I was wondering if anyone knew where I might find a quality low pressure guage for airbrushing use. The one on my little compressor is a 0-160 psi, so it’s not the most precise in the low psi range. I was looking for something around 0-50 psi with 1 psi marks or somesuch.
Anyone know of any out there that wouldn’t break the bank?
Thanks.
Dixie Art has Paasche R-75 regulator / filter for $37.95. It looks like a pretty good one, I was thinking about getting it to. My compressor is about 50’ from where I paint and it would be nice to have another regulator at my bench.
Details of the R-75 are here:
http://www.paascheairbrush.com/accessories_3.html#r75
and the Dixie Art page is here:
http://www.dixieart.com/MiscAccessories.html#anchor89730
(the regulator is about halfway down the page)
I don’t know how good it is but Airbrush Depot has this one for $29.98
http://airbrush-depot.com/scripts/depot.exe?pgm=brushgate.bbx
Scroll down near the bottom of the page.
Mike
I picked one up at our local auto parts/auto paint store 0-100psi, very solid little regulator cost under $30.00.
Hmmmmm that one looks awfully familiar, couldnt be…yupp same one I ordered.[;)]
Did you get it yet Chris?
Mike
Sure did I would rate them up there with Dixie Art as far as turn around time and service. Im sorry I thought I told you when I got it…anyways Ive had it for a while it works great, and was a good price. A C&H Combo moisture trap/regulator was the same price at WALFART but I dont really care for C&H products…
Hello happy compressor rebuilders
I purchased an airbrush compressor but it had regulators and gauges that ran on a range of 0 to 170 psi; problem is that this kind of stuff is the most precise around the middle of its range; so I went to a specialized shop in my city where they sold me two gauges for 11 Euros each (around $14) and for the price they were filled with glycerin oil, which seems to make them more precise ( the only precaution is that they must work vertically as there is kind of vent you must open and oil could spill if the gauge was horizontal ) . All this to say that if I can find it in my city of 500 000, and at a very fair price, I think you can find it in your country. Another thing though: it’s not enough to change your gauge, you also have to change the spring of your pressure regulator as to gain accuracy and not to damage your gauge. If you are interested in this way, I can give you the url of a site where you can calculate your new spring. All in all, two gauges and two tailored springs : around $ 85 so around $ 43 for one of each. ANd it works: now my compressor releases 0 to 36 psi.
try this site (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/productdetail.jsp?xi=xi&ItemId=1611663913&ccitem=). you can search for other gauges on this site as well. later
Chris,
Only one problem with Grainger though…actually two, first, you have to have a business license to buy from them, although they do make exceptions from time to time.
Secondly, they tend to be much higher priced than other places.
Mike
the gauge on that link is only $5.97. i have a grainger about an hour from where i live and have bought things from them from time to time and they never asked for a buisiness license.
That’s good news Chris.
I have a Grainger about 2 miles from me and when I went in there once they said they do not sell to the public. All I wanted was a fitting or something and the guy said he could sell that to me no problem. Maybe with their bigger items they are more strict or maybe they have changed their policy. I don’ know.
Mike
well, ya know mike, i am a big dog contractor![(-D]i have a big dog contractor’s license from the state of alabama ya know! so when i flash this plastic card in there face they just [bow]! i gots the respect my friend. then i woke up!!![:D] later.
There’s a Grainger here, and while they are pretty high on most things they are reasonable on others. Ive never been asked for a business license though, of course I would gladly provide mine.
I really dont deal with Grainger a whole lot.
Check out your local auto supply store or your nearest Sears store. I’ve seen some really reasonably priced guages in both locations.
For what it’s worth I was in HomeDepot today and saw a regulator for $19.95. It had a cheesy little gauge, but in a standard size that could be replaced with a good one if desired. I didn’t notice how low it will go (probably around 10 lbs) but it went up to 160 lbs so the adjustment probably won’t be that fine. But, it was cheap!
I bought the APD-20 miniguage, regulator with moisture trap from Airbrush Depot and am satisfied with it. One admontion - it doesn’t come with instructions and it’s use is not necessarily intuitive. After some experimenting and cursing, I now have it set up properly and it does regulate well on my Badger 180-11 compressor. One other thing, the connector that came with the kit that connects the regulator to the airbrush hose had a miniscule pinhole in the hex part. Airbrush Depot promptly sent me a new one, but I still spent time (and curses) pinpointing (no pun intended) the problem.
I bought a gauge at walmart for about $12. it is fom campbell 0-160 lb but works great for airbrushing
I picked up a trap/regular/gauge setup from Sears… and it does fine although its a little like you guys mentioned… its not the most precise at low end. Those gauges you guys posted look kind of interesting. How have they worked out for everybody?