I got a new air compressor alternative!

[shieldwulf]

I just want to share this info. with you guys hoping that it may be helpful...

I have just acquired a great new air pump! My hobby shop have helped me to get a decent airbrush set using an air pump instead of a typical air compressor. (It is also my first airbrush "compressor")

I am using a Techno Takatsuki HiBlow air pump for powering my airbrush. It is oil-less, safe (low pressure and no compressed air reservoir), very silent (noise level only 32 dB), continuous operation. I also do not require a pressure gauge and moisture trap. It is actually used for aeration tank but my local hobby shop introduced & modified it to become a low-cost and effective alternative to the expensive and high-pressure air compressors.



The beauty of this thing is that it has enough air to power up to 3 airbrush at low pressure. Because it cannot be valve controlled (it was designed as an continuous air pump used for aerating water tanks!) so the simple solution is to remove the input air valve components from my airbrush. The only catch is I must use it with a dual action airbrush. Since the airbrush's air valve is removed, the air continuously flows thus eliminating the risk of nozzle clogs. All I need to do is to pull back the dual-action trigger and paint will come out. One more good thing: I don't even need to buy specialised airbrush hose, I used the cheap transparent air tubing bought from an aquarium shop, and I can custom cut the length as I desire!

What do you think? Any advise or comments appreciated!

[Midnight Racer]

Congrats on your new purchase.

[freakray]

Why don't you require a moisture trap?
Anytime air is being compressed a moisture trap is required.

It seems like you have something good there, anything that allows you to airbrush is good, right?

[flyonthewall]

If it works fine then its a great idea Hopefully it will introduce more people to airbrushing.

[shieldwulf]

Originally posted by freakray
Why don't you require a moisture trap?
Anytime air is being compressed a moisture trap is required.

It seems like you have something good there, anything that allows you to airbrush is good, right?

Actually you are right, a moisture trap would be good. After about 4 hours of continuous operation, there are a little bit of moisture seen in the transparent rubber tubing. But that is because I only operate 1 airbrush, and the pressure is higher (the other 2 outlet valves are closed). However it is a minor issue (perhaps to me), the rubber tubing is easily replaceable and costs only SGD0.40 per metre (USD0.24) from my aquarium shop. Basically it works great, and I'm so happy with it!

I found another trick: connect a 2 metre long open ended rubber tubing (the longer the less noisy) to another outlet valve will allow me to further lower the air pressure coming out from my airbrush.

Btw, my earlier photo shows a BB Rich 0.3mm nozzle airbrush parking on a Gunze Sanyo's "Mr.Hobby Stand II".

Yes, airbrushing is great so much fun! However, I would still encourage anyone starting out on this hobby to begin with some spray cans and traditional brushes in order to experience the fundamentals.

[stealthviper79]

which means u can't control amount of airflow since u removed the airvalve??

[shieldwulf]

Yes, no control to amount of airflow, but this is resolved through the use of a valve-control at the air pump outlet. Because the hose is the same kind used for aquarium, I used the "aquarium" control-valve to control the air flow that comes out of the pump.

This will not affect the pump's operation so long as there is still air coming out.

Once I set the desired air flow, I let it to flowout constantly. And it does not affect the quality of the paintwork. It also has the advantage of avoiding paint clog at the nozzle because air is flowing out constantly.

I have been using the pump ever since I bought it about 2 years ago. And in the hot and humid summer all year round country of mine, nothing happens to the pump - i.e. no signs of overheating. Also no need for oil change, and near-zero maintenance. The only maintenance is probably to take out the air inlet filter by popping off the top cap of the air pump, rinse it with water and air-dry. I reckoned I need to do this probably in another 3 years. The longest I've used it non-stop is about 15 hours.

I don't think it has proven to be superior to the traditional air tank compressor. Neither do I think that the air tank compressor is more superior to my "air pump" method of airbrushing. It works very well for me, that's all I can say.

Originally Posted by stealthviper79

which means u can't control amount of airflow since u removed the airvalve??

[stealthviper79]

I see..thanks a lot for your quick reply!! I've located another HIBLOW user from another forum who's intending to upgrade his compressor and selling me his HIBLOW for cheap.. am now considering! But thinking if it's so good, why is he upgrading? hmmm....