Airbrush Compressor

[MC297]

I would like to hear what types of compressors are being used. Has anyone tried any of the small cambell hausfeld units? I am in the market and would like suggestions. Thanks to all in advance!
Regards,

Michael

Rember, every day is a good day, only some are better than others.

[Magicman]

Hi MC
I have a small Campbell Hausfeld 8 gallon and have had no trouble from it. I also have a Paasche Compressor tankless, air is stored in the manifold and 3 hoses for my Airbrushes. The Campbell Hausfeld is my second compressor from them, the first was a Pancake compressor that I used when I was in the Airbrush Business. It also gave me no problems.
Larry

[MTnative]

Micheal,
I did loads of research on airbrush painting forums before I bought the Makita MAC700. It has an excellent reputation (4 1/2 stars out of 5 fore 245 votes on Amazon), one of the quietest compressors made, and wayyyyyy more versatile than those smaller desktop models. Not only do I have it set up for airbrushing, but I use it every day when I carve to blow wood dust away as I work, blow dust out of my shop and fill air in my car tires. The hose reaches outside. Love this machine. I'll post pics later of the air drier setup I built and the wood dust blower I use while power carving.
Jane

[Robson Valley]

I did stagecraft and pyro F/X for touring ballet productions for more than 20 years. Props, sets, costumes and makeup, the whole idea of a compressor turned me right off. That's just me.
So, I had an oxygen regulator modified to take 1/2 bottles of 3,000 psi nitrogen. That was a silent dream that made my day complete.

[AlArchie]

I have a small Campbell Hausfeld compressor...no tank. It's small, portable and handles airbrush duties very well. I did add a pressure guage, a clear water trap in line and use an in line drier cartridge from the auto supply. With the pressure gauge it's easy to set and hold the proper pressure for airbrushing and the cfm is plenty.

One draw back in the tankless model is that it has to run all the time while using the air brush. Solved that with a remote switch I keep at the paint table.

It is a bit noiser than the dedicated airbrush models, but for 60 bucks (on sale) wasn't a bad buy, and I bought it while we were on the road not near any art supply stores.

And I , too, use it for airing tires in the shop, blowing dust from whatever and blowing the water lines in our camper for winter storage. Pretty versatile little model.

Al

[Robson Valley]

Al: I have a small C/H compressor with a little tank which might be OK for airbrush. Came as a gift with an air nailer.
You added some driers and traps. Why? How? Forgive me, I've run my brushes on nitrogen/tank for decades.

[AlArchie]

RV, here's a few photos of the compressor and drier arrangements. ( pardon the mess; I'm in the middle of "Christmes toy making" for grandson and granddaughter) As far as why, especially in humid air, the compressor intakes all that moisture. When the air is discharged into the line and the airbrush, the pressure is decrease when it leaves the nozzle, cools and the moisture recondenses into a fine mist. This dilutes the paint and causes a lot of splotching. sometimes there is enough water discharged to actually produce a fine spray of water from the airbrush nozzle.

The first stage is simply one of those moisture traps from Sears added right to the side of the compressor. You cn also see the pressure gauge mount so I can se the pressure I need for the airbrush. The third photo is of tha Napa Auto Parts Store's drier capsule. Auto paint body shops use these as a final step to dry the air in their paint guns for a spatter free finish. It's simply inserted in line before the airbrush. I think they run about 2 for 8 bucks at Napa

Al

[chipmunk]

i brought a c/h 4gl compresser that i use to do all my stuff with i have a dryer that connects by quick copples so it don't have to be on there all the time i've had good luck with it mine has oil in the crank the 1's that don't will wear out shortly if there's a lot of dust around most of them doesn't have a clean air filter on them and no rings on the piston there good to work with if something goes bad

[Robson Valley]

Thanks, Al. Have added those things to my shopping list for the next time I go to the city. I had my doubts about the quality of the air from that compressor. It does have a tank and it does have a dial-in regulator & gauge.

[Wildbirdcarver]

Al, after reading your post on using the Sears dryer I did purchase one yesterday. Today put in in my PVC (schedule 40) line that I recently put in. No problem attaching the dryer. Haven't got the other dryer from Napa yet, but I will. Wanted to thank you for your sharing how to do this and the reason for doing it. Dick