Just out of curiosity, I read the specs on this mini compressor that Tamiya most likely doesn't make, but puts it's name on it, since it's marketed as a hobby type compressor that's most likely sold at a very low price point.

The specs of a max 20 psi vs a sustained flow rate of 12 psi during air brushing is very poor to say the least. No one air brushes at that low of a flow rate. I'm currently air brushing at 15-16 psi with very well thinned out paint.

No matter the price point, it's basically useless for our modeling needs. Save your money, and buy a compressor that meets your needs, and will last. This unit certainly won't attain either goal.

Joel

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Just out of curiosity, I read the specs on this mini compressor that Tamiya most likely doesn't make, but puts it's name on it, since it's marketed as a hobby type compressor that's most likely sold at a very low price point.

The specs of a max 20 psi vs a sustained flow rate of 12 psi during air brushing is very poor to say the least. No one air brushes at that low of a flow rate. I'm currently air brushing at 15-16 psi with very well thinned out paint.

No matter the price point, it's basically useless for our modeling needs. Save your money, and buy a compressor that meets your needs, and will last. This unit certainly won't attain either goal.

Joel

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Not to disagree too strongly, but I seldom (if ever) paint at 20 PSI, and usually paint at between 8-12 PSI-- so the air pressure is fine. If you use an airbrush, you should be thinning your paint anyway. I wouldn't say this compressor is useless for modeling needs, but it wouldn't suit my general detail needs because it doesn't have a water trap, tank, or a fine tuning regulator. The clear hose is innovative, but by the time you see it collecting water it's probably too late, although you can disconnect and hope to clear the hose-- so I like that feature depending on what you use this compressor for-- I'll get to that in a bit. I suspect it also "pulses" as most small compressors without a tank do. However, being one of the leading manufacturers of quality hobby items, I doubt Tamiya will be selling "useless" equipment. I do like the compact nature and the on-off feature of the compressor when you lift the brush from the hanger. It's probably a good "first" compressor for beginning airbrushers---or a good "travel" or "backup" compressor depending on price, which will probably be high based on the Tamiya name. Let's not sell it short till we see it in action though--I've been looking for a good simple "portable" compressor for a while now-- if the price is right, I might give this one a try. I occasionally like to work outside on my patio table in the summer, or in the family room in the winter, both locations are away from my normal fully equipped workshop-- this compressor might be just the solution for those small jobs and locations.
VR, Russ