Well I finally made my decision on an airbrush (Vega 2000) Now I need a compressor. I'm looking for and electric one so I can run it indoors. The problem I'm having is what size tank to get. I heard I should go with a 5hp but I'm sure about tank size.
I'm planing on using this with my brush, a blower nozle (to blow clean tumbled hides), and possibly a mini flesher. Any feed back on the mini flesher would be appericated. I never blown a hide clean before but I do know I don't want to starve my tank and make the compressor work double time. If anyone could let me know what they're using (hp/gal) and if they're having any problems with it, that would be a huge help. Thanks all
Joe
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I use a 5-hp 5-gallopn tank...bought like new from local pawn shop for $100.00..runs airbrushes...air tools...Mini-Flesher.
Pawn shops are a great source for all kind of quality tools because owbers pawn and don't retrieve their items...they just need the money fast...and pawn brokers give a few cents opn a dollar value for pawned items. If not retrieved...they are sold cheap.
You can find many bargains there.
Get a Water Filter Trap (fits between the hosew and tank) and a Pressure Regulator...and one oir two 50-foot hoses with snapo-on connectors.
If the compressor you buy doesn't have a snap-on connector...you can buy them at auto supply dealers...Wal-Mat...K-Mart, etc. (same with the hoses).
Every once-in-a-while...National Big Lots stores sell tools and compressor accessories at big discounts.
Get the Harbor Freight catalog <www.HarborFreight.com> They also sell compressors and accessories and every tool imaginable...along with some you never heard of before.
~ ETCC
I have a 2 hp Sear 30 gallon tank. Someday when I replace it I will get a 60 gallon tank.
This will not work the compreeosr and motor nearly as much.
I have a Craftsman 3hp. 15gal. tank which produces 150psi. I run everything with this. Except for the noise, I love it. But like John said. My next one is going to be their large 60gal. one.
Coyote
Just a little correction from my stand point. In my experience, (construction) I've found that the smaller the hp the longer it's going to take to fill the tank. I suppose this only plays a part when the tank gets drained constantly. It's a matter of the compressor running all day to keep up or filling quickly and shuting off.
Maybe this isn't a common problem in taxidermy. Thats why I wrote my question.
Can you guys with the 15 and 30 gals. use those tanks to blow off a cape after being tumbled? Thanks for the input everyone!
harborfreight.com or call 1-800-423-2567 Harbor freight tools.
You're going to want a pretty large tank for the flesher. I have a 2HP, 10-gallon tank compressor and it can't keep up with the flesher. Perhaps a larger HP with a 10-gallon tank would work but go for the absolute biggest tank you can afford. I'm looking into a 30- or 60-gallon tank.
)ver 25-years ago...I rigged up a 40-gallon aluminum hot water tank with inline filter and pressure regulator gauge to an old 3-hp compressor motor I bought at a flea market.
Had it suspended from the cormer ceiling in my garage...best compressor unit I ever had...used it for everything with a hundred foot hose attached.
Point is...you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars for a setup. Run a connection from your smaller tank to a larger tank which is simple to rig up yourself. Use an old welding or oxygen tank with a T-fitting will do the trick.
~ ETCC
The tank itself was suspended to the ceiling joists with steel straps...not the compressor...it was on the floor connected by a hose.
~ ETCC