Compressor selection, plus general airbrush shenanigans Options

[J.D.Entropy]

I've decided to bite the bullet and move into the world of airbrushing, and i have been looking around at various different options. One option for the compressor seems to be the ones supercheap auto do:

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-st...171#Description

and

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-st...418#Description

So, are these suitable do you think? If so, is the larger tank on the second one a good investment?

I've looked at a few airbrush/compressor kits, and I'm leaning towards the perspective of getting a servicable compressor and spending the price difference on a better airbrush and some gubbins. Any thoughts?

[BorisBC]

JD, I went to Bunnings and got the Project Air one for $79. It's got a 24 litre tank that takes about a minute to fill with auto cut off when the tank is full. It's also got a regulator. Santa got it for me and it's working well so far! On one tank I can spray a storm raven and a land raider.

I also got the SCA professional airbrush from Supercheapauto which worked pretty well, except that I snapped off the needle when I was screwing it on! They swapped it for me though.

[spiraleddie]

I have the same compressor from bunnings as Boris, i am yet to hook it up to my airbrush and try, so its good to know it will work.

[J.D.Entropy]

I bit the bullet tonight and ordered the gear - compressor, some kind of double action gravity-feed Iwata knock-off airbrush,hose,regulators, moisture trap, booth with extractor fan - total $270 from evilbay. I figure its a good starting point and I can always upgrade the handpiece later if need be.

[Foam]

Heres the compressor I went with, it being my first I was very happy with the price and performance.

http://www.hobbytools.com.au/prod870.htm

[Winter]

The first one you linked would have been a better option, namely because it is listed as oilless.

Essentially the recommendation is made on the basis that some oiled compressors can see oil get into the airline and mix with your paint, and it's probably the very last thing that you want.

However you've nabbed everything already and will be soon underway, have fun.

[Thylacine]

I have the second compressor, there is no hassle using a compressor that needs oil, you top it up once or twice a year. Those compressors have a little inspection window that show how much oil is in the tank.

Due to our cities closeness to the coast you will need a water/moisture trap and remember to bleed off the water at the end of a session from the trap and the air tank.

I doubt that the airbrushes sold by SuperCheap are a knock-off, look at he SCA (no that's not SuperCheap Auto, but the company in China that makes the products that the OZ company sells) and look at the airbrushes they sell. Compare the SCA airbrushes to the ones sold by the big names in the game. On more than one occasion I have been told or read that, SCA makes the parts and the airbrush manufacturers assemble and finish them.

I don't do a lot of work with my SCA airbrushes but in over two years they have never failed me. For the price they are a very good option especially if you don't have the money or need for an expensive airbrush. The basic SCA single action siphon feed is so similar to a Badger 250 (?) its not funny, next up is a double action siphon feed and their most expensive airbrush is a gravity feed, double action that comes with spare needles and second nozzle.

[Blind Pig]

I have the second compressor, there is no hassle using a compressor that needs oil, you top it up once or twice a year. Those compressors have a little inspection window that show how much oil is in the tank.

Except if it contaminates the air with the oil.