Greetings! Now help me!!!

[SuxorzABNoob]

Hello everyone! I was doing a little info searching online and stumbled upon your great site!!! I've always wanted to learn to airbrush and starting Sunday I'm getting private lessons!!!! I know I'm going to love it and of course now I'm all juiced and looking at equipment of my own. I have done a load of reading on this site and have greatly narrowed my options down. I would really appreciate your guys expert opinion before I go and spend the $$$. So here's where I'm at...

I prob have a long way to go but I would ultimately like to get into mask/helmet painting. I'm pretty sold on an Iwata brush prob the hp-c or hp-cs. Reviews make them sound like great beginner brushes that won't limit me for a very long time and will work beautifully for what I hope to be doing. Am I correct? Suggestions on one over the other? or another?

The compressor is where I'm a little more uncertain. I'm leaning towards buying something along the lines of a single or twin stack compressor about 3-4 gal total. A local shop has a big sale coming up with a Campbell Hausfeld with twin 2 gal tanks 3.75 cfm @125psi for $79.95. I know this prob isn't very specific info but its all the flyer had. Assuming it doesn't have a regulator or filter I'll just order one when I buy the brush. Any reasons not to go with a setup like this? Should I just make my life simple and go with a setup like this instead?
IWATA HP-CS Eclipse AIRBRUSH KIT w/TANK COMPRESSOR-Auto - (eBay.ca item 220218867970 end time 06-Apr-08 21:56:10 EDT)
I'm hoping to possibly run a small touch up gun off it too for base coats and clears and am assuming that wouldn't be doable with the ebay compressor.

Daymn this got long! I'd really appreciate your input!!!

Thanks,
CeD

[derkdaigler]

im sure others will chime in dude but i would check out the reviews portion of the site . it can be really informative. i use a porter cable LOUD compressor . and it is a pain in the butt for airbrushing just simply cause its LOUD! lol ne way if i had it to do again i would get some sort of ab silent compressor . now which one i have no idea lol just depends on your budget

[SuxorzABNoob]

Derkdaigler, thanks for the input.

I did read over the reviews section and tried different key word searches for info on the ebay compressor I mentioned above. I didn't find anything on it. Am I missing something? As much as I'd like to the budget doesn't allow for me to go but a high end AB specific compressor. I have seen people's opinions go both ways it seems though. Some question the quality of a no-name ebay compressor and suggest not limiting yourself with a small AB specific one but rather buy a larger more versatile compressor for less from the local hardware shop. Others say DO buy a nice quiet ab specific compressor the noise will drive you crazy of you don't...

I really like the idea of being able to run a small spray gun off of my compressor too. If I did buy the "hardware shop" noisy compressor I could always set it up outside the room I plan on painting in and just run an extra long hose.

I see you guys get alot of noob questions like mine and are pretty sick of answering them but I'd really appreciate you advice here!

Thanks,
CeD

[don johnson]

Cedric

We do the best we can to help out with questions.

In hopes of making it easier for you and others new to airbrushing I started this new part of the forum today to help with your reseach.

*****AIRBRUSH FORUMS***** - NEW TO AIRBRUSHING FAQ at airbrushtechnique.com

[motoxguy]

I am new as well, just went through the same questions you have right now. I went with a Sears Craftsman oil lubricated 1hp with a 12 gallon tank. Its not quiet, but not as loud as the oil less designs. The 12 gal tank does allow me a fairly long time of silent painting. When it gets low it comes on for a couple minutes to fill back up. Its hardly ever running and when it is its only for a short time. I'm concentrating on helmets, and my compressor will do 3.7cfm which will allow me to use some smaller spray guns as well for base coats etc.

Originally Posted by SuxorzABNoob

Derkdaigler, thanks for the input.

I did read over the reviews section and tried different key word searches for info on the ebay compressor I mentioned above. I didn't find anything on it. Am I missing something? As much as I'd like to the budget doesn't allow for me to go but a high end AB specific compressor. I have seen people's opinions go both ways it seems though. Some question the quality of a no-name ebay compressor and suggest not limiting yourself with a small AB specific one but rather buy a larger more versatile compressor for less from the local hardware shop. Others say DO buy a nice quiet ab specific compressor the noise will drive you crazy of you don't...

I really like the idea of being able to run a small spray gun off of my compressor too. If I did buy the "hardware shop" noisy compressor I could always set it up outside the room I plan on painting in and just run an extra long hose.

I see you guys get alot of noob questions like mine and are pretty sick of answering them but I'd really appreciate you advice here!

Thanks,
CeD

[SuxorzABNoob]

Thanks guys.

I just go a reply on shipping one of those ebay kits here to Vancouver and it ain't going to be cheap. So I think I am just going to buy brush and a larger compressor locally. Hopefully one i can run a touch up sprayer off of.

Sound like there isn't really a wrong way to go here. More just a matter of preference.

Thanks!
Ced

[SuxorzABNoob]

Well I scored myself a hell of a deal on a big compressor. I picked up a 30gal 5hp Speedaire barely used for $200! Its ALOT bigger than I was planning on buying but hell this is great, not only will it of course power my AB but I can run a full out spray gun AND I can finally get some air tools going on in my garage! I also bought a hp-cs. Couple more things and I'm all set!

I'm stoked!

Ced

[voodoojas]

Sounds like you did pretty good!!!

the hp-cs is an awesome airbrush ---- ive used it on everything
from metal to wood to canvas to tshirts ---

you will love it ---- just make sure you keep it CLEAN and it will spray
great for a long time !!!

good luck and practice practice practice