New to airbrushing: help me set up a compressed air source

I bought an airbrush! Yay!

Rather than spend $200+ on a dedicated airbrush compressor, I’m hoping to use a shop air compressor that outputs 110 psi and regulate it to 0-35 psi. Do any of you guys do this? Are there any serious reasons not to do this?

My idea is to build a rig that contains a regulator, then an oil and water separator, and then possibly an air filter all mounted on a portable tabletop unit. It would have a quickconnect input so I wouldn’t have to change any hoses etc on the shop compressor… just plug in the compressor’s air line into my tabletop input. Then the airbrush hose would quick-connect to the output line of the tabletop unit.

Cost breakdown:
Regulator: $30 http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=140847439 6672860&bmUID=1161034839789&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442511007&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true

Oil and water separator: $6
Air filter (optional): ~$10-15
Quick connect fittings: ~$10
Total cost: $50-$60 … a whole lot cheaper than a compressor. I already have a cheap shop compressor.

Does this make sense?

Makes perfect sense. I do the same with my dad's shop compressor. All i got is a pressure regulator no water seperate or anything. It works great since i found a quick release connector like u talked about. Good luck with everything

That will work Mark. As long as you can get air to the airbrush then your all set. A water seperator and filter are both good ideas depending on the compressor in use. Are you going to be spraying when the shop is use? If so then make sure the compressor is large enough to run everything.

Mike.