I need to get the compressor thing straight once and for all...

[Emperor]

Hello all,

I'm sure this topic has been discussed many times but I would like some opinions for my certain needs.

First off - let me start by saying I'm looking to airbrush plastic and resin models. Mostly larger scale planes like 1/32 scale and also 1/35 scale armor.

Second - I will be purchasing several Iwata airbrushes:

Iwata Revolution CR - For backround spraying and covering larger areas.
Iwata Eclipse CS - For most of my general airbrushing needs
Iwata HP-C Plus - For Detailing (Pre and Post Shading, small pieces etc.)

Here's the real question: What compressor?

I know most of the pros and cons of "hobby" compressors vs. "Home Depot, Lowes" compressors. Mostly being the noise factor. I don't really have to worry about noise because I live in my own house (but with a family.)

However, for airbrushing models only, do I really need one of those big 3-6 gallon; 1.5 - 3 HP compressors? Or will a smaller "hobby" compressor (with a much smaller tank) be just fine?

What do you guys think about the compressor in this package:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=200218796528&rd=1

Or is this small of a compressor a waste of time for my needs? BTW I will be spraying thinned acrylics, enamels and laquers (all model paints such as Tamiya, Gunze and Alclad II)

Also, I don't want to ruin the nice Iwata airbrushes I will be purchasing.

So what do you think, small "hobby/airbrush" compressor or larger "more capacity" and probably cheaper air compressor from Sears, Lowes etc. (Maybe Craftsman?)

Again, I already know some pros and cons like: A larger compressor is noisier and will need a regulator/water trap fitted to it, oil-less (yes these are louder still) etc.. as I have done some research. I just need to know what works best for doing models, before I waste money on one.

Thanks

[JimmyG]

Welcome to AirbrushTECH Emperor.....I am moving your thread from General Airbrushing to the Airbrushes and Compressors forum so we can get you better response with your poll and such......

Please go to the Introduce Yourself forum here..... http://www.airbrushtech.info/AIRBRUSH/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4 and tell us more about you so we can get to know you better....

Again, Welcome to AirbrushTech from Georgia low country !!!

[denstore]

Hi Emperor!

Since I´m also into modelling, I think I know what you need.
You won´t need the big rigs for the work you do. A silent compressor will be better suited for you. Especially the really silent ones, like Sil-Air. They are expensive, but will last you a lifetime, if serviced. The best alternative would in my opinion be a CO2-setup. That´s what I use myself, and I love it. But everything has its pros and cons.

About the brushes, I wouldn´t buy the Iwata Revolution. All the things you can do with the Revolution, you can also do with the Eclipse. Use the money on a better compressor, or on a more expensive detailing brush instead.

[ABD]

Welcome from NY!

I'd say if it's not a noise issue the next thing it comes down to is if it's a $$ issue.....The compressor you linked to, Personally I'd say was a waste of electricity...Small are nice, but they build heat fast, I've never seen a lil water trap they come with hold up very well...If you paint for an more than a 1/2 hour at a time, you'll have to check the trap constantly to drain moisture.

Not saying all lil ones are bad..the good ones just cost more..Like Den mentioned "Sil-air" and ones of that nature...Great comps but start getting pricey..Most times you can buy the one from sears/homedepot cheaper..That's why they are great to use if you can get away with the noise.

[Whit]

Personally,,, I've got 3/4 comps around here,,,
nothing under a 2hp and at least 5 gal tank,,,
I've tried the smaller/cuter/quieter comps,, BUT,,,
they burn up quick,, leave comp strokes,, plus
other lil probs,, as a result,, I've just learned
to speak louder,, use phrases like "Hey,, I'm Workin Here"
plus other choice words when the subject of noise comes up,,
this is just 2 cents,, but don't waste your $$ on the smaller
comps,, they don't hold up,,
Good Luck on your choices !!!

[Bahamut]

I think you've already been given all the advice I can offer.

[denstore]

Personally,,, I've got 3/4 comps around here,,,
nothing under a 2hp and at least 5 gal tank,,,
I've tried the smaller/cuter/quieter comps,, BUT,,,
they burn up quick,, leave comp strokes,, plus
other lil probs,, as a result,, I've just learned
to speak louder,, use phrases like "Hey,, I'm Workin Here"
plus other choice words when the subject of noise comes up,,
this is just 2 cents,, but don't waste your $$ on the smaller
comps,, they don't hold up,,
Good Luck on your choices !!!

I´ve heard of illustrators that have been having their refrigerator type compressors turned on for years, without burning up. Small doesn´t need to be bad. Problem is that quality costs.

[Emperor]

Hey thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'll go with one of the larger "sorta silent" compressors such as the sil-air mentioned above. I looked at them for a bit and they are a bit pricey but, I think I'll do it to fit my needs and it should last quite a while. As for the Iwata Revolution, your right, I didn't stop to think about that. I think I'll stick that $$ into the compressor and just go with the Eclipse and the HP C+. Again, thanks for your input.

[draggin81]

I just use a 5 gal compressor I bought at Harbor Freight back when I started airbrushing. It's not silent by any means, but it's not really all that loud. Oilless comressors tend to make alot more racket (which are usually those small 1/8th hp compressors) My uncle has one of those "hobby" compressors and it makes more noise than mine.
I've found mine is juuuuuust big enough to run a mini-hvlp gun. Anything than needs more cfm's than that, I'm SOL.
Basically, My advice would be to get the biggest compressor you can afford. That at least gives you the option of using it for more than just airbrushing. A high quality air rgulator, and oil/water filter are essential, too.

