RCCrawler Forums

monstertruck · 08-13-2008, 08:58 PM

I live in an apartment with 4 close neighbors and would like to pursue air brushing. I'd like to find a small air compressor I could use and not disturb everyone. I don't need to run any tools just an airbrush I've used a super quite tankless one before but since there was no tank it delivered the air in puffs and it showed on the body. Does such a machine exist that will fit my needs, and hopefully not too expensive?
Another option on the cheap, dont know if it would work, would be to simply buy a portable air tank (5 gal maybe) and fill it somewhere? would my DC powered auto tire pump be able to fill it for me to then take inside to use? I really know little on the subject, but would said portable tank hold enough air to finish say... one body? - Really just looking for quiet options here...

whoodie · 08-13-2008, 10:30 PM

I just bought a 2 gallon Campbell-Hausfeld from Harbor Freight for $70. I too live in an apartment but I only paint during the day. IMO it is not that loud but I wouldn't turn it on after 10 pm. I think a 5 gallon would not be big enough to finish a body, unless it is one color. Plus a tire pump would take forever to fill it.

Coligny · 08-14-2008, 12:18 AM

For the tankless airpump, using 2 empty aircans, bottom cut then welded together gives you a not so bad air regulator, if pressure is low (my tankless is awefully weak at something like 0,5kg/cm2 ducttape between the cans is enough. Works like exhaust pipe silencers on car but regulating the flow being it's primary purpose.

infamouse_1 · 08-14-2008, 03:02 AM

I just recently picked up a 2 gallon compressor for home depot I quite loud but I was browsing online and found this web site its called oriental trading.com check the out they have lots of stuff for arts and crafts!

pilotshaner · 08-14-2008, 06:25 AM

Get you a co2 system. It is the quietest on the market. All you willever hear is hte noise of the air. I used one while I painted in the mall one Christmas season and I never had to refill it. Painting bodies will be good, you use very little air and it is dry. With those air compressonrs mentioned above you have to deal with a lot of moisture because of the heat they build up. You also have to deal with the noise too.

Stormin2u · 08-14-2008, 06:41 AM

Check out airbrush city, I bought a new two piston compressor from them on sale last winter and it is dead quiet with no vibration and I can dial up 80 pounds of pressure and with its air tank I can use it for cleaning to. When they have sales they are usually pretty good.

JeremyH · 08-14-2008, 07:30 AM

You can always just use cans of propellant like these:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LX8182&P=ML
They arent cheap, but if you dont plan to use your airbrush a lot, then the cost wont be so bad. I have used these before and one can will last you a few bodies.

O.C.D. · 08-14-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyH

You can always just use cans of propellant like these:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LX8182&P=ML
They arent cheap, but if you dont plan to use your airbrush a lot, then the cost wont be so bad. I have used these before and one can will last you a few bodies.

Damn, what size can were you using? I can barely get through one body and that was with a static 1/24th model. Maybe I was inhaling to much, lol.

I don't know how serious you are about a compressor. Many good recommendations have been made. I used to live in an apartment and last Christmas my Mom bought me a Iwata. She was being a Mom. At the time it was all I needed. In fact I have not changed it out. I painted both my crawler bodies very easily and quietly. I love it for what it is. I also painted it Ferrari red as it looked a bit girly.

JeremyH · 08-14-2008, 09:48 AM

Doc, I think that was the exact can I used. Not sure what the volume was, but it was about 12" tall.

nitronut · 08-14-2008, 10:33 AM

IMO,,, cheap is not always the best way to go. If you are serious about airbrushing, you should spend to extra money and get a compressor that will last you a long time. They aren`t cheap by any means but they will last alot longer than anything you can buy from Harbor Freight or the like.

Myself.. I have been using a Iwata Power Jet Pro for the past 5 years, it can run 2 airbrushes all day long, has a 2 liter air tank, built in water traps and regulaters, has a 1/5 hp motor and is super quiet. The problem is that they run between $450-$550

monstertruck · 08-14-2008, 03:33 PM

http://www.airbrushcity.com/comp45/index.htm
Anything look good here? The Afformentioned 2-piston is $180.
How about the Capricorn - $140?

I'll use this from time to time at best. I actually have tried the propellant canisters before and they were nothing but trouble.

Dratch · 08-14-2008, 03:51 PM

I use a Central Pneumatic 1/8hp oil less compressor from Harbor Freight, Item # 93657. I paint in my "workshop" which is a converted hall closet in my 1 bedroom apartment. It is very quiet and has constant pressure. I have a personal space air filter that I run when I am painting to suck up the overspray.

Dratch

monstertruck · 08-14-2008, 07:32 PM

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92403
ahh and the price is right. Although this is much like the original one I've used. I assume the "regulator" allows the pressure to be constant?

