i need a air-compressor for my airbrush

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

i got sent a badger 175 cresendo airbrush from Julez72

and i need a airhose and air-compressor for it, any suggestions?

my LHS recomends they Sparmax AC-100 - $259.95 AUD

2

Shop around:

http://hobbiesrus.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=851&osCsid=f9497d2eb3aa3c009599f9a5131be09a

http://www.hobbytools.com.au/prod1275.htm

http://www.hobbyco.com.au/product/show_item.php?plu=SPAC100

http://www.stanbridges.com.au/shop.AC100

Note that the prices quoted on these sites don’t include shipping - you should factor that in.

A suitable air hose will cost less than $20.00

(All of the sites listed above are Australian - prices in $AUD)

3

thanks, the guy in my LHS suggested i could try air tank things?

4

My shop compressor is wearing out- bad rod knock. I am seriously thinking about CO2. I know we have had some discussions of CO2 on this group before. I guess I worry a little about getting the right regulator or at least the reverse thread adapters. But it sure sounds attractive to me- quietest option, anyway :slight_smile:

I know at work our graphics department had several setups for airbrushes using CO2.

5

In addition to the high price at your LHS, this Sparmax AC-100 is a continuous run compressor. It is a poor choice to pick one without the auto-on-off switch. I consider an “auto-on-off switch” feature a must have for airbrush use.

You may want to look at the Sparmax 501A. Notice the pressure sensor switch in black color.

6

Give TCP a try…they have good stuff and reasonable prices.

7

Hey Don,

I use nitrogen for airbrushing. No compressor noise, no moisture trap and a bottle lasts quite awhile. Find a welding supply store for your regulator. I use nitrogen for all the above reasons plus I get it really cheap…[;)]

8

To the OP: perhaps an alternative is a tank system instead of a compressor?

I recently moved to CO2 , and find it very conducive to painting. Quiet, fast, easy and VERY adjustable for pressure settings. I moved from a single stage piston compressor with no regulator so I’m loving the change. I had an advantage tho, I already had all of the expensive stuff (tank & regulator) from my beer brewing hobby.

As to adaptors, I took my airbrush and beer tank hoses to the big box hardware store and played withthe fiddly bits until I got something that worked. As I recall, I did end up standing in the dispensing aisle of the beer brewing supplies store for a bit as well.

Ultimately I want to get a multiple tap distribution valve so that I can have multiple airbrushes hooked up at once. Unfortunatley Ive got different terminal connections on my two existing brushes.

Don: if you can get to 100 and Excelsior in St Louis Park with 30 minutes to spare, check out Midwest Brewing, they will have everything you need. I’d guess about $ 150 for your tank, regulator and assorted adaptors.

9

If you have a Harbor Freight store near you, they sell a six port airbrush set w/ regulator…I guess it was meant for T-shirt or other kinds of artwork. comes with 6 airbrushes with hoses…around $150…on sale alot too. They also have every kind of air fitting or adapter you could think of. Ive been putting off buying it...tried making my own multi-port manifold from parts at work but doesnt work quite right…may have to buy it next time its on sale. I have one o the A/Bs that come with the set…looks like a Badger knock-off and works well…I use that one for spraying Future and does a fine job.

10

they have a 1/5 hp compressor with auto on/off, pressure adj, moisture trap and quiet as can be for $85+/-

11

Yep…waiting for that to go on sale too…lol. Looks like a solid little compressor.