Airbrush compressor.

[toxo]

I have at least one airbrush somewhere and I fancy having a bash at some coloured dyes/paints. So recommends please for a budget airbrush compressor that is fairly quiet. I have a big one in the shed but I can't fire that up indoors when I'm often at it late at night.

[mikesc]

Make one..fridge motor ( from a fridge that has a working one but is otherwise scrap ) and fire extinguisher ( used , emptied and cleaned out ).., a few tubes, air hose connectors, a pressure gauge , a feed regulator and a pressure switch, some 2mm steel plate..4 rubber feet a few nuts and bolts....oh and a release valve that will kick at 11* bar..that is basically what the small ones ( 6litre size tanks ) are made like..Most airbrushing needs to go no higher than 1.5 to 2.0 bar..tank needs to be able to stand 10 bar..pressurises to 8 bar..drops to 6 bar switches on again

Probably some youtube how to's out there..Used to be ..take you an afternoon max..

You can drop the max bar to 6..restart at 4 ( *release valve set to 7 to match ) ..depends on what your tank ( extinguisher ) is rated for..

An inverter type stick welder or a MIG or TIG is handy to make the mounting bracket for the motor etc to fix to the extinguisher and some feet for it..You could do the welding with "bottles", but electric is stronger..

Or..
You can use an empty gas bottle, charge it with air from your compressor in the shed day time..and then use it inside as an air resrve night time..car tyre inner tube ( mounted inside a car tyre on a wheel, so as to stop it going "bang"!! ) will work too**, but gas bottles can take a higher pressure..take off the gas tap ( carefully , rinse out thoroughly ) DIY a new regulator , pressure gauge and and fill system valve on to fit where the gas tap came out of..Don't over pressure the gas bottle..The max pressure rating is marked on it stay a couple of bars under that.

**harder to rig up a filler and feed gauge and regulator system on a "tyre tank", but do-able..fill to max 5 or 6 bars.. light truck tyre ( six wheeler transit ) is best, can take 6 bar..and is not much bigger than a car tyre..and because they have a dish design..you can sit it on the floor or carpet ( "dish side down " ) without it leaving marks..

Edited September 23, 2019 by mikesc

[toxo]

Liking the thinking Mike. In fact I used to be you. Used to be a fabricator/welder. slowed down too much these days.   A lot easier to open the door and take the box.  

[robs456]

7 hours ago, toxo said:

budget airbrush compressor that is fairly quiet

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Timbertech-Professional-Airbrush-Compressor-Oil-Less/dp/B07J2G7ND9/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_60_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=92BPAWP8W1X2635PV5QW

 

This style works fine indoors. It makes sound of course but it's got a tank so it won't work all the time, and with some felt or something under the feet noise from vibrations will be minimized. 

[toxo]

1 hour ago, robs456 said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Timbertech-Professional-Airbrush-Compressor-Oil-Less/dp/B07J2G7ND9/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_60_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=92BPAWP8W1X2635PV5QW

 

This style works fine indoors. It makes sound of course but it's got a tank so it won't work all the time, and with some felt or something under the feet noise from vibrations will be minimized. 

That looks like a nice piece of kit Rob and I guess that's the sort of price needed if you don't want crap but I've decided to use what I've got until I'm sure I need one. There are two compressors in the shed and although the space is a bit limited I can at least hang things up and not have to worry about overspray. Thanks for the thought.

[robs456]

1 hour ago, toxo said:

There are two compressors in the shed and although the space is a bit limited I can at least hang things up and not have to worry about overspray.

Ya, if you can help it don't airbrush indoors. (In the house I mean, shed and paint rooms are OK of course.)
I know you know this, but for others reading this...

[billybopp]

4 hours ago, toxo said:

That looks like a nice piece of kit Rob and I guess that's the sort of price needed if you don't want crap but I've decided to use what I've got until I'm sure I need one. There are two compressors in the shed and although the space is a bit limited I can at least hang things up and not have to worry about overspray. Thanks for the thought.

That sounds like a good plan.  I move my rig out to the back porch when I want to use it, so that I don't have to worry about overspray, and less about breathing in the nasty stuff (I wear a respirator anyway, to be certain).   At some point, when I have more space, I'll probably make a spray booth so that I can work indoors more easily.

I've tried using a 5 gallon tank to transport air and it does work, but it does not provide air for very long.  With this being something that you want to do, Murphy's law dictates that the tank will run low exactly when you are at the most intense part of the job, or about 1 minute from completion of the job.

If you do decide to go with an indoor rig, I'd suggest getting one that has an air tank.  Most compressors will surge or pulsate the air supply which can cause issues if you are trying to do fine work.  The air tank acts as a plenum and smooths out the air flow.  Airbrushes work much better with smooth air flow.

- Bill

Edited September 24, 2019 by billybopp

[mikesc]

What Bill said..If you are going to buy a silent compressor, get one with a tank.."No Pulsing" is Vital for smooth fades and detailed illustration.

Not everyday that one sees "plenum" in a post..or hears it in conversation used correctly, gladdens the heart, well played Bill :)..will raise glass later to you*, when the sun has passed below the yardarm here :)

*for the second time in recent weeks :)

Edited September 24, 2019 by mikesc

[toxo]

3 hours ago, mikesc said:

Not everyday that one sees "plenum" in a post..or hears it in conversation used correctly, gladdens the heart, well played Bill :)..will raise glass later to you*, when the sun has passed below the yardarm here

*for the second time in recent weeks

A word lover as well! You must be a bruvva from anuvva muvva,