Joat · 08-16-2008, 02:22 AM

http://www.rulezman.com/workshop/ws/index.htm
Look for silent air compressor

08-13-2008, 08:58 PM	#1
monstertruck Rock Stacker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gettysburg Posts: 50	Need a special air compressor I live in an apartment with 4 close neighbors and would like to pursue air brushing. I'd like to find a small air compressor I could use and not disturb everyone. I don't need to run any tools just an airbrush I've used a super quite tankless one before but since there was no tank it delivered the air in puffs and it showed on the body. Does such a machine exist that will fit my needs, and hopefully not too expensive? Another option on the cheap, dont know if it would work, would be to simply buy a portable air tank (5 gal maybe) and fill it somewhere? would my DC powered auto tire pump be able to fill it for me to then take inside to use? I really know little on the subject, but would said portable tank hold enough air to finish say... one body? - Really just looking for quiet options here...

08-14-2008, 03:02 AM	#4
infamouse_1 Quarry Creeper Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: GUAM Posts: 398	air comp. I just recently picked up a 2 gallon compressor for home depot I quite loud but I was browsing online and found this web site its called oriental trading.com check the out they have lots of stuff for arts and crafts!

08-13-2008, 10:30 PM	#2
whoodie Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Texas baby! Posts: 1,498	I just bought a 2 gallon Campbell-Hausfeld from Harbor Freight for $70. I too live in an apartment but I only paint during the day. IMO it is not that loud but I wouldn't turn it on after 10 pm. I think a 5 gallon would not be big enough to finish a body, unless it is one color. Plus a tire pump would take forever to fill it.

08-14-2008, 12:18 AM	#3
Coligny Rock Stacker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: French #70 living in Toyohashi Posts: 67	For the tankless airpump, using 2 empty aircans, bottom cut then welded together gives you a not so bad air regulator, if pressure is low (my tankless is awefully weak at something like 0,5kg/cm2 ducttape between the cans is enough. Works like exhaust pipe silencers on car but regulating the flow being it's primary purpose.

08-14-2008, 06:25 AM	#5
pilotshaner Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Beaumont Posts: 30	Get you a co2 system. It is the quietest on the market. All you willever hear is hte noise of the air. I used one while I painted in the mall one Christmas season and I never had to refill it. Painting bodies will be good, you use very little air and it is dry. With those air compressonrs mentioned above you have to deal with a lot of moisture because of the heat they build up. You also have to deal with the noise too.

08-14-2008, 06:41 AM	#6
Stormin2u I wanna be Dave Join Date: May 2007 Location: Taylors Falls just hanging with the MNRCRC crew. Posts: 7,843	Check out airbrush city, I bought a new two piston compressor from them on sale last winter and it is dead quiet with no vibration and I can dial up 80 pounds of pressure and with its air tank I can use it for cleaning to. When they have sales they are usually pretty good.

08-14-2008, 07:30 AM	#7
JeremyH I wanna be Dave Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 16,952	You can always just use cans of propellant like these: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LX8182&P=ML They arent cheap, but if you dont plan to use your airbrush a lot, then the cost wont be so bad. I have used these before and one can will last you a few bodies.

08-14-2008, 09:48 AM	#9
JeremyH I wanna be Dave Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 16,952	Doc, I think that was the exact can I used. Not sure what the volume was, but it was about 12" tall.

08-14-2008, 10:33 AM	#10
nitronut Pebble Pounder Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 124	IMO,,, cheap is not always the best way to go. If you are serious about airbrushing, you should spend to extra money and get a compressor that will last you a long time. They aren`t cheap by any means but they will last alot longer than anything you can buy from Harbor Freight or the like. Myself.. I have been using a Iwata Power Jet Pro for the past 5 years, it can run 2 airbrushes all day long, has a 2 liter air tank, built in water traps and regulaters, has a 1/5 hp motor and is super quiet. The problem is that they run between $450-$550

08-14-2008, 03:33 PM	#11
monstertruck Rock Stacker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gettysburg Posts: 50	http://www.airbrushcity.com/comp45/index.htm Anything look good here? The Afformentioned 2-piston is $180. How about the Capricorn - $140? I'll use this from time to time at best. I actually have tried the propellant canisters before and they were nothing but trouble.

08-14-2008, 03:51 PM	#12
Dratch Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: St. Charles Posts: 31	I use a Central Pneumatic 1/8hp oil less compressor from Harbor Freight, Item # 93657. I paint in my "workshop" which is a converted hall closet in my 1 bedroom apartment. It is very quiet and has constant pressure. I have a personal space air filter that I run when I am painting to suck up the overspray. Dratch

08-14-2008, 07:32 PM	#13
monstertruck Rock Stacker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gettysburg Posts: 50	http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92403 ahh and the price is right. Although this is much like the original one I've used. I assume the "regulator" allows the pressure to be constant?

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08-16-2008, 02:22 AM	#14
Joat Rock Crawler Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: On the Snap on truck Posts: 736	http://www.rulezman.com/workshop/ws/index.htm Look for silent air compressor

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