Help -- Compressor advice please!

I am buying the Iwata HP-B Hi Line airbrush -- someone tell me that this is a dual action?! (I have a single action Badger and it is a waste of money)

I need to know what compressor I should get for my illustration/ fine art work. Darla suggested a Co2 botle of compressed air from a welding supply. Can anybody tell me more about this?
-- I want to get something really good -- but not too expensive. The compressors advertised in the catalogs here aren't the way to go?
Thanks a million!

[StouffvilleMike]

pretty sure it is dual action.. I have a iwata hp-bh hiline and it is dual.. and I use a 3 gallon husky compressor.

[brushbyair]

YES the Hp-bh is a dual action brush, you'll love it !!! Any compressor capable of maintaining 100 psi will work just fine, you will probably only use about 20 psi when poing the type of painting you describe, not sure where you ar from, but any Home Depot, Menards, or Lowes will have many to choose from. Also Dixie art, Airbear, Dick Blick are a few web stores that carry any type you would desire. Good Luck, looking forward to your first post.

Thanks so much! I can't believe how helpful you all are. Another newbie question: I found a 3-gal 100 psi oilless compressor (Central Pneumatic) 1/4 h.p. from Harbor Freight with regulator for $89-- do all compressors need a moisture trap? The ad didn't mention it. How does this sound to you?
I haven't hit Home Depot yet.

[redneck]

If you intend to keep water in the tank you will need a water trap [filter ]

[brushbyair]

I wouldn't spray without one, I would be terribly mad at myself if I ruined a paint job just because I didn't spend the $10 - $15 dollars in the first place to make sure that no water was able to climb the hose and into the brush distorting the consistancy and flow of the paint.

Good morning Artspeak--any of the small oiless compressors will work fine just like the one you're looking at--they run anywhere from $75-$150 & the only unpleasant side to them will be the noise..Most airbrush artists are very accustomed to the loudness of their compressors & it's a necessary evil--but if you're a "goosey" person be ready to jump a few times before you get used to it..it will need a moisture trap that you can probably get at the same location..around $8..This would probably be the best option for the moment in order to get you started right away & then if the noise becomes a problem you could switch over to a Co2 bottle any time you cared to..the main advantage to a Co2 bottle is the absence of any noice at all..to some people it's a big concern because they may live in an apartment & a lot of noise at all times of the day or night might be a problem..I myself have a good size very loud compressor stationed next to the wall that my adult sons bed is posistioned behind..I'm desperately trying to run him off but can't shake him with a stick so I guess the noise can't be that bad!! LOL!! The compressor you're looking at will give you good service for what you need for a good long time..pick it up & begin with your practice.. --you could probably get away without using a moisture trap for awhile especially while you're just learning..When you're working along just fine & all of a sudden a spit of water comes out along with your paint you will know exactly what the cause is..I'm wishing you luck--once you get set up properly you hardly ever look back..

[redneck]

Darla, while your compressor is running ,walk into your son room if he permit ,and see how much sound comes thru the wall,maybe wall is too thick

You might be right bray it may not be as loud as I suspect & I should turn it up a notch!!--I'll set to task & cut a large hole in the wall today--I can tell him it's a service window so I can tend to his needs with more ease..He promises to leave soon but I don't see him budging..he's becoming so adept at staying out of my way that from time to time I have to ask his father if he still lives with us..the answer so far is still yes so I leave the compressor running!!

[redneck]

Darla, you do not a big service hole if you can add a steel pipe and tee before the regulator do not forget to add a shut-off valve so you can turn it on when your son is trying to sleep you will be surprise the way that sound travel thru. the pipe

We're both devious characters aren't we bray!!--In truth I would be very sad to see him go & it would take me an afternoon or two to get over it..

