Tank vs compressor...preferences?

Just a disclaimer (I was chemman on the old board).  My CO2 use is really based on the complete use of only ONE full tank, which lasted two years.  Since I build about six to ten models per year, I estimate I got about 12 - 20 models out of the tank.  I have used CO2 for years, but my job required me to move regularly, and moving companies won't let you ship compressed gasses.  At least three times I have vented a whole bunch of CO2 right before I moved. 

I don't use much CO2 when I paint - I have everything organized, taped down, ready for paint when I start.  Just psssst, psssst, pssst, and I'm finished.  If you do a lot of freehand work or paint complex camo, you might not get as many per tank.

Nonetheless, I love my CO2 tank and even if I only got ten models out of a tank, the ease, silence, and cleanliness would be worth $1.50 per model.  I spend that on only one beer, and I needed a lot more beers when I had to face the compressor.  It pays for itself!

Flatlander wrote:

Just a disclaimer (I was chemman on the old board).  My CO2 use is really based on the complete use of only ONE full tank, which lasted two years.  Since I build about six to ten models per year, I estimate I got about 12 - 20 models out of the tank.  I have used CO2 for years, but my job required me to move regularly, and moving companies won't let you ship compressed gasses.  At least three times I have vented a whole bunch of CO2 right before I moved.  I don't use much CO2 when I paint - I have everything organized, taped down, ready for paint when I start.  Just psssst, psssst, pssst, and I'm finished.  If you do a lot of freehand work or paint complex camo, you might not get as many per tank. Nonetheless, I love my CO2 tank and even if I only got ten models out of a tank, the ease, silence, and cleanliness would be worth $1.50 per model.  I spend that on only one beer, and I needed a lot more beers when I had to face the compressor.  It pays for itself!

Bgrigg wrote:

I think you would have a hard time even getting one model completed. That's a pretty small tank.

Hello all - I've been monitoring this thread for a while and now I must chime in.  I am a newbie/returning to modeling and want to start airbrushing; I'm trying to decide as well what route to go.  The tanks sound great, economical, super-quiet, and portable.  But I'm a little leery of sitting next to a potential bomb (unless it's properly secured, of course) and so I've been leaning towards the compressor route (maybe I'll reconsider...).  Been doing a bit of reading and I was wondering just how "quiet" the badger cyclone or iwatas (sprint/super/magnifico-jet or whatever its called) are.  I'm familiar with the old pneumatic big boy compressors that will shread your ear drums, and while I'm sure these aren't like that, I want to make sure that my girlfriend won't abandon her currently supporting position regarding my new obsession.  Any people in favor/against auto-shutoff too?  There is no reservoir on these compressors as well, so as long as you're painting they're running, right?  Lastly, how easy is it to refill the CO2 tanks?  I'm in a fairly large city (Pittsburgh), are welding supply places common, easy to work with for refills?  Thanks all and muchos gracias

jcfay wrote:

Hello all - I've been monitoring this thread for a while and now I must chime in.  I am a newbie/returning to modeling and want to start airbrushing; I'm trying to decide as well what route to go.  The tanks sound great, economical, super-quiet, and portable.  But I'm a little leery of sitting next to a potential bomb (unless it's properly secured, of course) and so I've been leaning towards the compressor route (maybe I'll reconsider...).  Been doing a bit of reading and I was wondering just how "quiet" the badger cyclone or iwatas (sprint/super/magnifico-jet or whatever its called) are.  I'm familiar with the old pneumatic big boy compressors that will shread your ear drums, and while I'm sure these aren't like that, I want to make sure that my girlfriend won't abandon her currently supporting position regarding my new obsession.  Any people in favor/against auto-shutoff too?  There is no reservoir on these compressors as well, so as long as you're painting they're running, right?  Lastly, how easy is it to refill the CO2 tanks?  I'm in a fairly large city (Pittsburgh), are welding supply places common, easy to work with for refills?  Thanks all and muchos gracias