I'm looking at getting one of those compressors at Wally World for like $50. I see that I'd need brass adapter for the braided hose unless I wanted to connect the spiral rubber hose to the braided one.
Are the reservoir compressors in any way better than the regular diaphragm ones sold by Badger or Testors? Better yet, can I use one and get some kind of decent results?
Also, can I use the can of Badger air in the interim? Is there an adapter for that?
Last edited by Digger1 on Thu Jan 04, 2007 2:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The compressors sold by airbrush manufacturers are commercial ones made to their specs. Some are nice. Some aren't great.
Get a unit with a reservior. It will act as a buffer, and a moisture trap. Follow the instructions and drain the tank weekly.
I have a Senco 1010 which is great, it's quiet, portable, and has a 1 gal reservior.
Your airbrush should have all the required hardware, but you should get a valve if you buy a reservior-equipped compressor without one. That way you can shut the valve and not drain the compressor if you need to switch airbrushes, clean it etc. I recommend a ball valve for this purpose. A decent hardware store will be able to help you.
Raised by wolves, tamed by nuns, padded for your protection.
Terry Miesle
Never trust anyone who says they don't have a hobby.
Quando Omni Flunkus Moratati
Anyway, I saw two at Wal Mart tonight. One was a Black and Decker one that looked like it was for those nail guns and the other was in the automotive section with a flattened round disk-like reservoir. That one was $49.99 and the B&D one was about $105-something.
Make sure the trigger is all the way in it's forward relaxed position, and push the needle in all the way (gently) 'till it stops. This won't fill the hole in the external nozzle, but it will fill the hole in the little internal cone tip. That's the way my paashe VL is, at least: the default "off" position of the trigger serves to calibrate the needle's position during reassembly. Once the needle's set, and its collet at the back is screwed down, it's connected directly to the trigger, and however far back it goes is simply however far back the trigger goes.
Compressor wise, I have a Badger Cyclone-II, which is bloody useless, since its auto cutoff switch is factory set to 35 psi. I also have one of those Husky hardware compressors with the pancake tank you mentioned. It works quite well, but great zombie Jesus, it's loud! I need to get a new compressor, one of those Silentair Scorpions I've read about maybe, if I can find a way to afford one.
"Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought. It always defeats order, because it is better organized."
-Ly Tin Wheedle
The needle is the valve keeping the paint from flowing. It should be fully filling the hole at rest. It should withdraw as far as needed to apply the desired amount of paint.
Raised by wolves, tamed by nuns, padded for your protection.
Terry Miesle
Never trust anyone who says they don't have a hobby.
Quando Omni Flunkus Moratati
Power Jet Lite Air Compressor Model # 94 IS-925 for $265 (shipping free). There is no tank, but it hardly makes a noise when it kicks on. And when it does kick on, there is no noticable interuption or a pulse of the paint while I am spraying. Also it is very portable! This thing is small and light in weight.
I had some reserve in regards to spending that kind of money, but I'm happy with with the decision.
It does come with gauges and a water trap and I had put quick releases on my hose so that I can change airbrushes while working.
finally got my compressor today and damn, that thing is loud! Only takes it about 5 minutes to charge to 100 PSI. I forgot to put teflon tape around the brass fittings so there was a slow leak and I'm in the process of correcting that now.
I've yet to find the other brass fitting so I can put the moisture trap on but once I do, I'll put the teflon tape on and then smack 'em on the ol' compressor and I'll be ready to go.
edit
I found the other brass fitting and everything's all tightened and sealed. It only took the tank like 45 seconds to charge! Once it reached the max. capacity, it shuts off and then restarts to maintain 100 PSI.
Sweet! I can't wait to start on my first painting project!
