Airbrush Compressor Help

[NewYorkerInSydney]

Hello Good People,

In the next couple of weeks I would like to purchase and airbrush compressor. I would like your help in finding out what I should look for in a compressor. I will be using it to dye vegetable tanned leather with Fiebings oil dyes and Eco Flo dyes. Probably whole hides and more often than not, I will be dyeing small products. It probably won't be on more than a couple of hours a day. Now, I'm not looking for help with any particular brand, as I live in Australia and some American brands may not be easy to find here. I just would really LOVE your help with knowing what I should look for in a compressor as far as size, type, pressure, speed or whatever else you think I need to know about. I'd like to keep it under $200. I will probably be buying something from eBay, though will look elsewhere if I know what to buy.

I sincerely appreciate your help.

Kind regards,

NYIS

[Iron Pounder]

I would pick up a pancake rig in the price range you have listed. Here we have a few places like Harbor Freight that sell a cheap 100psi rig for under 50.00 US that work fine. I would turn it down to around 40psi at the gun and have a good water trap on it. I airbrush uses so little air that about anything would work.

[NewYorkerInSydney]

I would pick up a pancake rig in the price range you have listed. Here we have a few places like Harbor Freight that sell a cheap 100psi rig for under 50.00 US that work fine. I would turn it down to around 40psi at the gun and have a good water trap on it. I airbrush uses so little air that about anything would work.

Thanks for your reply. So I should look at something with 100psi and good water trap? How would I know if one has a good water trap by reading an items description? How about horsepower? How powerful do I need?

Cheers!

NYIS

[Iron Pounder]

Thanks for your reply. So I should look at something with 100psi and good water trap? How would I know if one has a good water trap by reading an items description? How about horsepower? How powerful do I need?

Cheers!

NYIS

Pick up a water trap from one of the airbrush suppliers, any of them will work fine. I use this one on most of my airbrush. http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=IWA+4274 Ya a basic 100psi unit would be just fine. http://www.harborfreight.com/3-gallon-100-psi-oilless-pancake-air-compressor-95275.html I see this compressor on sale all the time for 39.00 and my oldest has one we take with us at times. That will get you going.

[JLSleather]

You need to be aware of a few things before you shop, and maybe the first thing to know is that you DON'T need to spend that much money. In fact, for $200 (U.S.) you should be able to get the compressor AND the airbrush.

There are people LINED UP to sell you an "airbrush compressor" for $200. Good to remember, it's only $200 because it says "airbrush compressor". Translated into U.S. English, that means...

a small (usually table-top) piece of cheap junk with a fitting on it that matches most airbrush hoses which will shake/rattle/roll for MAYBE a year before it disintegrates (though the 2nd 6 months will be a headache).

Do yourself a big favor .. get a real compressor and spend the $4-5 to get a hose adaptor.

So, what you ACTUALLY need is something that will blow:

up to about 25-30 pounds (not sure what that is in Newtons, sorry). Most of your work you'll probably want about 15 lbs. This is how MUCH it compresses.

2-2.5 CFM at 30 lbs (which about any compressor will do). Cubic Feet per Minute is how FAST it compresses

And you'll get better results (more even pressure) if you get one with a tank and a regulator. I bought this one on sale at Menard's ... for $150 it came with two finish nail guns. Extra $5 for the right hose connection. But I turn it on and it runs for like a few minutes, then set at just under 20 lbs it'll spray for an hour before it kicks on again for a few seconds. And it fits under the table. It's a bit loud, but like I said it runs for a few minutes an hour...

[JLSleather]

Oh, and for moisture traps, I like the 'in-line" version. You can get a separator that will plug right into the compressor, but they tend to work better if they are a bit away from the compressor (the air is cooling as it gets away from the tank) and right on the gun causes you to have to paint while manuvering the weight of the filter. So, I have one that cuts right into the hose.

Oh, yeah ... I think with either of these models you would need a voltage adaptor to use it upside down (in Sydney) but then this isn't intended to be an endorsment of a particular model, just to let you know the rating you'll want.

Edited March 1, 2012 by JLSleather

[Spinner]

There are people LINED UP to sell you an "airbrush compressor" for $200. Good to remember, it's only $200 because it says "airbrush compressor". Translated into U.S. English, that means...

a small (usually table-top) piece of cheap junk with a fitting on it that matches most airbrush hoses which will shake/rattle/roll for MAYBE a year before it disintegrates (though the 2nd 6 months will be a headache).

