Harbor Freight Fortress

It’s very inexpensive and relatively quiet and maintains a good constant pressure. I have the 1 gallon version. I’ve been using it pretty frequently for about a year, haven’t had any problems.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-gallon-135-psi-ultra-quiet-hand-carry-jobsite-air-compressor-64592.html

I had previously been using a Harbor Freight pancake compressor and it was not ideal, very loud, slow to recharge and the pressure would frequently sputter.

HF compressor here

HF compressor here also

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/36607

been shooting brad nails lately on a home improvement project with it too  

jeff

FYI

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/39663

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/37739

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/25947

What I had a difficult time finding is the thread we just had on this topic last month where people were recommending small/mini/portable compressors. I finally recalled that two people had recommended the grex and found it by searching for "second the grex". The ten minutes it took to find it was caused by bad spelling in the thread title that was never corrected. Here ends my mini-rant about bad thread titles left uncorrected.

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/42160

MRH: Thread title misspelling corrected.

HF

I've had a Central Pneumatic (aka Harbor Freight) airbrush compressor for about 10 years- works just fine.  It now only comes with the airbrush and accessories for about $90 US.  I suppose it would be nice to have one with an air tank but that wasn't an option when I got it.  

Lou in California

I don't use a compressor for air brushing.

I have a bottle of dry nitrogen that I refill when it gets empty at any welding supply shop for about $10.00.  When full it shows 2500# internal pressure before it is reduced by the manifold.  Since it is dry nitrogen, I don't need a drier between the bottle and the air brush.  The last time I had it refilled was probably 2006.  The price may have gone up a little since then.  It is dead silent when I'm air brushing and I don't get any pulsing like you can get with an air compressor.

I have a large air compressor from Harbor Freight that I use for inflating tires and operating air tools, but I don't air brush with it.

1/6 Hp Magnum with 3L tank

Super quiet. Tons of air. 
Looks like this:

 
These guys (note, in Canada so price is pretty cheap as U.S are worth at least 1.20 Cdn) have them: 

Magnum 3L Airbrush Compressor

Seems to be marketed under various brands including Badger, Magnum, ... weighs about 12 lbs.

I have a small bottle of N2

I have a small bottle of N2 20cuft I think.   I use it for pressurizing my race shocks on my off road car.  I have thought about using it for my air brush etc. but not interested in moving it around the house from the garage to the trainroom etc.

At one time Blue Rhino used to sell 20oz CO2 refillable bottles with a regulator that I used in the trainroom.  Smaller than the N2 bottle and more portable.  It was set up to be used with nail guns for roofers.  Turned out not to be that popular and as far as I know it has been 10 or more years now that Blue Rhino has sold those 20oz CO2 bottles.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Rhino-20-oz-CO2-Tank/3117649

So for you that have the

So for you that have the Harbor Freight Fortress, does it have a moisture trap?

Jeff

I too purchased a Harbor

I too purchased a Harbor Frieght Fortress 1 gallon. Well built and quiet. I own a older large unit that is obnoxious sounding. This unit is very quiet and fairly small and perfect to use in my man cave. I choose it over the smaller hobby type compressors. It also has the capacity to use a brad nailer and larger paint sprayers. Small for hobby use, but big enough for some larger jobs.

I just returned from

I just returned from purchasing my Fortress, I am impressed so far. It is quiet and pumped up quickly.

Jeff

Traps

No integrated moisture trap on my particular HF compressor, but I mounted one closer to point of use on my mobile airbrush cart.  Trap sourced from Amazon.  Has worked well.  

Jeff

I bought one of the red

I bought one of the red pancake compressors at Harbor Freight but it is not quiet.  If it craps out, I'll look at the Fortress.

Badger

If any of you have purchased a Harbor Freight ("HF") air compressor (either the one they advertise for use with airbrushes or another model), what additional parts/adapters/air hoses/etc. did you have to buy to use a Badger airbrush with the HF air compressor and where did you get the additional needed parts/adapters/etc?  The reason I ask is that I've read that the HF air compressors aren't compatible with Badger without adapters/etc.  Any help in this regard would be greatlly appreciated.  Thanks.

DEW

Badger set up

DEW:

Heres what I use with my Badger Patriot 105

• compressor

• generic air hose

• various generic quick connects and plugs

• Tailonz Pneumatic 1/4 Inch NPT Air Filter Pressure Regulator Combo Piggyback, Air Tool Compressor Filter with Gauge AW2000-02
  (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RHP8PQN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

• PointZero 6 ft. Braided Airbrush Air Hose 1/8 in. - 1/8 in. BSP
  (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KNDQRW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

• Badger Air-Brush Co. 51-042 QD Coupler
  (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EGZB2Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Jeff

JEFF

Hi.  Thank you very much for your reply and for the helpful information provided.  Thanks again.

DEW