affordable compressor questions

Okay, I did a search on compressors and only got 3 results, none of them helped... so...

Where should I go to find a good priced compressor? I'd like to spend under $100 if at all possible as I'm rather poor, but want to finish some work and am tired of using the cans.

Umm.. I don't know if we can post wanted-to-buy ads, but if anyone has a good quiet running compressor they don't want, let me know ;)

Also, what should I look for in a compressor?

They just ran an article about compressed air options in Scale Auto. Here's a link to it:

http://www.scaleautomag.com/sca/features/articlesamples/SAP0302.pdf

Acrobat Reader required...
http://www.scaleautomag.com/sca/features/img/getacro.gif (http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html)

Originally posted by jay@af
They just ran an article about compressed air options in Scale Auto. Here's a link to it:

http://www.scaleautomag.com/sca/features/articlesamples/SAP0302.pdf

Acrobat Reader required...
http://www.scaleautomag.com/sca/features/img/getacro.gif (http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html)

I should've known with a name like Jay, that you'd rock. hehehe... thanks, that helped a bit.

I actually have a real good hobby shop near me that had a cool looking silent compressor for like $125... I can't remember the name, but they don't sell anything of low quality... I'm just hoping for a lower price. The online search continues.

I've seen compressors for $60 in pawn shops around here, but I don't know how loud or compatible they are with airbrushing. Theoretically, anything's compatible with enough adapters. ;)

I kinda like the idea of using a spare tire. :p Might try that....

I do have a few ugly donut spares around that I'm never gonna use... :)

I was thinking of just getting a big funnel adapter and eating a lot of beans :bloated:

I brought my compressor yesterday here in the UK for £70, ive not seen any cheaper than that.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=000110300&r=2007&g=102

Have you used it yet? How is it? :)

not got around to spraying any paint yet but i was testing with water and it seems fine. Spent most of today building a spray booth, will get down to some spraying on monday.

Are you going to be spraying inside? I still do all mine outside....

I love a good spray booth and an open door/window for ventilation. Seems to control any possible problems with wind/leaves/bugs/whatever getting in the paint. I've had PLENTY of stupid problems with that. Just my luck I guess.

If you spray inside, make sure you get a good mask. Unless brain damage is a turn on to anyone here. hehe :licker:

Originally posted by flyonthewall
I brought my compressor yesterday here in the UK for £70, ive not seen any cheaper than that.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=000110300&r=2007&g=102

About how loud is that beast? It's only temporary, but I live in an apartment right now with a bunch of annoying neighbors that like to complain about noise. Plus I always work late at night so I don't want to wake people up.

I kinda like the idea of using a spare tire. Might try that....

Air coming from the tire can be dirty and/or humid. It can fail paintjob.

As for noise issue I know some people use compressors from refrigerator for airbrush. It silent but need some hardware to connect (adapter/pressure regulator)

I use tyres and have no trouble, but you must use good moisture trap and have tube in tyre, tyres are the cheapest way to go, their silent and you get 15 to 20 minutes out of each tyre easy!:D

About how loud is that beast? It's only temporary, but I live in an apartment right now with a bunch of annoying neighbors that like to complain about noise. Plus I always work late at night so I don't want to wake people up.

its actually not that loud - box says less than 50db! Just makes a bit of a rumble, im sure u wont get hassle from the neihbours!

Are you going to be spraying inside? I still do all mine outside....

Ive taken over the shed at the top of the garden for my spraying. Before two days ago i had just a cardboard box to catch over spray which does nothing to help at all.The entire shed has a layer of fine dust from the auto paints ive been using so far. Now i have built myself a booth with a fan at the top it should be pretty much dust free from now on.

Spent most of today building a spray booth, will get down to some spraying on monday.

do you have drawings of spray booth?
sizes,material,etc

I could do some drawings if u wanted? theres not that much to it really! I copied the typical spray booth design (ie not just a box shape!) from a picture of a Micro-lux model in the Micro-Mark catalog. My version is 2ft wide and about 14inches tall, the side walls tilt away from the front edge so the top is narrower than the bottom and there is a bathroom extractor fan fitted in the top piece. The whole thing took about 2hours to make from design to the final screw!!

have a pics how it looks?

Would this compressor be enough? or would I need something better, I'm also ordering an Airbrush Aztec Model A4709.

http://4toycars.com/photos/8883.m.jpg

http://4toycars.com/index.cfm/fa/prod/CatID/8/DeptID/20/ProdID/181.htm

sorry to bring this old thread back but I read in the FAQ is better to bring thread back to keep it in the same topic

Originally posted by ljrlude01
Would this compressor be enough? or would I need something better, I'm also ordering an Airbrush Aztec Model A4709.

http://4toycars.com/photos/8883.m.jpg

http://4toycars.com/index.cfm/fa/prod/CatID/8/DeptID/20/ProdID/181.htm

sorry to bring this old thread back but I read in the FAQ is better to bring thread back to keep it in the same topic Wow, I didn't know Testors had one... Wonder who makes it for them...

So will this work or not?? should I look for something else? Those anyone have one of this compressors?

Looking at this http://www.testors.com/catalog_item.asp?itemNbr=12 ...
At 20psi max you're at the bare minimum. It also looks like it's preset at 20psi so you're stuck with that. No in-line filter or regulator, bad idea IMO. Some paints like acrylics need 25psi or higher or the nozzle starts clogging up with high paint flows, like you would need with a glossy car finish. When airbrushing tiny parts on a sprue using my Aztek I turn the pressure down below 20psi so I don't waste paint.

That compressor seems too beginner-ish or for small jobs like figure painting. Add in the cost of a regulator and moisture trap (about $30 for both) you could've bought something better. What are your noise limits? You could get a good unit from a department store for about $150 if you can live with the noise racket. But with a storage tank the noise would be intermittent as you can just fill the tank and spray with the compressor off. For example, Micromark has this (http://www.dxmarket.com/micromark/products/82653.html) that'll do the job and then some. The high-end Testors AC200 or something similar is your best bet for airbrushing cars. It'll do 25psi plus it's got a regulator and moisture trap. "Under load" is with the airbrush on, meaning it can keep up 25psi as you hold the trigger down.

Don't skimp on compressors, get what you can afford. If the next upgrade is $50 beyond your budget, wait and save the $50. You'll be much happier in the long run. I went for a 7hp 80-gallon unit but airbrushing isn't what I initially bought it for although I can airbrush all week with the tank filled. :D

I'll go shop around for something like the micromark, as far as noise goes I'll be doing this on my balcony on the 8th floor doubt I'll have problem as far as noise goes unless is terribly (sp) loud. Thanks for the tip. I'll post pictures of what i find here, kinda hard since I just move to japan and not sure where to start.