Overthinking Airbrush Air Supply?

I have a tankless compressor. I like it just fine. I also have an industrial compressor with a tank for other uses, but it's noisy as hell and I can't use it at night.

I've done the tank thing. Besides releasing all that CO2 which isn't great, the things are a pain to get filled and it adds up pretty quickly.

I'd suggest you read some reviews and consider a high quality, hobby oriented compressor. 

I've been a CO2 fan for a long time.  I generally fill the 10lb tank every 2 years or so.  It is a bummer when you run out on Saturday night, but planning ahead helps.  No noise, consistent pressure finely adjustable pressure (with a good regulator) and no condensation.  My

Rambo

I have a California air tools compressor best compressor i ever owned it's been going strong for 7 years now plus it's so quite. When it's running you can still talk to someone in the same room with out raising your voice any. I ended up buying a second one to run my nail gun and air hammer in the garage it can handle up to 100psi constant just fine. I urge anyone looking for a compressor to go with a California air tools one, you will love it.

keavdog

I've been a CO2 fan for a long time.  I generally fill the 10lb tank every 2 years or so.  It is a bummer when you run out on Saturday night, but planning ahead helps.  No noise, consistent pressure finely adjustable pressure (with a good regulator) and no condensation.  My

Wow, two years, Keavdog?

I use a tankless Iwata compressor, and I like it.  It is so quiet!  It does have a slight pulsation, but at a very high frequency.  That pulsation has never showed up in a finish.  I suppose if you move the brush at a high enough speed you might, but I have never had trouble with that.

Only trouble at first was that I could only get about 18 psi max.  Since I usually spray at 15, this was not a big problem, but I do sometimes like to go up to 20 on some flats.  Then, I thought of something.  I had not used teflon tape on the compressor output fitting.  I wrapped the fitting, and now can get 25, though I never use that high of a pressure.

Rambo

The 2010a

 

Why not look at the Iwata Power Jet Pro? I have one and it's a great compressor. It has auto-shutoff and a tank. Which is the main reason why I bought it. I also own the Smart Jet with bleed valve which isn't bad when paired with a seperate MAC valve control just below the airbrush quick connect.

One thing I love about the Power Jet Pro is it's so quiet and never seems to loose air. I could leave it off for days and it would still have enough air in it that it doesn't need to restart the motor untill after I start using it. It's also go rock solid resale value if you ever decide to sell it. As for me I'm keeping mine forever. My Smart Jet will be given to my kids eventually and used as a portable kit until then. BTW You can buy the Iwata Power Jet for about $425... which is cheaper than the Sparmax.

I've done about 25 or so models and helped my wife with her dollhouse since my last refill and I'm about due again.  I could stretch the co2 if I chose a different cleaning method. I spray lacquer thinner through it to clean. 

Spectre

 

 

Rambo

The 2010a

 

 

 

Are you running in conjuntion with a secondary regulator + moisture trap at your bench or just a moisture trap directly at the tank?

 

Cheers Mate

 

Spectre

 

I keep it under my spray booth and have the regulator on the tank set at 45psi then a line ran up attached to a moisture trap and another regulator that I set between 15 to 20psi.

drumsfield

Why not look at the Iwata Power Jet Pro?

<snip>

BTW You can buy the Iwata Power Jet for about $425... which is cheaper than the Sparmax.

 

keavdog

I've done about 25 or so models and helped my wife with her dollhouse since my last refill and I'm about due again.  I could stretch the co2 if I chose a different cleaning method. I spray lacquer thinner through it to clean. 

 

What is the "sweet spot" psi range and the maximum effective psi range at which you can operate?

I do most work between 12 and 20 PSI.  I've never cranked it up so not sure of the max, but I'm sure it's up there!  Looking at one diver site, a guy filled a 10lb tank and read 900psi

Great thread, thank y'all for for the learned input. I decided on the California Air Tools 1P1060S. I can' wait to experiment with this compresor.

Didn't want to run out of CO2 over the long weekend so I went and had my 10lb tank filled - $30.00 at my local welding supply store.  Just wanted to close out my comments. 

How is the compressor working?

Kevdog,

So far, so good with my compressor.

Thanks for asking.

Cheers