First off, a big hello to all the fellow brits out here in modelling cyber space!

Second of all, i'm looking at getting a compressor and know diddly about them. Can anyone recommend a decent sub £150 compressor and explain why it's any good?

I can't recommend a compressor, but do recommend Carbon Dioxide as used in pubs for fizzy drinks and lager. You need to get hold of a regulator and pressure controller (NOTE normal pressure regulators usually can't take the extreme pressure in the cylinder).

The main benefit of these is that they are completely silent, if not heavy and slightly likely to asphyxiate you. They cost a few quid (£15?) to recharge. They do last a long time and don't suffer from pressure loss till they're empty. The major problem is getting the regulators and possibly paying for a deposit for the cylinder. All this I got free through scavenging.

If you don't mind the noise and have the space there are a number of workshop style compressors in B&Q and Homebase which I've seen for £50. These have good size cylinders and come with pressure regulators, I think you would have to by a moisture trap elsewhere. If space and noise are an issue I'm sorry I don't know enough about the market to recommend a small silent compressor, though with a very long air hose you can park one of the £50 compressors outside or in a shed and use it indoors.

Ross

try machinemart's range...

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=000114052&r=2007&g=102

I have that one...it is a bit overkill for just hobby use, but it is a fantastic piece of kit that has many uses. One run of the compressor fills that 24 litre tank and I've only once ever made it cut in again...and that was when I was having problems with the brush and had to do lengthy tests.

They're great tools and for under £150 you could easily walk away with something that will be really useful to you.

oh and by the way...welcome aboard!! you couldn't have picked a better board to sign up to, these guys know the lot, someone somewhere always comes up with the goods on here !!

Cheers
Jon

Hi Adam, welcome to the Brit side of the Big-A. I can not help you with your question but will follow this thread with intrest as I'm just starting to look for a compressor as well, just mine will need to be quite as it will be used indoors (1st floor flat).

Ciao
Luciano

thanks for all the help there fella's.

after asking for a few demo's in various shops, i've decided on this little silent beauty:

Ripmax TRCP104.

really quiet, takes about 2 minutes to fill the canister, and that covers my needs really.

now, can i possibly justify buying that AND the BR 52 on the same day?

:-)

Hi Adam.
This is the compressor I bought a couple of months ago.
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There is another one available from the same supplier,Everything Airbrush.
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You can get them on "buy it now",but they are always putting them through the auction so you may be able to pick one up a bit cheaper.
I also use this company for airbrush parts and have had really good service with everything Ive bought from them.
Hope this helps!
Nige


Edit...the links look a bit odd but Ive just tried them and they work