Kribman Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 I tried to skimp out on compressor/gun, and I think I may have paid the price. My compressor, I know its bad, is a Powercat airbrush rated up to 30 lbs. that I got on Ebay for $45. I also bought a Paasche single action with three needles. I was using my black createx that I watered down a tin a bit, just to do the practice exercises that came with the brush. I can make good dots, but when i try to make lines, they start out strong for the few few, and then get very weak. Sometimes the paint is hardly coming out. When I look at the pressure gauge while the brush is spraying, and it goes down to 10 or so. Is this bad? Also, I can feel an air leak at the junction between the hose and the gun. Is this bad? Are these problems stemming from the cheap compressor, the brush, the hose connection, or the paint mixture? Don't be afraid to tell me to buy new gear or give suggestions for an inexpensive, but still quality, setup! Thanks, -Kribman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 Kribman- Probably all of these are the problem, but fix the leak with some teflon plumbers tape for a start. The fix for the "line drop" to 10 lbs is to hook the compressor to a small reservoir, so you have some air storage capacity. I don't know how mechanical you are but a small gas cylender will do, just remove the valve (after SLOWLY draining in a well ventilated area) and get a threaded 'T" junction- air in one side, then into the cylender, then out to the brush at the other side of the T junction. If you have not got a gas cyl a large PET 'POP' bottle will do, at these low pressures (30lb), I think a PET Coke bottle will take 300lb (maybe 3000) I forget now , so you are well within the range. Also check the bore of your airline to the brush- if it is about 1/16", chuck it and get something with a bigger bore (1/8"), your brush could be starving for air. pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbo Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 I used an old fire extinguisher the throw away kind. The opening had to be rethreaded to fit the proper T fitting but works fine and it might be easier to find than a gas cylinder ?? jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kribman Posted January 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Well, this is my very first painting job. I just did it on a lousy Mania Jake type lure that I messed up on. I was able to make do. This is without sanding the primer (I don't know why I didn't) or putting any epoxy on... http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q247/20100057/CIMG0068.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Actually, I get a little quick on the trigger with new stuff myself at times, just wanting to see if something is going to work like you think it will. I had a simular problem happen to an old fender the day I got to try a plazma cutter... I had no idea my little brother was even thinking about using it for something, that was FUN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Just from what I can see in the pic , it looks like you may have thinned the paint too much, I cant zoom it here but it looks very patchy. pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wantsome Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 You should look into some better equipment if your gonna be in this for the long haul. If not you might get discouraged and give up. I had a Paschaa airbrush to start and it drove me nuts. I got a better gun and I couldn't be happier. I havent used a single action but I have seen them and they look like a pain in the ass. My set up is fairly cheap but works well. I bought a compresor with a 2 gallon tank at Walmart for $70 and a Iwata eclipse gun for $110. I'm hopeing once I get painting to make a Few $$$ I can spring for a new compressor. The one I have is noisey as all hell. I bought some plywood and made a box to cover and silence it. It cuts the noise in half. I started buying new equipment last October and I still haven't started painting yet. I'm on a fixed income and money is extreemly tight so I just buy stuff here and there when I can afford it. So far I have about $600 invested. I try not to go cheap unless there is no other option. The way I see it is the better equipment I have the better the job I can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lure--Prof Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 First things first, fix that air leak like Pete said, with some Teflon tape. An experienced painter with this gun could paint a zillion beautiful baits, after getting the pressure thing straightened out, so don't think you can't paint with that Paache. I don't thin any Createx, not even the Pearls, but I have plenty of pressure available...any correct set-up should shoot Createx black without thinning. Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kribman Posted January 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 I was worried that I thinned the paint too much... and to the equipment, I realized last night that trying to get the equipment quick and cheap just to get going will probably be more expensive in the long run. One of the only resources for crafts in my area is a small hobby shop and they have probably had that gun in there for 10 years w/o thinking about lowering the price. I guess I will suffer through what I have now until i can save up enough for some nicer stuff. Thanks -Kribman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Most cheap compressors that advertise "30 lbs" pressure actually work at about 15 lbs a second or two after you pull the trigger - believe me, I know! But 15 lbs should shoot properly thinned paint OK, you just have more options with more pressure. Like Dean said, fix any leaks and you should be able to get'er done. Black Createx is already one of the thinnest airbrush paints right out of the bottle. Try shooting it unthinned. Your paint should be the consistency of milk. If you thin it too much, it will fail to adhere and puddle up on the bait (like water). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Someone posted Harbor Freight as a source for inexpensive (cheap) airbrush compressors. You should probably go there and replace your compressor. As far as an air reservoir, has anyone tried an old propane tank, like the ones used for BBQs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
