Will this compressor work?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

Thanks for taking the time to read my question.

I found this air compressor at a yard sale for twenty-five cents. I
want to know if it can be made to work with an airbrush? I know
for sure that it has the wrong type of adapter at the outlet, and
that is probably needs a regulator and a moisture trap. Can
anyone give me some ideas on how I could setup this compressor
for airbrushing, and where I can get the necessary parts? Thanks.

Note the incorrect air hose fitting.

Specs

Max pressure seems to be 30 psi.

2

yup,it’ll work,you just need to get the proper adapters,if you go to lowe’s and get a 1/4X1/4 male,then you can screw the airbrush hose adapter on it

3

Looks right to me. The entire barbed fitting should unscrew from the compressor. From the photo it looks like a standard 1/4 NPT fitting to me.

4

Thanks.
so once I get to correct fitting, will any regulator work?

5

Yes it will work. Any regulator and moisture trap could fit. It’s just a matter of having the proper fittings and adaptors.

Nice deal.

6

I can’t agree more [:P] a steal for 2 bits!![:D]

7

Of course its a Binks. The makers of the automotive spray guns.

8

Yes. the fitting/adaptor might be for a Badger hose. If you cannot afford a regulator at this time , just loosen the hose connection and lower the amount of air going through the hose. As for moisture, without a trap you might get some on very high humidity days.

9

Thanks for all the input so far. I really know nothing about airbrushing,
although I am committed to learning, come hell or high water. I’m sick
of using rattle cans.

Yeah, it was a darn good deal. I thought, “Heck, why not” when I saw
it, even though I wasn’t even thinking about modelling use at the time.
Air compressors are just plain handy to have. Like I said above, it puts
out 30 PSI, but I just bought a regulator and although I have not tested
it yet the package says that it creates a 5 PSI pressure drop. So I could
be getting a max pressure of 25 PSI. Think that will be enough for airbrushing?

I planning to buy a Badger 155.
Maybe I should consider a gravity feed instead? Any advice?

10

25 psi should be more than enough. I normally spray at 15-18. Its all going to depend on how you spray and what you are doing. Gravity feed does use less pressure, or, uses the same amount of pressure, but uses it more economically, its doesn’t require airpressure to suck up the paint from the cup, so you will have more air for spraying. I think you will be ok with what you have, unless your wanting to get a new gravity feed, otherwise, you need a new one and you better get the deluxe version with all the little gadgets in the fancy box! [:D]

11

25 PSI should be plenty for most model airbrushing.

Just a note of caution.

Being a diaphragm-based type, I believe you need a bleeder valve in the system on the “output” side to prevent excess back pressure from blowing the diaphragm. Preferably this would be between the compressor and the reg so that the reg gives a true reading of the pressure being delivered to the AB. (That is, unless the reg is designed for a diaphragm comp and incorporates a bleeder.)

12

To get over the backpressure problem buy a foot switch and wire it in this allow you to switch on and off as required, saves any overheating as well

Ted

13

^— are you suggesting that turning the compressor on for just brief moments
when i need airflow will keep back-pressure from being a problem?

Bleeder valve, huh?
I didn’t see those at Lowes yesterday. Just a couple bucks, I assume?

14

As to the back pressure problem-- if you drill a 1/64 hole in the 1/4 x 1/4 fitting so that the acts as a pressure relief, this will solve that problem.

I have one of these-- they are noisy because they run all the time and they are hard to regulate pressure.

I used mine to fill a nine gallon tank I got from Sears, and airbrushed with that.

I now use a pancake compressor and regulator/watertrap. (also from Sears, about 200.00/total)