Urgent Xmas shopping: Airbrush City/Airbrush Depot Tank Compressors?

[Capt. Grimek]

I'm trying to decide between a larger tank box store compressor like a Porter Cable 6 gallon pancake or a quieter smaller tank(ed) Airbrush City/Depot compressor with a slightly smaller than one gallon tank. 59 decibels definitely appeals but are these compressors similar in quality to the C.H.s, Porter Cables and hold up to use over time? I remember a couple of folks here having the TC model. Do you think it's going to hold up for more than a couple of years? Thanks.

[swoodnj]

Ha, I just went through that decision making process. I just got an Airbrush Depot TC-20ST a couple of weeks ago, before that I was using a Badger tankless compressor. I decided to go with the TC-20ST for the noise factor, it is extremely quiet. The tank is quite small and the compressor does kick on and off quite regularly during an air brushing session at around 20 PSI. But the tank does add a level of moisture protection. I'm guessing one of the larger units that you are looking at will probably only come on once to initially fill the tank, so even if it's loud it shouldn't be running all that much. A plus would be having it to use around the house with air tools etc. I can't speak for the durability of the Airbrush Depot compressor, it appears to be pretty well made.

[Capt. Grimek]

Wow another night owl ! Thanks for the really quick response!

I don't anticipate using a larger compressor for anything other than airbrushing so the longer silent time between tank refills appealed, BUT if it comes on while painting at night, there would be hell to pay in the household. (at around 80 DB).>P

[Capt. Grimek]

Swoodn.j. does the compressor get up to an honest 60 psi as advertized? Do you have much airbrushing experience? Thanks.

[Graffen]

When you can get one of these :

http://www.arttalk.com/iwata/shark/tiger.htm

http://www.arttalk.com/iwata/compressors/power_jet_air_compressormainpage.htm

[swoodnj]

Actually I'm the opposite, get up early in the morning here on the east coast! Good luck with your decision, let me know if you have any specific questions about the compressor I purchased.

[swoodnj]

I haven't tried going to 60 PSI yet, just the usual 15-25 for airbrushing, but now that you asked I will try it. I occasionally need 35-45 PSI for use with the Badger Grit Blaster. I've done quite a bit of custom painting over the years, both for myself and for hire. Hard to believe I used a Badger 180 for almost 20 years!

[Allegheny2-6-6-6]

 I've got over 30 years behind me playing with an air brush from everything from Harley to Hot-rods and even a restored P-51 Mustang that I did the name and nose art for the guy. My compressor of choice is a simple porter cable pancake nail gun compressor. I even use it when I work in my shop out back as I am independent of the big compressor which is equipped with an oiling system for my air tools and why fire up the big monster if I'm only doing a simple job on a gas tank etc. Using it on model railroading is relatively new to me. Although most of the principles and practices are exactly the same the paint is what foreign to me. I can tell you without a doubt that the Porter Cable compressor will do every thing you ask and it will last. After all think about it, how much are you really going to use it. Unless your one of these guys with mega monster basement empire with thousands of pieces of rolling stock it should last you a life time.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 I've been using a Campbell Hausfeld 2 gallon compressor that I bought back in the late 90's to supply an even air pressure for my Testor's Aztec airbrush for many years and haven't had any cause to complain. The only item I had to add was a moisture trap. Everything else I need is on the compressor. I keep the regulator set at 28 psi, the pressure suggested  by Testor's for my Aztec.

[G Paine]

After wearing out a Badger Cyclone compressor (after about 20 years), I got an Airbrush Depot model TC-20 compressor a few years ago. I am very pleased with it. It runs quiet and has an automatic shutoff so it does not run all the time. I do not see the need of spending the addtional money on the tank model. It includes an adjustible pressure regulator with water trap.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/compress.aspx#abd_tc20

There has been a lot of discussions in the past of the 'nail gun' compressors vs 'air brush' comperssors. Other than those who would use the compressor to run a nail gun or similar tool, I guess it comes down to a matter of personal preference. I would not trade my TC-20 for a Porter Cable; others would say just the oppositre.

[Capt. Grimek]

Allegheny, can you please give me an idea of approx. how long a six gallon tank of air would last before the compressor kicks back on? Would I for instance be able to paint all the walls of a large model like Walther's Milwaukee Station kit? (approx. 25"X8"X8" assembled)?

If I could go...oh maybe 45 min. working in silence with the Porter Cable six gallon pancake that would be ideal...

George, do you ever experience spatterlng/pulsating painting without a tank?

Thanks guys.

[locoi1sa]

 If you could get a larger tank for your compressor and crank up the pressure to 120 psi put an external regulator on it you can spray for a very long time. The person who letters our trucks and equipment uses an air tank on a back pack rig. He fills it from our shop air compressor to 150psi and has a moisture trap and regulator with a 6 foot hose. It lasts him about 4 hours and the tank is about the size of a gas grill bottle but made from aluminum.

