This might seem silly but

I have just bought an airbrush and compressor from ebay

Im not familiar with using a compressor. does anyone know of a "how to" for mini compressors? :icon16:

I have looked online for the instructions but it is a " no name " compressor made by the tool shop that sells ( probably a re-badged something else )

I will write to the company and see if they have a copy of it but i doubt it

I can figure out the basic stuff, i just want to make sure i dont ruin it :lol:

http://www.toolies.com.au/icat/pdf/tti_pg358.pdf It is the one on the very bottom left

Thanks
Jason

I can't help with data sheet or manual: BTW it seems you don't need to know too much: you have already a moisture filter and a pressure's gauge, just set the pressure from 10-20 PSI and try: I'm not sure if it's a silent oil compressor or not: anyway be sure you have oil in the motor if it's a silent one.

post a pic but tou are almost certainly in "plug and play" territory ;)

Be more worried about not messing up your airbrush than your compressor!! :)

First you need an air tank, otherwise the thing will be on all the time and may interfere with constant pressure.
30psi running max will be too low for 0.5 ABs, that's is precisely why I now use a 2hp compressor. In case you didn't know, autopaints flow more easily from a 0.5 AB than a 0.3mm AB, modeling lacquers on the otherhand work more or less the same in both types of AB's.
I see a pressure gauge but not a regulator, unless you ONLY work with 30psi, you need 1. I use anything from 7psi to 60psi while painting. (40 for auto paints and 50-60 for 'cleaning' models or whatever.)

Give us a little info on what exactly you want to know. That will give us better guide lines on what to tell.
And... FYI, when I got my compressors there wern't any instructions either.

That compressor is suitable for your smaller airbrushes. it is one of the kinds that doesn't need a tank, but a regulator right before the airbrush will help give you better control if you are using a long hose. The description states that it is 90 PSI compressor, with a 30 PSI working pressure. I rarely use more than that for spraying enamels, but as stated, sometimes higher pressures are needed to spray heavier paints.

Thanks everyone for the response!

Yeah sorry i should be more clear in what info im looking for..

When i switch in on it "charges" up with air up to 60psi in about 2 seconds then cuts out and holds the pressure.

Soon as i start with the airbrush the pressure drops to 40 psi in a matter of about 5 seconds then it cuts back in and "charges" up to 60psi again.

Just wondering if thats normal. Unfortunetly it does not have a regulator that i can set the psi to so it automaticly goes up to 60.

Can i buy an aftermarket regulator? and what are they worth approx??

Thanks

Jason

Soon as i start with the airbrush the pressure drops to 40 psi in a matter of about 5 seconds then it cuts back in and "charges" up to 60psi again.
Just wondering if thats normal. Unfortunetly it does not have a regulator that i can set the psi to so it automaticly goes up to 60.
Jason
It is normal when you don't have a tank and regulator.
The 40-60 psi drop and charging will cause your paint to differ. My suggestion would be to get a tank and a regulator. Besides, 40-60 psi is too much for most paints. Sure you could get it to work... but the unstability will cost you a lot of time and effort.
I'm not sure about the prices but when looking, be sure to check the indications on the regulator gauge. It should be able to show at least to 2 psi per marking. meaning that it should have lines for every 2 or 2.5 psi.. like this one...
http://www.toolaid.com/98350-Color-Photo-300.jpg
As for the tank... a 5l tank should be more than enough for your compressor.
My suggestion would be to get these at a shop in person.
Once you have the tank and regulator, take off the water trap and gauge and attach your setup in the following sequence: Compressor -> tank -> regulator->gauge and water trap-> AB. If your scared of doing it yourself, you can bring along your setup and ask for the store to attach everything for you.

HTH,
Steve

Most any well stocked hardware store will have all the parts you need. but if you are one of the fancy mechanically inclined individuals, you COULD mount your compressor to the tank and have a fancy mobile setup.

I am getting more and more confused by this thread :uhoh:

I don't mean to be rude but cyberkid and rsxse240 it seems to me that you might be offering completely wrong advice here.

