Pace boothes. Need advice.

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** Also posted in Airbrush section but wasnt sure where it belonged **

Hey gang. I am thinking on dropping the dime on a Pace booth. After the thought of building my own and such I am certain I could build one and for cheaper, but, time has become scarce lately. I’d rather use that time to model.

Here’s my questions.

Who uses them and what do you think? Worth it?

I have been planning on getting the deluxe but will say it’s demensions are rather huge. Anyone use one of the smaller versions? Do you wish you had gone bigger?

Thanks in advance guys.

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I have the second largest and I really like it.

It’s kind of loud but it’s better than the fumes!

Knowing when to change the filter is also easy. When you can smell the fumes outside the hood, it’s time for a change.

And the size of the booth is just right for what I need. Smallest would have been too small.

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I have the largest, the Pace Peacekeeper Deluxe, and I absolutely love it! In fact, it also functions as my work bench. It has built in lighting (two) and two electrical outlets on the side which can both be operated via light switches on the front of the unit. The fan is included as well, and the speed can be adjusted via a rotary knob.

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Nice setup Scott !

I used a kitchen to place a cardboard construction and kitchen vent

It works like a charm. I am lucky to have unused kitchen downstairs so my wife let me do this [:D]

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ESPINS1:

I just saw your post during a search for booths… can you use the Peacekeeper sans outside venting? I cant tell from their web site… I wont be able to vent to the outside for a few months, until we finish some home (Basement) renovation. Was thinking of getting the Artograph instead, as it can be used “as is” with filters, but the filters are quite expensive… thanks!

6

Well, the ventilation system includes an air filter (similar to what a home heating unit would use) and the air is pulled through the filter and ducted out of an opening in the top. I have a flexible metal dryer hose which I then just prop out the window when I’m spraying.

As far as using it without venting it to the outside, a lot would depend on what you’re spraying etc. At least most of the particulates will be trapped in the filter, but any other chemicals will just get blown out the top and would fill your paint area with fumes.

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Thanks for the info… I spent another hour or so researching this problem as I will be using enamel paints on large surfaces (ie fuselage/wings of 1:48 scale). Seems I have to get my basement done before I lose my current “booth” (old outdoors brick BBQ). Thanks again for the info.

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In case anyone is searching for Pace booth info… I got the Peacemaker (largest)… few observations:

  1. The 2 light bulbs are regular 75W incand… will heat up the top part of the booth REAL fast and REAL hot… a problem if you left your spray can on top of it like I did :wink: I promptly changed them to 60W energy savers. looks like same amount of “light” , the extended bulb fits in the space, and your booth does not get hot!

  2. Be careful moving it around… the steel sheets can/could bend… and have sharp edges.

  3. It IS noisy, but moderate… you COULD have a radio (loud) or TV on if you would like…my air compressor is actually a tad louder, but nothing bad at all.

  4. Works well, the peacemaker has two fans and they really rip… the venting is high capacity air flow, and it DOES take care of the fumes (I tested this; I use enamels).

  5. you need to practice and figure out how “deep” within the cabinet you musy have your model when you AB. Couple times I washed by AB with a blast of thinner at the end of a session, too close to the edge and got some blowback. But again, only when you are not deep enough in the cabinet and shooting high volume hi psi.

  6. As mentioned before, this thing is HUGE… lots of space to leave your thinners, AB cleaning stuff, some model parts drying on the back, etc. Plenty of “elbow” room for larger pieces (ships, 1:32 A/c)

Have not used it enough to determine frequency of filter changes… but filters are furnace type, not the 70$ proprietary ones that Artrograph booths require.

Overall contruction is not too bad, but not excellent… not very sturdy, you need a solid platform… I would reinforce the main frame if I knew how to, to make the overall structure more solid.

In summary, a good investment; a tad pricey, but cheaper in the long run than Artrographs… also the largest non-professional non-custom built spray booth you can find. If you have the space and moulah, high recommendation, with jury still out on filter change frequency, longevity and long term use.

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I’m thinking about buying one also.

I’ve wondered about a couple of things though, it looks as if you will spray the inside of the booth when your painting your models. I’m wondering how often you have to clean the inside of the booth.

Also it seems it would be inconvenient with it being in a bedroom. there is no proper way to vent unless you open a window and stick the hose outside every time you spray. Cutting a hole in your home doesnt seem to be very practical but has any one ever done that?

