Compressor problems- air tank a solution?

Sorry, I don't know the answer. There are far more members on here that can figure out a formula for that. I have a question, is a newer more quite compressor more expensive than a tank? I have no idea but just throwing it out there?

My guess would be something in the 20-30 gallon range.  The run time is going to be longer to fill.

Might look at the Fortress 2 gallon at HF.  $160, and around $200 with the extended warranty.  I have one, like it for a/b, and will run a nail gun if needed, and inflation duties.

Bought mine a couple of years ago.  At 60db, it can sit in the same room, and can barely hear it 15 ft away.

Here's the compressor I use.  Its definitely quiet enough to be in your shop if you want to stick with the compressor route.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ACB6D2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I poked around a little online and found this discussion of Boyles Law as it applies to air compressor applications. It was a thread on Redit and if you scroll down to the bottom of this reply where the "Boyles Law" example starts and use his calculation example with your numbers I think it will get you what you need. Note that his assumption for flow rate is .5 cfm for the airbrush. If your tank candidate volume is listed in gallons then I guess you would need to convert that to cuft. Hope this helps.

I can go through several sessions of painting with my 8 gal compressor before it needs refilling. I run the main pressure well down below where the compressor would normally have cycled back on , plug it in and refill when it drops below 40 psi or so. It's top pressure is 125 psi. I generally shoot at around 20-25 psi, so it's a non issue and of course if you shoot down around 10 psi as I have with lacquers and washes the tanks lasts longer. Best I got for ya.

You could also leave your noise compressor in the garage and plumb in a feed line to your work station and let it cycle at will out there.

I'm back to the idea that an air tank is no cheaper than a small compressor.  I will be taking my air brushes out to the garage today to test them with the compressor I have in garage.

For the prices being discussed, you could go the CO2 route.  I've been on CO2 for years - just thought I'd toss that out.

I think many modelers use oversized compressors and compensate with an air tank. My airbrush is an Iwata HP-Cplus, annd I use a small compressor - Sparmax TC-501N. single cylinder, no tank. The compressor is very quiet, and "keeps up" with the airbrush. If I depress the air valve for  max flow the compressor will still cycle to maintain pressure. I don't need a tank.

I'm not sure what the air brush airflow is. The flow of the compressor is also undefined. I do find the the 10' length of 1/8" hose acts as a small buffer for limiting compressor cycling. 

I don't need a compressor that operates shop equipmrnt or fills tires. I need a quiet, dependable compressor that works well with my airbrush. The Sparmax fits this quite well.

Note that Sparmax also makes a hobby compressor with two cylinders and a small built-in tank.

I confirmed yesterday that the compressor i the problem. I took an airbrush into the garage and with the big noisy compressor it worked fine. So I will be shopping for a new compressor.

How far is your hobby bench from the garage?  Is plumbing an air line an option?  Unlimited air and no noise indoors.

Or, continuing on MJY65's line, If possible, go with a air hose from the compressor to a volume tank (air tank) in the house. The volume tank reduces flow fluctuations and you can isolate it if needs be. You could also put your painting reducer on the volume tank and keep the compressor a full working pressure for other things (pneumatic tools, filling tires, etc.). So, no appreciable noise, accessable air and the ability to vary your pressure / flow as needed for the medium you are spraying. A complete win / win situation.

HooYah Deep Sea

Or, continuing on MJY65's line, If possible, go with a air hose from the compressor to a volume tank (air tank) in the house. The volume tank reduces flow fluctuations and you can isolate it if needs be. You could also put your painting reducer on the volume tank and keep the compressor a full working pressure for other things (pneumatic tools, filling tires, etc.). So, no appreciable noise, accessable air and the ability to vary your pressure / flow as needed for the medium you are spraying. A complete win / win situation.

 

We ran three bays worth of shops from a compressor room with no secondary tank. The spray booth was the middle room ( 1/1 I'm speaking about) The key is up the trunk line size so it can flow the volume needed, then downsize at a regulator near the tools that has a built in air dryer, in this case a little airbrush is the tool..

He doesn't need a secondary tank just a large enough trunk line from his garage compressor.

Edit: took out repeat text, didn't think the other message posted.

I dont run a tank at all. I use this compressor.. https://www.amazon.com/Iwata-Medea-Studio-Sprint-Single-Compressor/dp/B000BQPNWS/ref=asc_df_B000BQPNWS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309741918693&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11110935021979491719&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029483&hvtargid=pla-567389729882&psc=1

It will run my Iwata HP-CS at 30 psi If I wish, but I don't. And it runs my syphon feed Badger as well. It is nearly silent. A foot away and you can't hear it run. Worth every penny.

BK

rocketman2000

I'm back to the idea that an air tank is no cheaper than a small compressor.  I will be taking my air brushes out to the garage today to test them with the compressor I have in garage.

 

That is my method of painting. I open the garage door, turn on two floor fans I have and paint away. I have a Campbell Housefeld 2hp 6 gallon wheeled compresor with regulator and water trap as my setup. Yes it’s very loud when it fills but can go a very looooong time before the pressure drops and it turns on again. 

I also use it to run air nailers, inflating tires and blowing off debris on parts etc.

Got the new compressor last night. Output thread is BSP instead of NPT, so had to order an adapter.

rocketman2000

Got the new compressor last night. Output thread is BSP instead of NPT, so had to order an adapter.

 

 

What compressor did you buy if you don't mind ?

oldermodelguy

 

 

rocketman2000

Got the new compressor last night. Output thread is BSP instead of NPT, so had to order an adapter.

 

 

 

 

 

What compressor did you buy if you don't mind ?

 

It's a Vivo Home Mini Air Compressor TC-20.  Only thing I do not like about it is that it's regulator only regulates down to 40 psi.  I never airbrush above 20, so I had to add in series a good low pressure regulator.  I got my adapter to couple that second regulator, so I am now in business.  I found it was a bit of work running two regulators in series.  Turns out the two regulators have an effect on each other, so it took a bit of back and forth adjusting.

I like the new compressor.  It is very quiet- 47 db, and has an auto shutoff so it only runs when I am actually spraying.  It is a piston type, not a diaphram, so I hope it is a bit more reliable than the old one.  And, it runs at a lower rpm, so the pitch is less annoying even at the low db.

I have three kits started, and needing some airbrushing, so I have to get to work!

Just crank your primary regulator up to somewhere near max, then you can regulate normally with your secondary. I actually prefer double regulators and getting the water separator out a few ft from the compressor.

oldermodelguy

Just crank your primary regulator up to somewhere near max, then you can regulate normally with your secondary. I actually prefer double regulators and getting the water separator out a few ft from the compressor.

 

I also  had to turn the second regulator almost all the way down.  But it works fine now, can dial in my normal pressures.

Just watch your pressure drop when spraying and adjust if need be. It's called working pressure ( with air flowing) vs static ( no air flowing). And excuse me, if you already know this stuff just disregard.