OK, I bought an airbrush kit a while back, and used it to paint a scale model aircraft, only to discover its pressure 'pulsed' quite a bit. That made it rather irritating, even though the finish was quite good. I believe this is due to the fact that it is a diaphragm type compressor, and it has no storage tank. Has anyone managed to put a tank between the compressor and airbrush to 'even out' these pulses? If so, what sort of tank did you use, and where did you get the hardware from to do it?
I just use a hand carry 5-gal. tank. I fill it at the gas station. works well, but not long enough. I hve it hooked to a regulator/filter, and then to the airbrush hose.
I have the old brown diaphram compressor which has an add on cheapy brass air pressure regulator. It looks like it cost about $15 and it works well. I have not noticed any pulsing (I got the pump used from a friend) with this cheapy add on. It is basically a screw on deal with a screw you can hand turn to reduce pressure. Some how this seems to work. Unfortunately I don't know where you can get one of these deals. However, I am eyeing a new Coleman compressor as it is light, easily portable, relatively small, with a tank on it. I may end up getting that to use. Up here in Canada it is $200 so it must be around $130 in the US.
I've got one of those Badger Whirlwind II diaphram compressors with a water-trap and a crummy gauge / regulator on it and it does just fine for me. Even with the trap I still have some problems with water condensing in the lines, but it's getting better as we get into summer here and the average humidity goes from 100% to ONLY 85%! I'd like to add a small takn because while the compressor can generate 30 PSI, it can only supply about 15-20 PSI continuious to the brush. Sooner or later I'll get a bigger compressor for this, but that will probably have to wait until I get a shed built off the shop to contain it as I don't really want a big loud compressor in with me when I'm working. I'm planning to sooner or later buy a 20' contaner to put my freezers for work in, so it may go in there.
Yes get a tank with a water trap and air pressure regulator on it. I have a 60 gallon tank with a two stage air compressor on it. I have all the air I could need for anything, nail guns, air power tools and air brushes. I got the thing from an air compressor company that had taken it as a trade in. If you are going to use air power for tools, air brushes, and other stuff check around and find a tank type, with a piston pump compressor, on sale someplace. Check the local want ads.
I've been using an old W.R.Brown unit purchased nearly 25 years ago. With a few add-ons such as a trap and filter, it's done everything my heart has ever desired. BoxcabE50
I wanted one of those hobby sizes compressors so bad, but was talked into an garage sized 20 gallon jobs. I got the "oil-less" type, with a water trap, and a dessicator. Every time I run it, I open the petcock on the bottom just a little and all the water in the air just blows out the bottom as the compressor is still filling the tank. When the pressure reaches 120psi, I close the petcock, and the compressor shuts off at 125. I never even get any water in the water trap using this method, and my dessicator has lasted 4 years so far. (I only connect the dessicator when airbrushing) I also use this compressor to blow dust off the layout, fill air-mattresses, and tires, cleaning dust out of my computer, and my summer box fans. Very handy to have and I'm glad I went with this unit instead of the hobby unit. Usefull pressures that work best for me: 15psi to dust the layout 25psi for solvent based paint 30psi for acrylic paint 50psi to sweep the garage floor and clean dusty computers
Very interesting. Since I started this thread, wifey bought me a 2.5hp full blown compressor with 40 liter tank. works a treat and at 140psi runs my nail gun etc just fine.... now I just have to get connectors for my air brush and give it a try. What sort of psi do you run to use something like a badger? My full blown spray gun is limited to 40psi, and that moves a serious amount of paint.
See my above post? Scratch that. I got a cheapo 2-gal. air compressor at Menard's (Like a smaller chain of Lowes'). It wors well. I had to modify it a bit, to prevent the small, weak copper tube connecting the tank an piston assy from breaking. The one I have is the "Black Cat" brand. 68 bucks.
