Airbrushing setup. Advice and Help needed

[thesoulman]

Hey everybody.

I was just wondering if any of you could help me with my airbrushing setup.
Ive been painting minis with brushes for over 5 years now and Ive decided to give airbrushing a go considering I picked up a Badger krome renegade brand new for only 129 bucks I was pretty chuffed with that.
Anyway... the only thing is im stumped on what compressor I should get, ive heard co2 tanks are quiet.. and im looking for the quietest possible. Cant be waking people up in the house on those long night paint sessions. But as far as compressors go what would you guys recommend?
Also moisture trap... regulator etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much

 

[airhead]

CO2 is "wet". Lots of moisture are in the bottles - something to do with the process.

Any bottled gas will require a large up front cost in 2 stage regulators, hoses, bottle deposits, etc. (you're taking gas at in some cases over 1000 psi and reducing it to around 10 psi.) If I was going to go that route, I'd go with nitrogen. Inert and at much higher pressure than CO2. The problem arises when you run out of gas and have to wait for the delivery truck. You never run out during the day, always on Friday night on a three day weekend.

OPTION 2
Quiet compressors - also very expensive - they run on the same type compressors as your fridge. Some take maintenance (special lubes, etc.).
www.silentaire.com for examples.

OPTION 3
Wally word has some 'quieter' compressors.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Californi...n-Tank-Oil-Lubricated-Air-Compressor/21727689

OPTION 4
Dedicated airbrush compressors.
Generally 1/8 to 1/10 HP. Very low CFM, around 40 psi max.
Cost as much as a "real" air compressor.
http://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Br...=1390260708&sr=8-2&keywords=badger+compressor

 

[thesoulman]

Thank you for that airhead.
I might go for an airbrush compressor. They seem pretty cheap here in AUS. If i bought from overseas shipping would probably kill me. Lol.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Any other tips on these sorts of matter?
Anyones input would be appreciated

 

[airhead]

Personally, I'd go with the "not as loud" compressors from somewhere down there like the California Air.
A real compressor gives you the ability to use a regular spray gun, nailer, fix a flat tire, etc. Also, the larger tank (vs. no or very small tank) means the compressor is not always running.
Nothing wrong with the dedicated airbrush (diaphragm) type compressors. I've used one for years and it won't die. I've burn up 3 cheap piston compressors if that says anything.

 

[paul222]

You do not need one with a tank. I personally decided that having a very quiet one that ran all the time was fine but i think its quiet on the other side it is very comfortable,tanks are big, not huge but i suggest to you that with in the limit space are you used....

 

[airhead]

You do not need one with a tank. I personally decided that having a very quiet one that ran all the time was fine but i think its quiet on the other side it is very comfortable,tanks are big, not huge but i suggest to you that with in the limit space are you used....

Paul, can I say "That depends."
I've had small tankless compressors that were very quiet (Badger comes to mind). But you could actually see the compressor pulses in the line as you were painting. A tank will eliminate most of the pulsing, even more if the compressor is able to put more in the tank than you are taking out.
You can put a large size moisture separator on a small tankless compressor and create a small tank to help with pulsing.