OK, I’ts time to get the compressor. I thought I would go with the Harbor Freight Campbell $60 job and add moisture trap, nipple thingy, and a more precise regulator (1 psi increments), but maybe the Badger Airstar may be a better route. Would I have more use out of either? Such as pumping up tires, nail gun etc.? Thanks gang.
do you have a nailgun? I plan on using my Campbell Hausfield when I do some home renovating in the Spring… I had no idea I would use it like that when I bought it though. Personally it would boil down to how much noise can you get away with at your residence. If you live in a house with no small children you might be able to use the industrial style one. Apartments or family members that might be bothered by the noise every 5 min or so of the industrial one refilling its tank might prefer you get the hobby type one. Both will service you equally as well in airbrushing (especially with that hobby pressure gauge)
personally at first ti was a bit of a shock when it would cycle to fill the tank, but I really don’t even notice it now and my wife has never complained as long as I dont do it late at night… (with the 2 gal tank you can get a little airbrushing done even after hours with the compressor turned off)
The T&C AirStar V is great for modeling but it does not produce enough CFM of air to run a nailgun and doing so will only end it’s life quickly.
The little C-H “Quiet Compressor” that some people own is also notorious for dying quickly if worked too hard.
You can’t really have both high enough CFM for a nailgun, filling tires, etc, as well as airbrushing and have it quiet too, unless you want to spend $2000 for a compressor.
I would buy a good industrial compressor from Sears and put it in a shed or something and run an airhose to where you paint. It will be almost silent that way and will also do anything else you might need a compressor to do.
Mike
It sounds like the Campbell one will be the ticket. I’ve been relegated to the garage for all my hobby interests since adding tax deduction number three. I actually removed my garage door and put in a regular doorway since the garage was just too small for a car. It’s perfect for hobbying though. I run a table saw in there with no complaints from the family so noise shouldn’t be an issue. Thanks for the input. Maybe I can post a picture of my hobby room setup down the road.