[redneck]

I figure you would miss him, we all miss the kids even if they are a P I N , at my old house, I install 70 or 80 feet of conduit for electric cable between house and garage and was using noisy tools in garage , the noise were traveling thru. the pipe to the house, the people in the house was not amaze

[airtoolAllan]

Originally Posted by bray hampton

I figure you would miss him, we all miss the kids even if they are a P I N , at my old house, I install 70 or 80 feet of conduit for electric cable between house and garage and was using noisy tools in garage , the noise were traveling thru. the pipe to the house, the people in the house was not amaze

rofl. You and Darla are too funny right now. Maybe we need a thread on "My compressor isn't loud enough, what do i do?" On a more serious note i read some articles on how to reduce compressor noises in an industrial setting. Surprisingly a common source of noise is the air plumbing and electrical conduit. Sound travels along the piping, and the piping, walls, floors, etc. act as an amplifier making the noise at the other end of the piping louder than at the compressor. The official solution is to acoustically isolate the offending pipe (can we say duct tape?) and tie it down every few feet so it can't vibrate. Or, you can run your conduit near someone you dislike and smile innocently when he goes batty from all the noise

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-Allan
Happiness is using all your toys at the same time

You're right allen..I think it's a lot like 2 tin cans & a string & something with how sound travels..Bray & I have a little more age & a bit of an onery streak that we seem to share..But the fact is we need to help Artspeak select a compressor that would be right for her needs..since I'm in such an industrial avenue of art noise isn't an issue for me but when I visualize an illustrator relaxing in the privacy of her own studio I think that the loud operation of most compressors turning on & off are going to ruin the pretty music she could be enjoying..
Now I'm of the belief that she should pick up the most available compressor she can find and proceed right to practice..I don't want her to lose enthusiasm for the craft before she even gets started..Get hooked up & start to spray paint Artspeak!! You're missing out on the fun!!

[redneck]

Darla, or any one if you stand a sheet of thick foam between your compressor and you when it kicks on how much noise will the foam stop ? com. and televisions ,radios sound loudest at a distance

I have to tell you how impressed I am with all of you. Such generosity! Such amazing comraderie. I'm blown away. When I was a struggling artist in NYC I asked a "friend" for some advice and help regarding some sculpting problem and her response was, "Find out for yourself. I had to do it on my own -- you find out yourself." That response affected me for years. It bothers me to this day. And then I decide to learn aribrush for my illustrating -- and you-all are right there to help and assist and encourage. I am, may I repeat, BLOWN AWAY.
I'm thinking of buying the Iwata compressor advertised on this website for $79-- it seems to have everything, is advertised as "quiet," complete with regulator and moisture trap-- but only has a 0-40 psi. Do you think that will be enough psi for me
doing illustrating and fine art?
I returned the useless Badger ab I bought -- what a hullabaloo that was. You'd think I was trying to pawn off old clothes.
Thanks again from my heart and I'll wait to hear from you before ordering that compressor.

[airtoolAllan]

As far as pressure is concerned, i doubt you will need more than 20 psi for doing illustration/fine art. The compressor may not have enough kick for t-shirt work, but you can always cross that bridge later. i suspect the compressor you chose will work fine for what you want to do.

[airtoolAllan]

O, i wanted to add one more comment. Darla, you are right with your tin can analogy. Bray, the foam rubber wall is often a good first step in noise abatement. Personally i think all of us need to be more concerned about compressor noise. Besides being very annoying, over time the excessive decibels, can harm our hearing. Thankfully there are some things we can do to mitigate excessive compressor noise. Choosing a dedicated "airbrush" compressor may be a very good choice for artspeak because they usually are very quiet while running. i think Darla's suggestion of using CO2 bottles is a very good idea too--perhaps as a backup?

anyway, i wish you the best of luck with your airbrushing efforts artspeak

-----
-Allan
happiness is playing with all your toys at the same time

[redneck]

Allan, I was a tig welder late 70 the tig welder were close to the compressors [500 maybe 1500 gallons] I got used to the noise after a while would not flinch when they kick on, although I was in a basement I never seen many bugs and no mice or rats, makes you wonder if the noise kept the pests away