Hi everyone, I’ve been modeling since I was like 8, but never too seriously. Im 16 now and I’m really starting to get into it. Ive been looking at airbrushes and compressors and I’d like to know what I need for this compressor to be able to use and airbrush with it.
The Craftsman compressor you are looking at should work very well for you. I have one of it’s bigger brothers and it works fine (if I were only using it for modeling, I would go with the smaller unit). The only problem is you have to realize those things are noisy, so if you get one, try to place it as far away from your modeling area as space and family will allow. (at one time I kept the compressor under my work bench. It came on one morning about 2 am when I was doing some plastic carving with an Exacto knife. Still have the scars - went out the next morning and bought a 50" hose and moved the compressor to the other side of the basement)
Ohhh, I didnt even think about the noise factor. I will be able to move it though.
I assume that the Paasche one would be much more quieter??
How does the Paasche VL work?
Thanks for the input.
that Craftsman is an oil-lubed. It will not be as noisy as the common oilless compressors. It’s got some strong hum to it, but it’s nowhere near the screeeeeeeeeaaaam that you’ve probably heard from other compressors. That compressor is one of my top picks for model airbrushing duty. You’ll have to change its oil about every four months. I got an oil-lubed one that’s a little bigger than that. I’m glad I did.
By the nature of the beast, a smaller air compressor is usually quieter. However, I personally wouldn’t have a compressor that isn’t hooked up to a tank of some sort. Those that lack reservoirs tend to “surge” or pulse when in use and you really don’t have much control on the pressure output to the airbrush.
I’m not sure that Sears has a smaller compressor, but if it doesn’t, try here http://harborfreight.com
I’ve used a Binks Wren for airbrushing for years and love it. However, the parts support for Binks seems to be becoming non existant and the fact my wife gave me a VL for Christmas means I’m switching. So far I like the VL and if someone asks would reccommend it.
I got one quick question about Craftsman compressors:
My dad bought one of the monster compressors with the 15 gallon tank that goes up to like 150 psi. Obviously I won’t use the 150 psi but the tank would be great. Only problem is the hook-up. There is a quick release fitting on the tank that goes to another connector which connects to the hose. But the quick release/hose connector has a female thread set-up. The hose for my airbrush also has a female thread set-up. I’ll see if I could put up a picture tommorow to explain.
My question- Does Craftsman make a male-male adapter for a 1/4 inch fitting to convert the quick release/hose connector from female to male set-up?
Tiger - you can get the 1/4 x 1/4 NPT adapters anywhere aircompressors are sold… they cost about $1.00, even Wal Mart has them…
Ritz -If you want something a bit smaller the ones at Wal Mart and Lowes work great (2.5 HP, 2 gal tank) I have one from Lowes and while at first it seemd a bit loud it doesnt bother me at all now and my wife said she never is bothered by it when she is watching TV and such… oh… and they cost about $60.00 or so…
of course at 2am if it came on I imagine I would have some scars to show for it too… hobby knife or no!!! I am sure she would put them on me!! haha [;)]
A moisture trap and regulator is almost a must-have…the Craftsman compressor comes with a regulator, though you may not have as fine of control as you’d wish. Looks like the compressor with the Paasche kit has one, too. You’ll have to add a moisture trap.
I bought that very Craftsman compressor off e-Bay from a “salvage” trader. What happened is that the compressor was missing an item (plastic cover over gage) that wasn’t critical to operation. Someone returned it, then Sears sold the items off for fractions of their original retail price. Traders buy this stuff up, test it, then resell. I bought it for $48 or so; the dealer happened to be here in my city (Cincinnati) so I picked it up.
Yes, it’s a bit noisy, but it works great. Mine wants to “walk” on my concrete basement floow, so I put a small piece of carpet under it, now it doesn’t. My autistic son thought it was hilarious when the compressor would walk into my desk.
I’ve got the Craftsman 4 gallon compressor and love it a lot! Yes there is a good hum when it comes on but when I have the tank filled I can airbrush several models with it. In fact, last night I airbrushed AlClad on a 1/48 P-51. When I came upstairs I said to my wife (who was sitting in the living room DIRECTLY above me), “I hope I didn’t stink up the house with my airbrushing.” She said “I didn’t even know you WERE airbrushing!”
Correct me if I’m wrong guys but you could probably pick one up at Walmart. I’ve never looked for one at Sears so I couldn’t tell you if they carried them or not. I know I should probably get one but I don’t have one on my set-up. I just never really had problems with moisture. I know. Never say never. Otherwise my guess would be you could pick one up at most any hardware store.
My Craftsman makes a fair bit of noise, but it’s not like an F-14 flying over a treetop level. I did find a solution to make my compressor totally silent: I turned it off and bought a huge CO2 cylinder. Ha ha…[(-D]
I have that craftsman compressor and I use it at 2 or 3 am in the garage all the time. I had the wife walk up the street and she couldnt hear it past our yard. But our house is older block home and we have a slightly larger then normal lot…but I still think you would be fine.