Just need to chime in here as I disagree with this general statement. If you go to an actual graphic paint store versus online or a big box store you will find that there are "airbrush compressors" and they are excellent quality and generally outlast large compressors. My high school best friend has been a professional airbsuh artist for going on 20 years now and of his 5 compressors 3 are also nearing 20 years in service. But again, you have to know what to buy and where to buy it and they aren't cheap ($150 is the starting point for a real airbrush compressor).

A typical "true" airbrush compressor is usually tankless, oiless (or uses a special lubricant similar to sewing machines) and is very quiet. They don't necessarily fit on a table top (larger higher end versions exist). They are set to run consistently at the set air pressure when you press the trigger and have an auto-shut off when the pressure equalizes in the hole (i.e. you stop spraying). They do this because an airbrush artist can't take the chance of running the tank out mid-spray with a custom mixed color....lots of $ and time could be lost if the pressure drops unexpectedly like that.

Hello Good People,

In the next couple of weeks I would like to purchase and airbrush compressor. I would like your help in finding out what I should look for in a compressor. I will be using it to dye vegetable tanned leather with Fiebings oil dyes and Eco Flo dyes. Probably whole hides and more often than not, I will be dyeing small products. It probably won't be on more than a couple of hours a day. Now, I'm not looking for help with any particular brand, as I live in Australia and some American brands may not be easy to find here. I just would really LOVE your help with knowing what I should look for in a compressor as far as size, type, pressure, speed or whatever else you think I need to know about. I'd like to keep it under $200. I will probably be buying something from eBay, though will look elsewhere if I know what to buy.

I sincerely appreciate your help.

Kind regards,

NYIS

All the above being said, for yours and most leatherworker's needs, an "airbrush compressor" is not necessary. JLS is correct that for general spraying techniques a standard tank compressor will work fine. Keep in mind that most tank compressors are noisy when they fill up and there is no safety catch when pressure drops (low pressure in an airbrush results in sputtering/splatter pattern). Most decent airbrushes operate between 15-30 psi however as you get more comfortable you may start to use a detail sprayer (larger than an airbrush, smaller than a paint gun) to do larger jobs like whole hides and those can operate up to 50 psi so a 50-100 psi compressor JLS mentions is a good idea. A 5 gallon tank will suffice but 10+ is better as you'll have more time & control in between the pump running. Most big box stores will have them in package deals for $100-$150 with spray guns, nail guns, etc. As mentioned above, a separate in-line seperator & filter combo is a must. Water in the line can get through the gun and contaminate the dye/paint is left as is. The ones that come pre-installed on compressors are generally garbage so plan to get an in-line one even if the compressor comes with one.

Cheers,

Chris

[cem]

For the type of compressor Chris mentioned you should be able to get one at Bunnings the other bigger hardware stores, places that sell air tools and spray painters equipment shops. Airbrush compressors can be found at hobby stores the main brand here seems to be Sparmax, I've had mine a number of years and it's still going strong.

The American stores will have either type cheap but the postage costs are likely to wipe out any savings. Also if you haven't used one before I would look at the shops first before buying one off ebay as they can show you how everything fits together properly. Space and noise are also a consideration pulling a big compressor around you house isn't going to be fun and if you spray outside and your neighbours are close you are likely to annoy them alot.

Clair

[Andrew Chee]

Just need to chime in here as I disagree with this general statement. If you go to an actual graphic paint store versus online or a big box store you will find that there are "airbrush compressors" and they are excellent quality and generally outlast large compressors. My high school best friend has been a professional airbsuh artist for going on 20 years now and of his 5 compressors 3 are also nearing 20 years in service. But again, you have to know what to buy and where to buy it and they aren't cheap ($150 is the starting point for a real airbrush compressor).

A typical "true" airbrush compressor is usually tankless, oiless (or uses a special lubricant similar to sewing machines) and is very quiet. They don't necessarily fit on a table top (larger higher end versions exist). They are set to run consistently at the set air pressure when you press the trigger and have an auto-shut off when the pressure equalizes in the hole (i.e. you stop spraying). They do this because an airbrush artist can't take the chance of running the tank out mid-spray with a custom mixed color....lots of $ and time could be lost if the pressure drops unexpectedly like that.

