Several airbrushes hooked up to a compressor

[buckcreek]

I'm a newbie and I was wondering if several airbrushes can be hooked up to the compressor at one time. I have a big compressor with a 60 gal tank which goes to a combo regulator/moisture trap. If I had the right piece of hardware I could hook up my 4 airbrushes all at one time. Does anyone know what hardware would be needed and if this is a good idea?

I have been enjoying reading all the posts, everyone seems so willing to help us new people.

[rowie]

Buck, most of what you need should be readily available from your local plumbing or hardware store, you just need to create a manifold that you can connect the airlines too and then your good to go.

I know there are some places that sell them but I have never had the need to look into using one.

[brushbyair]

Buckcreek, as Rowie has said, you can buy a manifold from most airbrush suppliers, but all you need to do is go to the local hardware store and buy enough nipples, t;s and quick disconnects to build your own for a fraction of the price.

[buckcreek]

Thanks for the reply, I'll check out the hardware store and see what I can find.

[fontgeek]

Ideally, you want your manifold to be made from brass, aluminum, or stainless steel. Iron, steel, galv. steel, will rust of flake with the moisture that comes through your lines, and the flakes of rust of coating can get into your brush and screw up your painting or do damage to your brush.

I have a couple of manifolds, two I made myself from brass or stainless steel, and one that is all one piece in aluminum. The multiple piece ones have the flexability of building them out to your needs, but they also present many more places for air to leak from. When you get to brass hardware, or stainless for that matter, you will find that the pieces are not cheap, and that often times, those block manifolds end up being less expensive in the end.

I have seen several home made manifolds that were rusting away, both inside and out, even when the people had water traps on their lines. A little moisture over a long period of time can do a lot of damage.

[stormer]

Wow...never thought a simple thing like the manifold would be complex like that but of course, if it rusts it can do lots of damage and connections can leak.
Another thing to put down in the book "Things I learned from airbrushtechnique.com"

Niclas

Originally Posted by fontgeek

Ideally, you want your manifold to be made from brass, aluminum, or stainless steel. Iron, steel, galv. steel, will rust of flake with the moisture that comes through your lines, and the flakes of rust of coating can get into your brush and screw up your painting or do damage to your brush.

I have a couple of manifolds, two I made myself from brass or stainless steel, and one that is all one piece in aluminum. The multiple piece ones have the flexability of building them out to your needs, but they also present many more places for air to leak from. When you get to brass hardware, or stainless for that matter, you will find that the pieces are not cheap, and that often times, those block manifolds end up being less expensive in the end.

I have seen several home made manifolds that were rusting away, both inside and out, even when the people had water traps on their lines. A little moisture over a long period of time can do a lot of damage.

[KDSilverBrush]

LOL Stormer, I'm writin this one down too. Thanks Fontgeek !

[rowie]

Brilliant words of wisdom font, thanks mate.

[chucktx]

harbor freight sells the manifolds for a few dollars....alum i believe.....multi hook ups

[Airbrush Dreams]

Buckcreek if you don't want to go the way of a manifold pluss mutiple hoses getting tangled all the time you might think of quick conects for each AB. The are just like the ones used for tools but a lot smaller for the AB. Check out Dixie. I have both systems and I prefer the quick conects.

Fred

[sliver-surfer]

Heres mine... I use hose running to my 5hp 50gal in another room. regulator so I dont run back and forth to the compressor a 3 way manifold and 3 disconnects. it hands down from the ceiling next to me.