What is a good compressor

[mickbench]

I've got some overtime payments due, and I want to buy a compressor with it. I've already got a small compressor but it's got a very low PSI. Great for window trims though, but not so good, or at least I don't think it is for getting a full car body covered with a final wetcoat.

I've looked at "Iwata?". Someone mentioned these are good. I'm in the UK, and found one on this site -

http://www.graphicair.co.uk/acatalog/Hobby.html

The smart Jet Pro for £249.00. A bit of cash TBH, but it has a water filter, and a shut off system to ensure it never seems to overheat. Plus the PSI is way better then what I currently have.

But, after using an airbrush now for nearly all my painting of parts, even small parts and in favour of the finish over brush painted I am now prepared to part with the cash. Cans of air for higher PSI are costly (although I've only brought two so far and still got a full can left - I'm being careful with it) and I can't control the PSI, and the small compressor I brought second hand is such a low PSI, it's only real useage seems to be when I need low PSI for sealing masking tape..

Thanks

[M4tt83]

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=357633

[hawkone]

hi mickbench i have recently started using the revell omega i find it quiet and u can adjust the pressure real easy. it keeps the pressure going at what you set it as it has a small reserve tank

[MidMazar]

personally i would stay away from aztek/testors compressors. Not that they are horrible but i know two people that have them and they've had problems with them. I have a aztec airbrush and i had problems with it, its like looking at the quality of a revell kit vs a tamiya kit, you decide.

[pre98zetec]

i had a testors compressor and it didn't even produce enough air pressure to airbrush.

[freakray]

I have an Iwata SmartJet which I really like

[Lurchio]

Mick, I asked this question a while ago - the concencus seemed to be iwata!

I've been looking at the sprintjet for £180 and this comes recomended!

I use cans at the moment and they are such a waste of time and effort!

As soon as I can justify the cash my Iwata Sprintjet will be on it's way!

[mickbench]

I've decided on go with the IWATA Smart Jet, being ordered at the end of the month - when I get paid..

[M4tt83]

Hmm, I had my mind set on the Smart Jet, but I thought I'd do a last search on the forum before buying it and now I'm just confused.

Some people are saying that they airbrush at 7-15 PSI, whilst others use anywhere from 20-40 PSI, so who is right?

The website I was going to purchase the compressor from quotes a maximum of 35 PSI, but on the forum someone said that in practice it has a maximum of 25 PSI and someone else said 40 PSI.

Basically, I must have the low sound levels of a hobby compressor, but I don't know if the Smart Jet is powerful enough to use with my Badger 175 Crescendo and any of its three tips.

Anyone?

Thanks, Matt.

[NOMADGAMER]

i had a paasche vl, and i just picked up a crescendo last week. how do you like your crescendo?

i'm also looking at compressors. right now I have a regulator on a huge compressor, but its not exactly use friendly.

[ImolaEK]

Just go with any compressor that is oil lubricated and has a tank

[M4tt83]

Originally Posted by NOMADGAMER

i had a paasche vl, and i just picked up a crescendo last week. how do you like your crescendo?

i'm also looking at compressors. right now I have a regulator on a huge compressor, but its not exactly use friendly.

I haven't used it yet because I only bought it a few weeks ago and I need the compressor so that I can start using it. I knew that if I didn't buy an airbrush soon I'd just keep buying more and more kits and never build any of them.

[M4tt83]

Originally Posted by ImolaEK

Just go with any compressor that is oil lubricated and has a tank

I'm not aware of any hobby compressors that are oil lubricated. Is there a specific one that you can recommend?

[ImolaEK]

Originally Posted by M4tt83

I'm not aware of any hobby compressors that are oil lubricated. Is there a specific one that you can recommend?

Me either I meant just a normal multi purpose air compressor that can be bought at a hardware store or something. I own a 3 Gal 125PSI 1.5HP Oil Lubricated compressor and it lasts soooooo long with air and has no problem with reaching high enough PSI since its 125PSI. Im sure that in the UK they sell normal compressors that are cheaper than airbrush compressors. I still haven't seen the reason for getting an airbrush compressor that costs almost twice as much as a normal compressor and does less than a normal compressor So yea...

[M4tt83]

Well the 'normal' compressors that I have seen are rather large and carry text advising the use of ear protection; not really what I want when I am going to have to use it in my smallish bedroom that I share with my brother. Unfortunately we have neither a basement nor a garage.