Harbour freight has these for $99.00 shipped. Has anyone ever used it?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34843
Umax,
I’ve used these little compressors becore - they are useful and serviceable, but there are several things that I don’t like -
- They emit a “pulsed” airflow - not a smooth stream of air, because of the direct flow through the compressor. Therefore, the paint comes out of the gun in little "spurts"and not an even flow.
- They are “always on” while spraying.
- They are too small to do extensive work.
I use a much larger system - one with a small holding tank - the compressor fills the tank, and the gun draws from the tank, ensuring a smooth flow to the gun.
Also, the compressor fills the holding tank and then switches off - andn only comes on again when a preset low level is reached - saves on wear and tear to have the machine running only when it needs to run.
Do yourself a favor - get a larger system with a holding tank - it’s more expensive and a little noisier, but it’s more flexible and will last longer - I’m kicking myself for buying a $200 diaphragm pump and fighting with it for years when I could have bought a $300 larger system that would have lasted years longer. Doh!!
Cheers,
LeeTree
Most of those Harbor Freight compressors are junk really. It may work for a while but the way I look at it is why spend $99 on something that will most likely be replaced in a year?
I would recommend you spend double that price and get this one instead:
http://dixieart.com/TC2000.html
If that is too much money for you then my second choice would be this Scorpion I unit from Silentaire:
http://dixieart.com/Silentaire_Scorpion_Compressors.html
Also keep an eye out at Ebay for an airbrush compressor because I have seen some great deals thete before on even well-made silent compressors like Sil-Air and Jun-Air.
Mike
I agree with Lee Tree. Buy a compressor that has a reservoir tank. That way the compressor doesn’t run all the time — much more family friendly…… I got a 2 hp model with a 6 gal. tank. The compressor will run once or twice during a 2-3 hour painting session. I installed a brass shut-off valve between the regulator and the compressor too. Air was bleeding through the air brush when it wasn’t being used. This caused the compression to run more than it should.
Home Depot and Lowes have several models in the $200 range. They come with a regulator and moisture trap. They are small enough to at least be luggable (fairly easily moved).
Watch for sales.
Jim
I concur with the others.
Go to Lowes or Home Depot, Sears, etc.
You can get a 1-1.5 HP compressor with a 3-4 gallon tank for $150-200 depending on the brand. It will have a regulator already on it and all you’ll need is a moisture trap which isn’t much.
The best setup you can use, steady air flow and moisture free!
Eric
I found a nice little compressor at a local hardware store with a 2 gallon tank and a 1/3HP motor. Its super quiet too. Should that be good enough? The price is right (about $80CDN) but I am thinking of spending another $50 for a 1-1/2HP with a 2 gallon tank… but I don’t know if it would be necessary or not. Advice?
What brand is it? If it is the Cambell-Hausfeld ‘Quiet Compressor’ I would pass on it. They don’t last from reports I have heard.
The size of that compressor is fine for modelling but I don’t know how long it will last. Most of the cheaper compressors tend to live a short life.
The difference that the 1-1/2 hp motor will make is that it will fill the tank much faster than the 1/3 hp.
Mike
It’s some no-name brand… something like power-fist or something like that. The chain is Canadian, called “Princess Auto”. I know that a 1-1/2 would fill the tank faster… but I guess if life expectancy may be an issue maybe I should go with the “big” one because it wouldn’t be running as much. Damn, I hate being a newbie and confused! 
You are correct on that. [:D]
The longer they run the shorter their life, so the bigger motor model may far outlast the smaller one. But then again it may not. [;)]
Mike