This is the compressor that countach79 mentions in his first post

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/PARTS/compressor.jpg
http://www.toolies.com.au/icat/pdf/tti_pg358.pdf It is the one on the very bottom left

I don't know if you guys opened that link but as you can see, it HAS a water trap and regulator already, which is pretty standard fare for these small hobby compressors which are similar in design to the lower-end Iwata compressors. Also, IMO it has a small (1 - 1,5l) air tank incorporated inside (which is why it switches off when it reaches max pressure)

Countach79, set the regulator on your compressor to your desired pressure, switch it on and practice spraying! learn to adjust your pressure to suit your paint and painting style i.e. practice, practice, practice .... and then practice again ;)

With this small compressor, it is normal that the compressor switches on almost straight away because teh tank has such a small capacity, there is very little "spare" air. Also, if you haven't set you regulator to a lower pressure (I suggest 20psi as a starting point), all the air is leaving the system very quickly LOL

As I said in my first post - plug and play! And remember, the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT (but not the only, obviously) variable in airbrushing is thinning your paint correctly, then follow air pressure, distance, speed of brushing etc.

HTH and if I am wrong, I am sure someone will correct me ;)

EDIT: I think I am going to correct myself here :D Actually it seems like it doesn't have a regulator valve after all. That's what you need to make it work for you. Something like these (http://search.ebay.com/air-regulator-valve_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40QQssPageNameZRC0024 ). My apologies.

EDIT: I think I am going to correct myself here :D Actually it seems like it doesn't have a regulator valve after all. That's what you need to make it work for you. Something like these (http://search.ebay.com/air-regulator-valve_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40QQssPageNameZRC0024 ). My apologies.
That's one of those things with these pics, you can't see all around the item. And its not even listed in the specs.

Hrm, sorry for the confusion. What I suggest you buy: 2 items in total.
1. Air regulator (it seems from the pic that there is only a guage without a regulator, and most regulators on the market come with a guage.. so I added about the markings in my previous post).
2. Air tank.
I was a little afraid that it might cause confusion so in my previous post:
Once you have the tank and regulator, take off the water trap and gauge and attach your setup in the following sequence: Compressor -> tank -> regulator->gauge and water trap-> AB. If you'rE scared of doing it yourself, you can bring along your setup and ask for the store to attach everything for you.

I'm with you Steve on the regulator valve but you'd have to convince me on the tank ;)

I'm not sure that this machine is strong enough to fill up a tank to any meaningful pressure?

I'm with you Steve on the regulator valve but you'd have to convince me on the tank ;)

I'm not sure that this machine is strong enough to fill up a tank to any meaningful pressure?
I have a 1/8 hp compressor that has a 3l tank, when fully 'charged' it goes up to about 55 psi. And lasts for about 3 minutes under 30-40 psi pressure, then the compressor kicks back in. If I use 7-15 psi it lasts for around 5-10 minutes. When I bought the setup, quiteness was an issue, so it helped.
It all depends on the user's needs. OT but, my 1/8 compressor is now sitting in storage collecting dust due to the fact that I can afford the sound of a 2hp compressor running 24/7.

Klutz you got pm.

There is no tank on that compressor, nor regulator, as clearly shown in the image.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n4/rsxse240/compressor.jpg

I don't think it would be a GREAT idea to use this to charge up a huge tank, but a smaller tank such as a 2 liter, or 3 liter would be fine, I'm sure. It will only charge to the max operating pressure (when the comp. kicks off normally) but since you would now have a "reserve air", it will stay on longer, but stay off longer as well, if you know what I mean.

I paid a little over $100 for my 12 gallon 2 horse Craftsman compressor at a pawn shop, I have now been using it for about 13 years, or so. I tried one of the little compressors like that, and was very disappointed in it, since I had already been spoiled by total air supply control with the larger compressor. I suggest one of the little hot dog, or pancake compressors, they work GREAT.