         Pete

[G Paine]

Capt. Grimek

George, do you ever experience spatterlng/pulsating painting without a tank?

The pressure fluctuates 1 or2 psi from when the compressor stops to the restart. This does not affect the painting as far as I can see. The compressor is a diaphragm type and the start/stop cycle is not harsh.

[Capt. Grimek]

Thanks Pete. Thanks George.

[Allegheny2-6-6-6]

Capt. Grimek

Allegheny, can you please give me an idea of approx. how long a six gallon tank of air would last before the compressor kicks back on? Would I for instance be able to paint all the walls of a large model like Walther's Milwaukee Station kit? (approx. 25"X8"X8" assembled)?

If I could go...oh maybe 45 min. working in silence with the Porter Cable six gallon pancake that would be ideal...

George, do you ever experience spatterlng/pulsating painting without a tank?

Thanks guys.

 

 

I don't see why not depending on how many coats and what pressure your spraying at etc.Even if it cycles on the pressure will remain the same give or take a little, you want time between coats anyway for the coat of paint to flash up aka start to dry. One of the secretes to a good paint job is try not to put a fresh coat of paint over a wet one, the best way to get runs in your paint job  this should be left to the experienced painters

if your concerned with the noise it makes and it waking up the rest of the house like I am when I am spraying some project at some god forsaken hour of the night or early morning just do what I did. make a box to cover it out of extruded foam. I have a 5 sided box I just glued together with Liquid nails for projects with a small hole drilled in it just large enough for the air hose to fit through.

When I know I am going to be spraying at a time that sound of the compressor will wake up the rest of the house I just pull it off a top shelf thread the hose through it and connect it up to the compressor and plug it in back on the bottom shelf of my work bench which has a cover on the front to hide the multitude of junk under there.

Is it a good practice to do this all the time no as it doesn't allow for airflow around the compressor to cool it off etc. but for occasional use it's fine.

[Capt. Grimek]

Thank you. I hadn't thought/ remembered actually, that I'd be waiting between coats so the length of spraying time would be less than I was thinking initially.

I've seen plans for sound insulated boxes online and considered this, but our tiny cottage is probably too small to consider late night spraying with the compressor kicking on at all, unless it's a hobby type tank compressor like a TC20 or similar. I could get away with that on the back enclosed porch/mud room.

I feel some trepidation ignoring the common advice given here to use a standard household/shop compressor but I may have to go the airbrush depot or airbrush city compressor route and possibly have to replace it more often. I'll make my decision sometime this week.

Still hoping to hear from anyone who's had the TC20T etc. for more than a couple of years of fairly constant use.

Thanks again for the details, suggestions and advice. By the way, Allegheny, I'm an ex North Jersey boy. I think you're from the Garden State if I remember correctly. Hope you're staying warm! Jim

[dngrous]

If I may be the voice of common sense....  If you don't want the compressor to kick on late at night, why not just unplug it? Personally, I'd prefer to use a pancake compressor, or one of the hotdog-style. If you have something that size, you can easily carry it outside in case you need to air up your car's tires, inflate toys, use a blowgun, etc. It's much more versatile than a dedicated airbrush compressor. If the noise of the compressor kicking on is a big issue, I'd suggest keeping it in a cabinet with foam insulation on all sides. Air hose is cheap, mount the actual compressor as far away from you as possible. There will be a "slight" pressure drop with a longer hose, but I'd suggest running a 5/8" hose from the compressor to your workbench, and mounting a pressure regulator at the bench. Also, with the bigger compressors, you can usually get a decent deal on a combo set from Lowes or Home Depot that will include a brad nailer/stapler.

I'd think that would come in quite handy for building bench work.

[Capt. Grimek]

I screw all of my benchwork rather than nailing but haven't looked into air screwdrivers either. I considered the building of a sound proofed box, running a long hose, etc. but I'm hoping to get painting a lot sooner than that at least initially.

I have no kids so no ball inflating, air mattresses, etc. in need of a general compressor/inflation, just airbrushing only. The larger tank is the only real appeal with a general use compressor if I can airbrush in silence long enough to get most projects done without allowing it to kick on. 45 minutes or so.

G. Paine, I couldn't find your bio. info in your profile. If you've got a moment with Christmas Eve. already upon us and all, I'd be very interested in hearing in detail about your working with your TC20 and what you're seeing in your work with as much experience as you've got airbrushing. It sounds like your very happy with it so you've encouraged me there.>P

I'll be painting ONLY with acrylic paints. I'm chemically sensitive (and so is my wife) to solvent based paints.

Thought I'd bump this thread up one more time as most folks will be pretty busy after tonight with the holidays, family or other adventures. Thanks all!