Need help picking a compressor and airbrush

[AwenMade]

Howdy y'all. I'd like to pick up a compressor and an airbrush. They will only be used for leatherwork. 

I live in a townhouse and will be using it outside, so I'd like the compressor to be quiet enough not to piss off the neighbors toooo badly. It also needs to be small enough to store in my second bedroom, which is also my office (with 2 desks), camping gear storage, sewing storage, and leather tool storage - so pretty cramped already. I'm looking for the best combination of price and quality.

Here are the compressor available for me to pick up at stores here in town, ranked from least to most expensive:

• Harbor Freight 3gal 100PSI pancake compressor: $59.99
• Harbor Freight 3gal 100PSI hotdog compressor: $59.99
• Craftsman 3gal Oilless compressor: $69.99
• Campbell Hausfeld 2gal Compressor: $71.24
• Harbor Freight Airbrush Compressor Kit: $89.99
• Craftsman 3gal Oil-lubed compressor: $119.99
• Paasch D500SR: $119.99 (I'd be getting this from HobbyTown USA)
• Porter-Cable 3.5gal 135PSI Pancake compressor: $129
• Craftsman 4gal 125 PSI pancake compressor: $139.99
• Sparmax TC-501N: $173.99 (After 40% off coupon)
• Badger Cyclone: $207.99 (After coupon)

Alternately, I could say "screw it" to all of these and order one online. I'm willing to do that if a much better deal is available, but I'd kinda like to pick it up today if possible so I can start learning how to use it on my extra day off tomorrow.

My airbrush options are:

• Harbor Freight airbrush kit: $17.59 (After coupon)
• Badger Model 350: $47.99 (After coupon)
• Neo BCN Siphon-fed Dual Action Airbrush: $53.99 (After coupon)
• Paasch Single Action Airbrush Set: $59.99 (After coupon)
• Paasch Double Action Set: $77.99 (After coupon)
• Badger Model 155 Anthem: $143.99 (After coupon)
• Badger Patriot: $143.99 (After coupon)

Again I could also just order a different one online if a much better deal is available.

I really appreciate any suggestions!

 

[JLSleather]

I've used those Paasche airbrushes for years.  Both have been popular with leather people for a long time (like 40 years that I know of) since they are easy to use, easy to clean, and maintenance and parts are simple and inexpensive, and available almost everywhere.

The single action has produced some STUNNING artwork, and I would recommend the extra couple dollars for teh double action ONLY because it's often faster to do some things.  I have several of the VL brushes myself.

Compressor ... I've tried the Paasche D500 (don't remember which version) but didn't care for it.  I found it didn't keep up to speed nearly as well as it claimed to.  Instead, I use a simple pancake model from Stanley tools.  It IS loud, but it only kicks on a minute or so every so often (depending on how much air you're using).  And it blows 20-30 psi smoothly with a regulator, without running constantly.

The stuff I spray is sprayed with this set up.  FWIW. Also the roses in the DIY section of my site (those roses are airbrushed ONLY -- NOT tooled first).

http://www.jlsleather.com/diy/

[particle]

I have a Senco PC1010 that I ordered off Amazon and love it. It's very quiet, though not as quiet as a dedicated airbrush compressor. But I can still air up car tires, drive finish nailers, blow stuff off, etc. If noise is a concern, most of the pancake compressors you mentioned probably won't fit the bill.

[MADMAX22]

The paasche and badgers are decent/good airbrushes that have been  around for many years. That being said I have used the HF one and still do but I also picked up a nice paasche double action at a yard sale for $20 so when the HF dies I have a replacement. 

Remember the air tank is a vital item for intricate or detail work as you dont get pulsing from the little compressors that dont have tanks. Even a small tank will absorb any pulses. If your just doing two tone or general area airbrushing the HF style little airbrush compressor seems to work ok. Ive had mine for a few years but dont use it very often. 

[billybopp]

As with most things, there are trade-offs here.  

The "artist" compressors (Paasche/Badger/HF Kit) run relatively quiet, but they also do not flow a lot of air, and do not have tanks to help even out that airflow.  Artist airbrushes don' t need a lot of airflow .. but for maximum versatility, I'd go for a compressor with a tank every time AND one that has airflow(CFM) to support more than just an artist brush.  Covering a large area of leather with an artist's brush is a pain, and you'll do better with a touch up gun for that purpose but it will require more airflow.  Match the compressor to the tool that uses the most air.  About the only way to know how noisy a compressor is is to try them out and see.  

For airbrushes, I've used Paasche for many years and love them.  The H series single action work well for a lot of things, and can be set up to cover a decent area if that's what you're looking for.  The VL series double action brushes allow much more control, but a little more time to master.   The VLs also offer multiple tip/needle/nozzle combinations for differing flow and coverage area.  My go-to is the VL because of its versatility.  Badger and some of the others probably offer many of the same options.  If you go for a VL, pay attention to which tip/needle/nozzle comes with it!  

Other must-haves include a GOOD respirator, because you do not want to breath in paint/dye/whatever.  Goggles or some sort of eye protection are needed as well since anything you're likely to spray isn't good for eyes, or even your glasses (scraping paint from lenses sucks!).  An in-line moisture trap is just about a necessity.  It will remove any moisture that the main trap doesn't (it's kind of surprising how much at times).  

Some good to have items include extra nozzle sets if your airbrush uses 'em.  A better pressure regulator than the one that's on the compressor itself.  A stand of some sort for your airbrush.  Extra bottles with both spray caps and storage caps in several different sizes.  You'll want to keep one bottle just for cleaning out the airbrush after using it.  If you'll be spraying indoors, an airbrush cleaner can be very useful http://www.amazon.com/GotHobby-Airbrush-Cleaning-Clean-Holder/dp/B00KS1II96/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1464557091&sr=8-6&keywords=airbrush+cleaner.  A spray booth is also a good idea .. Even if its only a big cardboard box and a window fan!  Quick disconnect fittings sized for the output of your compressor as well as for the smaller airbrush hose are terribly handy.  An ultrasonic cleaner is also quite useful for keeping your airbrush clean is a good thing (and useful for other things as well).  Skip the little bristle brushes that everybody likes to sell with airbrushes.  They are less than useless since they often shed bristles that can cause problems.  Pantyhose/knee highs are pretty useful as are small funnels for filtering stuff as you fill your containers.

There's a lot of info there ... and hopefully some food for thought!!

Bill

 

 

 

 

 

[AwenMade]

Thanks for the input everybody. I ended up ordering the Senco PC1010 and the Paasche double action airbrush set. They will be here tomorrow. Very excited!

[Colt W Knight]

I used cheap air brushes for a while, and I got some good results with them. However, once I bought my nice Iwata air brush, I was ready to throw rocks at all my cheaper brushes. The iwata stays cleaner longer while spraying, have a better spray pattern, and cleans easier than the cheaper ones I had. Plus, its a lot stronger and doesn't break as quickly and easily as my cheapo HF brushes. I have very large air compressors and the HF table top air brush compressor. The HF table top guy works fine if you aren't trying to cover a large area at once. You need to let it rest a bit and catch up, which is annoying, but also much much quieter than a full compressor. Also, big compressors can create hot air and condense a lot of moisture - both of which lead to poor spraying. I like the air tank the best. Just be sure to use a moisture separator, you can ruin a project real quick if you send water droplets through your air hose. 

I switched to all water soluble products so I  clean my airbrush by simply putting it through my ultrasonic cleaner with warm water and dawn dish soap. No harsh or expensive cleaners required.

Edited June 5, 2016 by Colt W Knight