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compressor & tank ... any good?

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  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Indiana U.S.A.
compressor & tank ... any good?
Posted by Panther F on Monday, July 6, 2009 7:29 PM

http://www.modelexpo-online.com/product.asp?ITEMNO=AS186 

Not being able to find a decent tank, how about this combination?  I figure I could always sell the brand new compressor I already have.  I just want a headache-free set up and want to start painting the colors I need and not always from spray cans.

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Windy city, US
Posted by keilau on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 6:50 AM

The spec looks reasonable and the price is about right. It may be another import of this Made-in-China compressor.

Model Expo is an established online vendor. You can expect good after sales service from them. There are few report on their compressors yet. But this unit looks very similar to the Airbrush-Depot TC-20T compressor in spec and appearance.

What is the "brand new compressor" that you already have? Most of the low cost airbrush compressors sold around the world are either made by Sparmax in Taiwan or various factories in China. I like the Sparmax compressors because of their established track record. Sparmax used to make the compressors for Iwata, Paasche, among others. But it may have changed now. Many US dealers are switching to Chinese manufacturers for the lower end models. You can tell because the Chinese makers double the horsepower quote (but not more powerful motor) for similar compressor. For example, a single piston compressor is 1/8 HP from Taiwan and 1/5 HP from China. Similarly, twin piston compressors are 1/6 vs. 1/3 HP.

When you take the compressor home, check how quiet it is. A quiet running compressor is usually a sign of quality made. You should be able to talk to your family and friends in normal voice when the compressor is running. Normal conversation in home or office is about 65 dB. So the compressor noise should be -6 dB down or about 59 dB or lower. You can still hear it, but it is not distributing to you. Return the compressor if it is noisy or it gets too hot to fill the tank before stopping. You should be able to keep your hand on the compressor cylinder when it is done filling, which should not take more than a few minutes at starting. A powerful motor and a cool cylinder is another sign of quality.

Come back in 6 months to tell us if you keep and are still happy with the compressor. Good luck shopping.

 

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Maryland
Posted by usmc1371 on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 7:15 AM

I agree it looks like the compressor offered by airbrush depot: http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=ABD+TC-20T

I actually have the TC-20T.  I've had it for about 6 months now.  I really like it.  It's quiet enough I can talk to my wife while the tank is filling.  I airbrush around 18-20 psi.  I airbrush longer than then the compressor is running.  I've airbrush up to an hour before with the compressor only getting slightly warm.  In essence, I'm happy with my purchase so far.

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Indiana U.S.A.
Posted by Panther F on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 9:00 AM
It's one I received from Tower Hobbies.  The sticker says "Model Maker" on it.  I planned to start using it this summer but the thought of having a tank makes sense, especially if I am working with finer lines, I would want a reserve air supply.
  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Brunswick, Ohio
Posted by Buckeye on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 9:13 AM

I bought that compressor over a year ago and it works great.  I haven't had any trouble with it at all.

Mike

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Windy city, US
Posted by keilau on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 12:09 PM

 Panther F wrote:
It's one I received from Tower Hobbies.  The sticker says "Model Maker" on it.  I planned to start using it this summer but the thought of having a tank makes sense, especially if I am working with finer lines, I would want a reserve air supply.

Jeff,

I presume that you got the Hobbico Mini Compressor.

I don't have much info on the Hobbico CP-101/101A units. But it is supposed to be similar or identical to the Paasche DA200 compressor. It can supply 0.7 CFM air at 20 psi, which is good enough for many modeling tasks. Pair it with a good quality, gravity feed, internal mix airbrush, you can get the finest line you want. 

If your unit has signs of pulsation, it may be defective. Contact Tower Hobbies for a replacement. Otherwise, you had purchased a reasonable quality beginner compressor. Don't mess it with an airtank. The compressor is too low powered to fill a large size tank.

Yes, there are cheaper and more powerful compressor than the Hobbico that you have.  If you want an upgrade in the future, do a search on "compressor" of this forum or read the July 2008 FSM magazine.  

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Maryland
Posted by usmc1371 on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 1:24 PM
I had the Paasche DA200 before my current compressor.  The Paasche compressor went-up in a little over a year.  The cost to get if fixed wasn't worth it. 
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Indiana U.S.A.
Posted by Panther F on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 1:30 PM
Okay guys, thanks for all the info.  I'll hook it up and try it out then without a tank and go from there.
  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Windy city, US
Posted by keilau on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 2:20 PM

 Panther F wrote:
Okay guys, thanks for all the info.  I'll hook it up and try it out then without a tank and go from there.

If you are not sure it is good enough for you, don't open it. Return it for a refund and get a better compressor.

The Hobbico Mini Compressor may work just fine with a good quality airbrush, but may be completely under powered for a cheap airbrush.

It lacks some of the refinements of a better compressor, such as the auto on-off switch. The motor is low powered. It is a compressor for people who just starts out in airbrushing and is limited in budget. If you can afford it, by all means, get a better compressor and forget about adding an airtank to the Hobbico.

 

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