I have a Paasche D500 compressor that I bought 7 or 8 years ago, and it is starting to die. So I’ve been looking for a replacement compressor. (BTW I use it with an Iwata Eclipse airbrush).
Have any of you ever used a compressors that were not made by Badger, Iwata, Paasche, etc? For example, at Harbor Freight I found several different compressors that were like 1-2 HP, zero - 100+ PSI, and had storage tanks as well. They start for as low as $59.99! Here is a page that has several listed:
What do you guys think about these non-model company compressors? Would they work for airbrushing models? Would you try one of these or pay 4-5 times the price for a similair model from Iwata or Paasche?
Is there some obvious reason not to try these that I’m over looking? I’d really appreciate your experiences and thoughts on this.
Most of the stuff at Harbor Freight are cheap knockoffs, and there would be a question about longevity. Now it could be that they work just fine and last for 2 or 3 years, and that might be worth the price of replacements. There is not reason they wouldn’t work for airbrushes, as long as they push out air. Airbrushes don’t really care where the air comes from, as long as it it clean and dry.
These come up pretty often as a question on the forums, and so far people either haven’t bothered to get them, or they haven’t come back and gave us a report.
U use a craftsman air compressor in the garage. I just turn it way down with a regulator and filter drier. My airbrush even came with a coupler to connect it to the compressor hose.
I have a cheapo 2.5hp compressor works well for the last 18mnths, but they are noisy so I just fill up the tank and turn it off. The tank lasts at least 3-4 models in the 1/72- 1/35 ranges. My 350 scale yamato hull took about half the tank
Yeah, why overpay? I use a compressor I built myself 15 years ago and it still works. The heart of it is a compressor module hacked out of an old italian refrigerator. Very quiet, capable of high pressures and I got it for free. It sits in an aluminium frame (for free) connected to a pressure switch (another freebie). It’s set to maintain pressure in 0.2 - 0.4 MPa range. Ten years ago it started to run a little hot, so I refilled the oil and it was OK again. The air volume is OK for airbrushes up to Paashe VL, the additional air tank is not necessary (the module housing plus extra line length do the compensation) and using Humbrols I didn’t have any problems with the oil residue neither. I say you don’t get any better compressor even if you pay a lot of money.
With the cheap compressors the problems you SOMETIMES get are lack of spare parts and excessive noise. So if you watch for theese, you should be OK. Happy modelling and have a nice day
Neither of my compressors was made by an airbrush company. I have a Sears general purpose compressor in the garage with a T fitting and a pipe through the wall into my shop. However, since I have to go upstairs and turn on the compressor when I want to paint, and I am lazy, I bought a cheapie one-gallon compressor from Menards for fifty bucks. I put a regulator in the line of the one from the garage so I can adjust pressure from my workbench. I have a dryer/water trap on both lines.
Both work fine as airbrush compressors. All you need is proper pressure and flow rate. Airbrushes require very low airflow rate so almost ANY general purpose compressor will put out enough flow rate. Pressure for airbrush is also low compared to what ordinary compressors put out.
Thanks for the replys so far. From what I’ve read here, the cheaper compressors are noisier, may not last as long, and probably can’t find spare parts.
What I don’t understand, however, is why the AB companies give you 1/8 the horsepower, 1/4 - 1/3 of the PSI, and yet charge 3 to 4 times the price of the general purpose compressors? Are you just paying for the name, or are they really that much quieter, and last longer?
I bought a Work Bench Series air compressor from my local automotive parts store. I picked up the reduction valve and necessary connector at a hobby shop. I have used it for more than 20 years. It is one of the best $125 investments I ever made.
I use a Home Depot private branded Campbell-Hausfield compressor. It is noisy, but I overcame that by plumbing a line through the wall into the mancave, and it is in a well ventilated and rainproof box outside. I can barely hear it. It’s been there for over four years, now.
The answers to your questions are:
Airbrushes don’t need 100 psi and 2 HP. However, I can use my compressor for other purposes than supplying air to my airbrush, something I can’t do with a “dedicated” compressor.
Yes, you’re paying for the name.
Yes, they are quieter, if you live in an apartment they are a better choice.
They used to, but I suspect that the low end stuff is just that, low end stuff.
Low-PSI stuff are easier to adjust finely (might make a difference to the skilled artist), but are harder to make.
