Portable tank?

That is about it.  You might even be able to get away without a water trap, though tank should be drained after every use. The tank itself acts as a bit of a water trap if you do not use it immediately after filling, but let it cool down.

What would be the best size tank to get? For example...say a 7gal tank. How long would I be able to use it before I need to refill the tank? Would it be enough for an entire model or two? What type of pressure should the airbrush be getting during use?

How are you refilling the tank?  What pressure is it rated for?  And I would never consider airbrushing without a water separator, period.  Just the humidity / temperature changes can affect painting.

Airbrushing works "best" between 15 to 30 psi, depending on what paints / solvents you use and what you're actually painting.  You will need to experiment with what works.  I'm not a big fan of tanks, mainly because they are not versatile enough. You're stuck with constantly refilling, and you need a compressor to do that anyway.

I have a 2 horse 25gal shop compressor in the garage that handles 6.5cfm @ 100 psi.  If I want to paint inside, I just run a hose into the office.  I set the regulator about where I need it and then use a micro adjuster at the brush.  If you don't have a garage/shop where a larger compressor would work, the investment into a smaller AB compressor is well worth the money - it'll last for years.

Using a tank is ok, if that's all you have, but it's not great.

Reid

I'll likely fill at a service station when needed. As for tank size I was thinking perhaps 7-10 gallons @ perhaps 100-125psi. I guess I could also use a hand pump of some sort to fill as well. What parts would I need and where could i easily get them? how about a hose to fit the airbrush itself?

72westy

I've got an old Testors airbrush that I'd like to use with a portable tank if possible. The airbrush is a Testors GP-100 starter set. I bought it many years ago and only used it a few times so it's still in excellent condition. What are my options for me to be able to use this with a portable tank? What would I need besides just the tank such dryer, regulator etc...

Much appreciated.

Have you been away from building models and want to get back? If so, build up your tools inventory gradually. Use paint brushes and spray can until you get more serious about modeling. You can build very good model with them.

If you had been building models all these years, there must be a reason you did not use the Testors airbrush for many years. No need to make investment until you understand the reason and its change.

Fittings are going to be interesting.  You'll need a tee right out of the tank, so you can attach a schrader valve to fill the tank at the station.  Then you'll need to attach a valve, then the regulator, water trap & AB hose.

Is there some real reason you are adverse to getting a compressor?  This is a lot of effort for a minimal return.  How far is the air source from your house?  Can you get to in inclement weather?  How are you transporting the tank?  I'm 57 now and have been using an airbrush since I was 13.  I QUICKLY learned that a tank or the cans of propel were not cost effective or convenient.  You'll invariably run out of air at the worst time in a spray session, and weather.

I'm just sayin....

Reid

I know folks who have a compressor and still use an air tank.  The reason is that their compressors are too noisy (these are big general purpose compressors in their garage).  The portable tank lasts them for a typical airbrushing session and is very quiet.    Yeah, you can buy quiet compressors, but they cost a lot more than the GP ones.

So a portable tank is not unreasonable and lots of folks use them.

Yes, a portable tank is workable for those who has a powerful tools compressor in the garage and can fill the tank with a flip of a switch. Otherwise, forget it.

A made-in-China airbrush compressor can cost a lot less than many 1:32 aircraft kits. You can easily buy one or two less kits and get the compressor first. It does not take long for the modeler to appreciate the convenience of having a quiet compressor near the workbench.

keilau

Yes, a portable tank is workable for those who has a powerful tools compressor in the garage and can fill the tank with a flip of a switch. Otherwise, forget it.

A made-in-China airbrush compressor can cost a lot less than many 1:32 aircraft kits. You can easily buy one or two less kits and get the compressor first. It does not take long for the modeler to appreciate the convenience of having a quiet compressor near the workbench.

I see a lot of progress and more options on quiet compressors these days.  I recently bought one of the quiet compressors for about the price of one 1:32 aircraft kit.  But you have to shop carefully.  Some are really expensive!

I generally side with those saying, spend the money on good tools, and buy one less kit or so.  However, I do know some younger modelers who indeed cannot afford either expensive tools OR the hundred plus buck kits, and the air tank is a good way to go for them IF they have a convenient way to fill it.

Don Stauffer

However, I do know some younger modelers who indeed cannot afford either expensive tools OR the hundred plus buck kits, and the air tank is a good way to go for them IF they have a convenient way to fill it.

I agree to a certain extent. It depends on some factors:

1. The person is handy with tools and enjoys doing this type of work.
2. He is able to find a local discount/liquidator type tools store and finds some surplus airtank dirt cheap. (A few years back, the Toolsnow.com had retail stores in my area and always had good selection of junk airtanks. The stores are all gone now.)
3. He has a convenient source of air refilling.

Buying brand new retail part may not make economical sense. Cheap steel airtank is often heavy. Dragging it to gas station for refill is a total "drag".

With many made-in-China airbrush compressors going between $40-80, "shopping carefully" makes a lot of sense.

keilau

 

With many made-in-China airbrush compressors going between $40-80, "shopping carefully" makes a lot of sense.

Shopping  carefully includes a demonstration so you can listen to it.  While there are a couple of that type that are quiet (one from Harbor Freight), others are horribly noisy, and few publish noise specs in their ads.

Don Stauffer

keilau:

 With many made-in-China airbrush compressors going between $40-80, "shopping carefully" makes a lot of sense.

Shopping  carefully includes a demonstration so you can listen to it.  While there are a couple of that type that are quiet (one from Harbor Freight), others are horribly noisy, and few publish noise specs in their ads.

This is what I am thinking for super low budget compressor setup. It may not be very versatile, but for the money and a 2 years warranty, it is worth a gamble. 47 dB noise, no pressure adjustment? TCBGlobal is not a unknown vendor. At least, they state the noise.

It is definitely easier than setting up an airtank rig. Yes, stick with the craft/airbrush type compressor. You are sure to get a very noisy one if you pick a tools/garage compressor.

Don Stauffer

keilau:

Yes, a portable tank is workable for those who has a powerful tools compressor in the garage and can fill the tank with a flip of a switch. Otherwise, forget it.

A made-in-China airbrush compressor can cost a lot less than many 1:32 aircraft kits. You can easily buy one or two less kits and get the compressor first. It does not take long for the modeler to appreciate the convenience of having a quiet compressor near the workbench.

 

I see a lot of progress and more options on quiet compressors these days.  I recently bought one of the quiet compressors for about the price of one 1:32 aircraft kit.  But you have to shop carefully.  Some are really expensive!

I generally side with those saying, spend the money on good tools, and buy one less kit or so.  However, I do know some younger modelers who indeed cannot afford either expensive tools OR the hundred plus buck kits, and the air tank is a good way to go for them IF they have a convenient way to fill it.

Don makes an excellent point.

I use a Craftsman compressor with a 3-gallon tank, generates up to 125 psi, and--even better--it can be used with pneumatic tools as well as an airbrush.  This is the current version of the model, currently listing for $119.99 in Craftsman's catalog:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00915310000P?vName=Power+Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Equipment&sName=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&prdNo=16&blockNo=16&blockType=L16

I bought mine during a seasonal sale, and I paid aroung $90 for it, I think.  It does make noise, but I don't care about the noise.

I agree, buy good tools, that will last, and in the long run, you save money (the Frug used to make the same point, "frugal" doesn't mean "cheap", it means you don't waste anything).

the Baron

Don Stauffer: 

I generally side with those saying, spend the money on good tools, and buy one less kit or so.

Don makes an excellent point.

I use a Craftsman compressor with a 3-gallon tank, generates up to 125 psi, and--even better--it can be used with pneumatic tools as well as an airbrush.  This is the current version of the model, currently listing for $119.99 in Craftsman's catalog:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00915310000P?vName=Power+Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Equipment&sName=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&prdNo=16&blockNo=16&blockType=L16

I bought mine during a seasonal sale, and I paid aroung $90 for it, I think.  It does make noise, but I don't care about the noise.

I agree, buy good tools, that will last, and in the long run, you save money (the Frug used to make the same point, "frugal" doesn't mean "cheap", it means you don't waste anything).

Hi, what pneumatic tools you have used with this compressor?

I have a similar Craftsman compressor in the garage with the same 1-horsepower motor. I use it to top off car & bicycle tires, inflat kid's toy. I used it successfully to spray paint my deck with clear wood sealer and saved a lot of time last summer. This compressor is only rated for "2.4 SCFM at 90 PSI". This low airflow rate is not good for any air (pneumatic) tools except a small nail gun on the Sears airtools catalogue. If you want a compressor strong enough for airtools, you will have to spend some extra dollars. It is way too noisy to use indoor.

For airbrushing, you can get a nice and quiet airbrush compressor under the workbench for similar dollar outlay. I have the Paasche DA400. It is quiet, runs cool and plenty of power for 2 airbrushes. I paid $120 for mine, but it may be slightly more now.

I am just getting back in to building models and have some of my old Air Force base planes waiting to be built.  C-5A Galaxy, KC-10A, C-141B, and a C-17. 

