running an airbrush off an air tank?

----- Original Message ----- From: "Sara" Newsgroups: rec.models.scale Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 2:10 AM Subject: running an airbrush off an air tank?

Having done a bit of SCUBA, I and friends have often used these air cylinders to run not only painting equipment, but some can even run Air tools at very good results.

What you have here are two main problems, one of which is very safety conscious.

Not knowing your cylinder, I can only speak of my experience. Our cylinders are pressurised to some 232 Bar +, this equates to around 3410 psi. At this pressure the paint will hit the model, throw it across the town, and bounce off, if it doesn't kill both you and your paint brush, which I believe runs on a max or some 2 bar, about 60 psi.

Now comes your 2nd problem, yes it will work IF you can get hold of some kind of regulator. This must be able to withstand the pressure of the contents of the cylinder, and be able to adjust the output to the required pressure, please check on this with your air brush.

After that you have it made, as long as you have some way of getting the cylinder filled. These pressures are very dangerous if used with untested equipment, so having a full Hyperbaric test done is a must. Most shops will fill them if they are in date, no matter what your using them for, once the shop people get to know you, but his test can cost. Here in Ipswich I believe its around the £25 for a visual test every 2 years, and £30 odd for a full test every 2 years, these work alternately, 1st test visual, then full then visual, and so on every 2 years. Now this is for SCUBA, but as the physics are the same for any use of air, I think you too may have eth same testing. If the cylinder fails the shop may insist on putting holes in it so you can't use it again.

After that little bit in short YES this will work, but you must find a good regulator, cylinder, and then a shop to fill, test, and so on. Here in the UK its not too bad, as I say the Divers are very helpful, many gun enthusiasts use these cylinder to charge their air rifles, and they shop dose a cut price for them. The air is completely clean not only particle, but chemically, and very dry, perfect for spraying, just like those little cans you can get for some of the air brushes, but obviously in much larger volumes so allowing more spaying between each fill.

Hoping this helps Vaughn

Having just re read you post, you say you want to use a 'car tyre inflation storage, Have used a car tyre, but the main problem I found was with the running time as you said. Not much pressure equals the need for much more volume to get the same discharge time, so get the biggest low pressure container you can, or as I suggest get a better cylinder, often available cheep 2nd hand, and fill to a pressure your comfortable using. It doesn't always have to be at full pressure.

Again hope this helps, all the best Vaughn

while of relatively short duration, you can use them. at 20 lbs for a spare tire tank, i get about 7-8 minutes strong spray.

i have better results with a tire than tire tanks. i use a

I use such a set up. I charge the tank to 100 psi and can airbrush for several hours at 20 psi Been using it for about 10 years now and have been quite happy with it.

Vern

Sara wrote:

Well said DC. How long can you spray your five gallon can at 15-20 psi? Whilst I feel spoiled having two airsources I'm thinking about converting an empty freon can for airbrushing. tia, The Keeper (of too much crap!)