Air Brush Set: Brush, Compressor & Accessories

Bruce you have to go to Harbor Freight Tools and get the 3 gal compressor for $39.95 and the airbrush for $19.99. You can do anything with this set up to start.

 

I started out on a cheap, oil less pancake compressor. It did everything I needed it to and I still have it to fill my tires in my Polaris - ha! Noisy as balls tho. Get a long hose and park that compressor in a closet or something to help with the noise. Much better than those tiny little electric compressors that aren't strong enough to hold your set PSI! Add an inline regulator and you're good to go!

 

That compressor goes on sale every couple of months. IThe regular price is $59.95 and there are 20% or 25% coupons all the time in every outdoor magazine. You can even go online and subscribe to their emails and get a coupon! I have had my compressor for about 5 years now and it is perfect for my airbrushes.
My laptop is always on in my shop and I see a RED flag alert when someone responds to a post you have answered. I check it from time to time and can see new posts as well. Joe

 

I just follow the "Fish" Section and the "Recent Posts" section and get email notifications for any of those topics that I'm following. PS Don't quote me but I'm pretty sure that airbrush performs similarly to the Paasche H series single action. The only airbrush I use. And a great single action beginners air brush. You'll get tons of different advice here but the key is to stick with whatever airbrush you buy and you'll eventually get it...

 

I have the same Harbor Freight compressor and it works great! As noted, you need ear protection when in the same room! Depending upon your airbrush hose fittings you may need to buy the appropriate fittings to link to the compressor.

 

I would highly recommend Badgers new Krome airbrush kit. I wouldn't skimp on an airbrush because it will make or break the quality of your work. You will also have a lot less problems, last longer, and be easier to clean. If you look around you can find a Krome kit for less than $100. Take a look at the reviews and you'll be impressed!

 

Sorry, but I disagree respectfully. I have the Badger Krome , the Passche VL's 1 and 2 and the Harbor Freight $20 airbrush... I can make them all create magic for me. Other than a hairline or a dot that the Krome CAN do, an experienced airbrush artist will make ANY airbrush perform superbly! Buy one airbrush and MASTER it.

 

You're a teacher you know there never a dumb question if asked to increase knowledge.

I find it is . But I have just used the one on the compressor.

 

Not a dumb question at all. Yes, the regulator with the pancake compressor will do the job. However, that means it's right next to you and it will be very noisy. Also, you may want to add a moisture trap too. A necessity if you use Lacquer based paints and perhaps needed in high humidity areas with water based paints too. If you're going to add an inline moisture trap I think they sell a version with a regulator inline as well but don't quote me on that.

 

Makes no difference what ever you find is easy for you

 

I have used both the braided hoses and the plastic, coiling type. I have the latter now and like the coil type slightly better as I don't seem to be moving it out of the way as much as I did with the braided hoses. I think you're going to possibly need an adapter from 1/2" to 1/4" from your compressor? I believe a 1/2" fitting is standard. Which depending on your airbrush type it may be a 3/8" or a 1/4" and could be a female or male attachment. That you're going to have to look closely and figure out if you haven't already.

 

Where do you live? Do you have high humidity? Also, the compressed air will form moisture inside the tank, so you should drain your tank after use. I purchased a regulator/moisture trap to mount away from the compressor because it is noisy. Also, the regulator gauge included with the compressor has larger increments so it is difficult to read. My regulator/trap has 1lb. increments so I can fine tune the pressure. Remember, set your pressure higher at the gauge so when you depress the trigger the pressure will drop down to the DESIRED pressure at the airbrush!
I live in Southern California (SoCal - that's why they call me the So Cal Mountain Man) and in Santa Barbar Co. we have no humidity problems and, honestly, I have never, ever had to drain my moister trap because it is always dry. But you do need to drain the tank and you will actually feel the moisture on your fingers.
Because I may use multiple guns at once, I use quick disconnects on all my airbrushes. I did just purchase a block manifold for 4 lines but have not mounted yet. If you bought the Harbor Freight compressor you already have 1/4 NPT threads at the compressor.

 

I have the same exact pancake air compressor in my shop. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. Is all it does is loudly run due to the small size. My main use is air brushing. The one we use it school is virtually silent. Just for airbrushing.