NEED SERIOUS HELP! URGENT!

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
21

Please look at my first response to you. There are two ‘hot links’ to two compressors made for airbrushing which I thought might fit the needs of a 13 year old (or anyone who didn’t want to make a major investment in a compressor for airbrushing). Both are reasonably quiet/inexpensive. I used the Harbor Freight one for over three years without problems - I know it works. I have also used my Home Depot ‘Husky’ 3 gal contractor compressor but it is just too loud for MY airbrushing needs - but it works fine. Both the HF and Home Depot are in a similar priced range. If you can afford a more expensive one, Keilau posted a link to the Sparmax Stormforce -a great compressor for airbrushing. My choice would not be the contractor type compressor even though they do work for airbrushing because they are noisy whether from WalMart, Lowes, Home Depot or whatever.

People here are trying to help you - and to help a little more, here’s a link to some youtube videos on Painting Model Aircraft.

I’m sure everyone here hopes that you become a valuable resource for others new to the hobby. As I said earlier, I would like t see you get some tools that make you a happy modeler - I’ve made some recommendations and posted links. If you don’t like them that’s fine too!

22

Alright, since everyone is saying they need info, I will give some.

It has to:

Work for a long amount of time, in minimum, 3 or 4 years and It has to be as cheap as possible

23

So the amount of noise is not an issue?

24

TDP on Ebay, I buy my compressors and airbrushes from them, great to do business with prices are good usually better then anyone else, plus you can get a brush and comp in one package deal with free shipping and no taxes.

25

I don’t think you’ll find anything that will fit your needs/wants any less expensive than THIS. Airbrush is an Iwata HP-C copy warranted for 1 year; compressor is guaranteed for 2 years and combo is $89.99 shipped to your house. There’s a review of the airbrush HERE.

26

Wow, that is a pretty good deal.

27

No, noise is not really an issue, but the quieter the better, but if its loud, well, i’m in my basement.

28

And bick, thanks, holy moly is that thing cheap, and I can get it in under 4 months! And nothing can beat that warranty!

29

“holy moly is that thing cheap,” Those may well be your exact words not long after you get it too. At least the compressor has a 2 yr warranty…That airbrush is definitely something I’d stay away from… by the sounds of it I think it has great potential - to provide endless amounts of frustration (particularly for newcomers to airbrushing). No doubt a very inexpensive combo, but if it’s going to be the source of a lot of hair-pulling, I think I’d save up a few more bucks first and use the time in the interim to do more research. I definitely understand not wanting to spend more than you have to, but going too cheap runs the risk of souring your interest in the hobby forever.

30

Lowes had this compressor for $50 right after Christmas. I know they still had a few as recently as late Feb.

These also come in handy as an occasional tire inflator.

31

In some ways this is like describing the color blue to a blind man; it can be done but you’ll never know how much it helps, until you try.

To try to sum up:

1 you want an airbrush and a compressor

2 Money is an issue (your not alone there)

3 noise is less of a problem as you building in a basement

4 you’re asking for advice on a combinations of airbrush and compressor.

…My thoughts ( they are worth exactly what you’ve paid for them)

1 &2

buy the best quality equipment you can afford for now; knowing that, with experience and time you will, likely “move up”. Thus at a later date, because your new knowledge level and exuberance will be your guides.

Cheapest compressors = no reservoir tank, no pressure gauge, no moisture trap, no adapter for the hose connection etc. etc.

As price goes up more of those items will be included or readily available as add-ons for a discount.

Result: look for deals/sales/ combinations on the internet and/or at brick and mortar stores for a compressor having as much as you can get toward your current “ideal set up”

3

noise is an issue as time goes on. So the quieter the compressor ( or use of a sound dreading cabinet or ??) will pay dividends in your future, as you age ( truefully we have-despite our denials) . Besides, how you gonna hear your tunes if the compressor is too loud?

4

So gather facts from the web sites of manufacturers of compressors and air brushes ; make up a file so you can compare apples to apples and then look for the deals at your price range. then with those facts you can ask things of the forum about specific items

Never the less, you are starting what is going to be a grand experience of learning and doing and getting to share with others what you have done; all the while getting better and better.

We are all rooting for you and want you to succeed.[;)]

“Tools do not make a craftsman, but a craftsman makes the best of his tools, to create his art”

32

All prior info is good input and suggestions.

I bought my compressor / tank combination at a Schucks Auto Parts store, Sunday paper ad sale price was about US $40.00, goes up to 90psi, pressure regulator included. Nice feature is a valve located on the bottom, when done spraying opening the valve releases pressure directly downward, taking most water or residual mist with it. Then I leave the valve open until next use, tank can then completely dry internally. That prevents rust forming on the interior. Water trap is installed downstream in air outflow hose.

You’ll find the absence of moisture and the steady flow of air to be among the most critical items in spraying, a simple diaphram compressor puts out “pulses” of air. On a spray pass of any length, you would see a wavy pattern of alternating narrow / wide dimensions, the tank allows for a consistent air flow pressure at the airbrush.

My setup is small, inexpensive and has worked without problems for several years, as long as what you buy has the right components, it doesn’t need to be a sophisticated name brand. Just a suggestion.

Patrick

33

I just picked this up from TCP Global. The complete kit cost $119.00 including airbrush with three sizes of needles. It included free next day shipping. It also comes with a 2 year warranty.

It is surprisingly quiet, especially compared to my porter cable 6 gallon oiless.

34

I got one of this from Northern Tools in Minnesota and it tested out quite well. It does not run as cool as the twin piston compressor from better brands, but is a very good deal for the money. With TCP’s 2 years warranty, it should serve the modeler well. Here is the post about my test of the unit in 2011.