Since I have read a lot of negative comments to my previous post about a compressor from Haror Freight, I have found some other candidates for purchase. I would like to know if anyone has experience with Master Tank Compressor. It is Model TC-20T, 1/5 hp, 60 psi, 59 decibals. I found this on ebay. Comments?
Also looking at various small compressors from California Air Tools. 1.6 gal, 1/2 hp, 56 decibals. Can anyone enlighten me about this compressor?
I am finding this very difficult since I have no experience with this kind of tool and I don't want to waste my moey on a piece of junk or buy something way bettter and more expensive than I need.
Thanks for all answers.
wdcrvr
If it were me, I'd get something like this or similar: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-Cable-6-Gal-150-PSI-Portable-Air-Compressor-C2002/203162815
It would probably be considered loud, but if you have it in your basement the sound should not bother anyone upstairs.
I tend to look for tools with some semblence of quality, and also capable of use for other things. In this case it would be car tires and a pneumatic stapler my wife uses for her business.
I don't know what the Ebay one is selling for. But I personally would not be inclined to buy anything that I couldn't take back for a refund if it didn't suit me after I'd tried it.
The one thing I would recommend, is that where ever you buy your compressor from, buy it locally and check if repair parts are readily available for it.
Buy some off-brand compressor and a year down the road something goes wrong with it, you at least want to be able to either be able to get the part to fix it, or where you bought it from can help you.
Off brand things like this may or may not even be around a year from now, and good luck trying to find parts if and when you need them. Spend a little extra now and you won't regret it later.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
I found a few at Sears. http://www.sears.com/tools-air-compressors-air-tools-air-compressors/b-1021254?Power%20Type=Electric&storeOrigin=Sears&filterList=Power%20Type%7CstoreOrigin%7C&sortOption=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH&autoSearsFltr=true
Usually Sears has a good warrenty and usually parts for what they sell.
That TC-20T compressor distributed by TCP Global is the one I started with and I would not recommend it at all. It had to work very hard to keep up and died after a few months use. The only positive is that it was relatively quiet. I have actually done a good bit of business with TCP for classic automotive paints over the years but my experience with their little airbrush compressor was not good.
Continuing on... other than build quality the most important thing to look for is SCFM rating. A large tip on an airbrush requires more airflow than what you might think and a compressor with a small pump head has to run hard to keep up. A compressor with higher airflow capacity will sit idle most of the time which allows the air to cool down (it heats up when compressed), gives time for moisture to settle out so that water doesn't get into the feed hose, and will provide steady pressure to the airbrush. A larger tank is also helpful but a large tank does not reduce the overall load on the compressor since the head still has to pump the same amount of air.
At 3.5 SCFM at 40 psi the Porter Cable that I bought, and mentioned here again, admittedly has much more capacity than needed for an airbrush. Even when using a large tip it hardly runs- but that is a good thing. The only downside is the noise when it does run. That small airbrush compressor is only rated at 0.8 SCFM and I am not entirely convinced that it really puts out that much. It was not a good investment.
My recommendation- buy a real multi-purpose compressor, consider 1.0 SCFM at 40 psi and a 3 gallon tank absolute minimum and go from there.
Huntington Junction - Freelance based on the B&O and C&O in coal country before the merger... doing it my way. Now working on phase 3. - Walt
For photos and more: http://www.wkhobbies.com/model-railroad/
I read online reviews for modest priced compressors from Sears Home Depot and Hobor Freight. I saw enough negative comments from all three that I decided to just get an hf compressor and if it didn't last a long time at least I wouldn't be out alot.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I have a Porter Cable pancake compressor that is part of a 3-gun set, quite a bargan if yu need the finish nailer, etc. The compressor alone is $99. Noisy, but I don't use it much. I noticed today at Home Depot that they have a smaller store brand compressor for about $59. You may want to check that out (noise, ratings, etc) as it may be a candidate.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Two comments. First, while I would be one of the first to agree that the HF compressor is low quality, my wife has one because of the size. I use a Hitachi pancake for my air brushing, in a spare bed room next to family room, and while noisy, generally it doesn't kick on but about every 20-30 minutes, so I really don't think that is a major concern- unless the rose ceremony happens at same time. If you can spare the few extra $'s, you will be much happier with something in the $100 range.
