Airbrush / Compressor Question

[ArsLoqui]

Hi! I just bought a Badger 250 at Michael\'s for basecoating my tanks - it\'s just taking too long for me to get a smooth, even coat by hand. (And I have a lot of tanks to do!)

I found a local listing (link) on Kijiji for an air compressor. I\'ve read on these forums and others that you only need 5-30 PSI for airbrushing; is this compressor going to be alright with my Badger airbrush? I\'m new to this tech and I don\'t want to waste money if this isn\'t what I\'m looking for. You advice is appreciated!

 

[QuietiManes]

You don\'t need much pressure with the thin acrylic paints you\'ll probably be using. Even less pressure for finer lines and more control as well.

The basic starter compressors (from what I\'ve seen anyway) tend to have a max pressure of 30-40 PSI and a max working/running pressure of 20-30 PSI. The one you linked should do you well, but you\'ll need to get a moisture trap (it doesn\'t look like it has one) and possibly a pressure regulator (the power setting knob doesn\'t look too sensitive according to that chart, might be better to just max it out and use the regulator for consistency).

In the end, it is probably cheaper to get an airbrush that is built for finer work, like airbrushing, instead of something that is a general handy-person/hobbyist do-it-all work horse. But that depends on the functionality of the one you linked.

 

[Wolf Fang]

my air brush runs 20-30 as for the air comressor itl\'l give the preassure you need however your preassure setting will be very inacurate due to the lack of a guage.

 

[ArsLoqui]

Thanks for the help, guys. I decided against that one, given how annoying it\'d be to track the PSI. I\'m going to pick up the stock Badger regulator at Michael\'s this Sunday with a 50% off coupon, and that should do me alright. If I have any other questions about it, I\'ll be back!

 

[airhead]

The biggest issue with some of those small \"home\" compressors is noise. Some of those beasts are LOUD. Not something you want to be running at midnight with a neighbor in the next apartment or spouse in the next bedroom.

Pluses:
Priced right,
Should function fine for airbrush and probably even detail spray gun.

Minuses:
No Regulator
No moisture trap
no tank.

Unknown?
Does it auto off when you quit spraying? or does it just stall the motor?

Bottom Line:
With what you are going to have to add to this one, would you be better off getting a small tanked compressor with moisture trap and regulator?