Junkhead Posted January 7, 2020 Report Share Posted January 7, 2020 Just getting started! Obviously I am an amateur. I know I don’t have to start with the very best airbrush, I can work my way up. Has anyone ever used a Masters bran air brush? Also as an amputee, I sometimes have over use issueswith my hand. Has anyone used a trigger style hairbrush? Beginners question. Do I need an air compressor with a tank or can I just run off the small 1/5 horsepower compressor? How loud are these honey type compressors? Sorry for silly questions, but as a double amputee I don’t get to go see everything. Have to trust in others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 7, 2020 Report Share Posted January 7, 2020 Yup little air compressors do the trick as long as they put out enough psi. I use a little air compressor it’s not as loud as my big shop compressor but it’s still a little noisy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 8, 2020 Report Share Posted January 8, 2020 I've always used compressors with tanks, since I had so many of them from being in construction, so I only know of dedicated airbrush compressors from what I've read here over the years. This is what I've learned. Compressor type is a trade off. Small, dedicated airbrush compressors are quieter, but they cycle constantly, because they have no air tank. They are much smaller and lighter, so they are easier to move around. This might be a good choice for you if you'll be setting up you spray area by yourself. People here have reported having to pause while painting to let the compressor catch up and reach painting pressure, or having uneven pressure as you spray. There are many successful painters here on TU who use them, so they are a very viable alternative. If you live in an apartment, or have noise constraints, this is the quietest compressor you will find. Compressors with tanks are louder, but they cycle less, depending on the tank size, and the flow of air remains much more consistent, since you are drawing air from a tank that's typically holding 100 psi air, while you are shooting at 40 psi max. They typically have an oil bath at the bottom of the actual compressor that the crank bearings run in, so they last a long time, as long as you check the oil level every once in a while. If you plan to do a lot of painting I think this would be a good choice for you, but they are harder to move around, because they are bigger and heavier. If you have someone who can help you schlep and set up, one of these would work for you. I am currently using a 30 gallon Sears compressor that is 40+ years old. I bought it new, put some compressor oil into the air tank before I ran it, to coat the inside and prevent rust, and it's still alive and kicking. I do use an oil and water separator, along with an air pressure regulator, right where the air leaves the compressor and enters the air hose, and another separator/regulator right at my airbrush paint station, so I've never had any issue with oil or water contamination. There is a third type of compressor, the oil-less wobbler type. It has a much smaller tank, typically 2-3 gallons, and can reach 100+ psi, but it is very loud, and cycles more often. The upside is that it is lighter than a conventional construction compressor, so it is easier to move around. I still have one that I used to take one to the jobsite to run finish nail guns. It was much more convenient. But I haven't tried using it for airbrushing, because my old compressor just keeps on trucking. Sorry this is so long winded. I hope it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkhead Posted January 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 Mark, No need to apologize for being long-winded! All of that is very good information. I have a Campbell Hosfield compressor that I used to run nail guns etc. I feel like if I put a good moisture separator on it I could use it for bigger jobs like painting a bunch of blanks with a base white. However I think I’m going to buy the small compressors that are made just for airbrushes to do my detail work with. Your response help me make that decision. Thank you again for all the information Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 1 minute ago, Junkhead said: Mark, No need to apologize for being long-winded! All of that is very good information. I have a Campbell Hosfield compressor that I used to run nail guns etc. I feel like if I put a good moisture separator on it I could use it for bigger jobs like painting a bunch of blanks with a base white. However I think I’m going to buy the small compressors that are made just for airbrushes to do my detail work with. Your response help me make that decision. Thank you again for all the information Just remember you can use your Campbell Hausfeld compressor to do really fine work if you have an adjustable air pressure regulator, and a good detail airbrush. I'd spend the compressor money on a good Iwata detail airbrush instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkhead Posted January 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 That is a really good point!! do you know of anyone using trigger type air brushes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 1 minute ago, Junkhead said: That is a really good point!! do you know of anyone using trigger type air brushes? I do not, but I'm sure there are some here who do. Maybe ask in a new thread with Trigger Type Airbrushes as the title/topic. You can also Google your question, and someone will have an answer for you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
