I too do a LOT of airbrushing, and I certainly NEED a water (moisture) trap here in Michigan in the summer. Without one, when it's humid, you can actually SEE drops of WATER coming out of the airbrush and landing on the surface being painted. And yes, they leave SPOTS!
A lot depends on the relative humidity where you live, and time of year. A moisture trap may not always be needed, but it's ALWAYS a good idea. Ruin just one complex paint job and you'll understand.
Dan Mitchell ==========
Greg O wrote:
> > I am trying to home-build an air pump for hobby modelling airbrushing
> > application using a 220V domestic fridge air compressor. To make
> > things simpler, the basic arrangement is to connect the compressor
> > output to an air regulator (with guage attached) which, in turn,
> > connects to a water trap before going to the airbrush. The idea is to
> > keep the size of the whole thing as small as possible. I still haven't
> > bought the compressor but need something to be clarified beforehand.
> > My question is:
> >
> > What is the minimum power rating required for the compressor to
> > deliver (at least) 40 psi (or 0.276 MPa) pressure?
> >
> > Thanks for any suggestion.
> >
> > CFF
>
> You need to buy a compressor to do this?? You will also need an air tank,
> and pressure switch. As for power rating you need to give more information,
> how many cubic feet per minute at a given PSI.
> Your money will be better spent on a factory made unit. A refrigeration
> compressor is not the best way to compress air. It will work for a while,
> but you will probably have some oil in the discharge due to the construction
> of the compressor. By the time you buy water fiters, oil filters, and all
> the hardware to do this you could buy a factory unit.
> Also you may not even need a water trap. A friend does commercial art and he
> has never used a water trap when air brushing.
> Greg