I'm thinking of buying my first airbrush set-up. Any ideas on an inexpensive way to go.

If you have a Michaels craft store near you they always run a half off coupon on any single item I paid a few years ago under a 100 for my setup for my plastic models. It was a paasche single action and a d500 comp. so far no problems. Before that I used a Testors set up that used canned air, but got expensive for the air. and was not the greatest.

Do You have a Big Lots near by? They have a Pro Source Airbrush kit Spray gun,2 jars,jar connector4.5 ft. of vinyl hose/fittings,aerosol can adapter, paint dropper for $8 + tax, also saw a 10-45 p.s.i. compressor for $30. That's a budget setup there, and yet good enough to do the job. I bought myself one, for a backup.



Jeff Fleetwood

Thanks guys.

Found an unopend Paasche airbrush set in a garage sale for $4.00 Still had the original $60.00 sticker on it too. I've yet to use it though. Will wait for better weather in the spring to try it out.

Do you have to use an airbrush specific compressor, or can you use any kind of compressor?

I fitted my airbrush onto a normal shop compressor. Airbrush compressors are as pricey as a normal air compressor in alot of cases but only have one use - painting. As long as you keep your tank drained of water you'll have no problem using a standard air compressor, you just have to rig up fittings to adapt the airbrush to a normal line.

Jay

Thanks. What kind of fittings would I need?

Do you have to use an airbrush specific compressor, or can you use any kind of compressor?


No, but remember most air compressors are for high volume applications 10-250 psi, and an airbrush only needs a maximum pressure of 15 psi to operate efficiently.
The 1/16" i.d. vinyl tubing won't take much more to blow out, so after the reducing of your fitting to adapt it, you will want a control valve to regulate the lower amount of pressure,to just enough to make the paint spray and stick to the object(s) surface.
Hope this helps.


Jeff Fleetwood

Thanks guys, I was thinking of buying small shop compressor for out in the garage, and wanted to multi task if it possible.

A cheap compressor can be replaced with even a cheaper method by using an air filled inner tube. The only problem is I hear water droplets can form in the tube :(

The inner tube method will work but it's a far substitute for a compressor. And yeah, the rubber will give you all sorts of condensation issues. Like Jnkfleet said, you will need some sort of pressure regulator to reduce down to 15 psi. There's alot of different backyard methods but if you're gonna go as far to buy an airbrush why half a** it? Get yourself the compressor and you'll get your use out of it, a plus side is you can run air tools as well. Die grinders, buffers, etc.

Jay

No, but remember most air compressors are for high volume applications 10-250 psi, and an airbrush only needs a maximum pressure of 15 psi to operate efficiently.
The 1/16" i.d. vinyl tubing won't take much more to blow out, so after the reducing of your fitting to adapt it, you will want a control valve to regulate the lower amount of pressure,to just enough to make the paint spray and stick to the object(s) surface.
Hope this helps.


Jeff Fleetwood
I have a Testors dual action air-brush hooked up to my regular shop compressor. I find it works best at around 30-35 psi. No major plumbing here. I found that one of the air tool quick connects (male) will screw right into the can adapter for the aerasol cans. That just snaps into the air-hose quick commect. I can provide some pics if you need.

i got my air compressor from walmart in the hobby section for 40 bucks. silent compressor. i have bought 3 air brushes from harbor freight for 5 bucks each and i have a pashasca double action air brush. added an inline moister trap from walmart 11 bucks.

I have a Testors dual action air-brush hooked up to my regular shop compressor. I find it works best at around 30-35 psi. No major plumbing here. I found that one of the air tool quick connects (male) will screw right into the can adapter for the aerasol cans. That just snaps into the air-hose quick commect. I can provide some pics if you need.

Pics would be nice. :thumbsup:

I picked up a compressor at Meijer's today on sale for $40.00 bucks. It usually goes for a $100.00, seemed like a good deal. It has a 2 gal. tank and a pressure regulater and all kinds of attachments. I also picked up a moister trap at Lowes for $7.00 bucks. Anything else do I need?

Now can anyone recommend a decent airbrush to start off with? Hobby Lobby has a sale going on all airbrushes and accessorys 25% off this week.

Thanks again for all your help. :thumbsup: :wave: