Air Compressor- Tank or Tankless

[rlandry6]

I'm getting ready to order my airbrush & compressor. I'm getting the Paashee(sp?) H airbrush. I'm undecided about getting a compressor with a tank, mostly because of space, not price. I'll be doing the usual stuff.. painting track on a new layout, repainting rolling stock, and general weathering type stuff. Is there really an advantage to having a tank type compressor for these types of applications. I know a regulator with a moisture trap is a given..

[cacole]

A tankless air compressor sends air out in short bursts instead of a steady flow. For an airbrush, a tank type is better.

[ereimer]

also a tankless compressor runs all the time , with a tank you fill the tank and then the compressor stops until the pressure drops to the point where it needs to refill the tank . end result is less noise while you're working

[rolleiman]

[#ditto]

Get tanked... or your paint job will.. [xx(]

Jeff

[loathar]

Tank (at least 1-2 gallon) with a regulator.The bigger you can afford the better. You'll end up using it for a lot more than just airbrushing.

[tstage]

Tank - 'cause it's "Tanksgiving" [:)]

Tom

[nfmisso]

Tank; tankless is not usefull for painting.

If cost were an issue, consider a tank with drier, trap and regulator, filling it with someone elses compressor.

[GN-Rick]

I agree with all of the above. Another advantage of having a tank is the
ability to adjust your delivery pressure better with your regulator to
achieve certain special effects-like weathering. (splattering-as from
mud-is well achieved with low air pressure)[2c]

[selector]

Absolutely, get the tank. If you don't, each stroke of the compressor's piston will cause individual pulses at your gun nozzle, small though they are. The tank acts like a buffer, or equalization tank because of the much larger surface area for the pulse wavefronts to be abosrbed.

[Tom Bryant_MR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rlandry6

I'm getting ready to order my airbrush & compressor. I'm getting the Paashee(sp?) H airbrush. I'm undecided about getting a compressor with a tank, mostly because of space, not price. I'll be doing the usual stuff.. painting track on a new layout, repainting rolling stock, and general weathering type stuff. Is there really an advantage to having a tank type compressor for these types of applications. I know a regulator with a moisture trap is a given..

rlandry6, I was in Walmart yesterday and saw they have a new compressor out - I can't remember the brand but it is their standard one. It has a 2 gal tank, 135 PSI, CFM = ? don't remember, regulator and it mounts on the wall if you want. Oh yeah, 25 ft hose included.
Cost $80. They also have a slightly smaller one, same brand, 125 PSI, 2 gal tank and all the other amenities.

[JohnT14808]

Yup, get the compressor with the tank. Since you state that space is a consideration, can you build a small "shelter" for your compressor outside your work shop and feed an air line into your shop? That way you could get a compressor with a tank, and reduce your noise level even more with the unit outside.

[DALCruiser]

By all means, get a tank compressor with regulator and add a moisture/oil seperator. 2 gal. is adequate for model spraying. Even though some will say the larger the compressor & tank the better. Not so, even if the arguement is it can be used for other purposes around the house, it is not convenient for model purposes. Unless you are confined to the garage or want to drag a large unit around, get the smallist & lowest cost compressor you can find. I got mine at an auto parts store for under $70 and it works great with an air brush (pumps up the car tires OK also).

Dave

[pedromorgan]

if you use a tankless compressor, use a long hose (it acts like a small tank!)

this is a good way to save money.

Peter

[SteelMonsters]

I have a medium sized compressor and dryer in my garage 10 CFM, 60 gallon tank regulated at 130-140 PSI with a 150 PSI safety valve.

I have an 1.5 inch piping from the garage to the basement. There is a 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 inch connectors in the basement to hook up hoses to air tools and other devices, some with regulartors for specific purposes. I have a regular at the workbench that I use to hook up for airbrushing with a regulator. I have enough air for 20 airbrushes operated continuously and even more for intermittent use. There are some greedy air tools that can eat up much of the compressor's capacity. Then again, they will quit working long before airbrushing will be affected.

[Soo Line fan]

Most people who buy a small compressor wi***hey had a larger one at some point. It may be to use a pneumatic nailer, impact gun or full size spray gun for another project around the home. I have never heard of anyone wishing they had bought a smaller compressor.

Jim

[scole100]

I use a large compressor in my garage. I fill an air tank, and use that with a regulator and moisture trap for the airbrush. That way when I paint, there is no compressor noise. Also, I was able to buy it one part at a time. I used that tank for several years before I bought the compressor. I just filled up the tank at the local gas station.

[jrbernier]

I have a medium air compressor/tank in the garage. And I also have a small 'tankless' model compressor I got 'somewhere'... I use the small 'tankless' unit in the layout room, but have a regulator/air trap attached to it and it is mounted on a piece of 1/2" plywood with some carpeting on the bottom. The noise is not too bad, and I do have a long air hose.
This morning at was at the local 'Menards' store and they had a small wheeled air compressor/tank(135 psi/2 gallon tank) for $50! It even has a regulator on it and is about the size of a typical vacuum cleaner. If I was starting over, I would invest in something that I can use to fill tires, run small air tools, and paint models with.

Jim

[bsteel4065]

It's the same principle as paint spraying in the full size world. You want to paint a car? You have an air tank so you can make a complete run. You feed off the tank and the compressor just tops it up as you go. Yep, go for a tank.

[jondrd]

rlandry6,
After you decide to get tanked or not check out "AirBrush City" on eBay. May have what you want at the price you want.
Thanks for asking question I'm considering an airbrush and the responses have been most informative.

Jon

[SteelMonsters]

The rule of thumb is that you should have 1 gallon per CFM minimum. An airbrush uses between 1/2 and 1 CFM. A long hose will be able to give you that.

Hose inside diameter vs. length needed per gallon
1.5" : 11'
1.0" : 25'
1/2" : 100'
1/4" : 400'

You can get away with less volume than that for an airbrush, but don't forget that water will condense easier when compressed after it cools down. You will need a water trap and to release the pressure after use.

[Anonymous]

A compressor without a tank is about as useful as a hunting dog without legs.[;)]

Get the tank, you'll never regret it.

[colvinbackshop]

Tom may have found the answer at his Wal-Mart.
Seems like a great deal for the money and it's less then I paid for just my small compressor. All you would need in addition would be a filter/trap and maybe a better regulator that will afford you the fine, low pressure control.
I have a small compressor and I added a small tank. The tank reduces the pulsing of the airbrush, giving a much better paint job...Go for the tank!

[tsgtbob]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Soo Line fan

Most people who buy a small compressor wi***hey had a larger one at some point. It may be to use a pneumatic nailer, impact gun or full size spray gun for another project around the home. I have never heard of anyone wishing they had bought a smaller compressor.

Jim

Amen!
I bought a 55 gallon tank compressor at Tractor Supply last year, and I already need a bigger one!!!
Also, make sure that you get a water seperator, and regulate the air supply down to about 10-15 psi (depending on the airbru***hat you are using)
Although thinking about the start of my post, I have never run out of air while painting my trains (and I'm in O scale!) Where I have problems is sandblasting and running a dual action sander, both high CFM applications.