has anyone ever used small co2 tanks for airbrush propellant? a 20 oz. tank is what im thinkin. anyone who plays paintball would know what i am talking about. i'm thinkin about getting an airbrush soon but i dont want to spend an extra 100 bucks on a compressor and i already have several co2 tanks for paintball. anyone have any insight on this?

Well meissen,
I know what you are talking about...being an avid paintball fan myself. However you need to keep in mind some things you will need:
1) a regulator of some sort (obviously), C02 straight outta those puppies, can you say
orange peel if not serious model damage. Not to mention pressure drop off, when almost
empty
2) definitely a moisture trap: you know all about the "mist" that can exit with your p-ball
3) hoses and fittings
4) refills: I don't know how long 20oz of CO2 would last w/ airbrush, but eventually you'll run
out. and unless refilling them for you is free...that = money too. I know one of those
large Badger Propellant can's only lasted a couple of Shermies. And at $10 a pop that
added up.

I was thinking along similar lines as you, an alternative (and cheap at the outset) solution to my airbrushing woes. After 5 cans o' air and $60 I decided that that was almost as much as a compressor. I didn't buy one of the $150-250 ones at the hobby shop....I went to the local Wal-Mart and purchased one of those Campbell Hausfield 2 Gal Compressor/Tank for around $80 +moisture trap and various fittings.....works fine for me. No complaints. I intend to buy a nicer (read: better psi control) pressure regulator or smaller compressor.

Just my 2¢ But one of the other guys might have a better suggestion, being that I'm not all that ejemekated when it comes to Compressors.

jejack, thanks a lot for the advice. trying to mess around with a co2 tank im sure will be more bad than good. ill probably just opt the extra money and go with a compressor. thanks!

A friend of mine uses a scuba tank, but any scba tank would work. Nice dry air, good amount, has it regulated to about 25 psi. Has a moisture trap jus tin case. Works great...if you have the tank. For what you buy a tank for you can get a compressor. LOL

But if you have a tank lying around....there it is.

Hi meissen, I just purchased one of these for myself and the price is right. At the high end I get 25-30 lbs of pressure and can adust it to what I need. Worth looking into!
http://airbrushcity.com/1601.htm