Anyone ever use a Preval compressed air paint spray system?
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Looking at the price of the refill units, it wouldn't take too long to buy a compressor.
Before I got a compressor I had a 6 ply truck tire that I would fill to about 180 psi. I could paint several models before it needed refilling. It worked but I am glad I do not have to lug that thing back and forth to a service station. Compressors are very reasonably priced now.
I am a huge compressor fan. When you have one with a tank you will fill the tank and get a quiet, non pulsating airflow. High quality, small, inexpensive compressors are all over the marketplace.
All the best,
Miketg
I'd be lying on the ground by the time I did all that huffing and puffing.
Ok fine... what airbrush and compressor do I get? This just went from a few dollars to a few hundred just to spray some dull coat and dust.
Just get a $59 Harbor Freight compressor. Or get something used off of craigslist.
Under $100 for a compressor and a dual action
I bought a 6 gallon 150 PSI pancake compressor from Home Depot last year for $50.00. They were running a promotion at the time where if you signed up for a credit card you got $50.00 off. The compressor was on sale for $100 so the discount and the fact that HD is one of my wife's favorite stores ( right after Hobby Lobby) definitely made this worth doing. Years ago I used to use those cans from Badger, it didn't take long for me to get a compressor considring how expnse they were.
A step up .... I have this setup: super quiet too
Laidoffsick posted:A step up .... I have this setup: super quiet too
I also have this brand (and very similar model) compressor and airbrush. Looks like the only difference is that my airbrush uses detachable bottom-feed paint jars rather than the top-feed cup like Doug's. Good product...I like it.
Just a word of caution if you have a small compressor with a plastic regulator. The regulators can blow apart. I had one imbed itself in a drywall ceiling. The metal industrial replacement cost as much as the whole compressor. It would be good practice to place a barrier between the compressor and yourself like a sheet of plywood.
When the regulator blew up it was not disturbed, it just exploded unexpectedly.
Pete
Install the compressor where it belongs...in the garage! Then pipe the air into the house...nice & quite that way 
Just a word of caution if you have a small compressor with a plastic regulator. The regulators can blow apart. I had one imbed itself in a drywall ceiling.
I don't doubt your experience, but I am wondering, what sort of pressure did your compressor make?
I have owned several small compressors, all similar to the Badger 180. I thought they made about 30 lbs., but I just looked at the Badger catalog, and the current ones make 57 lbs.
My regulators have metal bodies, but the built-in moisture traps are plastic.
These compressors don't have tanks, so the air stream has a bit of a pulse to it.
I'd like to add a small tank to smooth out the air flow, but I have never looked into this.
It has been a very long time since I've used an air brush other than to test out a flea market treasure.
They are fairly quiet. Nothing like the noise a large compressor, or even my small air stapler compressor makes.
The compressor in question is a Craftsman but similar in style to the one Laidoffstick linked. That one appears to have the same type of regulator that was on mine. The small compressors are designed for airtools like brad nailers and capable of 120 PSI. I also have a small diaphram compressor that only makes about 25 PSI that I use sometimes. Its oilless so no need for a trap but it also does not have a tank so it does pulse.
Pete
I investigated compressor-less spraying at a local gas supply company. I was inquiring about a nitrogen supply tank. I was told they had no painting customer's using it, but the theory was sound. Dry, inert propellant.
He stated that they had a commercial artist that used compressed air and filtered it.(Filter/dryer setup)
The bottom line was too expensive for either propellant for a hobbyist. Monthly tank lease, regulator and valve setup, and cost of refills.
No matter which compressor is used, feeding a 3gal portable air tank from harbor freight will eliminate or greatly reduce any pulsing and add more volume to reduce the run times of the compressor. Put the filter/dryer and regulator setup on the portable tank. Got this idea from Don's Airbrush Tips.
I would be concerned with a nitrogen tank and being in a confined space like a basement. If something goes wrong, the room fills with nitrogen only. You might have to get an O2 warning system. At work we have a test chamber that runs on LN2 and it has an O2 sensing and alarm system. At the top of the LN2 take is a gaseous take off that runs into the chamber; you can push the humidity out of the chamber prior to cooling it down, so that you don't get condensation on the parts. That said, I could see the advantage to having no humidity in paint delivery.
No matter which compressor is used, feeding a 3gal portable air tank from harbor freight will eliminate or greatly reduce any pulsing and add more volume to reduce the run times of the compressor. Put the filter/dryer and regulator setup on the portable tank. Got this idea from Don's Airbrush Tips.
I have one of those portable tanks. Great idea! Thanks
At work we use many tanks high pressure nitrogen gas as well as dewars (insulated thermos tanks) of liquid nitrogen. A large (~5ft) tank of gas costs us 9 bucks plus a one time charge of 10 bucks for tank rental. The main risk with high pressure tanks are dropping them and breaking the shutoff valve off. Then you have a large missile. Reasonable care would prevent that. If you could buy nitrogen at those prices it might be a reasonable alternative to a compressor for a part time airbrush painter.
Pete
Quick Casey posted:
You might want to include a moisture trap with setup.
And maybe a check valve? LOL
handyandy posted:Quick Casey posted:You might want to include a moisture trap with setup.
And maybe a check valve? LOL
Should get a nice spit-shine, though...
Rusty
Michael T. - I am aware of the risks of a nitrogen environment, so that coupled with the cost scratched that idea.
Norton - Thanks. I have been around high pressure tanks and understand the risks of safe handling and storage. Good of you to point out the missle for all readers. An individual just doesn't get as good of a deal as a commercial outfit does on tank leasing and refilling. They wanted $65 a year leasing, about $15 for a fill and I would have had to purchase the valve and regulator setup.
It's just too easy to use a compressor and forget about compressor-less airbrushing.
