Portable Tank for Airbrushing

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Lot of good points here. I thinks I'll wait awhile and save up for good compressor. Thanks again!

How long a tank lasts depends on the pressure you fill it to, as well as the volume of the tank.  If you have a regulator- almost a requirement for airbrushing, you can fill it to much higher pressure than you brush at, to get longer paint times.  You should not, of course, fill it to higher than the pressure the tank is rated for, and the compressor you use to fill it from may set a limit lower than the tank rating.

I have a portable tank. Here's a pic:

IMG_0295 by theirishavenger, on Flickr

I got this at NAPA, around $45-$50 I think. At the time, I was a mechanic, so it was easy to take to work to fill it up, which I did about every weekend. 

When I quit the car fixin' business, I went out and bought all the tools I didn't already have, so that I was able to do pretty much any repair in my garage, on our personal vehicles. One of those purchases was a 35-gallon heavy-duty compressor from Sears. Someone else mentioned multiple uses, which was my goal as well. I can do pretty much any task that requires compressed air.

Now, all I have to do is walk to the garage to refill. I still use the portable tank and have for about 10 years now. The arrangement has worked out well.

rooster513

EdGrune, thanks for the feedback! Which compressor do you have if you don't mind me asking? I've thought about one of the less expense compressors but want to make sure it will last.

 

rooster513

I just got a Iwata Neo for my birthday and I have a question. Does anyone here use a portable air tank for airbrushing (like the kind from Lowes/Home Depot)? I've done some research on ths but would like the experts opinion from this forum. I would go this route over a compressor mainly for cost and noise though noise isn't as big an issue. I'm a slow builder right now and so I don't do a ton of airbrushing, but I wonder how long it will last before needing a refill. I did a little back searching here and didn't see it as a post. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

If you start with a compressor without a built in tank, then add the tank, then you'll bear the cost of plumbing to get air to the tank, and then to the airbrush, regulator and water trap.

I'd recommend checking around for a set up that is a compressor with tank combo, then add the other items you think you will need. Also, a piston type compressor should be much quieter than a diaphragm, they can make a heck of a noise.

Taking your time to make up the best system possible for you now, will save the wasted expense of something that just doesn't do what you wanted it to. Harbor freight and others have compressor/tank combos, plus Chicago Airbrush, TCP Global and several others. Follow them on line and ebay, often you'll find them offering a sale price.

Good hunting.

Patrick 

I have a 7 gallon tank I got from Lowes hooked up to a small hobby compressor. It works great! It takes about 8-9 minutes to fill, but it goes for quite a while before the compressor kicks in again, and it only runs a short time to re-fill it. It saves a lot of wear on the compressor, I think, because it's not constantly starting and stopping like it was before

EdGrune made some vadid points. I got mine at TCP Global and this is the one I ended up getting.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/ABD-TC-20_2.html#.VjJuuU2zbxM

I have 2 different airbrushes - Paasche Single action and the Iwata Neo Dual Action. I had to get a hose adapter for the Iwata Neo airbrush because the Paasche hose won't fit with the Iwata Neo airbrush. I got that one at TCP Global as well for $5.

EdGrune, thanks for the feedback! Which compressor do you have if you don't mind me asking? I've thought about one of the less expense compressors but want to make sure it will last.

rooster513

I just got a Iwata Neo for my birthday and I have a question. Does anyone here use a portable air tank for airbrushing (like the kind from Lowes/Home Depot)? I've done some research on ths but would like the experts opinion from this forum. I would go this route over a compressor mainly for cost and noise though noise isn't as big an issue. I'm a slow builder right now and so I don't do a ton of airbrushing, but I wonder how long it will last before needing a refill. I did a little back searching here and didn't see it as a post. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I don't use one,  but lets look at a couple of issues.

Example - Harbor Freight Tools offers a 5 gallon tank for 28 dollars.  lets use that as a benchmark.   Your individual milage may vary.

You indicate that noise is not an issue.    Harbor Freight also offers a 3 gallon comrpessor for about 60 bucks.   I've seen them at about 50 recently.   Shop around and use a coupon.

You still need a final regulator & plumbing whether you go the tank or compressor route -- so lets call that a wash.

Do you have a car?   Do you need to top off the tires?   Sure - you can go to the gas station and use theirs, but you have a flat.   But it you have the compressor ....    If you have a tank and its empty or low -- you have to drive to the gas station.

Do you have kids?  Do they need to fill their bike tires, basketball, football, or pool float?

Do you have a house & need to do some DIY projects.   A small compressor will power a pneumatic nail gun.  

What about if you have a few minutes to grab some quick modeling and you want to do some painting, but the tank is empty.   No time to run to the gas station to fill the tank.  Opportunity missed.

Think of a small shop compressor as a multi-task tool.  Not just for modeling.

I have a 1 gallon compressor I got from Lowes a couple of years back.  It came with an accessory kit (hoses, connectors), and a brad nail gun.   I think I paid 50 bucks for it.  I've used it for all of the above tasks, plus others.   Yes it makes a racket but it works and wasn't a great expense.  Paid for itself a long time ago.

Is the initial cost of the tank vs the compressor outweighed by the overall utility?

Harbor Freight also sells some small airbrush compressors.  They tend to pulse the air because they do not have a reservoir.   They are more expensive than a small shop compressor and will cost more in the end-run when you add a pulse dampening system.

if you are in an apartment and/or have babies the noise of a compressor tool may be too much.  But you indicated that noise wasn't a high priority

You will need a compressor to fill your tank, or take it somewhere to be filled.  You will also need a regulator and a moisture trap for the tank.  I use 20 lb. CO2 tanks myself; no noise, no water, no fuss...just have to lease them and pay for refills!

Gary