three choices

congrats on the score...if you do take bgriggs advice on the tank, you really, really, need to get a moister trap attachment.  Every time you fill that tank (and you'll fill it A LOT) more moister is sent into the tank, there's no where for the moister to go except through your a/b hose.

IMO skip the tank and get a decent compressor with a moister filter/trap, you'll save in the long run. 

This is a process called the Joules-Thomson effect. Basically what happens is as gas is released from the can, it expands which causes it to lose heat. The faster it expands, the faster it loses the heat. This works for most gases. Helium actually goes the other way and warms up a little. Don't ask me to explain that tonight! I couldn't stay awake during the entire lecture on thermodynamics!

semibold wrote:

So i got the Omni. I will have to wait a while to get a compressor, so i will have to settle for canned air. you guys have suggestions on that?

Canned air has it's quirks and can be a real source of frustration, but in a pinch, it's better than no air.

One of the problems is that it's really difficult to get good pressure regulation. That valve that screws onto the top of your propel can (which incidentally, I don't see on your list of supplied accessories) really operates more in the manner of an on/off switch than an adjustable regulator. This "all or nothing" type of operation might make it difficult to get those fine lines and sharp demarcations that call for lower air pressure.

Another problem is that the can will tend to chill in use. (I'm not even going to attempt to explain the principle behind this.) The net result is that after a few minutes of use, there is a  drop in pressure available to your airbrush. A few minutes more and it won't pick up paint. At this point you have to stop and let it return to ambient temp. You can help ths process by standing the can in warm (not hot) water.

It's a sweet airbrush, you'll be proud of it.

Cans of compressed air are a terrible thing to use. They tend to freeze under heavy use, and are relatively expensive. So my suggestion is to swallow hard and save up to buy even a basic compressor. 

An alternative is to go buy an air tank and fill it up at the local gas station. Even if the gas station charges you to fill the tank, it'll be cheaper in the long run. You would need a reducer from the 1/2" fitting to a 1/4" which would fit the hose. If you end up with a diaphragm compressor (around $110) you could then use the tank as a "settling" tank to eliminate the pulsing inherent with single piston diaphragm compressors.

Harbor Freight stocks an inexpensive compressor that should last 2-3 years I figure. Considering that a 15 oz. can of Badger Compressed air is $13.25 at Bear Air (not including shipping), it doesn't take long to justify a compressor.

You can even buy an adapter (paasche makes one) that will hook up to a tire tube (get one for a tractor) though the tank I posted above wouldn't be much more expensive and would be easier to transport when filled. 

So i got the Omni. I will have to wait a while to get a compressor, so i will have to settle for canned air. you guys have suggestions on that?

and here is everything i get with the omni:

Counter balanced cutaway handle
Stainless steel needle
Self-centering, self-sealing fluid tip
Solvent resistant "O" rings
Heavy nicle chrome plating
Attached needle tube-rocker lever
One piece trigger
Adjustable trigger tension
Reverse-a-guard air cap
Needle bearings (GF and SF models)
Adaptable with all major brand airbrush jars & color cups
One year limited warranty on all components
Lifetime labor warranty
Hose

Bgrigg wrote:

The HP-SB allows left or right handed mounting of the cup for the south paws.

that is a great point. im a southy... thanks for the help bros. 

I would go with either the Omni or the Iwata. The Iwata HP-SB is a side feed system vs. the permamently mounted cup on the Omni. Side feeds allow you to spray in a vertical manner, as long as you rotate the cup to match. Top mounted cups restrict movement and can interfere with sight lines. The HP-SB allows left or right handed mounting of the cup for the south paws.

The Iwata represents the best value, as long as that "used once" comment doesn't mean "farked it up because I dropped it". The current price on Dixie Art is $180.00 delivered in the lower 48. Unless you actually meant the HP-BS which goes for $109.97. That's a smaller top-mounted cup AB, and is still a good deal. A $130 drop in price for "used once" HP-SB seems a bit too good to be true!

The Omni 4000 has a larger color cup, and is listed at Dixie Art for $79.00 delivered, but is also shown as currently unavailable.

Neither would ship with hoses, unless the used one does. 

I've heard of people being happy with the Aztec, and I've heard as many (maybe more?) people unhappy. Everybody likes Omnis and Iwatas!