Arrrrrrrrgh!!!!!!

>>I'm looking for one with a tank, and one that is quiet, since i live in an apartment. I've seen them go for roughly around $200 (ballpark). but i'm hoping that i might find a deal.<<

If you have some shop with garage compressors and other equipment nearby, you may first look there. There are small "garage" compressors with a tank which are quite silent, give more than enough pressure, and you'll find them in range of $80 - $120. Don't forget to check 1) pressure regulator - it have to authomatically turn compressor off once there are set pressure in the tank, and to turn it back on once the pressure falls below set level. This thingie costs like $20 separately, but all compressors I've seen include one already. 2) another fine pressure regulator for regulating exact amount of pressure on your airbrush. This one is nearly never included with any compressor, they are purchased separately as an airbrush accessory, as far as I'm aware.

It is my very personal opinion, although I'm no expert here, that such compressors are overall better than hobby compressors. There is one serious disadvantage - they are relatively heavy. But I somehow doubt you'll need to move it from one place to another a lot. :)

Some good advice, and i'll definately be mindful of the regulator when i'm shopping...again. Weight certainly isn't an issue. About the most i'll need to move it would be from my parking space to the second floor of my building when i get it home. But size is kinda an issue too. With an apartment, noise and bulk are my two biggest concerns. As i recall, neither of those issues were considered the first time i "thought" i bought a compressor. Maybe this is one of those proverbial "blessings in disguise". I'll take a look at some of the options that i have this weekend. Can you recommend any brand names or manufactures? Thanks!

If you have a Hobby Lobby nearby, you can get an Iwata Smart Jet compressor with a 40% off coupon.  It doesn't come with a tank, but it should run pretty quiet for you.

 

E

   I see you live in the O.C. You might want to check out Art Supply Warehouse in Westminster. (Hopefully thats not the dealer you were talking about). I bought my first air brush and compressor there years ago. I'm looking to buy a new air brush and I was heading over there this week to get it. They also have a large selection of spare parts and accessories in stock.

http://www.artsupplywarehouse.com/

Art supply warehouse, huh? Nope, that certainly wasn't the place. I've lived in Stanton for a year and a half, but i'm still not all that familiar with what all is in the area outside of my little circle between home, the office, the Los Al airfield, and all points between. There's a good place to look though, since i'm just on the other side of the 22 fwy of Westminster. Thanks for the tip!

DesertRat wrote:

But size is kinda an issue too. With an apartment, noise and bulk are my two biggest concerns. ... Can you recommend any brand names or manufactures? Thanks!

 Size? Well, the largest part is the tank, compressor itself is usually put on top of it, so, if you want compressor with a tank, you can't have it smaller than the tank itself :) With automatic "on/off" switch you don't need to have it nearby; you may put it somewhere under the table, just so you can get to pressure regulator from time to time; mind the lenght of hose and safety, though; don't put it near, say, an open bottle of easily flameable laquer or something. :)

As for brand names, nope; my own compressor I've made from a piece of an old iron pipe and old refrigerator's compressor; it's powerfull and nearly absolutely silent, just like a refrigerator:) , although bigger than small "garage compressors" I've seen aplenty in very broad range in just usual equipment shops (big ones, though. You know, shops where you buy household equipment, small electric saws and such). All compressors here are german-made; my father have 3 of them for different purposes in his summer house, they were cheap, work quietly and reliable, without smallest problem, for years and years.

As a remodeler, I have more compressors than I can keep track of. I gotta say, the absolute little gem in the lot of them is a tiny little hotdog thing from Senco. It replaced one that I had that finally gave up, but this thing is the same size, half the weight, and quiet as heck. I bet the whole thing doesnt weigh 15 lbs. Honestly, I dont know if it makes enough air for an airbrush. I've never looked at cfms. I have a 30 gal tank sitting next to my bench that I use because I dont want to ever move it. The little guy is great for punch work though - it'll run a nailgun all day.

Edit:http://www.senco.com/con_rem/ViewTool.aspx?toolid=175

thats a link to the one I'm referring to

DesertRat wrote:

I'm looking for one with a tank, and one that is quiet, since i live in an apartment. I've seen them go for roughly around $200 (ballpark).  Anyone have any recommendations?

If compact and quiet (silent) is what you're after, none of the above--- CO2 tank and regulator.  Mine cost me a little over $200. 

TomB