has anyone tried the HF oiless compressors? these are the two that i’m looking at:
1/5 HP
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-5-hp-58-psi-compressor-and-airbrush-kit-95630.html
1/8HP
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-8-eighth-hp-40-psi-oilless-airbrush-compressor-93657.html
I’m new to airbrushing and want to try it out but don’t have money to go all out with expensive equipment, which led me to HF. Any thoughts on these models?
I have been using the 1/8 hp for about 20 months now. I really like the air regulator and moisure trap on this one.
The 1/5 hp is probable just as good and you get a cheap airbrush with it. I have read that these airbrushes are not the best quality, but good to start with. I have a Badger 150 and the 1/8 hp seems to work fine. I did about 2-3 hours of airbrushing this last weekend without any problems.
My 1/8 hp only goes to 30 psi, eventhough is says it will do 40 psi, but I usually spray at 15-20 psi and use 30 to clean with.
The 1/8 hp is obviously less powerful, but it’s probably a better bet than the 1/5 - the 1/5 is a bleed regulated compressor, which mean that when you switch it on, it’s on continuously until physically switched off, whereas the 1/8 compressor has an auto on/off “system”, which means that it will only come on when there is a demand for air (when you press the airbrush trigger).
I agree with milairjunkie. I have the 1/8 HP and a friend has the 1/5 HP kit. The regulator on the 1/5 HP is a bleed regulator; it too has an auto off switch that only works if you don’t try to reduce the pressure below its maximum otherwise it runs continuously when you adjust the pressure to spray. The 1/8 HP only runs when pressure drops below its preset max, independent of what pressure you spray at. Other than that the two are similar. I quite like the 1/8 HP one - with a 0.35 mm nozzle I can get a little over 30 PSI which is fine for me. Don’t dismiss the ‘cheap’ airbrush - I bought one after I saw the one my friend got with the kit. Maybe I just got a good one but it works well and for $20 ($15 on sale) and a 20% off coupon I think it’s a real steal (and, please, I don’t want the wrath of people who disagree with me). My HF airbrush works well.
Bob
The HF compressors come with a 90 days warranty. And the manual says 500 hours operational life. It does not mean that the compressor will die after 90 days or 500 hours of running. But…
It is worth taking a look at the Airbrush Depot TC-20 compressor that comes with a 2 years warranty for $80. There is no indication whether there is any difference in quality from the HF ones. But you get a slightly longer peace of mind for the same price.
If you can wait, save the money to buy a Sparmax. If you know that you are modeling for the long haul, it is worth the investment. My first compressor was made in China and I bought another one last year for test. Both ran quietly, but the cylinder heads are much hotter than that of a Sparmax or Iwata. Heat is the worst enemy to small oilless compressors.
If you can go a few extra dollars… I would recommend the TC-20T
My wife and I have been using it for years and love it. The tank really makes a difference.
Order it on Ebay and you can save $20 of shipping cost.
Great! Thanks for the input and alternate suggestion!
been using my harbor freight unit for almost a year with zero problems.
Both of these are on sale with $10 off at Harbor Freight. They offer 90-days warranty.
Compare them with those with a 2-years warranty before making the final decision.
I may be a little to this thread but from what I see, the harbor freight compressors and the TC-20T are the same thing, look at em, look exactly the same to me.
I have the 1/5 harbor frieght compressor, works perfectly fine for me, and the airbrush is not bad at all, works good for me.
I think that you mean the TC-20 without the tank. They look the same and priced the same. The difference is in the length of warranty. 2-years for the TC-20 and 90-days for the HF. If you buy another one today, which one will you pick?
How quiet are the HF models and the TC-20T compared to say the Iwata Sprint/Smart Jet series?
Thank you
I do not have access to HF or Iwata compressor. The following comment applies to TC-20 compressor made by Fengdua Bida in China and Sparmax brand compressors. Sparmax mades the Iwata Spring/Smart/Power Jet series of compressors. There is no information on who makes the HF, which changed appearance several times over time.
They are all reasonably quiet that you can carry on a normal conversation without raising your voice. I estimate that the noise level is about 56-58 dB range. The TC-20 noise is a little higher pitch than the Sparmax, but not louder. The Iwata/Sparmax compressors are known to keep quiet over long time use. The long term durability of the Bida compressors is an unknown.
Another difference is the temperature of the compressor when running. The TC-20 runs quite hot and the Iwata runs much cooler. Cool running compressor will last longer and keep quiet longer.
If you are considering an Iwata compressor, look at the Power Jet series. The Spring Jet has no auto-on-off. The Spring and Smart Jet use a bleed air type pressure regulator that does not work too well at very low pressure. We, modelers, tend to airbrush at lower pressure often.
Thanks for the response. I went head and ordered the TC-20.
Let us know how noisy it gets. Best wishes.
Got the compressor today. It’s not loud at all. Very pleased.
Just bought this same unit from Harbor Freight, model 93657, cant get the brush going. I’m adjusting the pressure regulator to limit air flow but the automatic shutoff still triggers even when limited air is going. Any how-to’s with this unit & brush?