does a compressor have to be oil less?
07-10-2010, 03:40 PM
#1
does a compressor have to be oil less?
Just wondering if my new oil lubricating pancake compressor can be used with water based paint.
07-11-2010, 08:33 AM
#2
bump. Surely someone here can answer this.
07-11-2010, 02:18 PM
#3
The only thing a compressor should have is clean air coming out of it. Oiled/oil less should not make a difference. However, oil less in my experience are much louder that oiled.
07-11-2010, 09:21 PM
#5
thank you guys alot. I was under the impression that you had to have a oiless compressor for air brushing. The 3 gallon tank has a gauge and the regulator has a guage. It really nice. It has a water drain at the bottom of the tank, so should i still get a water trap?
07-12-2010, 04:22 AM
#6
Tech Apprentice
an inline water trap is a must when using tools off your air compressor.
the reason the air compressor has a water drain at the bottom of the tank is so the tank doesn't rust out
remember your air compressor just compresses the air we breath and it has moisture in it and the moisture when send down your air lines to your tools can rust them out in no time and naturally decrease their performance.
having said that even with the inline water trap your tools will still need a few drops of oil every now and then.
as for your air paint pot, make sure after you use it to be sure it is given a very good clean or the paint will set in it like a rock and give you poor results next time you wish to use it
the reason the air compressor has a water drain at the bottom of the tank is so the tank doesn't rust out
remember your air compressor just compresses the air we breath and it has moisture in it and the moisture when send down your air lines to your tools can rust them out in no time and naturally decrease their performance.
having said that even with the inline water trap your tools will still need a few drops of oil every now and then.
as for your air paint pot, make sure after you use it to be sure it is given a very good clean or the paint will set in it like a rock and give you poor results next time you wish to use it
07-24-2010, 09:40 AM
#8
Just to be clear, when talking about compressors and oil there are two different things you can talk about. First, there is oil with regard to what's in the air line to your tool (clean air, or air with misted oil), and there's maintenance free (oilless) compressors (where you never have to add oil to your motor to prevent it from siezing).
You do NOT want the type that mists oil in your air line. This is great when using auto tools (air ratchets, hammers and such) because they use this oil for maintenance/operation.
However, it really doesn't matter in terms of air quality if you go with an oil free motor/pump, or if you get a motor/belt/pump setup.
You do NOT want the type that mists oil in your air line. This is great when using auto tools (air ratchets, hammers and such) because they use this oil for maintenance/operation.
However, it really doesn't matter in terms of air quality if you go with an oil free motor/pump, or if you get a motor/belt/pump setup.
07-24-2010, 03:20 PM
#9
An oil-less compressor is one that requires no oil changes. Meaning it has a trapped oil supply that is supposed to last the life of the motor and compressor and they use sealed bearings where needed.
An oil based compressor needs oil changes, like any engine would, since a compressor is basically an engine, minus the fuel and ignition. They are usually more expensive, quieter and last longer.
For water traps, I would highly recommend one. Sometimes with big tanks(25 gallons plus) that are drained often you can "get away without one" though. The problem is you will be waiting for the inevitable, since eventually water or other things could come into the airbrush at any given time when you want it to least.
I would get the biggest compressor you can afford, since you will quickly realize how handy it is for other things around the house. Drying a motorcycle after washing, cleaning the lawnmower, light work on the car with airtools, filling low tires, even blowing dust out of the garage before painting!
Best of luck,
Jim
W.E.D.
www.wedjim.com
An oil based compressor needs oil changes, like any engine would, since a compressor is basically an engine, minus the fuel and ignition. They are usually more expensive, quieter and last longer.
For water traps, I would highly recommend one. Sometimes with big tanks(25 gallons plus) that are drained often you can "get away without one" though. The problem is you will be waiting for the inevitable, since eventually water or other things could come into the airbrush at any given time when you want it to least.
I would get the biggest compressor you can afford, since you will quickly realize how handy it is for other things around the house. Drying a motorcycle after washing, cleaning the lawnmower, light work on the car with airtools, filling low tires, even blowing dust out of the garage before painting!
Best of luck,
Jim
W.E.D.
www.wedjim.com
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