Built in regulators vs add-on regulators

SprayAndYay

Young Tutorling
I was wondering if I needed to buy a regulator for an air compressor that already has one.

I received a cheap Master airbrush and mini compressor as a gift a couple years ago. Even with all the problems I was having, I still greatly enjoyed it. This year I received a Central Pneumatic 3 gallon pancake air compressor that has an internal pressure gauge and a regulator built in. I am really excited to use pneumatic tools AND have a better compressor for airbrushing.

After doing some research, I found many sources on recommended parts and setups. Most were the same: connector>gauge>regulator>filter>adapter>airbrush hose>airbrush. But I couldn't find whether a built in regulator would be good or not.

I am willing to buy the necessary parts for my airbrushing but I don't want to buy redundant parts if I don't have to. Can someone help?
 
I was wondering if I needed to buy a regulator for an air compressor that already has one.

I received a cheap Master airbrush and mini compressor as a gift a couple years ago. Even with all the problems I was having, I still greatly enjoyed it. This year I received a Central Pneumatic 3 gallon pancake air compressor that has an internal pressure gauge and a regulator built in. I am really excited to use pneumatic tools AND have a better compressor for airbrushing.

After doing some research, I found many sources on recommended parts and setups. Most were the same: connector>gauge>regulator>filter>adapter>airbrush hose>airbrush. But I couldn't find whether a built in regulator would be good or not.

I am willing to buy the necessary parts for my airbrushing but I don't want to buy redundant parts if I don't have to. Can someone help?
You don't need an additional regulator. In fact adding anything but a much smaller Mac valve style will do nothing but cause problems.
 
Looking at that compressor in particular, you might need to add a water trap.

It may be easiest to get a filter regulator combo for that.....in which case you just crank the second regulator all the way open and only use the built in one.

I would use it without it first. Moisture is rarely a problem in my experience even with a 1 gallon compressor running an airbrush.
 
Thank you so much Robbyrockett2. I thought it would be the case but I didn't know how particular airbrushes were. I will be getting one piece of additional equipment, ear protection :)
 
Thank you so much Robbyrockett2. I thought it would be the case but I didn't know how particular airbrushes were. I will be getting one piece of additional equipment, ear protection :)
There's no need to wear that compressor as your ear buds. You can put it far away if you get long enough hose.

On the other hand you can crank volume up on your stereo with this:

compressor vs metal :D
 
Thank you so much Robbyrockett2. I thought it would be the case but I didn't know how particular airbrushes were. I will be getting one piece of additional equipment, ear protection :)
Haha yeah, unfortunately there's not an easy way to add silencing to that compressor. Anything you could do would have you up around the $100 price of a decent quiet 1-2gal compressor anyhow.
 
Cool music but its always good to have ear protection around loud equipment. Especially in a tiny room studio like I work in.
 
The way I set mine up is I have a 50 foot airhose running from the compressor to a regulator/moisture trap at my painting table. It puts the compressor far away (less noise) and yet I can easily change my air pressure and see the gauge.
 
My experience is similar to Jurien. I hate anything that adds to the length and bulk of the airbrush stem, so MAC valves are a non-solution for me. My compressor isn't located far away (basically just on the floor beside my work bench), but a separate benchtop regulator and filter block makes things much handier all the same, and allows me to use a 0-60 PSI regulator for finer control. The hose between the compressor and the bench block also acts as a pre-condensor and centrifugal pre-filter, making the actual filter more efficient.

Contrary to what's been said above, this has made my setup more versatile and better performing, and has caused me no problems at all, aside from adding to the total cost.
 
Umm, just out of curiosity, what sort of problems? I don't notice anything with my setup?
Trying to use two regulators of about equal size can cause an odd sort of catch-up type situation. Probably more pronounced with guns.

Basically if you have your compressor at 90 aregulator at 45 then a hose then another similar regulator you turn down to 30 then whenever you pull the trigger you get very little volume, which may or may not gradually increase to normal .... depending on whether there is a diaphragm type regulator involved.
 
Oh well I keep the regulator on my compressor wide open. Maybe thats why I dont see any issues.
 
Back
Top