All the above being said, for yours and most leatherworker's needs, an "airbrush compressor" is not necessary. JLS is correct that for general spraying techniques a standard tank compressor will work fine. Keep in mind that most tank compressors are noisy when they fill up and there is no safety catch when pressure drops (low pressure in an airbrush results in sputtering/splatter pattern). Most decent airbrushes operate between 15-30 psi however as you get more comfortable you may start to use a detail sprayer (larger than an airbrush, smaller than a paint gun) to do larger jobs like whole hides and those can operate up to 50 psi so a 50-100 psi compressor JLS mentions is a good idea. A 5 gallon tank will suffice but 10+ is better as you'll have more time & control in between the pump running. Most big box stores will have them in package deals for $100-$150 with spray guns, nail guns, etc. As mentioned above, a separate in-line seperator & filter combo is a must. Water in the line can get through the gun and contaminate the dye/paint is left as is. The ones that come pre-installed on compressors are generally garbage so plan to get an in-line one even if the compressor comes with one.

Cheers,

Chris

Hi Chris, I'm interested in getting a detail spray gun for dyeing large pieces of leather. Is there any particular one that you would recommend? Thanks.

Andrew

[Iron Pounder]

I tell guys just starting out with an airbrush that Badger makes good stuff for a great price. I really like my sotar for fine work but don't use it much since I got my dagar. For airbrush work on leather I would get a anthem, you can use it for other stuff as well. Once you get some time with it you will be pulling some very nice lines with it.

[Spinner]

Hi Chris, I'm interested in getting a detail spray gun for dyeing large pieces of leather. Is there any particular one that you would recommend? Thanks.

Andrew

Hey Andrew, for just major area coverage you don't need an expensive gun. Go down to Harbor Freight or some similar store and look for an automotive "touch-up gun".

It will be between a spray gun and an airbrush in size and usually has a 4-6oz cup on it. Here's an pic of the one I have, simple thing, cost about $15 and will spray a massive amount of dye very quickly.

Be sure to have stuff covered up including your nose & mouth as there will be over spray.

[Iron Pounder]

Hey Andrew, for just major area coverage you don't need an expensive gun. Go down to Harbor Freight or some similar store and look for an automotive "touch-up gun".

It will be between a spray gun and an airbrush in size and usually has a 4-6oz cup on it. Here's an pic of the one I have, simple thing, cost about $15 and will spray a massive amount of dye very quickly.

Be sure to have stuff covered up including your nose & mouth as there will be over spray.

Two thumbs up on this cheap little gun!! We use them all the time to lay down a base to airbrush over. They are I think 7 bucks with my HF card this month. The only thing I will say neg about the gun is I do wish the handle was reverse but for the price you can't beat it.

[NewYorkerInSydney]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to thank you all greatly for your help. I ended up buying this airbrush compressor with a tank by the name of ArtLogic. I think it is an australian brand. I purchased the AC1418 with a tank. Next I will buy an airbrush. I notice that some of them have different nozzle sizes. I will get a siphon bottom feed dual airbrush, but now what nozzle size do I need? As I said before I will be dyeing small leather pieces like wallets, purses, bracelets. Can someone kindly tell me please what size nozzle I need? I appreciate it!

Best,

Nyis

[Spinner]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to thank you all greatly for your help. I ended up buying this airbrush compressor with a tank by the name of ArtLogic. I think it is an australian brand. I purchased the AC1418 with a tank. Next I will buy an airbrush. I notice that some of them have different nozzle sizes. I will get a siphon bottom feed dual airbrush, but now what nozzle size do I need? As I said before I will be dyeing small leather pieces like wallets, purses, bracelets. Can someone kindly tell me please what size nozzle I need? I appreciate it!

Best,

Nyis

medium nozzle will likely be the most common in the hobby store airbrushes and is the most versatile.

Most of the harbor freight & TCP global imitations will be variations of the Badger Anthem 155 or 200. They'll spray up to 3" wide down to a pencil line if you get the techniques down correctly.

Depending on the brand they'll range from $12 - $80 and usually include a couple of cups, the hose, etc. My Anthem 155 is my workhorse and been spraying all kind of stuff for 8 years now without a hiccup.

[Andrew Chee]

Two thumbs up on this cheap little gun!! We use them all the time to lay down a base to airbrush over. They are I think 7 bucks with my HF card this month. The only thing I will say neg about the gun is I do wish the handle was reverse but for the price you can't beat it.

Thanks for the advice. I bought a cheap $12 Harbor Freight "detail spayer". We'll see how it works.

Andrew