I just picked one up at the LHS a few days back and it seems to work quite well. I think I overpaid, but that’s what LHS’s are for right? [}:)] Anyway, just curious to know if anyone else is using this model and if you’ve found it to have any unusual quirks or anything I might need to watch for as I get to know it. It does come with a water trap and a very rudimentary pressure regulator, but at low p.s.i it seems to pulse fairly noticeably. Once you crank it up past about 20-25 it’s a more fluid flow of air.
Bought one about 2 months ago and am very happy with it. The unit is advertized not to pulsate and mine does not. I am using an Iwata Eclispe and usually use 10-15 psi with no problems. I also like this unit because it is quiet.
It is quiet - a HUUUUGE improvement over my first machine from about twenty years ago. The only time I seem to notice the pulsing is really below about 20 p.s.i. or so, and it becomes more noticeable the lower the pressure gets. I was trying to spray a couple very delicately masked parts a few days back and so I thinned the paint way down and was trying to spray at about 3-4 p.s.i. The paint worked alright I guess, but there was definite pulsing of the airstream. It didn’t ruin anything per se, but it was there.
its 1/3 hoursepower, correct? i need more iwata stuff, just like a friend of mine whose getting a tamiya airbrush, has a tamiya t-shirt, hat, pants, kits, etc
Nope. It was a very delicate masking situation…due to the shape of the part it was difficult to get the mask to lay down on it and adhere with any strength. Also, I have heard of others on this board who have used very low pressures themselves. At any rate, I got the result I was looking for in the end.
Just curious to know how others have faired with this model.
I don’t know about that compressor really, thought it looks to be good quality. I was looking at a silentaire scorpion 2 until my girlfriend’s car got stolen and that money had to go to fix the console where they destroyed it starting the car.
What did you use for a mask to cover unusual shapes like that?
I got the compressor as a combination with an eclipse, I am very happy with it. I haven’t had it sputter or pulse air flow. by far superior than my first compressor which made a huge racket, vibrated the masonry loose and had no air flow control.
I ended up using a combination of circle template, post-it notes (the sticky parts) and in the end, Parafilm “M” with just a hair’s worth of hand touch up when all finished. All in all a success - just difficult to get there.[:p]
As for the sputtering/pulsing I noticed, most of my spraying is done somewhere between 15-25 p.s.i. so I don’t have a problem with it then. I tend to like to spray very fine, light coats to achieve my finishes and that’s why I tend towards a lower pressure as a guide.
The definite plusses of the Sprint Jet to me are it’s small size, light weight, and very quiet operation. The adjustment for airflow is pretty rudimentary, but it works well enough for most jobs. It did come with a water trap but I have yet to see so much as a drop of condensation form in it - and while Utah’s a pretty dry place much of the time, we’ve had TONS of rain for the past few weeks. I would expect some of that humidity to make it’s way inside,…and into my compressor’s system, but nothing has shown up yet.
I think The Iwata compressor your talking about is made for them by Sparmax. It is the same as the comparable Sparmax models. They are a decent compressor and quiet like you mentioned.
I have a new Smart Jet, which is exactly like the
Sprint Jet except for the automatic cut off. I really like it, quiet and I haven’t noticed any pulsing. If I would have done a little more research, I would have saved money by going with the Sprint Jet. The automatic cut off doesn’t work when you dial the pressure down anywhere below maximum. Since I rarely use anything more than 25 psi, this feature is a waste and probably just something else to fail. Other than that, I really like it.
cbreeze: Thanks for that post! I was just getting ready to lay out $190 for the smart Jet, but after reading your comments I think I will save the $40 and go with the sprint jet. thanks[:D]
-Brad
I would also look at the Createx (Sim Air) Intruder 2000 as it comes complete with foot switch, regulator, and airbrush holder all for $185. http://dixieart.com/TC2000.html
Thanks Mike! That one does look pretty good too. Do you have any experience with this model? Do you know how it compares to the Sprint Jet for loudness? How is it for pulsating? Do you see any advantage in upgrading to the tank version?
sorry for all the newbie question, and thanks,
-Brad
I do not have personal experience with either the Createx or Iwata compressors so I can only give you what I know from Airbrush Action magazine as well as word of mouth.
According to Airbrush Action’s Compressor Buying Guide from the April 2003 issue, the ratings for those two compressors are as follows:
Createx Intruder 2000: 1/6 hp, 70 psi max pressure, 55 dB, 5,000 hours of service, 24 month warranty
Iwata Sprint Jet: 1/8 hp, 50 dB, 40 psi max pressure, 5,000 hours of service, 12 month warranty.
I have heard good things about both compressors so I would either go with the one you like better or call Dave at Coast Airbrush and ask his opinion.
Phone (714) 635-5557 or email him at kustom@coastairbrush.com