idea. i wonder why i never thought of that.

4

For sixty bucks, a Badger 180-1 is an excellent choice. I’ve had one for the past several years, and my only real cause for any regrets was simply the price which was a lot more tham your sixty. I’ve never used the 180-11 with the auto-shutoff so I can’t say how much you’ll miss out on not having it. I’ve never wished that I had that feature. At first I used an outlet strip as suggested by Jesse. Later when I built my paint booth, while wiring the lights and fan, I also wired in a switched outlet for the compressor.

I don’t know how easy of hard it would be to put a tank on it. Based on my experience wih the same compressor, I don’t think that you would experience any benefits from having a tank, assuming it’s even possible to adapt one to it. Under a no back-pressure situation, i.e. you’ve taken the airbrush off the hose, you may be able to feel a bit of pulsating, however, with the airbrush attached, you get steady air pressure. Speaking of air pressure, assuming it doesn’t have one already, you’ll want to get a moisture trap/pressure regulator/pressure gauge for it.

5

I just got my badger in the mail today. I plugged it in and it seems to be working fine. I haven’t gotten my airbrush yet. Is there anything i should check for? i have never owned an aircompressor before.

Also it came with a regulator, gauge, moisture trap, but i think the fitting broke inside of it during shiping. Is there any way I could remove it?

EDIT: my uncle fixed it, now i just have to go get new fittings.