I bought this baby brand new for $85 + tax. The homepage of the manufacturer-Campbell Hausfeld (http://www.chpower.com) lists retail as $109.
The moisture trap (I got it from Testors)-$60.
This compressor was designed for typical residential use such as painting walls or inflating tires, but that’s good because the buyer doesn’t get ripped off just for the satisfaction of buying from an established hobby firm such as Paasche.
Anyway, this device features a tank for storing the compressed air. The compressor kicks in automatically at intervals when it senses that the pressure in the tank has dropped too low, but 90% of the time, when you’re airbrushing, all you hear is the hiss of air from the airbrush. No constant rattling of the compressor which is as close as you get to a true silent compressor without paying $600. Also, your flow of air is even, constant and it doesn’t pulsate.
A couple of gauges show the pressure inside the tank and the exit pressure (the actual pressure in your airbrush). There is a pressure regulator knob for controlling the flow of air and a safety valve for emergency pressure release if the compressor kicked in and then failed to stop due to some problem.
Moisture that collects in the storage tank is something to be aware of so a good moisture trap is a must. Also, there is a water release valve in the bottom of the tank. Once in a while (once a week maybe) you can use it to drain the water off-if necessary.
Those are a nice little unit, but just make sure you don’t run it for long periods of time as they have a reputation for dying young if worked too hard. [;)]
CH makes some good stuff, just be careful about running it too long.
BTW, why pay $60 for the trap when you could pick up one from the same manufacturer (CH) for less than $20?
Just remember, they’re only ripping us off if we pay that price for their wares. For good compressor parts and accy’s, try Lowes or other hardware stores. They usually have most of the stuff in stock, and are much cheaper.
Blast you Monster, that’s the route I’m triyng to convince my wife I need to take!!
I’ve been away from this board too long
Harbor Freight sells a Central Pneumatic, very similar to this model, with two nailguns, hoses, vapor trap, pressure regulator, and nails, for $80 on sale about once a year. I’m praying my wife’s in a generous mood this year
Harbor Freight also sells the CH products, and the trap’s usually on sale for around $15. Some of HF’s tools are truly cheap, but if you’re carfeul, you can get some really great deals on quality equipment.
i build houses for a living so i use air compressors and many more tools quite extensively and i’m just down right leary of C&H quality and harbor frieght products. i’m friends with another contractor that owns many C&H tools that he bought very cheaply when he first started out a couple of years ago and its all coming apart on him now. ive had 2 emglo compressors going on 6 years now without a lick of trouble. yeah, he saved a truck load of money by purchasing what he thought was good tools at a cheap price, but now he’s spending the money over again in 2 years. i spent 3 times what he did on my 2 emglo, but i did it once! my emglo’s may die tomorrow, but they show no sign of quitting anytime soon. these jewels have been dropped by my employee’s, rained on overnight, tossed to and fro on the back of my pickup and everything else. its the same way with any other tool out there. i’d rather pay extra if i know that the product i’m buying is of excellent quality and will last and stand up to the riggers of heavy use. on the other side of the coin, i wouldn’t pay the price that badger, iwata, or paashe is asking for a stinking air compressor. i agree with you on that one, thats truely a rip off just because they can type thing. i hope your C&H product serves you well my friend. ModelMann, beware of those tools from harbor frieght, they may be ok for weekend warior type stuff, but if you’re gonna use it extensively, i’d opt for something else. i’ve tried many different types of nail guns, but you simply cant beat the simplicity, availability, ruggedness, and durability of a stanley/bostich nail gun. for trim work, i prefer the dewalt trim gun. for brads, i’d go back to the stanley/bostich. for air compressor, i’d stay away from C&H if i were you. later.
Thanks for the info Salty…yeah, I know the stuff at HF is cheap, but I keep a sharp eye on the price vs. performance. For modellers, the 2Gal unit aforementioned would do the job nicely…just put it outdoors to let it regen.
I mentioned the nail guns only because it was offered. I wouldn’t use 'm on a job site, but for the occasional nailing job, every once in a blue moon, sure doesn’t hurt to have 'm free.
And yes, the Badger/Paasche/blah compressors aren’t that great…I own one. It’s decent, but I’m dying for my chance to get 2Gal of straight air pressure
My Jun-Air keeps blowing fuses and I don’t know what the problem is so I may have to return to using my Craftsman 1-1/2 hp 12 gal tank compressor again. [V]
Hey Monster i got one of those compressors also and it works great! i got mine at Wally World for 59.95 plus tax plus a moisture trap for 11.95 plus tax[^][don’t mean to rub it in too bad,sorry] it’s not quite what you would call silent but i’m banished to the basement for my modeling,heh heh heh. just slip some food under the door and an occasional six pack!
