Compressor w/ Tank vs. w/o Tank

The only real benefit I know of from having a tank is that you don't have to listen to the compressor run all the time.

A tank also eliminates any possible moisture problems and will keep the set psi constant. You will never look back if you get a compressor with a tank.

Cheers.  

If it's like mine, your Smart Jet has a long hose between the compressor and the moisture separator.  It acts kind of like a tank.  It smooths out the pulsations and cools the air before it reaches the separator.  Obviously, a real tank would have more volume.  But, other than storing more air and allowing the compressor to rest, I doubt whether you would notice any difference.

The main shortcoming of the standard Smart Jet is the lack of a real regulator.  The Smart Jet Pro has one, and the Power Jet Pro has two.

Don

I also have a smart Jet. And if I had the extra spendable cash, I'd get one with a tank in a heartbeat. I just can't stand it running throughout my whole airbrushing sessions. Its hard to concentrate!! But yes, it is still relatively quiet, but a compressor with a tank is on my wish list. I don't like the half azz regulator on the smart Jet either...

Oh, and your right, an air tank won't give you a better paint job...

I added a regulator and a tank to my Smart Jet.  You can see it at the bottom of this page.

Don

Since I use a MAC valve, a real regulator won't be a deciding factor.  I do wish I could enjoy a quiet AB session, though...

Tank it!

Tank with regulator, even if you use a MAC valve, as a tank allows the air to settle out water vapour, & also doesn't have to run constantly, & the regulator/moisture trap, err traps moisture

I have a 'fridge engined one with a U shaped tank handle, + regulator/moisture trap, & treated myself to a 3m/9ft braided hose with an on-airbrush moisture trap, virtually silent, which makes it a pleasure to use.

I upgraded from a diaphram-type piston engined pressor, that made more noise than a dirt-bike & would dance off the table!

Teeth-grindingly Dementoring!

I used a 'tankless' compressor for a number of years (HF actually and it's still working) but, like you and others, the continuous running during a session began to bother me. I bought the Sparmax TC620X and am delighted. One advantage not mentioned is that the Power Jet Pro is a twin piston compressor which means more air compressed/min so the compressor will fill the tank faster than a similar single piston compressor. Shorter run times when filling tank! Do you need a tank -probably not but it sure is nice.

My Silver Jet has a definite pulsation. I can feel it in the hose. I was a bit worried about this until I finished my first few paint jobs with it.  The pulsations are at such a high frequency I do not see any sign of a pattern in my paint.  So I soon stopped worrying about it.

I prefer a tank, but don't want to pipe to the 'hobby room' from the garage.  So a tankless for me in the form of a Paasche D500SR which comes with a moisture trap.  Some said don't buy it, my hobby shop guy uses one and has never had a problem.  (I'm a mechanic, I have tools, I can fix it.)

I like the idea of using a long hose as a 'tank'!  One of those cheap Chinese crispy plastic air hoses with the appropriate fittings is next on my to-buy list.  Good point Mr. Wheeler!

I have a small diaphragm compressor that pulses like crazy.  I ran a 2 foot hose directly from it to my airbrush.  I tried my Badger 155 and my Paasche H.  Using food colors on paper towels, I looked for any signs of pulsing in the outputs.  I expected dotted lines.  There weren't any.  I couldn't see any difference from running regulated air from my tank.

Maybe one of those tiny plastic covered compressors running an air-thirsty brush like the H would show something.  But, from my experience, it's not really an issue for most users.  Have you ever actually seen pulsing from an airbrush or heard of anyone who has?  I have seen it, but it was due to a leaky needle bearing in the brush, not the compressor.  And, it was at a much slower rate than the pulses produced by the compressor.

Don

When I first started airbrushing, I used an ancient pulsing compressor, loaned by a friend.  That thing was probably built in the late '40s or early '50s and it vibrated like crazy, was loud as hell and weighed a ton!  The thing is, I never noticed any ill effects or difference while airbrushing either.

Gary

In addition to a Badger and Paasche airbrushes, I'll be running a badger "touch up gun" to paint large surfaces like R/C stuff and car bodies.  The thought of having a more conventional approach to "spray painting" by using a "traditional tank" set up appealed to me.  I own a chunk of that crispy Chinese air hose already and may use that, but it is already used in an "automotive workshop" application, may have oil in it, and will not flex when it is below say 70 degrees.  As far as pulsing, no.

I would suggest that in addition to the quiet, mechanical items tend to fail after so many starts and stops.  I'm actually about to post looking for advice for my diaphragm compressor because I have a part that keeps coming unscrewed, and my compressor tends to start and stop a lot because it's a diaphragm compressor.  With a tank, you won't have as many, so while it may cost more, it may last longer.  You really do get what you pay for sometimes.

Groot

Thanks for information.  I'll get an Iwata Power Jet Pro, but not now.  Modeling is a hobby and it's difficult to justify another purchase this month, especially because I bought an Iwata HP-B+ last week.