air brush world... air compressor confusion

[jdub]

why is it in every airbrush magazine and store - EVERY airbrush compressor that is "for" airbrushing comes without a storage tank?
i tried using them and found the psi rising and dropping, very inconsistent psi means crappy work! WTH! why would the industry push these
compressors on the people that want to try this? I have been airbrushing for years and always use a bigger compressor and control the psi.
but have introduced countless others and it seems they all go buy these little "airbrush compressors" then ask me why they are so frustrated with their results...
sorry just had to ask... it seems like that would be the same as telling someone really interested in swimming they should buy the lead weighted bathing suit first... its a setup or failure if you ask me...

 

[Squishy]

My cynical little brain thinks that these companies are just exploiting the lack of knowledge of newbies, who unfortunately buy them without realizing they are not really up to the tasks they need them for, and then spend more money getting something useful (therefore spending twice as much possibly with the same company). Because the compressors do actually work albeit in a very limited fashion, they get away with being sold under the "fit for purpose" guise, as long as the purpose doesn't include the tasks 99% of airbrushers want to use it for. But as I said I am a cynic.

 

[jdub]

!! We think alike! So I like the way you think!

 

[Kajzer]

prob.cause i live in a building and have no room for bigger compressor..
and those youre talking about are enough for airbrush, cause they hold max 35psi.
i have one that goes to 40 psi, but when i connect 0.35 nozlle psi drops to 25, but im use to that, i use very thined paint and very low psi..
these compress. are not good enough only for T shirt painters, but for canvas or bike and car graphics its quite enough..

 

[Squishy]

It's not the amount of air pressure that's the problem usually. The ones that usually come as part of a kit, (which newbies are often drawn to as they think it contains everything needed to start of with and are overpriced) are usually oiless, meaning that after a very short time they over heat and shut off, and tankless meaning they have to run continuously (which exacerbates the overheating) and pulse air , making it impossible to get consistency when spraying. So they do reach the 40psi (although like Kajzer's drop dramatically when the trigger is pulled and would be useless for textiles just on this alone), that maufacturers recommend for airbrushing, and they do compress air as described, but for actual practical use, well, they are pretty much useless. Any newbies wondering what compressor to buy, if noise is not an issue, then you would be better off with a regular compressor bought from any good tool or diy store, however they are LOUD. Many handy people make sound insulating boxes for them though, or if you know what you are doing adapt with fridge motors. (Should be able to find a few threads on these by doing a search) Whisper compressors are ideal but very expensive, you can find used ones from time to time though if you're lucky.

 

[AndreZA]

I think the sales people are to blame. They should make sure the client gets something that will cover their needs. I had an "airbrush" compressor and it was the one with the tank and it did not suit my graphic needs. Sold it to a model painter and he was more then happy. They paint for 5 minutes a day and switch it off for a few days. But will never recommend one, even the one with a tank, to anybody, even nail painters or cake decorators.

 

[jdub]

Squishy knows what im talking about and hit the nail on the head... the "pulse" air effect is frustrating to a newbie trying to hone his/her skills on dots and dagger strokes because no matter what it blasts that first shot... or gives inconsistent line width due to "pulsing" ... obviously some will like it and it will suit there needs but most guys that want to be able to do any job will eventually upgrade. it just sucks that the industry suppliers seem to make it believed that the compressors best and most used or best to have are small tankless oil less and thats the frustrating part!! I have seen to many people think they cant do it simply because of their equipment and good artists lose faith or interest because of it... and thats a shame.

 

[MrDigBick]

Yeah this annoyed me as I bought into the crap written on the box twice and my experience of ownership goes:

1st = tankless, oil free... excrementE. Had it 3 hours and drove straight back to the place that sold it me.
It overheated, was underpowered and just not fit for purpose.

Was told I needed

2nd = oil free / small 3ltr tank.... After 2 months of use excrementE! They're just crap put out there for noobs like me that saw a low price for what looked like the right bit of kit. Sold it on eBay and purchased...

3rd = oil cooled / silent 15ltr compressor..... I love her. She looks ace has a great capacity and when she's topping up she just hums away like your fridge would.

BUY CHEAP, BUY TWICE... I'll never learn.

 

[HeathD]

Quality remains long after memory of the price fades.

I try to stick with that saying (from my dad) , but still find myself falling for 'bargains' occasionally.

 

[HCP-draggin]

In short, they sell those because they're big money makers. They can be bought dirt cheap, slap a "brand" name sticker on the side, and sold at a large profit margin. So, basically, greed.

They are complete junk, though. As has been mentioned, they "pulse", they run hot, they pump a bunch of moisture into your air lines, and they tend to have short life spans. Why any airbrush company would put their name on such junk is beyond me.

BUT, some of the "silent" compressors are actually good units. Expensive as hell, but they work properly and can last many, many years. Any of the good ones will have an air tank, though. I've heard of people making their own "silent" compressors using refrigerator parts, which, if you have the time and know-how, would be a lot cheaper of an option.

I'm just to the point where I hardly even notice my compressor kicking on and off any more. It used to make me jump when it kicked on, but after a while, it just starts being part of the background noise.

