Help for Newbie

[highlandlord]

Hi all
Great site
I have just decided to get into airbrushing for my model making hobby
i have an old mini compressor made by SPRAYIT 602-5 diaphram i thought i would try until i get the hang of things so i picked up a cheapo airbrush
The problem is when i take my finger off the gun trigger the compressor keeps going and eventually locks up am i missing some sort of release valve or pressure gauge for the air when not spraying, as all i done was connected the hose to the compressor straight to the airbrush.
any help would be gratefully received

Allan

[brushbyair]

highlandlord, not knowing the capabilities of the compressor makes it a little difficult to determine your problem. Two suggestions, first the more expensive one, buy a compressor that supplies at least 100 psi with a regulator and moisture trap, these sell at most home improvement stores for $50.00 to $300.00. The second, check to see if the one you have is capable of installing a regulator. The reason that it keeps running after you stop spraying is that it is refilling the air pressure to whatever internal pressure regulator is set at, and it probably is working so hard to keep up that it is overheating and shuts itself off, soon it will quit working all together.

[highlandlord]

Hi thanks for the quick reply but as this small compressor has no storage tank i would have thought the air would have to go somewhere and was wondering if i was missing a pressure release valve or something that i could put in line to release the pressure when not spraying if that is at all possible???

Allan

Originally Posted by brushbyair

highlandlord, not knowing the capabilities of the compressor makes it a little difficult to determine your problem. Two suggestions, first the more expensive one, buy a compressor that supplies at least 100 psi with a regulator and moisture trap, these sell at most home improvement stores for $50.00 to $300.00. The second, check to see if the one you have is capable of installing a regulator. The reason that it keeps running after you stop spraying is that it is refilling the air pressure to whatever internal pressure regulator is set at, and it probably is working so hard to keep up that it is overheating and shuts itself off, soon it will quit working all together.

[yardartnut]

Originally Posted by highlandlord

Hi thanks for the quick reply but as this small compressor has no storage tank i would have thought the air would have to go somewhere and was wondering if i was missing a pressure release valve or something that i could put in line to release the pressure when not spraying if that is at all possible???

Allan

it still needs a regulator on it...even tho it has no tank once the reg kicks in it shuts the compressor off and on as the air is needed on your type....you just wont have any back up air in reserve with no tank.....
In other words your type makes the air as it is needed.....

like this one>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
http://www.airbrushtechnique.com/for...s-img_0251.jpg

[brushbyair]

Allan, you stated that the compressor keeps running after you stop spraying, a pressure relief valve would not help that. The problem you are having is that the compressor can't keep up with the volume of air required for airbrushing and it keeps running trying to keep up and it shuts down because it is overworked !!! it sounds like this compressor was made for something that requires very little pressure and volume like airbrushing fingernails, it won't keep up with what you are trying to paint.

[highlandlord]

Hi
that one looks as if it has some sort of switch at the opposite side of the head where mine does not it only has the air outlet pipe
like this one

Sprayit - Hobby Airbrush Compressor - Used Excellent - eBay (item 110234682482 end time Mar-24-08 15:00:01 PDT)

Allan

Originally Posted by yardartnut

it still needs a regulator on it...even tho it has no tank once the reg kicks in it shuts the compressor off and on as the air is needed on your type....you just wont have any back up air in reserve with no tank.....
In other words your type makes the air as it is needed.....

like this one>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
http://www.airbrushtechnique.com/for...s-img_0251.jpg

[highlandlord]

Hi
It looks like i am going to have to buy a new one

maybe you could tell me what is the spec i would safely get a way with for model painting with a suction airbrush ie what psi or bar would i need??????

Thanks for your input

Allan

[brushbyair]

Allan, if I were you I would look for any compressor that can achieve 100 psi and has a regulator, and water/moisture trap on it, like I said they sell lots of them at any home improvement store ( Lowes, Home Depot, Menards ) the only downfall is they are noisy. There are others that are silent, but the cost is high ($300.00 plus) For what you have described you wish to paint requires 20 - 40 psi, but as most of here on the site, one interest has lead to another and before long you will want to dabble with T-Shirts, cars, bikes, and many other mediums, so one of the the compressors I have mentioned earlier will work for all of those mediums. Once the AB bug has bitten, it is hard to shake it off!!!

[highlandlord]

Thanks for all the great help
i think i will look out for a new one as that will save all my problems
thanks again
Allan

[yardartnut]

Originally Posted by highlandlord

Hi
that one looks as if it has some sort of switch at the opposite side of the head where mine does not it only has the air outlet pipe
like this one

Sprayit - Hobby Airbrush Compressor - Used Excellent - eBay (item 110234682482 end time Mar-24-08 15:00:01 PDT)

Allan

The one I posted did not have the regulator it only had an outlet...I added the regulater........
I use it only for small projects .......