Hi everybody. I've been lurking here reading posts for awhile but can't seem to nail down the answer to my question. Based on all that I've been able to learn so far, I'm probably going to buy an Iwata HP-C ($99.95 at http://buynails.com/). Now I need to come up with a compressor. My interest is in 1/35 WWII German armor and I'll need to use the one AB for both wide and narrow coverage. I live in an upstairs apartment, and my wife and I share the "playroom" where I'll be working, so noise is very much an issue. Price is a major issue as well: the upper limit I can justify is about $200, though it would be a good thing if I could keep it under that. I would be most grateful for any and all advice.

Cheers

Hey Mike welcome to Armorama . Well for me I also have a noise issue, I mostly paint at night when the Family is sleeping. So I decieded to get one of those pancake compressors. I love it...just fill it and use it all night. It only takes 4 mins to fill. Here is one link to the one I own, I'm sure if you fish around you may find one a little cheaper.

Porter-Cable Compressor

Thanks Joe for the welcome and the response. I'd never seen that kind of compressor before; is it very loud when it's running? My wife was looking over my shoulder just now when I checked the site for responses and she said it was kind of scary looking. I'm not quite sure what to tell her.

Mike,

I have the HP-C as one of my airbrushes that I bought through Dixieart. I also have the Iwata Smart jet compressor which is a perfect match to the brush. However, I would suggest getting the Sprint jet which is one down from the Smart jet. They are identical except that the Smart jet has an auto shutoff which is a feature that is a waste of money. The compressors are small and quiet. I also suggest ordering a true regulator and a moisture trap. The regulator that comes with the compressor is an airbleed type and not accurate or useful for our modeling purposes.

Dixieart, Coast airbrush and Bearair all should have them and you should be able to get the Sprint jet and regulator/moisture trap for under $200.00. I got my compressor from Dixieart and my regulator from Coast. Dixie has never let me down but I understand because of Katrina, there have been some delivery issues. All three suppliers are good and vary a little in price.

Hope this helps you,

Chuck B.

I also have a porter-cable compressor it is very loud when you fill the tank but after it is filled you can turn it of and spray in perfect silence. I use it with my badger air brushes with no problem. I have a dust water filter hooked up to the compressor. I paint in the basement and when the air gets compressed it will release its water content when forced through a small opening fouling the paint.