Help Me Pick My Next Air Compressor, Choice of Four

Its funny that ABD TC-20T  mention central pneumatic.  I was in Harbor Friegt on Sunday and they had an exact copy of the ABD TC-20T   for $99.95.  Although I picked up a compressed air tank the day before I went for the compressor and returned the air tank today.

 

The compressor is very quiet and doesnt leak air like the tank did.

waste gate wrote:

Its funny that ABD TC-20T  mention central pneumatic.  I was in Harbor Friegt on Sunday and they had an exact copy of the ABD TC-20T   for $99.95.  Although I picked up a compressed air tank the day before I went for the compressor and returned the air tank today. The compressor is very quiet and doesnt leak air like the tank did.

I picked up a Central Pnuematic copy of the ABD TC-20T at Harbor Freight last month that was on sale for $44.99. I love it. It's quiet and puts out just the right amount of continuous air pressure.

Eric

I use a Power Jet which I managed to get cheap second hand. It's good. Very good. Can't speak for the others but if you can handle the price it's a great compressor.

I used to have a compressor without a tank but it's such a godsend to not have the noise all the time and there are no problems with water spitting.

Abdiel wrote:

waste gate wrote: Its funny that ABD TC-20T  mention central pneumatic.  I was in Harbor Friegt on Sunday and they had an exact copy of the ABD TC-20T   for $99.95.  Although I picked up a compressed air tank the day before I went for the compressor and returned the air tank today. The compressor is very quiet and doesnt leak air like the tank did. I picked up a Central Pnuematic copy of the ABD TC-20T at Harbor Freight last month that was on sale for $44.99. I love it. It's quiet and puts out just the right amount of continuous air pressure. Eric

I have the harbor Freight compreesor myself & I'm happy with it. Had it for over a year now. I might try to add a tank to it later on but, no need for it right now as it does what I want it to do.

Alecur wrote:

Greetings everyone,  After years of using air in a can I’ve decided to buy an air compressor.  I’m looking for a good compressor that can handle one or two air brushes, is quiet and has an air tank.  Since I use a Model Masters Aztek airbrush I will of course need something that is compatable.  After looking around on the internet I think I’ve narrowed it down to four contenders and I would very much appreciate in hearing what you all think.  Here are the four air compressors I’m considering:  ABD TC-20T  Paashe 99 D3000  Sparmax TC 5000  Power Jet Air Compressor Model # 94 IS-900  I'm really new to this whole air compressor thing so any and all suggestions and advice is welcome.  Thanks in advance, ~Alecur

Hey Alecur, hope I can shed some light to help you make a somewhat logical shopping decision. I have had the ABD TC-20T since December 25th and can say, so far it is great and very, very quiet. I have not had any experience with the others.

Also, the ones at Harbor Freight have a maximum PSI of 30 and another of 40 without the air tank. The ABD TC-20T is 60 if that makes a difference to you, plus the tank which helps alot. It did to us because we wanted to try our hand at an occassional T-shirt.

Ok, here's what I got -

ABD TC-20T
Really quiet, 60 psi, $169.98 + S&H everything ready to go.

Paashe 99 D3000
40 psi, $159.00 Free S&H...
But have to purchase regulator/water trap $29.95 Total = $188.95
Paasche website

Sparmax TC 5000
States very low-noise, 40 psi, $289.00 Free S&H
Sparmax website, no mention of the TC-5000.
But they have an AC-500, 60 psi, possibly 2 AB's.

Power Jet Air Compressor Model # 94 IS-900
50 psi, $399.00 Free S&H
Iwata web site states 70 psi, operate 2 AB's for nail-art or sign making.

Usually you pay extra for having a well know brand name on a product. Most components are usually made by the same few companies and assembled for other companies to market the items under their name. Anyway, I was shopping around like crazy looking for a "very quiet" hobby compressor that would give me the best air pressure for my dollar. I decided to try the ABD TC-20T as the price was right and it had the highest pressure. It's been doing just fine spraying some T-shirts, canvas', and a few models so far. When we want to run a compressor continuously for more of a production work, we'll use the garage compressor and let the "hobby" compressor rest.

Hope I helped shed some kind of light on the choice? 

Well I guess that pretty much settles it, I’ll get the ABD TC-20T.  I was considering the Sparmax but based on what I’ve read here this is the way to go, which is good considering the price of the Sparmax versus the TC20T.  Now that I’m upgrading to an air compressor/tank I think I’ll also upgrade to a new airbrush.  I think I’ll get an Iwata Eclipse HP-SBS.  My Aztek (yes, I saw you flinch) has served me well but it’s time to upgrade.  Thanks so much for your help with this, you all saved me some money.

 

~Alecur

Iwata?

Okay, what did I say wrong?

~Alecur

MikeV wrote:

Iwata?

