keiron99 Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 I've been using a handheld, self-contained rechargeable airbrush until now. I've just treated myself to a compressor with a tank (Fengda FD 186). However, when I remove the airbrush, by screwing off the hose (from either the tank or the airbrush), the air in the tank just comes spewing out, blowing stuff across my workbench. That doesn't seem right to me, or is it? I was also thinking of getting a "quick release" connector. Would one of them stop that happening (as well as making connection and disconnection easier - the thread seems like it could easily be stripped). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malpaso Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 I don’t have a tank on my compressor, but I would suggest turning off the compressor first and then releasing excess pressure through the airbrush? Quick release will work to hold the pressure. I got some in some airbrush spares but didn’t imagine it would be worth it with one brush. But it is easier to just pop off the brush than unwind it. hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Harmsworth Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 I don't know this make but I think there should be a valve to release unwanted air pressure. Looking at an image on amazon it may be under the transparent bottle thingy. There's lots of answers in the q&a section which may help. Here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Airbrush-Fengda-FD-186K-compressor-accessories/dp/B01984G4SU/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1294125501959071&hvadid=80882920244908&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=133673&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-80883024880903%3Aloc-188&keywords=fengda+fd-186&qid=1641931668&sr=8-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwh548 Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 Get a quick release and that problem will go away. If you buy some generic ones get 2 or 3. Sometimes you have bad luck and they leak like crazy. The only "pretty way" of emptying the tank is to keep the trigger pressed until the tank is depleted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 As @bmwh548 noted, a quick-release connector will allow you to disconnect the airbrush from the compressor without emptying the tank in the process. Here's a photo of my rig. I use the connectors to support 2 airbrushes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiron99 Posted January 11, 2022 Author Share Posted January 11, 2022 Thanks everyone. I'll get a quick release connector. I notice that some connectors have an "adjustment control valve" built into them. What are they exactly? Is it instead of having to use the pressure gauge on the compressor itself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tijuana Taxi Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 (edited) 10 hours ago, keiron99 said: Thanks everyone. I'll get a quick release connector. I notice that some connectors have an "adjustment control valve" built into them. What are they exactly? Is it instead of having to use the pressure gauge on the compressor itself? The MAC valve is so that you fine tune the pressure adjustment whilst working without touching the main regulator at the compressor. They are either as you mentioned on the quick release or like mine on the airbrush itself. So they are in addition to rather than in place of the main compressor regulator. Also don't forget to drain the tank of moisture after use via the drain plug underneath the tank. If you don't it can lead to corrosion and also rusty moisture getting into the air flow Edited January 12, 2022 by Tijuana Taxi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sardaukar Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 My fengda compressor has a release valve, it's that red thing with a key ring on it, just pull on it and it will release all air in the tank. It can be a bit tricky to pull. Getting a quick release connector for the brush will just make your life a lot easier and they only cost a few quid from Amazon or eBay. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiron99 Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 On 1/14/2022 at 1:08 PM, sardaukar said: My fengda compressor has a release valve, it's that red thing with a key ring on it, just pull on it and it will release all air in the tank. It can be a bit tricky to pull. Getting a quick release connector for the brush will just make your life a lot easier and they only cost a few quid from Amazon or eBay. You're telling me it's hard to pull! Access is restricted by the foot of the compressor (which, on my model, attaches to the tank). Anyways, I ordered one of those quick release valve with the "MAC" valve on it, which seems like a fiver well spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broadway Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 (edited) I looked for a manual, the one I found was a bit sparse to say the least. Is this the same on your compressor? If so it looks like the pressure relief valve, a gentle pull should release the air. Also the may be a push button underneath the transparent cylinder by the pressure gauge which when pushed will empty the moisture trap. I don't know if this is general, but mine says release the pressure at the end of the session, Edited January 15, 2022 by Broadway 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sardaukar Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 Yep that is it, it takes a lot more than a gentle pull, my finger is a bit too big to get a good group on it. could probably add a handle to it using the key ring to make it easier. I keep forgetting to let the air out after, not sure what that will do to the longterm life of the compressor. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiron99 Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 Yes, that model pictured is like mine. It's really difficult to get a hold of and quite stiff. I believe the "drain valve" or whatever it's called underneath the tanks should also be released occasionally to let out moisture trapped in there. To be fair, it seems like a reasonable bit of kit for £78. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 35 minutes ago, keiron99 said: I believe the "drain valve" or whatever it's called underneath the tanks should also be released occasionally to let out moisture trapped in there. Yes it should to reduce water corrosion damage to the tank. To prevent water from being sprayed, you need an air separator, which is hopefully already on the tank or in your air line. If not, that would be a very good addition. I live in relatively dry Southern California, and I still make sure to empty the air separator after every session. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 I don't have a tank but when I finish up there is some air still in the compressor. I usually hit the release at the bottom of the water trap as that allows the air to bleed out while dumping a good bit of the water in the trap. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogtail2 Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 You should have an on/off tap between the tank and the airbrush. If not already installed on the compressor, it would be easy enough to fit one. That way you save the air in the tank for your next session with the airbrush. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiron99 Posted January 16, 2022 Author Share Posted January 16, 2022 Thanks everyone. Really annoyed this morning. Got up early to do some spraying, and the hose blew apart from the connector. The hose is one that came with the £22 Timbertech airbrush I bought with the compressor. The connector is basically just pushed on and crimped. Damnit! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DD_Crash Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 Phil Flory has done a series of bite size on airbrush,paint and compressors. You might have to pay to view them on his web site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tijuana Taxi Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 7 hours ago, keiron99 said: Thanks everyone. Really annoyed this morning. Got up early to do some spraying, and the hose blew apart from the connector. The hose is one that came with the £22 Timbertech airbrush I bought with the compressor. The connector is basically just pushed on and crimped. Damnit! A decemt hose costs about 10 or 15 quid, so not surprised it wasn't great with an airbrush too for £22. Don't imagine the tool itself will be that clever either, 1* reviews on Amazon are probably quite accurate. Be careful when cleaning it, you could easily damage the threads and seals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigglesof266 Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 (edited) On 1/12/2022 at 4:45 AM, keiron99 said: I've just treated myself to a compressor with a tank (Fengda FD 186). However, when I remove the airbrush, by screwing off the hose (from either the tank or the airbrush), the air in the tank just comes spewing out, blowing stuff across my workbench. That doesn't seem right to me, or is it? The FD-186 series with a 3 litre tank have a release valve at the side of the tank. (I have had the Fengda AS-186 for about a decade) Follow the metal line from the head down to the valve mounted at the side on the tank. Look for a sprung slider pin with a hole through it to which a keyring will be attached. This should be covered partially with a red plastic shroud. Place your finger in the keyring and pull (slide) the pin horizontally, with the unit powered off of course. It will void the tank. This vid clearly shows the release valve described. Your FD-186 is identical. QR connector does just what the name implies. Any decent one will incorporate a shutoff valve. Check before you buy. When you disconnect, a valve will close shutting off air discharge until you reconnect. This is a temporary shutoff of course. For storage, you should turn off the compressor, empty the line and then the tank. Edited January 29, 2022 by Bigglesof266 Addendum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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