Hi every one. I'm currently looking to buy my first air compressor. I just purchased the badger patriot and need a good compressor. I've been researching all over and basically it's just made things more confusing.
I currently live in a apartment so a big compressor isn't going to work right now. I know I don't want to buy a cheap one just to have to replace it sooner than later.
I just started building models again and I need a compressor that is going to last. If anyone out there can give me some suggestions about good brand models I'd appreciate it. From what I've read it seems the paasche d3000r is a decent one but then I'll read some reviews about how terrible it is etc. help please any advice would be appreciated. Thank you
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Air compressor suggestions/help
Pdxglide
Joined: November 20, 2015
KitMaker: 9 posts
Armorama: 6 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 07:58 AM UTC
Armorsmith
Joined: April 09, 2015
KitMaker: 1,063 posts
Armorama: 1,000 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 09:47 AM UTC
Since you live in apartment I assume that's where you will be doing your painting. If so, you will want a quiet model. In addition, you will need a regulator so you can adjust the pressure, and a moisture trap so that unwanted moisture(water splatter) does not stain your finish. Ideally you should also have a tank so that the pressure remains constant and does not pulse, although with a good compressor this should not be a major issue. I use an inexpensive setup I got on sale at Sears that has all the above but is not quiet in the least. Since I paint in my garage noise is not an issue for me. Check out Bear Air and se what they have to offer.
I'm sure others will chime in with their own opinion and experience with their particular setups. Good luck.
I'm sure others will chime in with their own opinion and experience with their particular setups. Good luck.
Hisham
Joined: July 23, 2004
KitMaker: 6,856 posts
Armorama: 6,363 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 09:57 AM UTC
This is the one I got a few months ago after getting some advice from the guys here.. don't get something without a tank.. this model is also very quiet.. I also live in a small apartment. I bought mine from China, but it's the same TC-20 model. It was definitely worth the investment.
TC-20 Air compressor
Hisham
TC-20 Air compressor
Hisham
VintageRPM
Joined: November 28, 2010
KitMaker: 300 posts
Armorama: 207 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 07:53 PM UTC
I use a Silentaire Scorpian II and swear by it. It should be plenty quite for an apartment and capable of providing more than enough air pressure. They also have less & more expensive models.
http://www.silentaire.com/silentaire/scorpion.asp
http://silentaire.shptron.com/c/scorpion-compressors
http://www.silentaire.com/silentaire/scorpion.asp
http://silentaire.shptron.com/c/scorpion-compressors
FISTer13F
Joined: May 28, 2005
KitMaker: 28 posts
Armorama: 14 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 08:58 PM UTC
Quoted Text
This is the one I got a few months ago after getting some advice from the guys here.. don't get something without a tank.. this model is also very quiet.. I also live in a small apartment. I bought mine from China, but it's the same TC-20 model. It was definitely worth the investment.
TC-20 Air compressor
Hisham
Hisham,
I was looking at that set up about a year ago. How do you like it and more important, is the regulator sensitive enough to dial down to the 8-12 psi range?
Regards.
Hisham
Joined: July 23, 2004
KitMaker: 6,856 posts
Armorama: 6,363 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 09:27 PM UTC
Mike.. I'm not an expert on compressors, but all I can say is that compared to the one I had, this one is a dream. It's very quiet.. I love the fact that it doesn't keep running constantly - just when the pressure goes down in the tank. And yes, I think the regulator is sensitive enough. It's marked in both psi and Bar, and I've used it way down to a half bar, which I think is about 10 psi.. and it could go down more. I think for the price, this is a really good one. You can check for reviews on Youtube.. just search for TC-20 compressor. I've only had it for a few months, so I can't speak to it's durability.. but I'm not worried since I'm not really a "heavy duty" painter 
Francisx
Joined: July 28, 2005
KitMaker: 5 posts
Armorama: 5 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 09:30 PM UTC
Patrick -
Having gone through the evolution of compressors to CO2, may I suggest you consider a CO2 cylinder? It's very quiet (only the hiss of the gas you hear) and easy to obtain. I had a small compressor years ago then moved to SCUBA cylinders as I have two of them. CO2 beats them all in its price and ease of availability. Just a thought!
Frank
Having gone through the evolution of compressors to CO2, may I suggest you consider a CO2 cylinder? It's very quiet (only the hiss of the gas you hear) and easy to obtain. I had a small compressor years ago then moved to SCUBA cylinders as I have two of them. CO2 beats them all in its price and ease of availability. Just a thought!
Frank
FISTer13F
Joined: May 28, 2005
KitMaker: 28 posts
Armorama: 14 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 10:01 PM UTC
Thanks Hisham, That's a help.
Also, Sorry Patrick, I didn't intend to hijack your thread.....
I use a Sears Craftsman 1/2 HP with a 26 Gallon holding tank. Once I have it up to pressure I can get a few hours of a painting session in, but it is a bit noisy when pumping as well as taking up a bit of space. It's also starting to get long in the tooth after 22 years. Definitely got my moneys worth, but I'm looking to downsize a bit.
I would recommend a holding tank in whatever price range you can muster.
Hth.
Regards
Also, Sorry Patrick, I didn't intend to hijack your thread.....
