Tanked vs. Tank-less

Hiryu02 · Post by **Hiryu02** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:40 pm

So I have been researching online for my first compressor for my first airbrush. Most of the hobby-specific ones, like the Iwata Sprintjet come tankless.

Should I buy one of these and attach a separate tank? Find one with a tank? What are the pros/cons to a tanked/tankless setup?

Anyway. thanks in advance for your time.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:18 pm

Tankless compressors are more prone to pulsing. Higher end tankless, like the Iwata SilentJet, have figured out ways around that. Tanked compressors tend to be noisier and have more issue with moisture unless, again, you pay for a pricey one in which case you can get dead quiet and little moisture issues.

Hiryu02 · Post by **Hiryu02** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:56 pm

How about something like this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=34843

And then attach a tank/moisture trap?

Also looking at this:

http://www.dixieart.com/Iwata_Smart_Jet ... essor.html

as a higher-end alternative

DX-SFX · Post by **DX-SFX** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:39 am

Those small ones are the biggest culprits for pulsing. If you try to spray a very fine line with a double action airbrush, there'll be a tendency for the line to come out like a string of beads or a chain. The effect is rarely accute but can be enough to be annoying.

Orion · Post by **Orion** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:36 am

Not trying to hijack the post...

I've got one very similar to the one in the link from harbor freight. I've not noticed any pulsing or problems with it, BUT, I've also just starting airbrushing so right now I'm pretty much just figuring out how to control the airbrush and not the lines at the moment. Would something like this be suitable for larger area coverage work while not giving me any problems as long as I don't try to get into any too fine detail with it?

DX-SFX · Post by **DX-SFX** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:45 am

For large area spraying it's good. You wouldn't notice anything. It's only really fine stuff where it can be a problem. The longer the airline between the brush and the compressor, and preferably with an in line moisture trap as well, the less of a problem pulsing will be. I'd recommend a fabric covered rubber airline to further dampen the effect. The ultimate test is try it and see if it's a problem for your particular set up.

Orion · Post by **Orion** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:49 am

Outstanding, Thank you. This gives me some time to learn the ropes a bit better and stash away for a better compressor.

DX-SFX · Post by **DX-SFX** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:56 am

Having a long airline has two benefits. Firstly the airline itself acts like a mini tank so the bigger the line, the bigger the reserve. Secondly, just the sheer practical advantage of having greater freedom of movement around and away from the compressor. You will get moisture forming on the inside of the line sooner or later though so an inline moisture trap near the airbrush end of the line is highly recommended. It's a bit of faffing but the reward of trouble free spraying is worth the effort.

Hiryu02 · Post by **Hiryu02** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:16 am

Would a tank added to the harbor freight one help minimize pulsing? Or is it safer to go with the Iwata, even tankless?

I don't think i'll be doing much fine linework, but still, good to know.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:33 am

Iwata is far better, quieter and less prone to pulsing.

Post by **TER-OR** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:40 pm

http://www.amazon.com/Senco-PC1010-Comp ... 747&sr=8-3

I use a Senco PC1010
It's a great little compressor plus 1gal tank.
I picked it up at a major hardware supplier for about $100.

Mark Yungblut · Post by **Mark Yungblut** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:36 am

I'm a huge fan of a CO2 tank instead of a compressor. The air is dryer and I typiccally get 20-24 hours of spray time out of each tank (that's a lot of airbrush time).

Cheers,

Mark

Orion · Post by **Orion** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:57 am

Mark Yungblut wrote:I'm a huge fan of a CO2 tank instead of a compressor. The air is dryer and I typiccally get 20-24 hours of spray time out of each tank (that's a lot of airbrush time).

Cheers,

Mark

I've read a little about this. I've got a 5lbs. tank that I used to have running on one of my aquariums that I'm not currently using anymore. It has a low pressure regulator on it with a max pressure reading of 10 psi. Assuming that my cheap air compressor holds up and I can use it for coverage work, do you think that this regulator would be OK to use with an airbrush? I ask because I know the tank will work, so the regulator would be the next expensive thing that I might need to buy if not. (Though it would be sweet to run across someone just giving out aluminum tanks lol).

This looks the regulator I've got if it helps any. http://www.horticulturesource.com/produ ... ts_id/2392

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 2:17 pm

I keep wanting to buy a nitrogen generator and fill my tanks with it. Inert, dry, quiet.

Problem is I can't find a nitrogen generator for under $5k.

Neb · Post by **Neb** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 7:45 pm

I've got a small N2 plant I take care that puts out about 38,000scfh at 35psig----pure Nitrogen and UBER dry.
I figure if we could run a small pipeline out to Colorado (working nights) I could fix you right up Rob!

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:17 pm

Quick! Hook it up to your telephone and lets if if that works!

What the heck are you doing that needs a N2 plant?

rallymodeller · Post by **rallymodeller** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:43 pm

My little no-name single-piston compressor works pretty good, but there was a problem with pulsing. I got around that by adding a decent-sized (regulator and in-line water trap that seems to smooth out the pulses a bit.

Neb · Post by **Neb** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:55 pm

Kylwell wrote:Quick! Hook it up to your telephone and lets if if that works!

What the heck are you doing that needs a N2 plant?

Actually, it's one of our Small N2 plants that supplies an N2/H2 pipeline to a Steel finishing line.
N2 at .18ppm O2 purity. minus 80f dewpoint on final product.

Verra DRY.