[denstore]

I can just talk from my own experience, but I couldn´t go back to a noisy airsource again. I tried one of the "Sears"-type compressors for a while, because i had problems to get refills for my CO2 setup. I got rid of it really fast. My wife hated it, the neighbors hated it, and I had problems hearing myself think. To paint became something that I tried to avoid, and I even brushpainted things I ´wouldn´t even consider when I used quiet sources. I´m back to using my CO2, and I have small, quiet compressor as backup/portable. Never a loud one again.

[sharonsstudio]

I have a lare husky in my garage noisy have a small craftsman in basement less noisy but comes in handy when the phone rings and it's your mother-in-law:pishposh: I don't want a silent one, :lol:

[denstore]

I should revise my statement a bit. Of course, if you are a professional, with your own studio, or if you have a basement or garage where you can run the compressor without disturbing yourself or anyone else, the large compressors could be a good alternative. But, if you are like me, someone who uses the airbrushes mostly for hobby stuff, and who are working inside, the silent compressors are really the best. But a warning ought to come with this. Once using the silent ones, there´s no turning back. ;)
And to those who havn´t tried any of the Sil-Air types, or a CO2-setup, I recommend taking one for a spinn. They are really nice.

[draggin81]

I am lucky enough to have an extra room in my basement that I can dedicate soley to airbrushing, and my roomates live in the upstairs bedroom, which, since I almost always work at night, works out well.

I did want to make a suggestion or two regarding your airbrush choices. Iwata is definitely a good brand, so I don't see any problem there, but as mentioned ealier, your brush choices do overlap somewhat.
Personally, if I was going to choose three brushes in that general price range, I'd change out the Revolution for something with at least a .5 nozzle. You'll probably have to get a suction feed brush, but it's worth it for larger areas or spraying metalics.
The Eclipse is a good choice. I actually use mine alot more that I originally thought I would. The .35 tip is big enough to spray most pearls, but metalics tend to clog it up.
For a detail brush, I'd recommend an HP-B instead of the C+ (a Grex XN would work very nicely, too.) The reason being is that the .3 nozzle on the C+ is so close to the .35 on the eclipse, it would be more or less redundant. The .2 nozzle on the B model would give you a broader range of brushes to choose from, plus would be better for detail work.
I know one of the draws of the C+ is the MAC valve, but you can get a G-MAC from Grex that does the same thing, only it screws on between the airbrush and airhose.
Anyway, just a few thoughts.

[Emperor]

Actually I was doing a bit of research and the Iwata website says that the Eclipse CS can be used with either a .35 or a .5 nozzle and the HP C+ can be used with the .3 nozzle or an optional .2 nozzle. So It looks like those two brushes offer a decent range of possibilities. It also says the revolution comes standard with a .5 nozzle. :whowhere:

[denstore]

It´s true that most of the Iwatas can be fitted with different needles, but for example, the Eclipse will not take smaller than 0.35mm. The Revolutions fitted with 0.5mm setups can be changed to 0.35. But even when using that one, they won´t be spraying as fine as the Eclipse. Simply, the Eclipse is in my opinion a better all around brush.
I´ve fitted my HP-CH with a 0.2mm needle/nozzle setup, and it works fine. I´m not sure it is so much better than before, but it do what I want it to.
For covering, the Eclipse will work fine. I don´t know what kind of models you do, but as long as you are keeping yourself from the biggest monsters, the Eclipse will do fine. ;)
Alternative could be to get some of the H&S airbrushes, since most of them will handle any setups from 0.15 to 0.6mm.

[ARTSPRAYJ4J]

i cant realy see the point of fitting 0.2 set ups in the hpc as the paint usage goese down so there isnt realy the need for the bigger cup anyway ! [just my opinion],why not just use a hpb ? topping up paint isnt that much of a chore surely and you end up with a top heavy airbrush which doesnt handle as well as the b or a models ,it would be nice if lids where available for b models though

a lot of folk just keep the 0.3 needle in the hpc and fit the 0.2 nozzle as otherwise i believe the paint seal has to be changed due to the smaller diametre 0.2 needle shank but the original 0.3 needle is extra long so doese the job anyway could be wrong though as i sold my hpc long ago so cant check it out

anyway for fast set changes the H&S range of airbrushes cant be beat imo
the focus the evolution the infinity and the grafo all use the same set ups from 0.15 to 0.6
the H&S coloni mini airbrush/gun can go from 0.15 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 all in a matter of seconds im not sure if the larger setups can be used in the other brushes but i can see no reason why not ?and the coloni extra large cups use the same threads as the others so the overall options are numerous

paul

[denstore]

I like the cups with lid, since I tend to mess up otherwise. And i never find any problems using large cup ab´s for smaller amount of paint, but have encountered situations of the opposite.

[keilau]

if you are like me, someone who uses the airbrushes mostly for hobby stuff, and who are working inside, the silent compressors are really the best. But a warning ought to come with this. Once using the silent ones, there´s no turning back. ;)
And to those who havn´t tried any of the Sil-Air types, or a CO2-setup, I recommend taking one for a spinn. They are really nice.


Dittto. The modern airbrush compressors are quite well made for the price. I paid less than $150 for a twin piston Paasche DA400. The cost is nothing when you divide it by the many years of quietness to be enjoyed.

[closair]

The set up from tcpglobal should meet all your modeling needs. I have the exact same set up. I don't really see the need for three different ABs that do pretty much the same thing. I would go with that set up, but get your self an extra coiled hose to put between your airtank and filter, the filter doesn't do much good that close to your tank. I also replaced my air filter/ regulator for a better quality filter/ regulator.