Offshore G Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Hi guys, I am looking at getting a mini air compressor and the link below is what I have found in South Africa. Not many options available. What do you think of this Aircraft mini compressor? https://www.makro.co.za/diy/air-craft-mini-compressor-air-brush-ki-225236EA Any suggestions will be welcome. Garreth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) I've owned several compressors, from an inexpensive Chinese "30psi" model, to a stronger Badger airbrush unit, to compressors designed for air power tools. My take is this: compressors tend to be pretty loud, whatever the model. if you work inside where noise is an issue, a relatively quiet dedicated airbrush compressor will be less disruptive to your household. If you work in a garage or where noise is not an issue, a tool compressor is usually the better choice. Small airbrush compressors are usually advertised to deliver X psi but this is max psi, not the sustained psi at which you will be shooting most of your paint. PSI drops off from max to sustained a heart beat after you activate your airbrush. Sustained psi is typically 15 psi less than max psi on small airbrush compressors. I want an airbrush compressor that has a max psi of at least 45 psi so that the sustained psi will be at least 30 psi. I don't use 30 psi all the time but when I want it, I need it. The most popular alternative for situations where noise is not a big factor is to use a tool compressor. For the pressure they supply, they are more cost effective than an airbrush compressor. Specifically, an oil-less tool compressor with a storage tank holding at least 2 but ideally 5 or more gallons of air. The bigger the tank, the less often the compressor will kick on. Add a pressure gauge on which you can dial up the desired pressure and a moisture trap (you can buy a combo unit that does both) and you're set. If it's an oiled compressor, you'll need an oil trap too. Airbrushes companies usually state that the brush is designed to operate in the 10-45 psi range, so a pressure gauge/regulator in that neighborhood is ideal. I couldn't tell from your link at what max pressure the compressor operates, so would be leery of it. The Chinese manufacturer a lot of these units and they, along with the airbrush supplied, are truly the low end products in the market. Hope this helps. Edited June 2, 2015 by BobP 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore G Posted June 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Thanks BobP, I have taken notes and will see what else I can find. I will be working in my "office" at home so have a few things to consider. I found a 24L (5Galon) unit, here is the link. When I am home from Offshore Mozambique I will go and have a look at the hardware store and get the finer details of these units. https://www.makro.co.za/diy/ryobi-1100w-24l-compressor-200250EA Maybe I should find something overseas and ship it to South Africa, maybe spend a bit more money and only spend it once instead of replacing cheaper garbage every 1 years or less....... Thanks again for the info, it helped a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore G Posted June 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 The mini compressor is in SA Rands so its around $163 at today's exchange rate. Not very cheap is it? The larger 24L unit (2nd link I posted) which has max 8 Bar (116psi) works out to $108 or so. It also has a 2 year warranty. But 116 psi is a bit overkill....are you able to set these at your desired psi? If so then this may be a good option for me. The oiless ones they have in SA are massive 100L (26 Galons) or 150L units. I only need this for painting cranks so the smaller the better I think. My un painted lures are on their way from Predator Bass Baits to SA and now I need to find paint as well LOL. There are a few model painting shops around and I will check those out. I found a brand that they use for painting metal miniatures called Humbrol, they have acrylic and enamel, I see water based would be best though. Thanks again for the great help!! I will let you know how it goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted June 4, 2015 Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 I have owned the mini compressor from the first link. It had a different brand name but looks identical. I bought it when I was living in an apartment in Malaysia and needed something that was very quiet. The price was about the same as you have quoted. The machine was very quiet and possible to airbrush with it successfully, but the pressure drops off very quickly and so was very limiting. I had to adapt all the time to what the pump was capable of, the lack of artistic freedom was frustrating. I have also owned the compressor from the second link, again a different name, but basically the same machine. Although I bought it with airbrush work in mind, I never got around to opening up my super duper Iwata HP-C box and mainly used the compressor for blowing off my work bench. Extremely noisy, but good pressure, and the tank would probably be big enough to get a couple of paint jobs done before the motor kicks in to recharge. Once you move away from the silent mini compressor, they are all going to be noisy. If noise is not an issue then great, buy the small, cheap tank and live with it. BUT, if you are trying to concentrate on creativity and the pneumatic drill kicks in half way through a difficult stencil operation, it is going to get old very quickly. I am going to be starting to set up my new workshop in a week or two and so will be looking for a new compressor. My next machine will have the largest tank that I can get at a reasonable price. It may be oiled or oilless, it may be electric or petrol, all I know is that it will have a BIGASS tank. It may seem overkill for airbrushing a few cranks, but nobody will know except us and we won't tell. Besides, compressors do have other uses that will come about with time. I am looking forward to getting some air-tools for a start. As for pressure, it is all adjustable and easy to dial in. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted June 4, 2015 Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 Depending on your needs may want to look into buying/renting a tank of CO2 or N2 for many hobbyists you can go a very long time before refill. No noise.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore G Posted June 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 Hi guys, I did some more research (contacted Aircraft in JHB) and found that the mini compressor is available with a 3L (0.79 galons) tank as well and it reaches a max 6 bar (87 psi), it is oiless and has a filter regulator and thermal protection (?). this model costs $230 in SA. So having the extra tank would allow for better shooting with less drops in pressure right? Noise shouldn't be an issue. However, I haven't used a compressor in my house before. The old lady may have heart failure if I'm making a noise while she is trying to do her accounting work next to me in the office. LOL On looking at the mini compressor in more detail after calling the agent and what they have available it is looking like a good option to me. They seem to have all the accessories available to use with this unit and good service support for SA etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted June 4, 2015 Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 If you are using it in the house and wifey is in the building then yes, definitely the mini. Much cheaper than divorce solicitors and hospital bills for surgically removing an airbrush. