Finished newbie airbrush setup (sans booth)

[jgoldader]

Hi all,

This is a progress report on a first-timer's airbrush setup. I've posted questions on compressors here before, and this is the result.

Images are at http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff38 ... h%20setup/


Equipment:
Badger 360 (from the Badger garage sale) $76
Cheap compressor and tank from Sears $71
Hose repair kit and quick-release $9 total from Home Depot
Badger regulator $50 (Dixie Art)
Airbrush stand $20 (Dixie Art)
Total cost: $226 (+S/H from Badger, $17 I believe, and sales taxes)

The compressor is very loud, but I intend to charge the tank before each airbrushing session.

I need to build a spraybooth next. I can get a squirrel cage fan, 150-200 cfm, for <$100. I'll use plywood for the booth, adding a fluorescent light and rheostat (I've already got that) for controlling the fan, and a small power strip. I have dryer vent hose left over from installing my dryer.

The end result should be a complete airbrushing setup for $300-$325.

Oh, about the compressor: you get what you pay for. The little one I got will work, but I fully expect to get another (quieter!!) one in a year or so.

Thanks to all who've contributed ideas & wisdom, both directly and indirectly!

Jeff

[TER-OR]

If you can put the compressor in another room and run some tubing or longer hose you may be OK with it.

I bought a Senco 1010 a few years ago, it's not too loud, and easily portable. And if I get a brad nailer, I can use it for tools!

[jgoldader]

If you can put the compressor in another room and run some tubing or longer hose you may be OK with it.

I bought a Senco 1010 a few years ago, it's not too loud, and easily portable. And if I get a brad nailer, I can use it for tools!

Terry,

My basement is all one big room, but I was thinking of building a little box for the compressor, lined with acoustic tile and some sort of baffled vents. Some rubber feet wouldn't hurt, either.

For the present, I suspect that pumping the tank up to the high pressure peg on the regulator will give me sufficient time to do a decent amount of airbrushing. The regulator gauge goes up to 80 PSI, whereas the tank and compressor should be able to handle 120 PSI--but I don't know if it's safe to put more than 80 PSI into the regulator.

And yes, I was at Home Depot yesterday, and realized I could now use all those cool pneumatic tools!

"Look, son, this one fires 3-and-a-half-inch nails into solid oak!"

Jeff

[jgoldader]

In case there's interest, here's the latest on my airbrush project. Step 3: The spray booth!

I just scored a bilge blower (ignition-proof boating fan) for $28 and an AC to DC power adapter for the fan for $25 on The Web-Shopping Site We Do Not Name. I figure spending a few extra dollars to make sure I won't blow up the house is a good thing.


I'm one or two trips to Home Depot away from a spraybooth! I'm figuring 1/4" board for the booth, with handles to make it easy to lift, and a cutout so I can aim a worklight in. I'll use a cheap air filter to collect paint, and a piece of screen of some sort to provide clearance between the filter and blower--maybe leave a couple of inches of clear space between the screen and blower.

Jeff