Low sales-volume airbrush-work usually use different standards for connectors etc than high sales-volume general-purpose compressors.
Airbrush companies are about airbrushes and don’t really want to sell compressors (compressors are a totally different product from airbrushes). They offer some, more or less for appearances, at a price that discourage customers from buying them. The customers that do buy them require support and follow-up etc, that the AB companies outsource to compresor suppliers. With an overhead.
I have been using this Senco PC1010 for about three years now, 1 HP, 1 Gal, and I love it! It’s compact, the tank is just the right size for my needs, I can use it for non-AB stuff when I want, and I picked it up new for about $100. Already has a pressure regulator; all I added was a Campbell Hausefiled moisture trap from HD (I have never actually seen any moisture IN the trap). It does make some noise (about 69db I’m told), but nothing so objectionable that I have to move it outside (an AB compressor makes about 49db for comparison). It only runs a couple of minutes to fill the tank anyway and kicks in for a few seconds every now and then to keep it toppped off. No biggie. Even if I lived in an apartment it would be fairly simple to build a little sound-dampening enclosure for it. It’s a heck of a lot more compressor for the money than anything the AB guys sell.
I use a Sears Craftsman compressor, too, 3 gallon tank, 1 HP compressor motor. I bought it specifically as a dual-use, I can set it to psi settings in the airbrush range (Paasche VL is my brush) but also use it with pneumatic tools, too.
I did think about building my own, as one of the earlier posts described, and as was featured in FSM several years ago, but in the end, I decided that by the time I gathered the components, particularly to track down a motor, it was easier to buy the Sears rig (on sale, of course).
After considering using a non-AB compressor, I chose an AB compressor. The reason was that it was (1) quiet (2) smaller, which was very important to me since I build at different locations in the home (3) all in one package, which included the hose, the water trap, the PSI gauge, and the airbrush holder built into the compressor (4) the smart auto-shutoff, which shuts the compressor down when it senses that I’m not spraying (5) some non-AB compressor carry a strong odor, either of oil or old paint, and (6) less heat build up.
I even considered the CO2 tank, but storage and recertifying the tank every couple of years was an issue.
They even put it on sale for $59.00 a couple times a year! I have no problems with it, I shoot either a Badger 100LG or a 155 anthem (so both gravity and siphon feed) with no difficulty.
I have a 5 gallon Porter Cable shop compressor I use sometimes (during the day), but even in the garage, if I am airbrushing late at night, Wife likes it much better if I use the smaller compressor. It is about as loud as a sewing machine, and can’t be heard in the house with the door between garage and house closed.
I have 2 compressors I peyed less than 100.00 for both one is a 3gal pancake compressor I bought back in 2005 the other one I got at the NAPA store here in town 80.00 both put out 125lbs of pressure. I just turn down the regulator to around 4lbs and spray spray spray. You should be ok with an off brand compressor. GOOD LUCK ACESES5[proplr]
The reliability issue may be true of the little accessory compressors, but NOT for the general purpose tank-type compressors. Many of them have the standard 1700 rpm motors, turn relatively slowly, and last a long time. For brands like Sears Craftsman and CH you likely WILL be able to find parts, but they are quite reliable. Look into one of those little portable one gallon tank models. GP compressors ARE noisy, though compared to some of the quiet airbrush compressors.
I’ve used the same 3/4 hp Craftsman compressor for over 20 years. There’s no tank, but it has a built in regulator with up to 100 lbs. pressure. It cost me about $100 way back then.
I use the exact same compressor. I’ve never seen any moisture in my trap either. I do drain my tank regularly. I will have moisture in my tank, but hey, I live on the Louisiana coast. My hugemidity is 110% during the dry season. LOL
Plus, you can use it around the house. Works great for airing up the tires. Light weight, easy to carry.
I’m also using the Senco PC1010 compressor. I did a lot of research before deciding this had the overall best mix of price, performance, size, and noise for my needs. Got mine for $100 shipped. It puts out plenty of air for airbrushing, and as mentioned by others, is also useful around the house and garage for topping off tires and other small pneumatic chores. It’s relatively compact and stores away easily in the closet when I’m not using it. Best of all, compared to typical shop compressors, it’s very quiet and the neighbors don’t complain (I live in an apartment). Great little compressor, all I needed to do was add a moisture trap and it was ready to go. Highly recommended.