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted June 4, 2015 Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 There's no 'overkill' about compressor max psi if the rig uses an air tank to store the pressure - the more the merrier. I use a Porter Cable 135 psi model with a 6 gallon tank that sits under my garage workbench. I can paint several lures before the air tank drops below its cut-on pressure and the motor kicks on again. And that includes dialing up the pressure to 45 psi several times during the session to clean out my airbrush. When it does kick on, it's a shock because these tool compressors are LOUD. If you plan to paint inside the house, I wouldn't count on doing it while other household members are sleeping or doing anything else that requires quiet. Unless you have a "fortress of solitude" that you can sound proof. If so, it will just be annoying to them instead of startling the life out of them every time it kicks on. If I worked inside, I'd be thinking smaller quieter airbrush compressor. Even they can be rather loud and obnoxious. If I were forced to paint inside, I'd probably forget compressors altogether and try a simple compressed air tank. Not necessarily a cheaper alternative but it would be soundless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore G Posted June 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 mini compressor is available with a 3L (0.79 galons) tank as well and it reaches a max 6 bar (87 psi), it is oiless and has a filter regulator and thermal protection (?). this model costs $230 in SA. Does this seem like a good choice then? (above quote) Its a tough one because the larger 116 psi unit is less than half the price. I honestly only intend to use it to paint cranks. And anyway, I'll get the old lady a pair of ear muffs LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted June 5, 2015 Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 I think both of you need to go to the hardware store, get them to fire up a compressor and then ask your lady what she thinks. Personally, I wouldn't dream of using a compressor with someone else in the house. What about neighbours; is your house detached or do you share an internal wall. If so, that is another can-o-worms. The only way that this idea might work, is by building a sound proof box. Someone posted a thread on this idea a few months ago. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore G Posted June 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 Jokes aside. I live in a free standing house and to be honest I would prefer it to be as quiet as possible. I do not have a workshop area, being in the house I have to respect the space as well. I'll be able to get away with the noise of the mini compressor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted June 5, 2015 Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 You made your decision a few posts back and the correct decision too in my opinion. The temptation of the much cheaper and larger compressor did draw your attention towards the end, especially as it was more suited to the job, but common sense has prevailed and you will just have to ignore the rolling of the eyes of all the professional lure builders with their outside shed workshops. The noise from the mini is little more than a 50Hz hum and will not be audible from the next room. If you can afford it, definitely go with the larger tank, it will make a difference. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore G Posted April 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Hi guys, Another question about compressors and air brushes. I am now thinking of upgrading to maybe Iwata? It is available in South Africa which is always better than importing as the agents can help directly if I ever need them to. My question is......Do I need to upgrade my entire system, ie the airbrush and the compressor OR would it make a big difference if I just spend my money on a top of the line Iwata Eclipse? So, what makes more of a difference? A top quality airbrush or a compressor or should I not waste my time and get just both? Thanks in advance, G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHammer Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 (edited) I use whats called a California Air Tools....It is by far one of the quietest ones I've ever heard and oiless and has leasted me 2 years so far and thousands of baits!....I love it and works in the same room as me without knocking me off my feet from the sound. Been using the Iwata HP-CS since I started....started with what I felt was the best for what I'm doing without skimping. http://www.amazon.com/California-Air-Tools-CAT-10020-10-0-Gallon/dp/B00889ZYOW/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1461155816&sr=8-17&keywords=california+air+tools Edited April 20, 2016 by TheHammer 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore G Posted April 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Thanks very much for the info, that Eclipse is what I've been looking at getting. In SA it works out to about $220, what do you think of that price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Compressors need to put out enough air so you can shoot at 45 psi if you want to. Other than that, the air brush is the really important component in your painting setup, not the compressor. If noise isn't an issue, I'd suggest you get a tool compressor with at least a 3 gallon air tank. That way, your air supply will be constant, and the compressor won't need to cycle as often. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore G Posted April 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Thanks Mark, My compressor puts out around 87 psi, so I think I am happy to say that I just need to upgrade my airbrush. I'm going to try and actually import one as that $220 price seems a bit expensive for the Eclipse HP-CS? Thanks again, G 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don-Art Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 I just purchased a California Air. I haven't hooked up an airbrush to it yet. I bought a 1 HP. Twin aluminum tank model. I just finished installing a water trap. I have used to clean off some items and inflate a tire. I agree with Thehammer in the above post. It is by far the quietest compressor that I have owned. Have a hard time believing that it's a oil-less It will completely fill the tank from empty in approximately 2 minutes. It has a 4.6 gallon capacity. So far I am very happy with the purchase. Don 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 (edited) No matter what brand name airbrush you use, quality of the brush is a must. Iwata is a very good brand. Some will argue that is the best. I use them myself. I just think quality is a way to get going. I myself waited until I had the money to get what I wanted. Quarry in the find box at the top of this page and Google about the types of brushes out there. Pay attention to needle, cup size of the brush as you do your research. Pick what's right for what you do. You have decided on the compressor, so yes you will enjoy painting much more having a quality airbrush, not knowing what you are using now. The compress makes a difference also when you don't have to wait on the pressure or you mess up when you run out of a pressure that you are using. My opinion is to get both. If money is a issue, then the brush is next. Then start saving again for the compressor. Take Care, Dale Edited April 21, 2016 by DaleSW 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHammer Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 $220 is expensive for the Iwata Eclypse....check ebay too...you should be able to get those for under $150 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore G Posted April 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 Ok, thanks guys, done deal, I am ordering an Eclipse from Amazon. Thanks again for all the helpful info G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