Back on topic...I too am thinking of using the portable air tank but with a different source.  I manage an air separation plant and have a steady supply of nitrogen (clean and dry) and just picked up a 10 gallon portable air tank.  The tank is rated for 150 psig max so I will fill it to 140psig, gauge it and put a regulator on it.  My plan is to try that just to get the hang of airbrushing as my previous time building models was all done using spray paint.  

I like the idea of an airbrush compressor and have a large 30 gallon in the garage but the noise is too much for my two young children (and wife).  Using a smaller compressor would require a moisture trap and living in Mississippi means a lot of moisture.

We'll see how the airbrush trainings go I guess before committing to the portable tank.

How "dry" is the nitrogen?  We used to run ours through a dryer before filling scopes.  I'd recommend a water trap after the regulator, just in case.

Any chance you could run a line from your shop compressor to where you AB?

Reid

The dewpoint of the nitrogen is -80°F, or essentially 0.001ppm H20.  The house we live in currently is rented so there is no chance for me to run a line to a different room.  That may change depending on what I choose for the future.

I'm going to give the portable tank a run through and see what kind of times I can get just painting odd things and such.  I'll go from there but I still haven't purchased the airbrush yet.  Still reading reviews and deciding on a brand.  Paasche is the leader right now.

Thanks.

Bruce

A lot of people like tanks filled with CO2 (assuming you have a place that can fill it). With CO2, you don't need to worry about a moisture trap.

Personally, I bought an Iwata Power Jet Lite (tankless) on sale. It was around $260, but it was worth it my opinion. Iwata even replaced the unit 3 years ago when the switch shorted out...gave me a whole new unit and shipped it for free.

So I would say you get what you pay for, but consider everything. You know budget restraints, girlfriend, portability, girlfriend, noise, girlfriend....did I mention the girlfriend?

Forgive the dustiness...this rig has been in storage for a few years...but I successfully used this portable air tank for over 15 years. All I needed was the tank, 2 threaded nipples, a water trap, a low-range regulator and a couple adapters to accommodate my regulator.

It held enough air to completely airbrush 2+ models with each filling. I filled it (100psi) at local service stations when I was running around doing errands, so it never seemed like a bother.

It's advantages included that it was completely silent, easy to fill, had an adjustible regulator and I put it together for less than half the cost of a compressor at a time when funds were tight. I had investigated bottled gas, but the cost of each fill nearly equalled the cost to build this rig where all my fills were free.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this type of set-up when total silence or vibration-free operation is needed (like apartment life) as well as for the budget conscious. It worked so well that I used it for years after I could afford a compressor.

Cheers,

Don Stauffer

 However, I do know some younger modelers who indeed cannot afford either expensive tools OR the hundred plus buck kits, and the air tank is a good way to go for them IF they have a convenient way to fill it.

When I got my first airbrush (a Badger 350) I used my car's snow tires as my first air source.  Badger actually makes a brass fitting for that purpose.  

The snow tires were mounted on a spare set of wheels so I could put them on the car myself without having to take them to a tire shop to get them mounted on the wheels every Fall. 

When I wanted to do some airbrushing, I'd take them to the corner gas station in the trunk of my car to fill them up (that was in the day when using the air pump at the gas station was free). 

With the two tires I could get through most 1/48 aircraft, but remember having to refill them a couple of times when I was painting my first 1/32 Tomcat. 

It worked OK, but I still saved my money and bought my first compressor as soon as could afford it.  Plugging in the compressor was easier than schlepping the snow tires back and forth all the time.

Thirty years later I'm still using that same compressor, so it's turned out to be a pretty good investment.

Mark

Ahhh, the memories...lol. My first air source was an old semi truck tire using that Badger fitting. It was donated to me 'cuz the wheel had a crack at a lug hole and the tire was bald. I filled that fella up to 100psi and wheeled it down into the basement with the help of a friend.

The Badger regulator (same as for canned air) didn't work very well at this pressure, so my first attempt at airbrushing resulted in my model being blown out of my hand by 100psi air...lol. I eventually got it to work, but when it ran out of air there was a sudden lack of volunteers to help me get it out of the basement. I then made the previously pictured rig with the air tank.

Come to think of it...I don't think I ever got that thing out of the basement...

Sounds like a viable idea.  I'd recommend a Trick Tank:

http://www.competitionproducts.com/Air-Tanks/products/1223/

(I don't know anything about that vendor, just provided a link to the tank for viewing)

We use one for our autocross car, replacing a similar-sized steel tank that easily weighed 3X as much. That and your regulator/water separator on a quick-disconnect, and you'd be ready to roll.   They're not cheap, but lug a steel one around a while, and you'll grow tired of using it quickly.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas