need help selecting an air compressor

[Spike2933]

I got a Tamiya HG Single Action Airbrush a couple days ago, it came with an aircan but I'm not gonna waste money on aircans, I've seen lots of compressors on Ebay, but not sure what are good or not. I'm thinking about getting the Testors compressor but don't know if the fittings will be the correct diameter with the Airbrush (or are they all the same). I just need a small dependable compressor for time-to-time modeling.

any help would be awesome, and I am very sorry if this has come up before, but I've been searching around and could not find good clear info.

[cyberkid]

Originally Posted by Spike2933

I got a Tamiya HG Single Action Airbrush a couple days ago, it came with an aircan but I'm not gonna waste money on aircans, I've seen lots of compressors on Ebay, but not sure what are good or not. I'm thinking about getting the Testors compressor but don't know if the fittings will be the correct diameter with the Airbrush (or are they all the same). I just need a small dependable compressor for time-to-time modeling.

any help would be awesome, and I am very sorry if this has come up before, but I've been searching around and could not find good clear info.

You need to find a 1/8" bsp connecter, most good compressors that aren't originally made for hobbyists are 1/4". I've said this many times before: go to a store that sells compressers to see them in person. Bring your AB with you to make sure you have the right stuff... The Tami HG is 1/8" bsp.
If you are using automotive paints then you need a compressor that has at least 1hp and probably a 20l (or larger) tank.
A few must haves:
1. Air regulator
2. Air pressure gauge
3. Oil/water separater

Few q's before I can tell you more:
1. What budget are you on?
2. Do you need to control the level of noise?
3. How big an air tank are you looking for? (larger tank means less running of the compressor = longer work time and quieter)

[wouter1981]

I have a 25liter industrial compressor. Verry noisy, but 5 minutes noise and I can work an entire evening... And it's cheaper and much more powerfull than those hobby compressors. SO if you can live with the noise.. go for one like that, but you defenatly need an oil and water seperator.

[Spike2933]

Originally Posted by cyberkid

Few q's before I can tell you more:
1. What budget are you on?
2. Do you need to control the level of noise?
3. How big an air tank are you looking for? (larger tank means less running of the compressor = longer work time and quieter)

1. under $200
2. no
3. just something do paint the body and other model parts


I dont need an industerial size compressor, just a simple one to work on my models. I'm a slow builder anyway so I won't be using it everyday for hours at a time

would the Iwata compressor be a good fit, I've heard that the Tamiya and Iwata are thesame types of airbrushs

[MPWR]

Turns out that the compressor is one of the least important equipment decisions you need to make in modeling. You really just need something that will push air (hopefully clean air) at 30ish psi. If all you need is an airbrush compressor, than buying a simple airbrush compressor will likely save you some hassle.

- No one company's airbrush compressor will be a 'best match' for your airbrush. You can just as easily run a Tamiya airbrush off a Paasche compressor as a Badger airbrush off an Iwata compressor. The difference is all made up in adapters, which are nothing more than small, cheapish pieces of threaded brass.

- You need a compressor and a regulator/water trap. These are almost always sold separately, so don't worry about finding an all in one- just buy them separately. Sizes are standardized, and a Paasche (etc) regulator will work perfectly on a Badger (etc) compressor. A reg/trap will run about $30ish. But an all in one can also save some money. This unit would completely do the trick, with the addition of an airhose.

- Getting one airbrush to work with a specific compressor will really be a matter of airhose and adapter. Got an airhose yet? The Tamiya airbrush may have come with the adapter you'll need. If not, the adapter shouldn't be hard to find or be terribly expensive.

Dixieart and Hobbylinc are both perfectly good sources of airbrush compressors.

And then don't worry too much about it- it's a hard one to get wrong.

[Spike2933]

yeah, the set came with an airhose and adapter for the airbrush. I will soon find out if my LHS has any compressors in stock, (don't want to drive 30 minutes to find they have none). thanks for the help MPWR, I'm looking for one thats an all-in-one, so I don't have to go searching for anything else (laziness)

[jmesawitz]

I realize the question was about a compressor however, I use a 20 LB co2 tank with regualtor. One fill lasted me 7 years at about 6 kits a year. Very quiet, no moisture. Picked it up a local welding supply house for $80 about 10 years ago. The refill cost $20. I would not go back to a compressor for air brushing IMHO.