 

[airbrushingferret]

I have a bad ger aspire compressor and it definatly is not good enough its constantly running and over heats and once they break in they are noisey although not even close to a full blown home depot compressor i would personaly never recomend a tank less compressor to anyone even interested in art related air brushing if you have tools and mechanical knowledge you can build or buy a small tank however by the time most of those compressors fill a 5 gallon tank to shut off ca[pacity there going to be over heated personaly i am interested in the ca airtools compressor but i want to do research if i do go to florida i want an airbrush compressor that works and can handle a clearing gun or an airbrush with a .5 nozzle at full blast

 

[foreveryoung001]

I have a bad ger aspire compressor and it definatly is not good enough its constantly running and over heats and once they break in they are noisey although not even close to a full blown home depot compressor i would personaly never recomend a tank less compressor to anyone even interested in art related air brushing if you have tools and mechanical knowledge you can build or buy a small tank however by the time most of those compressors fill a 5 gallon tank to shut off ca[pacity there going to be over heated personaly i am interested in the ca airtools compressor but i want to do research if i do go to florida i want an airbrush compressor that works and can handle a clearing gun or an airbrush with a .5 nozzle at full blast

My current compressor is a 6 gallon silent from California Air Tools. I run my HVLP gun with it without many issue, although I'm only clearing guitars, and they only take a few passes. Would probably need something bigger if you're planning larger project. It is pretty silent. My wife can't hear it running in the very next room with the door closed, but when the tank is done filling, the let off valve does give a pretty loud hiss and whistle which you can hear in the next room. I think it was a great purchase, and would absolutely buy another one, but might even go with the 10 gallon tank, just to run some of my larger air tools. It does struggle quite a bit with my impact wrench, but for airbrushing, it is just about perfect.

 

[splasha]

Hi,All.
Had similar problems with a compressor [light industrial] throwing spurts at start-up, so I made a small pipe tank to
compensate for this and it has sorted this annoying problem out for me.

 

[jord001]

You all got me worried now. I have an Iwata smartjet pro which I use all the time. It does get hot after about an hour of constant use but it's got no tank and comes on and off every 3 seconds ish, so am I lucky or is the smartjet a different animal?

I do have a totally silent Sim-Air comp but it only has a 1lt tank. I am looking at upgrading the tank later on and also fitting a pressure off valve to save on the motor as this one runs constant and has a bleed valve for excess air.

Lee

 

[Melbee]

You all got me worried now. I have an Iwata smartjet pro which I use all the time. It does get hot after about an hour of constant use but it's got no tank and comes on and off every 3 seconds ish, so am I lucky or is the smartjet a different animal?

I do have a totally silent Sim-Air comp but it only has a 1lt tank. I am looking at upgrading the tank later on and also fitting a pressure off valve to save on the motor as this one runs constant and has a bleed valve for excess air.

Lee

Hi Lee,
I'm confused here, you have a Sil-Air silent oil-filled compressor WITH a tank, all be it small, but you USE a Smartjet oil-less compressor WITHOUT a tank, is that right?
If yes, WHY?
Your Sil-Air is like my 20A silent compressor and I was told they will run 24hr a day 7 days a week. I haven't tested that theory but when I airbrush I don't want to be thinking about having to turn the compressor off to let it cool down every 1/2 hour. I could airbrush for hours and could paint to my hearts content with no worries about the compressor over heating and eventually burning out etc.

I have added a small 3 litre air tank to my Silent compressor but only because I wanted to save the motor by having more air storage and I took it off my old compressor.

You probably know you can buy air tanks that come with a Regulator fitted at some airbrush shops. Air Tanks

Anyway, I'm sure you have your reasons my friend It just kinda doesn't make sense where I'm sitting
Cheers Mel

 

[Talla]

Mel, If its the Sim-air model I used to have the the tank is the frame and they run continously and do get very hot. mine came with a foot switch so you could turn it on and off. As Lee pointed out they do not have a pressure switch or a regulator as such and use a bleed off valve to regulate pressure (this means if you are running the brush at the equvilent of 18psi for example then all the air in the tank is at 18psi as the rest is vented off).

Lee, have you ever thought of rigging up a pressure switch to turn the comp on and off and fitting a safety blow off in place of the bleed off and then just using one of the machine mart reg/trap set-up to regulate your pressure?


.... Should read posts properly .... you have thought about it!!!

 

[Melbee]

Mel, If its the Sim-air model I used to have the the tank is the frame and they run continously and do get very hot. mine came with a foot switch so you could turn it on and off. As Lee pointed out they do not have a pressure switch or a regulator as such and use a bleed off valve to regulate pressure (this means if you are running the brush at the equvilent of 18psi for example then all the air in the tank is at 18psi as the rest is vented off).

Lee, have you ever thought of rigging up a pressure switch to turn the comp on and off and fitting a safety blow off in place of the bleed off and then just using one of the machine mart reg/trap set-up to regulate your pressure?


.... Should read posts properly .... you have thought about it!!!

Oh thanks for clearing that up for me Talla.

Sorry Lee, I thought Sim-air was a typo for Sil-air and the techno stuff didn't sink in so forget my comments above.

I'm not sure if the Air Tanks I mentioned have built in auto on/off switches or not but they do have a regulator. They say "when paired with an auto on/off switch". If you connect the air tank to your compressor with an air hose (like I did) it is mega easy.
cheers Mel