TotalInsomnia Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Hey guys, I am off at college and I have been itching to airbrush for a while now. I have asked around and it turns out I am allowed a compressor if it doesn't have a tank. I've never used a tank-less compressor before and was wondering if it works well. When i started a couple years ago I was told to get one with a tank as it provided constant air flow. So if you have used a tank-less compressor (or better yet both) please tell me if you think it is worth me getting one? Anyways thought i would ask around and see if anyone has use a tank-less compressor that they would recommend or not recommend. I need one that is: 1) tank-less (obviously) 2) low-noise (very important as I will be airbrushing in a dormroom) 3) relatively "smallish" (shouldn't be too much of a problem as i don't think they get that large) 4) around $75/80 or less (i don't want to spend too much as i already own a compressor that is working fine) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/281211-air-compressor-downgrade/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Lorien Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Welcome TotalInsomnia, To answer your questions: Airbrushing tankless isn't really an issue, i have been doing it for years and i have had no issues with it, dropping pressure or anything. Smallish indeed isn't really an issue iether as they dont take up much space. Point 2 and 4 though are counter points to each other. You want a low-noise compressor, be prepared to dish out more money as they are not cheap: somebody in another thread on this board asked about the same questions as you and i remember seeing prices of €250 and upwards. What i think you should do is go to an airbrush / arts speciality brick and mortar store and try them out, listen if they are to loud or not. One tip, if you decide to go for a somewhat louder airbrush, place some carpet underneath it, this prevents it moving when raising pressure again and really dampens the noise it makes Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/281211-air-compressor-downgrade/#findComment-3482817 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkMark Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Why would you not be allowed a tank on an air compressor? I understand the noise bit, but a tank that fills with regular air and empties straight after use is no hazard at all. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/281211-air-compressor-downgrade/#findComment-3482982 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotalInsomnia Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 Thanks Brother Lorien I have been looking around and yeah i forgot how expensive compressors can unfortunately be. Going to a actual store will be hard as i don't have my car at school . However I found this compressor on amazon that seems to fit what i am looking for: link. Anyone used a TC-20 air-compressor from master? Yeah DarkMark i know its a dumb rule in the case of airbrush air-compressors but they don't want 100+ psi of compressed air sitting in a tank. Rather than having a rule such as you must empty your air tank when you are done using it (which is kind of obscure and hard to enforce). They can simply not allow compressor with air tanks in dorms. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/281211-air-compressor-downgrade/#findComment-3483178 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Lorien Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Thats about the same aircompressor that i have and i have no issues with it. And i understand the tank issue: Explosion risk. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/281211-air-compressor-downgrade/#findComment-3483421 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotalInsomnia Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 Cool how long can you airbrush with out the compressor you have overheating? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/281211-air-compressor-downgrade/#findComment-3483922 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Lorien Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I havent had it overheating on me , but that might be because of the way i work with it: I ussually dont use a lot of paint in the cup and even when using one color for a period of time i clean the airbrush after my cup is empty, so there are pauses in between airbrushing. The only issue i sometimes have is when its a bit to humid , but thats basicly me not picking the right time to airbrush. I think you need to stay observant on how much paint your using for a certain thing and try to fill your cup for just that, for example: Your airbrushing a few tanks or 2 tactical squads (basecoat) try to fill the cup for 1 tank/a few marines and clean your airbrush after each tank/group of 4 marines, and why? If you use too much paint and the paint starts to dry and\or your airbrush starts to clog you will be throwing away paint and the paint will start to come out sputtering. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/281211-air-compressor-downgrade/#findComment-3486812 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotalInsomnia Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 Ok sounds good. Thanks for your help Brother Lorien. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/281211-air-compressor-downgrade/#findComment-3487360 Share on other sites More sharing options...
madscuzzy Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 The advantages of a tank is 2 fold: smoother airflow and having a chamber for the air to sit and settle, thus allowing for more humidity control. But that does not mean that the compressor is any worse. In fact, you can find many compressors running the same engine, with or without a compressor. If anything, the other differences would be a very slight lag time... A good compressor will have an auto cut-off feature built in. As long as the compressor senses that it is not in use, it shuts off. This keeps the machine from overheating but this sensing does cause a lag. WIth a tank, the lag cannot be felt, as it goes straight into the tank (which adds to the 'smoother' airflow). As for the engine itself, it is always the debate between oiled and oiless. The former requires less maintanence but is louder and will have a shorter life span. The latter is quieter, but you have to worry about the oil (like a real engine) and costs more... so your call. :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/281211-air-compressor-downgrade/#findComment-3487691 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.