compressor???

[Cr8tiveFooL]

I have a Peak C-5 AB and am brand new to AB'ng. I see compressors from many different companies ranging from $89 to $1000+. Can anyone reccommend a compressor for a new AB'r like myself with my Peak C-5 somewhere in the under $200 range that would be good for me?

Thanks!

Cr8tiveFool :)

[chromewarrior555]

Pretty much any one will work. Just make sure it has a holding tank. I use one of those contractor ones that has the dbl. tank. Just remember the smaller the tanks, the more the compressor is going to kick on.

[BigB]

Like Don said any compressor will work and the bigger the holding tank the less it will kick on to recharge. Some things to consider: Most Abers will work between 15-60 psi. Make sure the recovery rate will cover around 60 psi or more. The quieter it runs, the less it will make you jump when it kicks on. Sometimes when working on tight details the nosie will startle you. A few ways to reduce this are to place compressor in different area then you are working in, drain pressure when its about to recharge or buy a silentaire compressor. You may run into a so called airbrush compressor with no holding tank. These run constantly and rarely can reach over 22 psi constant pressure. Which ever way you go I would get a mosisture trap or two and drain your tanks regularly. Moisture and/or water in the lines will ruin your efforts in a heartbeat. Good luck and get to painting.

[shane]

a couple quick points i would like to add,
1) get the largest compressor you can afford and still get a quality one, you'll need a bigger one sooner or later
2) it should be at least 2 hp., any less and it will run to hot, hot air is moist air and moist air ain't no good!
3) i would say 20 gals of capacity is the minimum, any less it might self destruct due to it turning off and on so much!
4) if you have a dry area out side its a lot better to put it out there, cool air into the intake will make your air charge a lot less likely to get shop dust or over spray in it, also cool air coming in means cooler air coming out!
5) even if you have to buy a used one get a name brand that cant be rebuilt, just cause wally world sells a 5 hp with a 30 gal tank for 50 bucks don't make it a good deal, call around to some compressor repair shops they might have a used one with a warranty just for you man! while you got them on the phone and you get the feeling you can trust them ask them what kind they rebuild then you can get a used one knowing that you have some one to fix it if it goes tits up!
6) Air is the blood of the painting business, there no is more important part of your hobby/business then a good compressor ask any one who's had one go down in the middle of a paint job!
7) and most important, have some fun man! :bigok:

[Cr8tiveFooL]

Thanks so much guys for all of the GREAT advice!

Like I said in my original post, I am a "newb" to AB and have so much to learn. But I am excited and looking forward to honing my skills.

You have all helped me in my quest and I thank you for your time and expert advice once again.

Peace! :fing02:

Cr8tiveFool

[Palepainter]

If you are looking to just airbrush its one thing, but if you are looking to hav a more versatile compressor, its another thing. If you are just going to airbrush,I would suggest the Precision Whisper AIr. Its a silent compressor, not the cheapest but will make listening to a compressor a non issue as well a delivering constant clean air. Another good one is the Iwata Smart Jet.

If you are going big so you can do clear coats and operate some tools, then look around for some bigger units that will be quite loud and require more electrical demands. I think you would want at least 40-60 gal to have a good middle of the road utility compressor. Avoid those oiless combo units from my own experience.

[Steady Cactus]

Hello, I'm new to the group & new to AB & I have
a question on air compressors. If you're looking for
2 HP or more & being able to deliver 60 psi or more
can one go to let's say Home Depot & get one of
their name brand compressors in the $300-$1000
range for use in AB?

.............How about that for an instant answer? As I
was posting I received a call from a local air brush artist
store here in Chicago & Dave said that the answer is
you need a regulator. I decided to post this anyway & introduce
myself & ask a related question. Would it be fair to say that
a serious AB artist has (possibly) both a 1/6 HP compressor
for it's portability & type of work & a big tank type 2HP or more
for the bigger jobs? Any comments are appreciated.

BTW, I decided to take the plunge as far as training & I will
be in Vegas Feb'08 for the Air Brush Action Getaway.
I'll really need to be disciplined in a place like Vegas.
Thanks,
Ed

[Annie]

Hi Ed!
Before you buy, ask yourself if you want a compressor to drive just an airbrush or if you wanna be able to use a spray gun, a sander and lots of air tools.

As far as getting some training, you should consider attending ABU in June! Don't mean to insult no one.... but I can bet it's much more fun and you get a lot more specialised training then sitting in a class of 50 students! (Thats what Vince Goodeve told me... he taught at both place).

If you need more help, just ask!
Annie:flowers:

[shane]

i am a firm believer in the term "get the most compressor you can afford" its very easy to go down in both presser and volume with a very inexpensive regulator/filter! those little oilless compressors usually don't last very long from what i have heard and also tend to produce a warmer air (more likely to have condensation ) and make more noise after a while! :7b:
hope that helps ya a little

[norgy]

Hello, I'm new to the group & new to AB & I have
a question on air compressors. If you're looking for
2 HP or more & being able to deliver 60 psi or more
can one go to let's say Home Depot & get one of
their name brand compressors in the $300-$1000
range for use in AB?

.............How about that for an instant answer? As I
was posting I received a call from a local air brush artist
store here in Chicago & Dave said that the answer is
you need a regulator. I decided to post this anyway & introduce
myself & ask a related question. Would it be fair to say that
a serious AB artist has (possibly) both a 1/6 HP compressor
for it's portability & type of work & a big tank type 2HP or more
for the bigger jobs? Any comments are appreciated.

BTW, I decided to take the plunge as far as training & I will
be in Vegas Feb'08 for the Air Brush Action Getaway.
I'll really need to be disciplined in a place like Vegas.
Thanks,
Ed
If you've already signed for vegas go for it..however, I'm hosting mike and his class down here in springfield,ill in april also.....and it only a few hour drive...

[jumpforjoy61]

watch out for chinese compressors as chinese horses seem a hell a lot smaller than anyone elses more like shetland ponies than the shire horses you need to run a good pump head ,for good and quite the sparmax TC2000 is good preferably with a reserve tank and auto shut off ,i was informed by an iwata service engineer that iwata compressors are sparmax units anyway

these will do the job but no more than that and wont run say an iwata hpg6 mini gun on full fan for any length of time ,if you intend to do anything more than airbrushing the the rule of thumb as a MINIMUM is to get a compressor that gives at least twice the air output of the airtools requirements ie if your spraygun uses 7cfm @40psi then your compressor needs to give out 14cfm @40psi or above or it will be constantly on the go

price always reflects quality but dont get ripped off shop around and then ask questions again

remember airtool manufacturers play down [lie] about consumtion rates and so do compressor manufacturers about output above all take little notice of maximun psi it means very little ,look at usable cfm@ X psi not free airflow at low psi
paul