Compressor Tanks

[m408]

I have a paasche D-500 compressor for an air brush set up that my kids got me. Can't seem to be able to regulate a steady air flow pressure. Looking for a 1-2 gallon tank. All I can seem to find is complete packages. Just need a tank. Any ideas?

[Olle F]

Try Lowes or Home Depot, they have portable air tanks and all the fittings you need. I believe that some auto parts stores and Co-ops carry these as well. Not sure if they come as small as 1 or 2 gal though. Home Depot #KT110003AV is an 11 gal tank, but it should work well for what you want to do. There are also kits that you can use to convert propane bottles into air tanks. Last place I saw them was at Walmart, and I think it was like $10 or so.

[Guest Gramps-xrds]

Dito on what Olle said. I had a propane tank before I had a compressor. I'd take it to a gas station and fill it w/ air. Used it as a surge tank for a small piston compressor too. Now you can get air emergency air tanks a lot of places.

[m408]

I used a 2.5' long piece of 4" Dia. schedule 40 PVC pipe & all the appropiate caps & fittings & "made" a tank. cost a little under $20 & some "engineering". I run it with the same Compressor you have & works great.

Thanks Mike, great idea.

I'm not an engineer, but, wouldn't any vessel with an in and an out fitting do the trick? Assuming that it would handle the pressure, of course.

[Guest Gramps-xrds]

Any thing will work as a surge tank. PVC or whatever. That compressor really can't put out that much pressure. 40lbs max. 20lbs normal operating press. So you can build just about anything you want. You'll need a regulator from it to your brush. That way you can change the air pressure you want to spray with.

[Dr. Cranky]

For those of you who don't have a compresssor and or are looking for an upgrade, check out the Husky ones on sale for 49.99 at Home Depot. Yes, you heard right:

49.99! I'm not kidding!!!

[LDO]

Or, if you know a plumber, ask him for the next water heater he removes, as long as it's not a leaker. FIFTY GALLON AIR TANK FOR FREE!!! Well, the one I got is a fifty. I was thinking of putting 2 or 3 in the attic above the garage plumbed together. Just hang lines down so I could fill them without having to go in the attic. Man, 150 gallons of air @ 125psi. That would last forever.

Added bonus: they come with a pressure relief valve.

Lee Owens, plumber.