air brush manifold questions...

[Oni No Ken]

Greetings!

Can anyone suggest a (U.S.) supplier for pipes and what not to build an airbrush manifold?

I was able to pick up a 33 gallon, 150 psi compressor, and I've got a 50 foot hose to get air from the garage to where I want to set up my air brush station.

I wanted to set up two brushes: I was thinking of going with a badger 105 and a badger krome, since I have to start somewhere, and opinions on air brushes all come down to 'it's your preference'.

That being said, I wanted to set up a manifold for the two brushes. I know I need some pressure regulators, and I was considering these:

http://www.amazon.com/Airbrush-Comp...&sr=8-1&keywords=air+brush+pressure+regulator

From there, I know I'll need some adapters to get to the right size for the hoses that go to the air brushes themselves. I know I need a couple of valves to control air flow. Is there anything else I should include in my shopping list?

The only experience I have with air brushes is a cheap pasche and a tiny little compressor.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Demihuman]

You should be able to find everything you need at either a lumber store that supplies finish or roofing nail guns or an auto paint store. If your not sure about a place call first. Try to go in on a weekday morning and if you really need help bring donuts! All of the pump sided hardware in the US is standardized so running a line to a fixed manifold should be easy. Making the manifold out of brass plumbing bitz should be easy too. I believe air hardware is the same as what is used for natural and lp gas so it is readily available. The hard part is the connection from a quick disconnect or your manifold to your AB lines. The AB manufacturer should sell those. That amazon filter looks fine.

Airbrushes are hard to use so maybe test your setup out with the paasche first. I know there are tons of AB videos floating around right now but ABs are just another tool. Logging some hours with your nicely cleaned paasche might give you a happy surprise.

 

[airhead]

Your compressor in the garage have a regulator? Set it for about 50 psi.
Run a hose to your painting station.
Put in another drier (moisture trap) and a regulator.
From that run a series of brass tees.
At the end of each "T", put a quick couple. (use the better all brass ones.)
At the end of the airbrush hose, add the other end of the quick couples.
Now, you can have as many stations as you want, you can change the pressures as you're shooting.

When you're done, drain the moisture trap, drain the tank.

I'll get some pics tonight of my portable unit.

You'll need one of these for each airbrush - I like the male/female type - it saves a fitting:
View attachment 23106

You'll need one of these for each open end on your "T"s:
View attachment 23107
And you'll need the matching part (be sure they are the same) for each airbrush hose:
View attachment 23108
You can get them in sets on a card - may be cheaper that way.

A roll of Teflon tape and some hangers.

Optionally, you can go with a pre made manifold like this:
View attachment 23109

 

[Oni No Ken]

Hey guys, thanks for the responses! The pasche I have is specifically for shooting colored chocolate onto molded items, and uses jars as opposed to gravity feed. I'll post pictures once I get everything completed. This information was exactly what I was looking for.