Compressor Question

I already have the scorpion.  The craftsman would have worked just fine for me also, except that my bench is in my bedroom and noise was a huge factor for my wife.  I was just thinking I could add a tank to this one.  I will just use this one as long as it lasts then I will replace it with something else.

Not sure if you want the opinion of a airbrush newguy but rather than spend $300-400 on an airbrush compressor, I stopped by Sears and picked up a Craftsman evolve 2 gallon for about $80.  Installed a water trap and it has a built in regulator and seems to do the job just fine.  My .02...

Daprophet

Okay, thanks alot.  If my unit is good enough to last with out one I wont mess with it.  I appreciate your help.  When I bought it, I tried to buy a good one and I figured I would just add a tank later.  I didnt realize there was that much too it.

Dave

The Paasche DA400 is no more powerful and steady than your Scorpion-2. I cannot detect any difference with and without the tank using a number of different airbrushes. It is always wiser to invest in a good compressor and you did it.

You might want to ask this question in the Painting and Airbrushing discussion group.  In fact, there is almost always a thread about this going in in that group.  Airbrushing discussions frequently do discuss compressors.

Okay, thanks alot.  If my unit is good enough to last with out one I wont mess with it.  I appreciate your help.  When I bought it, I tried to buy a good one and I figured I would just add a tank later.  I didnt realize there was that much too it.

Dave

Daprophet

Hi all,

  I have a Silentair Scorpian II and I would like to add a 1 or a 2 gallon tank to it.  Anyone know if this is something simple, or if I should just leave it alone?  Thanks for any advice!

Dave

It will be a fun little project if you are into that kind of hobby. I have done that and posted about it at the airbrush forum. It is neither simple nor inexpensive the way I did it. Your Silentaire compressor does not need the help of a tank either. The Scorpian II has enough steady airflow to provide 2 airbrushes at the same time.

TCPGlobal used to sell a kit for adding airtank (0.5 gallon) to an existing compressor. The kit should make the job easier if you want to do it. If you start from scratch, the most difficult part to find is a small gauge check valve. I tried to find an aluminum tank which will be light and non-rusting. There are a lot of those for auto/truck airhorn or air suspension. I gave up after finding out a little 1-gallon tank may cost.

It is also easier to buy a compressor with tank to begin with. The Sparmax TC-5000 comes to mind. For a little more, the Silentaire SuperSilent 20-A is just under $500.

The tank will require a combined safety relief valve & pressure switch, the relief valve prevents the tank from over pressurising (dangerous) in the event the compressor doesn't switch off when it should & the pressure switch tells the compressor when to switch on/off to keep the tank withing the correct pressure range.

The pressure switch would have to be electrically wired into you compressor to replace your existing pressure switch wiring.

Your current air outlet would have to be piped directly into the air tank & the fittings/pipe would have to be rated above the release pressure of the already mentioned safety relief valve - the pipework / hoses used here are either metal or reinforced. A tank pressure guage would normally be fitted as well, where would depend on how many outlets the tank has & your current regulator could then then be fitted.

It all perfectly workable, but you should be aware of the safety implications of what you are doing - all components need to be correctly rated for their particular job & most importantly to avoid the the possibility of over pressurisation - the safely relief valve is an example of this as it offers redundancy in the event that the pressure switch fails to operate!

A look at the parts diagram for the Scorpion II fitted with a receiver will give you a bettere idea;

http://www.silentaire.com/silentaire/images/pdfs/Scorpion%20II%20TT.pdf

I see what you are saying above, but it really doesnt answer my question.  In other words, I dont follow what you are saying.  Ok, I need all of that stuff, but what is the process in making it work.  I dont really know that much about compressors.  I have just found that a tank itself isnt really all that expensive and I thought I could increase the life of my compressor by adding one.  From all that I have read, silent air makes top notch equipment so i would like to take better care of it.

Dave

Okay so you'll need the appropriate connectors, pipe and pressure sensor switch...you'll have to reroute your plumbing so that the output goes from the tank into the regulator/moisture trap. Up for the challenge? Costs?