A REALLY good reason why

[Frodo]

4 hours ago, dikman said:

What Chuck said, I doubt if it's the actual airbrush that's problem, even the "cheap" ones these days are pretty good. I have several () and quality-wise they're fine.

Diesel, I also bought one of those cordless ones just 'cos I didn't have one. No problems with the airbrush. I read several reviews on modelling websites first and in general they were happy with them.

you are prolly correct!!!  

the error was operator error but I am going to blame the equipment 

 

[Frodo]

27 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

may not be the brush.  do you have a moisture trap in the line?  sometimes compressors condense moisture, and that's what makes em "puke" (plus the condensed water doesn't mix with the alcohol dye)

No I do not,  here is the unit. It is very basic

[Frodo]

Here it is disassembled

[Hags]

I have 2 now. A siphon and a gravity fed. Both inexpensive,  and both doing alright.  I use a moisture trap and always spray before I get to the project. I'm new to this but really like the shading I get. 

[kgg]

1 hour ago, Frodo said:

No I do not,  here is the unit. It is very basic

Just a thought, It may not be the airbrush but the pump not being able to keep up with the demand. I would try hooking it up to a small, 2 US gallon, air compressor rather then the aquarium style pump.

kgg

[dikman]

Looks like a pretty generic airbrush, Frodo, no reason it shouldn't work ok for what you want. The compressor will be the limiting factor, those little ones are pretty basic, the biggest potential issues are they tend to pulse the air out (no tank) and are difficult to regulate the air pressure. As kgg suggested a bigger compressor would be better, and with a tank even better still. I've noticed they often pop up on ebay/facebook marketplace, you might find one pretty cheap from someone who used it for modelmaking.

[Frodo]

10 hours ago, dikman said:

Looks like a pretty generic airbrush, Frodo, no reason it shouldn't work ok for what you want. The compressor will be the limiting factor, those little ones are pretty basic, the biggest potential issues are they tend to pulse the air out (no tank) and are difficult to regulate the air pressure. As kgg suggested a bigger compressor would be better, and with a tank even better still. I've noticed they often pop up on ebay/facebook marketplace, you might find one pretty cheap from someone who used it for modelmaking.

I think I will  add a tank

[DoogMeister]

Been using a Badger airbrush and compressor (no tank) for models for maybe 30 years, no problems.  Got a Harbor Freight airbrush to use for leather, so no potential of cross-contamination with paint thinner and alcohol used to clean them.  I use 91% Isopropyl alcohol for cleaning out leather dye, and hot water for finishes such as Resolene (which I thin 50/50 with water).  Always disassemble and soak the tool after running alcohol or water through it to clear out the residual.  Have not had a problem in the 3 years or so that I've been doing that.  Use a HF compressor that has air pressure adjustment (no tank).  Haven't touched the pressure adjustment since I made the initial adjustment.  I always test the flow to make sure it's what I want before spraying leather.  Wipe the tip of the airbrush with a piece of tissue after you've set the airbrush down for even a few seconds, then test spray.  No moisture trap, but where I live humidity is not an issue - we start complaining if it gets to 20%.  I DO have one on the rig I use for models, as I used to live in a very humid environment. 

The only times my HF airbrush has puked on something were from the cup, which has no lid.  I chalk that up to operator error.  I suggest practice on something like cereal box cardboard . A bit of dye will buy a lot of learning.

[JLSleather]

I use a pancake style compressor from BOSTITCH.. came with pneumatic nail guns from MENARDS of all places.  Set regulator between 20 and 40 depending on the look you're after, and GO!  Comes with a regulator, but I did add an in line moisture trap, and I drain the tank every so often  Never any problems

 

[MarlinDave]

I had 2 Harbor Freight air brushes. Upgraded to their tiniest paint gun. 4 oz tank maybe. Lots more adjustment and smoother. $30 or $40 seems like. So much better for dye, but I’ m used to paint guns anyway. Can twist tip to spray pattern vertical or horizontal. There are little disposable water filters, look like a tennis ball, to thread on where the gun meets the quick coupler. The gun has a metal cap with a vent in the top. Stick tape on the vent or it will drip.

https://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-detail-spray-gun-92126.html

Well it’s $12.99 now. And hot purple. 

Edited January 9, 2024 by 327fed