Tractor Supply has a good variety of compressors.
The November 2015 The Family Handyman magazine compared 8 compressors. Their main thing was that CFM is key. Look at CFM at 90psi which appears to be how compressors are tested. Tank size can matter, too. If you can get a copy of the magazine or entire article, it will help to determine best for you depending on what useage.
CFM at 90psi is more or less an industry standard- that's around the pressure where factories keep compressed air for running equipment, and it is also a good number to look at for a garage compressor. Airbrushing requires very little pressure so the 40psi airflow numbers are more applicable to this discussion. But yes, its all about CFM. Motor HP and tank size is not a good way to compare compressors, although a bigger tank does help provide some surge capacity.
in the market myself for a new one as my old stopped working today. thinking of getting this one at hobby lobby with the 40% off coupon.
http://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Model-Kits/Airbrushes/Sparmax-TC-501N-Windstorm-Airbrush-Compressor/p/732
Modeling on the cheap
fourt in the market myself for a new one as my old stopped working today. thinking of getting this one at hobby lobby with the 40% off coupon. http://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Model-Kits/Airbrushes/Sparmax-TC-501N-Windstorm-Airbrush-Compressor/p/732
Absolutely not!!!!!
Horible one.
It will never keep up the psi.
It only handles small airbrush's, not ones used for painting models.
I will never buy this one, nor ever recommend this one, EVER!
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
oh wow thanks thought it was good.
what about this one? will have to buy resulator/moisture trap.
http://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Model-Kits/Airbrushes/Blue-Mini-Airbrush-Compressor/p/1155
While I have not tried that particular unit, the problem that the "airbrush" compressors have, is they do not have the air output needed to maintain the air pressure needed to use an airbrush on models. They were designed for use on "art" style airbrushed, low psi, intermittent use.
I have used the other model you posted.... And promptly returned it. It would not even maintain 22psi. This rules out anything but a tiny single action brush, and only the smallest color cups, not even enough air to complete one coat on a HO model railcar.
On our models, you use a higher psi, and longer than these compressors are made for. And certain weathering techniques use higher psi than these compressors can even create....
The stat to watch for, is CFM, or SCFM.
Anything that is a smaller number than a 1.00, will not be adequate to maintain pressure at anything above 20psi. I would even use a larger, 1.50-2.00 CFM/SCFM model. (And, if you ever need to use it on anything else, like inflating car tires, airbrush models will not work at all.)
When you are under the needed CFM, This will all but rule out using a dual action airbrush, and forget doing anything where the technique uses a high psi for special effects, along with creating issues with painting of models, due to losing air pressure in the middle of a paint job.
See the other ongoing discussion on suggestions of tank and pancake style compressors. While larger and slightly louder than "airbrush" models, they work much better. You will get a much more steady airflow, resulting in a much better paint job, and a much happier time modeling.
I have a Ryobi YN301PL which is a small portable and fairly quiet unit.
No problems so far
I am very pleased with it!
http://www.buzzillions.com/image.dox?R=10654210
For airbrushing, I have a small regulated air compressor.
Where is it saying what the cfm is? i am not seeing it on any that i have looked at so far. should i be looking at one from lowes or home depot instead?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
For the small compressors it is usually buried in the specifications/details somewhere. I wouldn't buy a compressor without knowing the CFM rating.
Was looking at mine today took apart the switch and found a broken ground wire, so now looking to buy a solder gun as i cant find mine. Here is a pdf file of the own that i own, looks to be .5 cfm and can get about 30-40 psi out of it. will need to buy a new reagulator/ moisture trap as mine is broken.
http://www.paascheairbrush.com/documents/Manuals/D%20Compressor.pdf
I had just posted this on your other thread.http://www.californiaairtools.com/ultra-quiet-oil-free-air-compressors/1-2-hp-air-compressors/cat-1650a/
I bought this a couple years ago and am very happy with it. It is quiet, and you could use it indoors without annoying anyone too much. I use mine in the basement, and all I can hear in other rooms is a humming; not obtrusive at all.