Can anyone recommend a good regulator for my airbrush? For me, $50-$60 is not pocket money, but I don’t know enough to make an informed choice.
I have a Paasche D500 compressor, with “.5 CFM at 20 psi” (although the only part of that I understand is pounds per square inch). If it matters, the airbrush is a Badger 350.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
M.
the cheapest one you can find at somewhere like lowes. add a roll of teflon tape and yo’re good to go
Ryan is right in that the $20 regulators from Home Depot or Lowes should work just fine. The Teflon tape he recommends insures an airtight seal on all of the screwed fittings. I’d also recommend the addition of a moisture trap if you can swing it.
Paasche lists a D500SR compressor that is the same as the D500 except that it already has a regulator and trap on it (a picture is On This Page You might contact Paasche and see if you can get that specific regulator / trap if the price is comparable.
Dixie Art also has some regulators, moisture traps, and combination assemblies for decent prices.
Thanks for the information! [:)] I don’t mind spending a little money for a good one. What I worry about is ending up with a lemon. Price is not a reliable indicator of quality.
Marian
Marian, I got a Paasche Ra75 from www.Hobbylinc.com for $28.50.
This regulator is designed specifically for use with airbrushes, and is therefore calibrated in 1psi increments from 0 to 60psi. The workshop type gauges are often only graduated at between 10 -20psi increments and run to a maximum of up to 175psi.
It also includes a moisture trap, and has transformed the results I can achieve with my AB since buying it.
My advice, spend a little more that you might at Lowes, and get one of these, it really is worth the money. After all I was prepared to have mine shipped across the Atlantic because I couldn’t get one in the UK!!!
Karl
You can get a good regulator for airbrushing at Sears, Home Depot, Lowes or even your local auto supply store starting around $20. The only suggestion I would make is to ensure that the regulator’s pressure guage is marked in 2 lb increments. A lot of guages that come on regulators are marked in 5 or 10 lb increments. (0 - 5 - 10 - 15 or 0 - 10 -20 -30 etc) and it’s a lot easier to vary your air pressure to meet differing requirements of airbrushing if the instrument is marked in 2 lb increments.
Well, I took your advice and ordered one. I did some more airbrushing today, and I’m more and more convinced that high pressure is the source of my problems. It’s not so bad doing single-color finishes, but any attempt at camoflage is just plain out.
Hope it comes soon!
M.