hi guys. do compressors used for airbrushing need air tanks?
No they don’t but a storage tank is a good idea as your compressor will not have to run all the time. I don’t know how much money you want to spend on one but if it is one of the small AB compressors I would reccomend getting a piston one over a diaphram model. And look for one with auto on/off or a foot switch.
I agree with jfrejo. They aren’t a necessity but they sure are nice.
The tank just acts as a reservoir. When the compressor has a tank the air pump simply fills the tank and the tank supplies the air to the tool. A pressure switch turns the compressor motor on and off as necessary to keep the tank pressure between a low and high pressure. Mine has a 6 gallon tank and I can usually let it fill once and then turn it off manually and work from the tank for the rest of my painting session.
A compressor with an air tank will last longer also, as the motor has time to cool down when the pressure switch shuts it off when at it’s predetermined pressure. If you get one without a tank it is a good idea if possible to buy one that has a footswitch to turn it on and off as it will not get as hot as if you left it running all the time.
Heat is what kills air compressors.
Mike