You are going to want one that is oil free, and if you are going to be working near it, quiet. Make sure you install a good inline moisture trap and moisture filter. I use a California Air tools model, and am happy with it.

Thank you Michael. I’ll check it out.

I was curious about that oil-free part. I have an Ingersoll Rand compressor that does use oil and the manual also lists a ton of things as “Not Recommended” like Acrylic Paint, Lacquer, and Varnish. I have also seen inline oil and moisture filters and was curious if those could be used for oiled compressors to safely use this compressor. It also says to call their number for any of the applications not recommended.. maybe I will do that and ask them

What I know about compressors in general is that oil free can also mean not as reliable. Oil helps lubricate parts much better then so called “sealed bearings” etc., and of course oil filled compressors have been used to shoot everything from acrylic, lacquer and everything else in the auto, furniture etc., industries for years. I think the considerations are space, quiet, and smaller format as we don’t use/need as much pressure or large compressors to run an airbrush and a smaller gun in the repair side? I know from using both that compressors that use oil last much longer under heavy use. But that gets factored in as well. An auto body shop may be using the compressor for all sorts of functions and tools constantly whereas we in repair only part time and little hours. A mass guitar facility I’m sure more than not, uses a large storage, oil based compressor with water and oil filter attachments whereas we repair people would only need an oil less compressor with a water trap filter as Michael suggests because we don’t use the unit as much. And of course price is a large factor. Oil free much cheaper than oil use.

You didn’t mention your work volume or air requirements, but I’ve been using a 3.3 CFM Makita MAC700 2.0 HP Big Bore “portable” compressor with jamb guns for 9 years now. I’ve used it StewMac’s, HF’s and Homestead Finishing’s Qualspray 8008 LVLP jam guns. Its not a top shelf industrial compressor but is quiet, small footprint, and it meets my low volume needs. It is an oil lubricated compressor, but with separators at both ends of the air hose I’ve never had a contamination problem.

Oh gosh, sure. I should have put in what I’m going to use and purpose. I have Stewmac compact gun and Stewmac air brush. Will use it for mainly touch up work. And thanks for recommendation! This looks like it would cover needs for sure. I’ve always used oil based compressors because I had heavy shop needs in the past but don’t now. And it looks like folks are having good luck with both.

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