There is no tank on that compressor, nor regulator, as clearly shown in the image.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n4/rsxse240/compressor.jpg

I don't think it would be a GREAT idea to use this to charge up a huge tank, but a smaller tank such as a 2 liter, or 3 liter would be fine, I'm sure. It will only charge to the max operating pressure (when the comp. kicks off normally) but since you would now have a "reserve air", it will stay on longer, but stay off longer as well, if you know what I mean.

I paid a little over $100 for my 12 gallon 2 horse Craftsman compressor at a pawn shop, I have now been using it for about 13 years, or so. I tried one of the little compressors like that, and was very disappointed in it, since I had already been spoiled by total air supply control with the larger compressor. I suggest one of the little hot dog, or pancake compressors, they work GREAT.
Actually. if it's anything like mine - and I thinnk it IS - there IS a small reservoir tank inside ;)

Actually. if it's anything like mine - and I thinnk it IS - there IS a small reservoir tank inside ;)

Sorry mate, if you look at the outlet routing you'll see that the air goes directly from the cylinder to the water trap to the outlet hose, there's no air tank here.

I built my compressor a couple of years ago using a fridge compressor and a rather large tank (plus the automatic pressure switch, water trap/regulartor, a couple of gauges and some tubing). So far it has done everything I've asked it to and is extremely quiet doing that. Oh, and very very cheap, almost as cheap as I am :)

Whoa! i dont know what to do anymore!

I do know i have no regulator as i can't control the air pressure it just goes up to 60 then down to 40

There must be some sort of tank in there some where because it stops at 60 and holds it, but once i start with the airbrush it drops pretty quickly ( 20 secs or so ) down to 40

The regulator sounds like a good start, then i will go from there!

Thanks all for the comments and suggestions

Jason

Sorry if I confused you Jason but your plan of action sounds exactly right to me - get the regulator valve.

(I still think there is a small air tank inside there ;) :lol:)

I have a setup almost exactly like this. I believe the regulator valve is the black knob attached directly underneath the pressure guage (on my guage it is a brass knob). You can use this to cotrol the pressure. My Iwata will hold pressure for a few minutes at 20 psi, and longer if I turn the knob to increase the pressure.
The motor will heat up faster if the pressure is turned higher, and has an automatic shutoff if the motor gets too hot when I spray too long. The pressure usually drops a bit when I first start to spray and I have to periodically adjust the valve to increase pressure.

I would hook up the AB and spray with water to get a feel for the pressures.

Hope this helps

Sorry if I confused you Jason but your plan of action sounds exactly right to me - get the regulator valve.

(I still think there is a small air tank inside there ;) :lol:)

I just pulled the ends of the "tank" off and on 1 side is the electrics and the other side of the "tank" is the piston

I dont think there is a tank bugger it!!

I have a sneaking suspicion that the "water trap" might be a tiny tank and thats why it only last a couple of seconds??

There is a small filter type thing in the water trap and a tap in the bottom that when i release it all the air comes out and the pressure drops to zero

could this be right??

The kind of compressor you have does not include a tank. The bowl on the water trap is not to act as a tank, it's to capture the water. The 'couple of seconds' you have of air after you shut off the compressor is only a result of what is contained under pressure in the system (hoses etc.)
The release in the bottom of the water trap is for when you have water buildup, it's so you can remove the water from the trap.

Your compressor must be on to have air pressure - this is not such a big deal, you will definitely need to get a regulator though to control the pressure for now until you upgrade to a compressor with a tank.

Get yourself a 'hobby' regulator, not something from the hardware store; The hardware ones go up to 150 or 200 psi, and it is way too hard to tell what you have when making fine adjustments. I have a Paasche regulator with a built-in water trap and a gauge that goes up to 60 psi and it works great.

If you can, get some fittings and longer airline and mount the regulator and gauge up on the work surface, and you can put the compressor on the floor, so it is out of the way and is a little quieter. Those little buggers vibrate a lot and are noisy, so look for a dense foam pad to rest it on. I have these interlocking rubber floor mats that my bench and chair sit on, it helps. Also keeps the wood floors nice :)

Thanks to everyone for helping me out with this! much appreciated !