... an airbrush?

I, like many, am trying to buy an airbrush, and have investigated a compressor (airbrush-specific). What kinds of 'generic' compressors could be used? How do the prices compare to specialized compressors? How would one connect airbrushes, regulators, etc. to a 'generic' compressor?

ALSO...
How about this:
http://www.dixieart.com/Badger_Crescendo_Model_175.html

and this:
Iwata R1000 http://www.dixieart.com/Iwata_Revolution_Airbrushes.html#anchor15871

and finally, this:
Paasche H set (#1, #3, #5 tips all included) http://www.dixieart.com/HSet.html

Thanks!
Bergepanzer

David, most small compressors should be plumbed for 1/4 inch pipe .. you should be able to pick up small lentgh of pipes to plumb in your water trap, then an adaptor to reduce the size to the line size of your airbrush hose.. I hope this makes sense..


Dave

Hello there David.

I have the Badger Cresendo 175, and its a good airbrush overall, and it will spray about anything as it was designed as a T-shirt Artist airbrush.. it has 3 sizes of tips and needles.. Large, Medium, and small.

I used mine for about a year but it left a little to be desired to me for painting models. its spray could be a little heavy at times and it takes a little time to clean after use, esp when using acrylics.. I also personally had difficulty spraying smaller area's and lines with it..

I upgraded to a Badger 360 Universal which is the same basicly as the Badger 155 Anthem, its advantages are it only has one needle and tip to worry about. Its very easy to clean.. and I can spray anything through it.. Future, Tamiya acrylics, Model Master enamal's and polyscale Acrylcis are what i've used so far with it..

The only difference between the 360 and the 155 is the 360's paint cup swivels to become a gravity feed airbrush as well as a siphon feed.

Since i've gotten the badger 360 / 155 I rarely use my 175 except as a backup and for spraying stuff I don't want to put in my favorite airbrush.

Just my personal recommendation...

Badger 155 airbrush at dixieart

Thanks so much Delbert!

My remaining question is this: would you recommend a Double-action airbrush to a novice? The only 'airbrush' experience I have is with a testors (single-action) connected to canned propellant, and that was 13 years ago! I did very well with it considering its limitations and my own.... so, double-action?

Hi again David...

I will tell you this and this my own personal experenice.. other opinion's may differ..

I started out with testers single action (had 2 of them..external mix and a siphon feed.) then I moved on to Testors Aztek double action airbrushs.. used both these types with canned propellant, compressor without a regulator.. and finally a compressor with a regulator..

My opinion is this.. the learning curve with a badger double action is not much harder to learn to do than one of the single action airbrushs and you will be glad you took the little bit of extra time to learn.. I was.. Going from Testors/Aztek's to Badgers was like night and day.. and going from canned air to a compressor with a regulator so than you can control the air pressure with is like going from winter to summer...

I think I could have saved myself over a year of airbrush frustration if I had started with the badger double actions first... I almost gave up trying to airbrush before I got my first badger.........

The hardest part of airbrushing for me was thinning my paints right.. and the best advice I got for that and still use was.. "thin to the consistancy of milk and go from there.. and then practice practice practice.. " Even now when I can airbrush fairly well I take out the airbrush before I start painting a model and paint a few practice bits.. typicaly part of a soda bottle or can or something else heading for the garbage made made of plastic...

Definatley go for a double action - it's worth the extra dificulty getting used to it.

Andy

Thanks for the advice. I won't say 'last question' - because this thread will be active for awhile, especially for me - but would a compressor like this:

crafstman compressor

If the link doesn't work, try cutting/pasting this:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Tools+%26+Equipment&pid=00915239000&vertical=AUTO&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

or search sears.com for "Craftsman 150 psi Compact Air Compressor" or "15239"

work with the proper 'attachments?' Seems this one already has a regulator, so I'd still need a moisture trap. Is it possible to get an air TANK, fill it, then use the tank with filter and regulator?

TANKS in advance! Get it?

oh save us from the pun's.... .. and TANKS for the memories there...


Ok heres a quick rundown on ways to power your airbrush..

Hobby air compressor..

Small shop / Garage compressor.. like a craftman type.. typically a few horses ( 5horsepower and up) and a 5 to 20 gallon tank..

CO2 compressed air cylinders as used in industrail applications..

and heres the Answer to your question and you can TANK me later..

Yes people do use Portable air tanks to power their airbrush.. The type you go to a local service station and fill up... if you attach a regulator and are spraying at say 15 psi.. then as long as the air in the tank is above 15psi. you have a nice steady flow.. when it drops low.. you go refill the tank.... I have heard some people say they can get a lot of air out between refills.. I personally havn't used this method.. but have researched it a bit.

The hardest part of using an air tank is making sure you get the right fittings to attach it to your airbrush..

also as for water traps there are a couple of types.. one type attaches to the compresser/tank.. I think between the regulator and the air hose is the most common type of this although some regulators come with a build in water trap.. the other type is called an in line water trap and attaches in the hose itself.. (i.e. between two peices of airline hose.. inline get it.. )

So, that Craftsman model 15239 150psi compressor should work, yeah?

I could always get that AND an air tank, for less than $120, then get the accessories...

Don't forget to buy ear-protection. Those types of compressors are very, very loud. 98dB at least... but yes it should do the trick and thensome!!!

Cheers!

Oh, yes... hearing protection is an absolute necessity. However, Sears claims only 79dB for that model.

Good luck there...

I really can't add any more about compressors as I've not used them for the hobby..


laters.