I use a Sears Craftsman 1/2 HP with a 26 Gallon holding tank. Once I have it up to pressure I can get a few hours of a painting session in, but it is a bit noisy when pumping as well as taking up a bit of space. It's also starting to get long in the tooth after 22 years. Definitely got my moneys worth, but I'm looking to downsize a bit.
I would recommend a holding tank in whatever price range you can muster.
Hth.
Regards
Pdxglide
Joined: November 20, 2015
KitMaker: 9 posts
Armorama: 6 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 11:37 PM UTC
It's all good I appreciate it the responses. The more information the better. ✌️👍
Quoted Text
Thanks Hisham, That's a help.
Also, Sorry Patrick, I didn't intend to hijack your thread.....
I use a Sears Craftsman 1/2 HP with a 26 Gallon holding tank. Once I have it up to pressure I can get a few hours of a painting session in, but it is a bit noisy when pumping as well as taking up a bit of space. It's also starting to get long in the tooth after 22 years. Definitely got my moneys worth, but I'm looking to downsize a bit.
I would recommend a holding tank in whatever price range you can muster.
Hth.
Regards
TopSmith
Joined: August 09, 2002
KitMaker: 1,742 posts
Armorama: 1,658 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 04:11 AM UTC
I have a CO2 tank and regulator and would not go back to compressors. No power needed, no noise, no water spatter issues, can paint anywhere and definitely no problem with pressure pulsations. I refill it every year and a half.
fhvn4d
#159
Joined: April 07, 2008
KitMaker: 803 posts
Armorama: 564 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 06:47 AM UTC
If you have a Harbor Freight in your area... I bought a compressor from there with the regulator and all, for about 70 bucks. It is quiet, runs only long enough to keep the line pressure at what you want, and SOFAR has given me no problems at all. http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-compressors/1-6-hp-40-psi-oilless-airbrush-compressor-93657.html
Armorsmith
Joined: April 09, 2015
KitMaker: 1,063 posts
Armorama: 1,000 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 08:19 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I have a CO2 tank and regulator and would not go back to compressors. No power needed, no noise, no water spatter issues, can paint anywhere and definitely no problem with pressure pulsations. I refill it every year and a half.
I had heard that CO2 was the way to go for all the reasons you stated. What is the approximate initial investment and about how much are the refills? Thanks.
corsair924
Joined: August 11, 2008
KitMaker: 403 posts
Armorama: 322 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 09:08 AM UTC
And how big/heavy of a tank are we talking about?
while I would like to know how I'm going to manage to get it up to the second floor apartment.
I'm also concerned about the over-paranoia that seems to be misinterpreting what were previously mundane actions and I can see how pulling a 40" high cylinder out of the truck of my car will get the bomb squad, SWAT, probably the National Guard and two news helicopters coming down on me.
Shooting first asking questions later.
while I would like to know how I'm going to manage to get it up to the second floor apartment.
I'm also concerned about the over-paranoia that seems to be misinterpreting what were previously mundane actions and I can see how pulling a 40" high cylinder out of the truck of my car will get the bomb squad, SWAT, probably the National Guard and two news helicopters coming down on me.
Shooting first asking questions later.
kapoybana
Joined: February 11, 2013
KitMaker: 53 posts
Armorama: 49 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 09:43 AM UTC
I have had a TCP global TC-20T that's the model with an air tank and one of the spray booths they make and have been very satisfied with it. You will need an ABD-Badger connector if you get the package deal. I bought mine from Amazon as it's a bit cheaper then buying from TCP Global. Also it works just fine in the 12 psi range with a Patriot.
Epyonlord
Joined: June 20, 2015
KitMaker: 4 posts
Armorama: 4 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 12:12 PM UTC
I also live in an apartment and would suggest TC-20t quieter than the extractor fan I use and my neighbors have never mentioned it. I am interested in hearing more about the CO2 tho.
TopSmith
Joined: August 09, 2002
KitMaker: 1,742 posts
Armorama: 1,658 posts
Posted: Friday, December 25, 2015 - 06:51 AM UTC
A "20 lbs" CO2 cylinder is a standard size. It is about 28 inches tall with handle. Some soda fountains use this type tank. I just bring in the cylinder and exchange it for a full tank just like a BBQ grill tank.
I got the regulator at an auction along with a welding tank and traded in the tank. Call any bottled gas dealer and they can give you an estimate for a new tank and regulator. A few years ago I figured the cost of a nice compressor and figured every 10 years for a replacement and realized I was far better off with the cylinder. Try and find a regulator and tank like I did in a pawn shop and you could get in for 1/2 price. You could then just trade tanks with the gas dealer if it were an oxygen, nitrogen or acetylene tank.
I got the regulator at an auction along with a welding tank and traded in the tank. Call any bottled gas dealer and they can give you an estimate for a new tank and regulator. A few years ago I figured the cost of a nice compressor and figured every 10 years for a replacement and realized I was far better off with the cylinder. Try and find a regulator and tank like I did in a pawn shop and you could get in for 1/2 price. You could then just trade tanks with the gas dealer if it were an oxygen, nitrogen or acetylene tank.
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