I tried to find answers to the following questions before posting, but didn’t find anything directly on point, so here goes, and sorry if it has been addressed before.
My wife purchased me a Badger airbrush, along with some canned air. Now, I’m no rocket surgeon, but it doesn’t take long to figure out that a compressor is cheaper in the long run. In looking at the prices of the small hobby compressors though, it seems that the ones you can find at Home Depot, Lowes, and places like that, are a bit bigger, have an airtank, are cheaper, and can be used for more things (inflating tires, balls, etc…). They are relatively portable, so I can carry them from basement to garage with no real problems. So the questions:
Is there a downside to them that I am not seeing?
What will I need to use one with my airbrush? So far, from looking at other posts, it looks like I will need an adapter to fit my airbrush and a moisture trap. What is the best place to purchase those items? I was at Home Depot last night, and the employee talking with me suggested Sears. Do they tend to carry those things, or should I look elsewhere?
Am I missing anything else?
Any and all help and insights are greatly appreciated.
The main downside is that those are a lot louder than hobby airbrush compressors. They do the job great though as long as you set it up right, which isn’t hard.
Mine is like that except it’s an oil lubed with a 2.6 gallon tank. Oil lubed is quieter & runs cooler especially since mine also has shrouded fan. It’s a Makita Mac 700.
I found ball valves with 1/4" npt threads in the plumbing department at Home Depot to close & open the compressor outlet to keep all that airbrush linkage from allowing any air to leak. Wal-Mart had the 1/4" to quick release coupler that plugs right into the compressor’s output. I got a few other 1/4" npt couplers & elbows from dixieart.com.
There are compressors and there are compressors. I went with the Iwata Sprint Jet, NOT the Smart Jet, which keeps turning off all the time. I made the decision doing just what you’re doing, asking questions on this forum. The Sprint Jet is about as quiet as one could imagine. Pressure adjutable with gauge, water trap, hose and fittings for your Badger ( I use the 150 ). Costs about $150 at www.dixieart.com with free shipping. This is classic “you get what you pay for”. I haven’t run into anyone on the forum with anything bad to say about Iwata products. (except their airbrushes are really expensive!)
Hope I’ve been of some help.
I use a coleman compressor, yeah it’s pretty loud for around 3 minutes till it fills up tue tank. that compressor was really cheap, $80 at walmart. if you wanna spend a ton more, maybe the new iwata silverjet is your answer…
Thanks, the ideas are helping. I really prefer to get into one as cheap as possible, and the ability to use it for multiple uses is preferable. Loud doesn’t bother me so much, since I can use hearing protection, and my wife is used to horrible sounds coming from the basement due to me trying to learn guitar with a tremendous talent deficit. Did I mention she is incredibly good and patient?
And being a guy, anything with “Craftsman” printed on it in big bold letters, gets my heart rate up! [Tim Allen Voice] OHHHH…Craftsman…OHH…OHH…[/Tim Allen Voice]
I bought a hobby-specific compressor, and a few days later my father got one from home depot at a much lower price, and with all the features I could ever want. As mentioned above, they’re louder while running, but ultimately, I’d say that they’re a better investment for you than the speficic hobby ones. You’ll need a moisture trap, and an adapter, and yes, you should be able to find both at Sears. I’m actually quite surprised that home depot didn’t have them.
Just saw one in Wal-Mart for $79.00 Had a 3 gal tank with regulator and was a stand up model with wheels all enclosed in a case. looked nice! Sorta resembled an upright vacum with no handle.
I was surprised that Home Depot didn’t have the moisture traps and appropriate fittings, but it is possible the salesperson was just covering and wasn’t up to snuff. They did have one that was a stand up model, with and extendable pull handle and wheels, all incased as well. I am pretty well convinced to go with a small all-purpose compressor at this point. I will stop in at Sears this weekend, and see what they have handy.
Good idea on having one plugged in. I will remember to do that. If Sears doesn’t have what I need in regard to moisture trap and things, I will check Harbor Freight. Thanks for all the info.