Just curious, thanks

Mike

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Hi Mike

I went thru the same thought process as you before my purchase… few answers and comments:

  1. You paint about halfway inside the booth, always aiming towards the back… filter/fans are slanted to your LEFT, thats the route of airflow. Not a problem if you spray normally and are a “righty”.

  2. You do have to cover the inside with something… I have a layer of plastic tarp, and newspapers on top. I have (yet!) to get paint on the sides, but was also thinking of covering the sides. In either case, cleaning should not be a problem, since all you would do is wipe with a rag holding some thinner, the paint wont stick to sheet metal (as long as you wipe shortly after the mess). (I use enamel paints)

  3. Venting is a problem/issue. You MUST vent with this model… the main reason I was looking at the Artrograph was because one of their models uses charcoal activated filter system and (in theory) allows you to spray “vent-less”. Those models are also “downdraft” systems, uses less air “power” to create equal negative flow of air. However, the filters can be quite expensive and need to be changed every few models (got this info asking people on this forum).

  4. If you have a window, you can set up a plywood “slate” with your hose attached (and sealed). Open the window, put your slate, close the window until it abuts your slate, and vent away. Basically, the same setup people use for driers or internal/vertical “apartment” AC, difference being, you want it to be a temporary set up, so you can close your window fully when not in use. Depending on your local weather, you may even have it permanently.

My (limited) experience with the booth is that you vent the FUMES and (in theory) the aerosolized paint particles should be trapped by the booth filters. My wife was concerned I would turn the house siding outside my booth window a lovely shade of aircraft grey ;). Finally, your window/outlet should be less than 15’ from the booth, and minimal 90o bends, or you get degradation of venting. Look up a few posts in this thread, a member ESPINS posted a Peacemaker pic in his house, I think its a bedroom, venting out the window next to the booth.

Hope this helps!

Jim

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Not trying to be a wet towel on this party, but I’ve had a chance to look at the Pace booths, and I’m simply not impressed by the design of most of them. I’m glad many of you like them, but if you can’t put your AB at the face of the booth and blow thinner without getting turbulence/blowback, and, in addition, have to put your model at some point “x” within the booth to get the best airflow, then there’s a fundamental design problem (and my suspicions are being confirmed).

Sorry, just my opinion.

Gip Winecoff

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Gip,

I read many of your threads and post regarding spray booths prior to my purchase, you are spot on with your observations and knowledge.

Yes, the Pace booth was a compromise; I could not find a “very good in all fronts” booth that covered my needs (for less than $400).

I am experimenting with the air flow issues; seems you will not get blowback in about 75% of the inner area (including the shelf). The back/center right side is a dead zone… I put my bottles, cleaning supplies, etc there (and drying models).

The sheet metal construction is adequate at best; I was a tad surprised at the flimsiness of contruction. I think he is saving weight (and metal) by using the minimum engineering strenght needed (or so I hope!). The lightbulbs heating the metal sheet is a problem Im surprised escaped QC.

On the other hand, blowing out the thinner in my AB during cleaning at 30psi into the booth, I dont get any blowback… again, once you learn the “sweet” spot, you can AB safely… however NO WAY I would spray can into any booth, much less this one.

In summary, I would recomend the booth with an asterisk, depends on your needs. I spent half my adult life working with biological agents and in/out/around biological safety cabinets… I know how “safe” hoods/booths can SEEM, but we know that the only real measure of safety is airflow patterns. For me, the cost of the Artrographs filters and the size of the Pace tilted the balance to its favor… i wish I could sneak out a chemical fume hood from my lab (I have a spare one) but then I need a proper filter system. Or purchase an used artist booth (usually in the 2-3,000 range new).

What do you use? Im just curious… I just came back to the hobby after many years away, I was surprised at the nonchalant use of cardboard “booths” or thinking that acrylics are non-toxic so are safe to spray… as I said, Im a tad paranoid!

Thanks, Jim

EDIT - talk about timing… just saw your post on yet another “home made booth” that does nothing but concentrate the fumes/vapors and create a fire hazard… and yes, I have a fire extinguisher within reach of my booth, another one under my workbench :wink:

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Thanks JMart, that is very helpful info for me.

I’m not sure which direction I’ll go but this helps in making a decision.

Mike

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J-Mart et al,

I’m sorry I missed this thread before I posted about building my own booth, which you may have viewed. There are many hints in this thread I could’ve used. But my booth (fortunately I have the room for it)…is adaptable for many changes.

But I really love the cardboard booth…!!! Ingenuity of a modeler!

Nam