Yes, you can get air tanks for airbrushing - They are similar to compressor receivers.

However, I imagine that if you want to go the silent route that a CO2 set up may be better. You would need to get yourself a CO2 bottle from your local gas dealer, a regulator & a safe method of fixing the bottle upright so that it will not fall over.

The CO2 bottle will last many times longer than an air tank, as the pressure will is much higher - you will also have no problems with moisture when using CO2

Give a couple of your local gas depot's a call for some quotes - you may even find that some will waive the bottle rental.

Hey that's a great idea. I never considered using Co2 but it makes sense thanks for the idea!

You are welcome.

A couple of thing to take into account;

If you get a CO2 bottle, you will need to specify a gaseous bottle, as CO2 is available in both gaseous & liquid (liquid is the same bottle, but fitted internaly with a "dip tube").

You will need to get a regulator specific to CO2, as CO2 bottles have different threads.

You will most likley waste you money getting a dual guage regulator - just get one with an output pressure guage. The "bottle content" gauges don't realy work in the manner you will be looking for. To figure bottle content, simply weigh it on a pair of bathroom scales & deduct the bottle weight to give you the actual content, after this you can weigh it once on a blue moon to see how it is going.

Let us know how you get on.

I got an airbrush compressor at Harbor Freight for about $60. It is very quiet and has a moisture trap/regulator on it. My box fan is louder then this compressor and it is ready to use right out of the box. I tried using a 3 gallon tank years ago, but it was a pain with refilling and the drop in pressure towards the end of the air. I ran this compressor in a cleaning session for 10 mintues straight and it did not get hot.

If you do go with a CO2 tank, you might want to try Nitrogen. The Praxair manager told me CO2 can get cold and freeze up if spraying too long. Nitrogen will not do that. Plus Nitrogen is 80% of the atmosphere, is it is cheaper to distill. CO2 is only 1%

You should also consider a regular compressor like from HomeDepot.

Here is one for less than $60.00. But it only has a 1 Gal. tank.

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Air-Compressors-Tools-Accessories-Portable-Compressors/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xhfZbb2v/R-202065070/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I've used a Craftsman one years, it has a 3 Gal. Tank. Set me back $100 at Sears.

Now, these thing are loud when charging (i.e. filling the tank), but mine only takes about 2-3 mins. to charge. Then I shut it off and use the air in the tank, which of course is dead quit.

Hope this helps.................

I second the Harbor Freight option.  I have one of these too, and it is very quiet.  With a 4-month old baby at home, my Wife really appreciates this little compressor, and me not firing up my loud shop compressor to run my airbrush.

Chris

CO2 is the best option for apartment dwellers. I've done the air tank route, only to find I was out of air in the middle of crucial step or moisture and foreign object clogged the airbrush. Tanks are subject to moisture and moisture means corrosion. A grain of rust can cause one great frustration.

CO2 provides reliable, moisture free source for airbrushing. Just remember to keep the room ventilated well as the fumes and the gas have toxic affects in a tightly sealed space. Besides, you won't have the surprise of the air compressor kicking on at a most crucial time of quietness, say 3AM when you can sleep and are working on a model to pass the time. Neighbors don't appreciated that!

The initial cost between CO2 and a good compressor are about the same.

It sounds like the Co2 tank is the best solution for me. My next question is what size? I have found tanks

ranging from 2.5 up to 50. I was thinking 10 would be plenty. Any suggestions? And thanks again guys for all the help.

dljohnston65

 I have found tanks ranging from 2.5 up to 50. I was thinking 10 would be plenty. .

The nice thing is that you can start small, and if it doesn't last long enough when you take it back to get filled just get the next size up. 

I had started out with a 5lb bottle, and then upgraded to a 10lb bottle - they'll just charge you the difference between the sizes. 

This is the best way to go; at least for me. It's nice to have a constant supply of compressed air, and the silence is really golden for me. The racket of a compressor just makes it hard for me concentrate.

Let us know how things work out!

I am SO glad I went to a CO2 setup a few years back. Absolutely silent, reliable pressure and absolutely dry.  I also use it to displace air from bottles of resin and mold rubber, which makes the stuff last a lot longer.

Plus, and maybe I shouldn't admit this, but my tank is large enough to tap off to pressurize a beer keg, so I have a tap next to my spray area. My models look like crap, but I sure am happy!

Ashley that is awesome lol. Don't think the idea of a kegerator under my desk hadn't crossed my mind