I have several 20oz CO2 tanks becuase I am an avid paintball player. Im looking at getting into some serious modeling after tinkering around for several years. My little air can just isn't going to cut it. Im wondering roughly how long a 20oz CO2 tank might last under normal use. I have all the regualting equipment and expansion chambers that i can rob off my paintball equipment., and i can get the fills for a dollar a peice.

With your help I'll be able to figure out if its economical to go ahead and spend the money on a nice compressor, or use the equipment I've got.

Hi,

Welcome to ArmoramA.

There are some threads here about that and some guys use that kind of bottles because it's quieter - no noise - and if you have allready all the needed parts you haven't to invest.

So try it and check for how long the bottle last. A compressor goes for about $100 + power so you have at least 100 refills of your bottle.

BTW - Yesterday I was checking some old magazines I have and at a BADGER add I saw an accessory to connect the airbrush to a car tyre air chamber.


HTH

I was thinking myself to use a tyre chamber. This approach is quite complicated and may be dangerous. the chamber must be fitted in a tyre due tu its elasticity otherwise you wont have a constant pressure or high pressure. Second, for refilling, you have to ither fill it at the gas station or use a portable car compressor - you'll need to attach a second valve to tha camera for this. And third, it is dangerous, tyre chambers are not supposed to take 3+ bar.

Rooster,

I'm not sure how long they'll last. I use a 20lb CO2 cylinder it seems to last forever. Fills are 13-15 bucks.

Matt

I seem to remember there being an issue with steady pressure and moisture in the line. IF you can satisfy yourself on these issues go for it. but I personaly feel the expence of a compressor to be worth it especially if you intend to continue modelling.

Josh WEingarten
aKA shiryon

I agree , spend the money, right now i'm using airbrush propellent cans and there killing me financialy and mentaly liquid in the tubes, unconstant pressure, and when you get low you gotta stop and shake the can like every miniute, h#ll with that , right now I'm saving for a compreser, and I would like to know the cheapest one that i can still controll pressure with .