Airbrush compressor - A rather cliche question with a new twist

I can help with a few of these...

PSI - Honestly with a Velocity you'll probably never go beyond 25 (and that's high). The one reason you may want more PSI is for cleaning, to blow various liquids through the airbrush at higher pressure. Or if you want to multi-purpose the airbrush for something like airing up tires.

Used compressors - It won't blow up or anything (probably), but I'd be certain any used compressor I bought was oilless and maintenance-free, since over eBay it's tough to gauge how it's been maintained. 

Chinese - dunno. I imagine some are very good, and some aren't. Just like a lot of Chinese-made stuff. I mean...most of the world's laptops are made in China these days. MacBook Pros are very good. The cheap crap they sell for Wal-Mart doorbuster sales on Black Friday are less so.

Piston count - dunno on this one

Air tank - Not necessary, but a good idea since 1) it puts an air reservoir between the compressor and your airbrush. Some compressors can "pulse" the air, which is annoying when you're painting. Air tanks also mean that the compressor cycles less often, doesn't get as hot, and lasts longer.

Hope that helps!

Thanks a lot. What would you suggest me to buy then and where from?

How about TC2000 of Sparmax? Has anyone any experience of this one? It is a two piston tankless compressor.

1) How much psi should I look for? I know that I will most probably not using high psi, but I would not mind having something stronger.

You wont require much more than 30psi, however CFM (airflow) is the more important number to be looking for & you should be looking at something in excess of 0.5CFM

2) Is buying a second hand compressor through eBay a risky endeavour? Should I go always for brand new compressors?

The main problem with this, is that you will have no idea how hard the unit has been used, the most common type of airbrush compressor, the oil-free piston compressor does not by it nature have an unlimited life, so you would have to be careful!

3) Are the chinese compressors any good? E.g. this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350489123164?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1543wt_1143

There seem to be some quality control issues, but in general they are quite reliable compressors.

4) Is it better to have a 2-piston compressor compared to 1-piston? If yes, why?

A twin piston compressor will give a higher output than a single, but if there is only ever going to be one concurrent user painting models, a single will do fine. Twins are more suited to multiple users or those who paint with different materials that require 40>50psi for proper application.

5) How essential is an air tank?

A receiver is by no means essential, but it offers a few advantages - it smooths the airflow coming from the piston(s) & prevents pulsing, it means that you compressor isn't running every time you demand air, which helps extend the compressors useful live & receiver compressors tend to have less moisture problems than receiver-less models.

Given the option I would choose a single piston compressor with a receiver as opposed to blowing my budget on a powerful twin without a receiver!

We do a couple of singles with receivers, but they may stretch your budget slightly.............

Thanks again. May I ask what you think of TC-2000 sparmax?

I have come across your site before and in fact it's still one of the candidates for my investment. I just wanted to ask if you offer any discounts AND if I can add a tank later on (and how) in case I go for one of your cheaper options?

Thanks

The TC-2000 is typically Sparmax, which means that it's a good, solid compressor - Having said that I would still suggest that a single with a receiver would be the better if the choice is coming down to a toss up between a twin or a tanked compressor.

It is possible to retrofit a receiver, but unless you have a suitable receiver kicking around, or can easily have something converted it may turn out to be dearer to do this as suitable receivers over here seem to be quite expensive.

Thanks once again for your reply.

I am thinking about TC-2000, because I have found one at eBay at a good price.

In what sense is a twin piston compressor less good than a single piston one with receiver tank?

Antigonos

In what sense is a twin piston compressor less good than a single piston one with receiver tank?

With most scale modeling tasks, high power is generally not a requirement, but smooth airflow is. A well specified (sufficient CFM) single piston compressor has more than enough power for virtually all modelling work. 

With a single piston, receiver compressor, you have something which has more than enough power for the job, with the airflow smoothing, reduced wear & reduced moisture benefits of having the receiver.

With the big twin, you have more power than required, but without the benefits of the receiver.

Artists, like those that do fabric & T-shirts for example will often be looking for far higher pressure & flow from there compressor & that's where twins come into their own 

I recently bought a Sparmax TC-2000 and am very happy with it.  It comes with a regulator, pressure guage, and water trap, too.  It's quiet, doesn't bounce around on its feet, and I have noticed no pulsation in the airbrush flow at all.  It's obviously a precision-made piece of equipment.

