What are the differences between compressors?

Grimmo wrote:

What sort of compressor do you have?

I have the ABD TC-20T compressor as I mentioned in my previous post. Plus a large commercial garage compressor. I went with the TC-20T for our hobby compressor for a few reasons. The entire family will be using it to spray different things. My wife likes spraying T-shirts and wall canvas. My daughter sprays murals on clayboard for posters. My son and I do our model cars, plus I spray anything that can be painted and brought into the house. The biggest concern regarding the compressor before I bought it, was that it had to be super quiet which it is compared to most I've heard. Not all hobby compressor are as quiet or kicks out 60 psi for doing occassional T-shirts. I figured even if it wasn't the best of guality compressors, at least it could handle a few winter seasons. Summers we use my big compressor, well we did this summer.

Yeah, I think it does come down to quality.  You get what you pay for.  I've heard of people buying the Walmart air compressor with a tank (forgot the name), and it goes up after 6 months.  I had a Badger compressor for years with no problems.  Also, those big compressors are noisy.  I'm talking about the construction type air compressors.  If noise is a problem, you might not want a big compressor.  My compressor is quiet enough that nobody else in the house can hear it.

Jesse

I am a little confused. All but the biggest and most over priced air compressors that have a tank cost LESS then the AB quality compressors that do not.

So is there AB quality compressors with tanks out there? or some other reason for the prices.

I've had two compressors without tanks, a Badger and a Testors, and I've never noticed pulsations during painting.  This includes both broad coverages and fine line painting.  Something to take into consideration is how much painting do you do.  I only spray about 2 hours a week.  Therefore the cost for a tank compressor is not really worth it for me.  If I was doing a lot of spraying or using more than one airbrush at a time, I would use a tank.  Don't forgot about realiability.  Also portablity might be an issue also.

Jesse

An alternative might be an "air pig", basicly the the air tank without the compressor. I'm trying this right now but i need to get a dicent regulator (don't cheap out, trust me)so i have not filled the tank to beyond 20 psi. Theory behind this is that you can go to the local gas station and use their air pump, but i'm not sure if they go up to 125 psi. If it works you should get a day or more of air supply out of it. (largest tank i've seen is 11 gallons)

-edit-whatever the gas station PSI is, that is the max you'll get -edit-

You'd want this setup if your broke, or noise is an issue (ex-apartment)

I have decided to save my bikkies and get a compressor with a tank. Around australia they can vary in price from $240 to $500. So i'll shop around first, get some advice and go from there. What sort of compressor do you have?

 

I don't know what kind of compressor you are looking to get. But I picked up a ABD TC-20T and it is doing just fine for handling hobbies and arts & crafts for the family. I don't know if Airbrush Depot would ship out to Australia, but maybe you can find something similar?

Good luck 

At the moment the cost differences between  the compressors is around $200 Australian. So i'm still looking. Thanks for the advice. 

I have never owned a compressor without an air tank, but I would have to say that you will run it to a situation when you'll notice the pulsation.

For the few extra dollars I'd opt for the tank version of a compressor. It serves two purposes, it reduces the pulsation and allows the compressor to cycle off giving it time to cool down some. Heat shortens the life of any engine, air compressors included.

Or you could always experiment with hose size. The longer and wider the diameter the hose the less the pulsation noticed at the working end. But then again, how much hose and the expense? Possibly 100' x 5/8' hose and then adapters/reducers, etc...

Get the tank, you won't regret it.