1/4" NPT to Badger airbrush threads?

[fun9c1]

Hi all,

I hope this hasn't been discussed 100 times already- I tried searching but did not see an answer to my specific question. After almost 50 years of building models off and on, I've decided I finally want to try my hand at airbrushing. I have a Badger 350 that I bought about 30+ years ago but never used. So I need an air supply, and I'd prefer to have a tank with it. Tell me if this is a stupid idea, but I figured that rather than spend ~$200 for an airbrush specific compressor, Lowes has a Kobalt 2 gallon "quiet tech" compressor for $179 which might come in handy for other stuff as well. I just am not sure how to go from the 1/4" NPT to the female threads on my Badger air line. 

Because of this issue, I went ahead and bought a Sparmax TC-501N from Hobby Lobby (the only compressor they had) because I was impatient, and it said on Hobby Lobby's website that it comes with adaptors for all major airbrushes. So I bought it and figured I would figure out a tank later. However, it did NOT come with ANY adaptors (nor were there any on the parts list) and the hose it came with is not compatible with my Badger (that hose's fitting was quite a bit bigger than the threads on my Badger), so it's going back to Hobby Lobby and I am back to the Kobalt plan. I have an air compressor in the garage, so I am also open to the idea of just getting a tank and a regulator for the models if it will last long enough to finish spraying whatever job I might be doing. Either way I would need to go from 1/4" NPT to the Badger's threads.

I have read at least one good thread here on suggestions for airbrush compressors, but what are your thoughts on the Kobalt (or similar) idea? And if it is an OK idea, then my main question is, is there a fitting to go from 1/4" NPT to the Badger's threads?

Thanks for any advice.

[Bainford]

The Kobalt compressor will work fine. Get a quality regulator designed to work at pressures for airbrushing. And yes, there is a Badger to 1/4 npt adaptor available. Any  shop that sells Badger should have it, or any online airbrush dealer. 
 

 

[fun9c1]

Thanks very much for the reply. Knowing that, I just went to badger's website and I see it. Punched the part number in at Amazon and bingo. Thanks again.

[fun9c1]

I noticed that most of the threads associated with airbrushes seem to be 1/8" BSP, but mine is M5 x 0.5 thread. So I'm assuming that standard adaptor is for the 1/8" BSP. I took a chance and ordered this from Amazon- Amazon.com: Professional 7pcs Airbrush Adaptor Kit Fitting Connector Set for Air Compressor & Airbrush Hose : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

It looks like this kit has the 1/4" NPT to both M5 and 1/8 threads, and it appears to also have an adaptor to go from my M5 threads to the 1/8 hose if I wanted to switch to that. The only M5 hose I can seem to find is the cheap vinyl kind. The 1/8 hoses seem much nicer as they are available as braided.

I'll let you guys know if that kit does the trick, maybe that will help someone else out in the future.

[yh70]

32 minutes ago, fun9c1 said:

I noticed that most of the threads associated with airbrushes seem to be 1/8" BSP, but mine is M5 x 0.5 thread. So I'm assuming that standard adaptor is for the 1/8" BSP. I took a chance and ordered this from Amazon- Amazon.com: Professional 7pcs Airbrush Adaptor Kit Fitting Connector Set for Air Compressor & Airbrush Hose : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

It looks like this kit has the 1/4" NPT to both M5 and 1/8 threads, and it appears to also have an adaptor to go from my M5 threads to the 1/8 hose if I wanted to switch to that. The only M5 hose I can seem to find is the cheap vinyl kind. The 1/8 hoses seem much nicer as they are available as braided.

I'll let you guys know if that kit does the trick, maybe that will help someone else out in the future.

the one on the bottom right will hook up to the Badger 350 hose.. i got one from back in the 80's. i only painted one model with it. first airbrush i ever bought..

[Dave G.]

I went quick connects, one hose between multi brand airbrushes. The adapters I use are iwata ( 1/8 actually) . The other end of the hose is Iwata ( 1/8) to 1/4. I do still have a 50 yo line with Badger to 1/4 nipple that plugs into my portable compressor. All adapters have since been bought from Amazon.

My airbrushes are Ganzton Iwata knock off, my original 50 yo Badger 200, two Paasche airbrushes, the H and suction feed dual action. The quick connects make swapping out simple. My airbrushes all have a connector nipple, in fact that Paasche dual action came with one. The compressor has a 1/4 female quick connect on it for feeding air hoses for air tools. So my airbrush hose is adapted to that and has the 1/4 male end on it.. On the other end, the airbrush end is Iwata 1/8 quick connect.

I like on that Ganzton airbrush, the Mac valve. This way you can just set 30 or 35 psi psi, and adjust down for your proper spray pattern on board the airbrush. All airbrushes should have a Mac valve, just my opinion. Anyway, Point Zero makes a nice water trap regulator if you're looking for one of those for say the side of your work station. Very accurate. Set your compressor output for 50 psi then line pressure after your work station water trap for whatever you need for flowing air. With that 350 airbrush, Id guess start at 25 psi working pressure ( in other words with the air flowing through the brush, not static pressure).

Back in the day, so to speak, I had the Badger starter brush and the Badger 200. The best thing I ever ran into for spraying Testors enamels was the setting of 35 psi. Ya it cause some extra over spray but the paint stomization and flow out was phenomenal. Big difference from enamel and the then popular Floquil paints, in terms of pressure.