Help identifying compressor

[Fabrux]

I have finally worked up the courage to give airbrushing a go and picked up a compressor and Badger single-action airbrush from a club member on the cheap. Problem is, the compressor has no information on it other than a sticker on top that says "Profit With Paasche Air Equipment." There is no pressure gauge on it, only a thumb screw for adjusting the pressure so I am pretty much shooting blind here. This is the little beasty:

Doing a Google image search for Paasche compressors shows one that looks similar to this (D500), but it is blue and the air outlet is on the opposite side. If I knew what model compressor this is I might be able to find some specifications somewhere that gives its output pressure at full and I can go from there. I will eventually pick up a gauge but this'll help me get going now.

Thanks!

[DrGlueblob]

Its an old D500. Good, reliable workhorse. Looks to be about 70's vintage. output about 30psi IIRC. I'd go to Amazon and get a regulator/moisture trap for it. I use a remote setup for that next to my bench. Place the moisture trap as far from the compressor as you can.

Fittings are NPT -National Pipe Thread. use Teflon tape on all but your hose end/to airbrush connection.

Edited April 11, 2014 by DrGlueblob

[fitforbattle]

I had no idea what type of compressor it is but..... It's beautiful! I want one just standing around in the house.

[DrGlueblob]

Unlikely that a Paasche would ever break, but a dead one might make for a cool doorstop..

[Misha]

Brings back memories! My first compressor in the 70s was a D500 to go along with my Paasche VL. Apart from the racket it made the pulsating air flow was problematic. After close to eight years it died to be replaced with a Craftsman compressor with greater power and noise! Five years ago I finally bought an Iwata studio compressor with dual lines, each with its own regulator, a storage tank and whisper quiet operation. Also added an Iwata Eclipse brush, a beautiful piece of equipment, for the second line.

Looking back I would recommend buying the best compressor with a holding tank from the start, as it makes air brushing so much more pleasant and provides superior results. By the way, my old D500 did live out the rest of its days as a door stop!

Cheers Misha

[vypurr59]

I had one of these. I took and old discarded freon tank, and got me a kit from the auto parts store to make it a tire fill kit. Then I plumbed it to the compressor and had a tank, that would take the pulses of air and smooth it out. This became my travel compressor once I purchased a bigger one for the shop.