Twin pistons put out a smoother flow of air than single piston units.  When one piston is inhaling, the other is exhausting, hence the pressure dips between strokes are filled in.  Electrically, the equivalent would be half-wave vs. full wave rectification.

I would not buy a used one on eBay- Hobby Lobby sells them, and they will be offering 40% off coupons probably every week from now on til Christmas, I was told.  The coupon knocked about $135 off the price, and that's quite possibly better than you could do on eBay.

I am afraid that living in the UK means that I do not have the Hobby Lobby option, but thanks for the info on Sparmax.

Antigonos

Thanks once again for your reply.

I am thinking about TC-2000, because I have found one at eBay at a good price.

In what sense is a twin piston compressor less good than a single piston one with receiver tank?

In UK, you ought to take a look at this Revell Master Class at extremely reasonable price. It is made by Sparmax and essentially the TC-5000 with case or the twin piston TC-2000 with tank. Now, you can have the cake and eat it too.

Thanks a lot everyone for your feedback. It seems after all that staying within my maximum budget limits is going to be hard :) Oh, well, it's saving time I suppose.

On the other hand, does anyone of you have any experience whatsoever with the chinese compressors like the one in the link I posted in my first post? Or heard anything about them? I have had a through search for reviews etc, but I have not found anything so far.

Antigonos

Thanks a lot everyone for your feedback. It seems after all that staying within my maximum budget limits is going to be hard :) Oh, well, it's saving time I suppose.

On the other hand, does anyone of you have any experience whatsoever with the chinese compressors like the one in the link I posted in my first post? Or heard anything about them? I have had a through search for reviews etc, but I have not found anything so far.

That Chinese compressor should work well for you when new. The question is its long term reliability. In another post, I discussed the different of a Chinese compressor to a Sparmax one. It is not the same compressor you linked, but the result may apply.

The Chinese compressor runs a lot hotter. Heat is the worst enemy to little oilless compressor. It is still very quiet. So I will consider it acceptable if cost saving is paramount. If you can afford it, get a Sparmax or Revell.

Antigonos,

  I have been using the same badger compressor since 1991.  I had originally bought it to power a Badger airbrush that I bought in 1987 while I was still in high school.  That compressor is still working very well.

  The things you want to look for are low maintenance and low noise.  You will need to buy a regulator and a moisture trap separately if they are not included with the compressor.  My compressor can put out as high as 45psi and with the regulator, I can go to about 10psi.  A tank is good if you don't want to keep flipping a switch to power your airbrush, but most models I've seen are very loud.

  I originally got the airbrush for illustrating, but I have also been using it for modelling purposes.  I have a quick connect adapter on the air line so I can rapidly connect my Badger, Aztek or any one of my Paasche airbrushes quickly.

 Finally, I would find a new one, or if you do buy a second hand compressor, buy one that you can actually inspect before hand.  E-Bay is good for a lot of stuff, but there are somethings I think you need to eyeball before you shell out some pounds.

I hope I answered some of your questions.

keilau

 

 

That Chinese compressor should work well for you when new. The question is its long term reliability. 

This is my major concern, because if I have to replace it after a year, then I will have ended up paying the same or even more as for a new Revell or Sparmax.

Has anyone worked with the Revell Omega compressor? Is it any good?

The Revell Omega, like the Rotring airbrush compressors is was a re-branded Werther Sil-Air unit, the Omega being the Sil-Air 15EC. Sil-Air compressors are high quality units & taken care of they can soldier on for a long time (15 years+).

http://www.werthercompressors.com/categoria.asp?id=7

Antigonos

keilau:

That Chinese compressor should work well for you when new. The question is its long term reliability. 

 

This is my major concern, because if I have to replace it after a year, then I will have ended up paying the same or even more as for a new Revell or Sparmax.

I will have to say that the Chinese compressor are improving too. A good indication of the durability is how hot the cylinder head gets. I have this general rule of thumb. Force the compressor to run continuously for 30 minutes. If the cylinder is only warm to the touch, it is very good. If it is hot, but you can keep your hand on it, not too bad. If the cylinder head is too hot to keep your hand on it, it is a bad unit.

You can do a better test with a laser thermometer. Under 110°F, very good. Over 140°F, not acceptable.

Because the Chinese compressor varies widely in quality control, the result is not very predictable. It is best to find a local vender with good return policy. Test the unit at home. If not good, return it.

Guys thank you for all this wealth of information provided. I think that I now have enough info to do my market research.

Thanks again.