Mike, it was a small black flexible hose, semi-permanent attachment to the compressor using a clamp type fitting, but the hose was just pushed onto the airbrush opening, which was easy to remove, but it seemed to fit very tightly. In other words, it never just fell off, it was very snug..

I just spoke to my local Harbor Freight (northern Kentucky) and the model below will actually be one of the day after Thanksgiving specials - for $44.99!!! If you have the time to spare, this definitely makes it worth waiting!!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93657

I GOT IT!!!!! My Aztek 4709 arrived today. It is SOOOO intimidating. All of these little gizmo things right in front of me that I have NO clue what they're for. Aaaahhh!!

I don't know if I will be able to wait for the compressor that long....although I don't REALLY have time to play with the airbrush before then. But then again, I don't have the colors yet either!

I am so excited though...thousands of ideas running through my head and thousands of things I want to try!

Mine came today too and I went OK now what?? I am waiting for my compressor also. I do have some colors. It is intimidating. Guess I will have to try and color first...well after the compressor comes in

Get some cheap coloring books to practice with.

thanks tiggy2 that is what I will do. So appreciate all your professional input. You are one of the reason I took the dive into this.

I bought the Aztek 4709 from Hobby Lobby a while ago though I have yet to use it. The regular price was $149.99 but I was able to use their 40% off coupon on it. I saw something on the Winbeckler site about needing to purchase some type of conversion kit for the Aztek to use for cake decorating. Has anyone purchased the conversion kit for use with this airbrush?

I have a airbrush that i bought at harbor freight for $ 20. I works just as well as the $ 90, copykake that I have at work. As regards to compressors, you have to compare apples to apples, sometimes you just paying for the name... ie lexus and toyota. The one that is one the winkler or what ever it is website looks excatly like one you can get for 50 bucks at harbor freight, I have it for a year and half and never have had one problem.

I just bought this one. What do you guys think? I make a cake about twice a month.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-PRO-G23-AIRBRUSH-KIT-SET-Salon-Air-COMPRESSOR-Paint_W0QQitemZ200267821391QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item200267821391&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318[/url]

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to let you know that I received my air compressor from Harbor Freight and it DOES come with the moisture trap. I haven't used it yet but it looks really nice. I am excited to try it out.
I just wanted to update you because a few of you had asked if it had the moisture trap and I couldn't confirm that until I received it.
Good luck to all of you who are still looking.

Janet.. thanks for all your advice.. You seem to know a lot about airbrushes I know very little I have an Airmaster compressor, which I just returned for repair.. After reading your post, I think I may have killed it I had an airbrush from a previous smaller compressor, and just used it.. Your post was so enlightening, I actually did some research on the brush I was using, and discovered that I should not have been using it with the new compressor. Now, my question to you is....... what brush would you recommend I use, and where could I get it? Also, where would I get that $2.50 part I would need for it? Thanks....[/quote]

I don't think you can kill that compressor just by using the wrong brush!!! It had to just be a fluke in the machine. The red airmaster compressor is pretty cool- smooth running and works high or low psi. I really suggest the Talon. Paasche just came out with it this year- and it is a gravity feed(top cup like the KKw/ bigger cup) but a double action that can do really fine details. And it has a cover on it's cup so it doesn't spill! I like the VL, and the millenium too- tho. When you get your compressor back, pm me, and I'll tell you how to fix modify it for a universal compressor. try chicagoairbrushsupply for the brush- it's a good buy there. Janet

Thanks Janet.. I had just sent you a PM.. I am awaiting arrival of the compressor back, and will contact you then... Thanks so much for your help....

HELPPPPP! I have the A470 and I also have my compressor from Harbor Freight. The Model 92403. How the heck do I attach the airbrush to the compressor? I don't see how it fits.... Do I need a different adapter? Should what came with each work together? I did pm Tiggy and she was trying to help me but I was not able to attach a picture so that she could help. Anybody anybody, can you help?

Dinny2222 I just sent you an email after I got you photos. See if that helped any.

yes yes yes they did help YOU did help!! Thank you for letting me pm and email all those times to you and for coming up with a solution. Now I am ready to take out the grandchildren coloring books and go at it. So totally appreciate the time and effort you gave me. HUGS HUGS HUGS

You're welcome! I'm glad I could help and you got it working. Now you are on your way to the world of airbrushing. Have fun and post photos of your first cake.

Alright it is my turn to swarm you with questions! Hopefully they are not too dumb...

My local hardware store is selling a 150 psi compressor for $30; it has a guage so I can turn the pressure down... can I use this with an air brush gun?

They also have a 2 gallon pancake compressor for $50? Should I go with the bigger one?

Which gun is best? I am pretty much a hobby baker with a few selling opportunities (mostly to family and friends)

Do compressors need filled with air? If so how often and where?

Where do I get the colors?

Someone mentioned books, what are some titles to look for?

Thanks for any help!

No questions are ever dumb- we ALL had to start somewhere!

is the pancake compressor the one with the round flattened tank?

As long as it has a guage that will allow you to run the psi between 12-20 then it will work fine-

The difference in size of tank is just the amount of time you can run it before it kicks on to fill the tank...Here's what happens:

The compressor fills the tank (even while you are using it), then when it hits the "low" mark, it will automatically kick back in to fill it. If you have a tiny tank- it kicks on more often. The cheaper the compressor- the louder it probably is too- but it will only stay on for a couple of minutes to fill the tank. The reason for the tank is that when the motor is on, it has a vibration- if you are using the air from the tank- there is no vibration. If you just airbrush some- then a small tank is fine- it probably doesn't make much of a difference. It is about as loud as a vacuumn cleaner. To me- I need a big tank because I airbrush alot and it would drive me crazy having it kick on all the time.

You can get airbrush colors at cake supplies- or my favorite is Americolor.

It does not matter if you are a beginer or a pro- if you are going to get an airbrush- you can get a top of the line for the same price. If you learn on an inferior brush, then dealing with it clogging or sputtering all the time- will keep you from getting better or enjoying it. Start with a good- well made brush and you will have a whole different experience. Paasche, Badger,Aztek, & KK are all well made. Try chigagoairbrushsupply or bearair-

Any airbrush book at micheal's will teach you the basics- But since I see you are in OHIO- there is a beginner and advanced airbrush class in January at the Art of the cake -show. I know the teacher really really well- so I can guarantee you will learn your brush.

Thanks for taking time to answer!
Yes pancake is just the flat tank... How long about would the 2 gallon last before kicking in to fill?

it just depends on how high your psi is, and how much you are airbrushing. There is no exact timing. You can always get a longer compressor hose extension- and put it outside or in the garage! Take it home and try it - if it is from Walmart or something- you can always return it and get a bigger one!

I know there is one out there that comes with a coiled "springy" type hose- don't get that compressor! that hose is not worth the trouble and the compressor is horrible!

Ok, here I go again this is what I have http://www.mmhobby.com/baai350st.html but it has a propel can and I was reading here that we can't use a propel can can some body tell me why? and if somebody know if I can use another kind of compressor for this?

I am sorry because all these ??? but, I am totally lost and I want to star practicing. Thank you so much guys and happy Thanks Giving.


Frankyia

[email protected]

I haven't read this whole thread yet but for those looking for additional information you can check out www.howtoairbrush.com. They have some great instructional tutorials to get you started. Hope that helps some!

My husband bought me an airbrush from Harbor Freight last Christmas. I tried using it with the Americolor colors and the colors are extremely dark. What am I doing wrong? Do you need to water down the color?

I have the gun with the jars that attached on the bottom, not the cups. It is Central Pneumatic Quick Change air brush kit. THe compressor is also Cnetral Pneumatic 1/8 HP oilless with a regulator (item 93657).

Maybe my air compressor is too strong, because it sprays out the color extremely fast.

I don't know how to adjust it. LOL. I'm looking through the instruction book and it is all latin to me. I also wonder if it is the gun I have. When I use it it spits out the color.

This airbrush is 40 PSI. IS that too much?