Alecur wrote:

Okay, what did I say wrong? ~Alecur

Nothing, it's a fine brush and I know a few here that use the exact model you are looking at and love it.  Mike is just a die hard Badger fan... Buy it and enjoy!  I've owned both brands and both have done excellent in what I used them for!

I'm open to suggestions...

~Alecur

Alecur wrote:

I'm open to suggestions... ~Alecur

The Iwata is a fine brush, if that's what caught your eye then go for it!  I own two Iwatas and love them both, all the Badgers I have owned were good too... Those are two of the best companies to get an airbrush from out there, with either you can't really go wrong.

im a beginner in air brush and im thinking of buying a aircompressor (in harborfrieght) im not tryiing 2 spend too much cuz im a beginer so which one should i get the 30psi or 40 psi..... im basically using it to draw on tee shirts (clothing) and maybe draw on ma sheetrocked room? and would that compressor handle the job ?

seckone wrote:

im a beginner in air brush and im thinking of buying a aircompressor (in harborfrieght) im not tryiing 2 spend too much cuz im a beginer so which one should i get the 30psi or 40 psi..... im basically using it to draw on tee shirts (clothing) and maybe draw on ma sheetrocked room? and would that compressor handle the job ?

As I meaned in an earlier post I have the HF compressor (40psi) it works great but, if you're going to be doing T-shirts, you'll be better off with one with a tank attached.

What do you need a tank for?  Is that to hold a lot of air for a big project or what? 

The big reason for a tank is to stop pulsing of the air. Compressors work on a piston that has to stop and change direction. That causes a pulse in the airflow which is undesirable at best and disastrous at worse. The tank acts as a "stilling" vessel by negating the pulse.

A secondary reason is that a sufficiently large tank will give the compressor engine a break. Little engines still make big heat, and also the longer they run, the shorter their life.

A tertiary reason is that when it's not running, it's also not making noise, which in turn is easier on our/wife's/girlfriend's/kid's/neighbor's ears. A quiet home is a happy home.

Thanks for coverin' my 6th Bill

What about this compressor and tank combo?

http://aircompressorsdirect.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=3_180_26&products_id=328

LOL, there's another post where the fellow asking the questions just bought that exact same model. His price was much less though! He got his off Ebay shipping included for $60. I was putzing around and came up with this:

http://www.campbellhausfeld.net/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10051&productId=67501&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10452

Which is a reconditioned compressor, meaning returned to the factory for some problem, and fixed. They offer the same warrenty as new. I don't know what the shipping charge is, the link you posted seems to be free shipping. That would explain the price difference.

This would be an excellent compressor for light duty tool and airbrushing use. It will be loud though, so you need to think about how loud you can go. I'm not talking vacuum loud either, which would be considered soothing in comparison. Don't get me wrong. I have a similar compressor (mine's a 3 gallon "pancake" style) and I keep mine outside where I can't hear it. You can read what I said about that in the other post (linked above!).

Ahh, right.  No, mine needs to be a quiet one, it'll be in my apartment and I'm not sure how my fiancee/wife would appreciate the noise in her/our study

Then you'll need to step up to a pretty expensive compressor. Check out Dixie Art for the Silentaire Series. They start around $150 and up. If that's out of your budget right now, go to Harbor Freight and get this one. I think that's the same model HippyEd has. He'll be able to let you know how loud it is.

ok Bill, I see you're tossin' it back to me Other than the fact mine is  the 40psi (non adjustable air flow) it's identical to that one. As far as noise level goes, I could hear my g.f. in the other room talking to me while I as in a closed room with it going.  I can only compare it to a hair above the pump on a large (90-100gal.) fish aquarium.  It's a decent compressor and runs my double action Badger 175 (once I bought an adjustable regulator) but, I wouldn't recommend it for long spraying sessions tho. They tend to get a bit warm after running for extended period (1/2 hr or so)
I've considered adding a tank to mine when I have the time & the funds to do so. (I'm on a quite limited budget now)
hth,
Eddie

I can't watch your 6 all the time, pal! I've never heard the compressor run, so I had to toss it back. Sounds like it would work for Name Taken, and it's on sale! Can't beat that with a stick.

LoL Bill!! Thanks bro, I needed that Yup, it's on sale & I think that's a bit less than what I had paid for mine

Name Taken wrote:

Ahh, right.  No, mine needs to be a quiet one, it'll be in my apartment and I'm not sure how my fiancee/wife would appreciate the noise in her/our study

When I first started A/B'n back in the day, with a starter kit Badger with a propel can in water, In a condo with a new wife. A good move I made was an air tank,   monkey rigged from hardware store parts to set up reg/trap. Filled it up at the gas station down the street for free. No comp. noise and it lasted as planned. It worked pretty good. If ya got the cash,  go for the best, who wouldn't?..................................             P.S.  Paul Boyer was the one that told that tip back in the day..circa...86-89 maybe.......CO2 tank I think was his Fav....................................