Newb In PNW

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kanahmal

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What's good people?

My name's Kanah and I live in the Portland Metro.

I just ordered my first airbrush, a Badger EXTREME© 105. I've never airbrushed before but I always have cans of spraypaint, regular paint, plasti-dip, metal etcher, and various other things for ruining the aesthetics of the toys and tools I spend too much money on.

I initially wanted an airbrush to assist in cerakoting my knives and guns, but I also have DnD minis that would be fun to paint, and my motorcycle helmet... and my motorcycle.... And just about everything else I own.

I went with a .3 nossle as I've heard thats the Jack of all trades nossle size. Small enough for detail but big enough to douse a thing.

Also I can get bigger nossles/needles if I ever decide to get a dedicated detail brush.

Anyway, still in the market for a compressor, unless someone steers me otherwise I was gonna get a California Air Tools compressor in the ~$100 range. Could drop some more skrill on it if it would make an appreciable difference. But I figure I should destroy a cheap one before I commit to a $7000 200 gallon 2 stage 3 phase 70cfm compressor strictly for my Badger Patriot.

So what's up?
 
Welcome from New Zealand. Sounds like a good start for a compressor. And for $7k you can buy a top of the line compressor, a selection of top of the line brushes and enough paint top last you a really long time... and have $3k left over...
 
Welcome from the Finger Lakes, @kanahmal! Got a nice airbrush there. I have a much less tricked out plain-jane Patriot myself (amongst other 'brushes)lol They're decent brushes to learn on and easy to clean. Also parts are cheap for when you bend a needle or crack or blow out a nozzle. Your attitude on compressors, start small or go completely over the top is refreshing!:thumbsup: Whatever you decide on, make sure it has a tank and regulator. California Air Tools have some nice ones. If you opt for a really small one generic like one made by Master, be warned that you can't push them hard.
Have fun here, enjoy yourself, and like Mitch says, 'spread the love' (of airbrushing). :)
 
Whatever you decide on, make sure it has a tank and regulator.
The one I'm looking at has a 1 gallon tank. I don't know how good or bad that is. I also don't know how worthwhile dropping the extra 50 bones for a 5 gallon tank is. Off to the internet reviews I suppose.
 
We have a section for compressors on the forum, check that out first, even some of the older threads will give you insight for what to look for.
You’ll get impartial honest opinions !
 
The one I'm looking at has a 1 gallon tank. I don't know how good or bad that is. I also don't know how worthwhile dropping the extra 50 bones for a 5 gallon tank is. Off to the internet reviews I suppose.

If you knew what the required CFM was for biggest air tool you're likely to want to use that would be a good starting point.

I have a California Air type compressor with one gallon tank which kicks in quite frequent even just with an airbrush but that's all I need it for.

Also be aware that a compressor with a larger tank/motors isn't necessarily higher CFM, so when you check out compressors the CFM is what you need to pay most attention to, not the tank size as you would think although the bigger the tank the less times it needs to kick in.

If you find some likely candidates post up some links and folks here will keep you straight before you throw money at them, generally if you can actually afford it, going for the most powerful is the sensible approach.
 
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If you knew what the required CFM was for biggest air tool you're likely to want to use that would be a good starting point.

Just checked the online owners manual and cannot find the required CFM for my badger ab. I'm thinking this will have to be a airbrush only compressor as all the other tools I would want to use would require more decibels, size, and investment than I'm willing to make right now.

I'm looking at
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LYHYHEA/ref=sspa_mw_detail_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And
https://www.amazon.com/California-Air-Tools-5510SE-5-5-Gallon/dp/B00NOSCDPA/

The small one has 1.2 cfm and the large one has 2.2 cfm. Not sure if the big one is much louder, I am doing that apartment thang.
 
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