Airbrush survey

[Gorilla]

Iwatas are the best airbrushes hands down, but may be more than you need for leather. All depends on your usage. I have been airbrushing on canvas regularly for about 16 years. I made the switch to Iwatas 14 years ago after my first couple of brushes fell apart. To this day I still use the original Iwatas. They are a little more up front, but they are worth every penny.

Edited November 9, 2009 by Gorilla

[mwinters]

On the same topic. I'm looking at compressors for airbrushes. How much horse power should I be looking at and what features/accessories are required for airbrushing?

[UKRay]

On the same topic. I'm looking at compressors for airbrushes. How much horse power should I be looking at and what features/accessories are required for airbrushing?

Good question!

I've been looking at Iwata compressors too and don't even know what questions to ask to find the one I need.

What do I need to know about compressors guys?

Ray

[Hilly]

Are you planning on using it exclusively for spraying dyes, or do you want one that's more versatile? If all you're doing is using it for running an airbrush, I'd invest in one of those silent compressors. You can park it right next to you, and not need a mile of hose, or have to listen to a noisy compressor.

[UKRay]

Are you planning on using it exclusively for spraying dyes, or do you want one that's more versatile? If all you're doing is using it for running an airbrush, I'd invest in one of those silent compressors. You can park it right next to you, and not need a mile of hose, or have to listen to a noisy compressor.

I'd just want it for spraying dyes, Hilly. but there are so many different ones... and some seem specially made for tanning salons - and I don't think they mean leather LOL!

The Iwata Studio Power Jet Pro Professional Compressor seems like a great compressor but may be total overkill for my needs - it is certainly expensive!

Ray

[MBOGO]

I've never worked with the Iwata, but know it is a first rate graphic arts setup rated for working with inks and such. I've used various brands and types and made mistakes since the early '80's, and for ease of use I found the Aztek a great compromise, no needles to bend (the needle is in a self contained tip), ease of use, easy maintence, reasonable cost.

Many moons ago I made a Franken-fitting on the end of my air regulator to run two airbrushes at once, with an air cut-off valve if I'm only using one during that shooting session.

As for compressors, I've always used one with a tank, wether is had a 25 gallon or a five gallon tank, with an inline moisture trap and regulator. I know some of the airbrush specific compressors are using silent moters, and are less of a nuisance when they run. Right now I've got an old Craftsman with a five gallon tank, and if Working semi-stedy it kicks over maybe every hour.

[UKRay]

As I've never had call to use any kind of spraying equipment I didn't think about the cylinder thing...

Help me to understand: the compressor fills the tank with compressed air which you draw off through the airbrush. Is there some kind of regulator or demand valve which makes sure the air pressure you receive at the airbrush end stays constant?

I guess the amount of compressed air you use is relatively small and if you have a large pressurised cylinder the tiny amount you use will hardly alter the pressure - is this the case?

Given that both of the above are true, surely the best sort of compressor is one that has a large cylinder which will only need filling occasionally? I have seen all kinds of air-brush compressors but most seem to be very small units which have tiny cylinders. Why is this?

I have only ever heard automotive type compressors for industrial spray booths - these seem very noisy. I guess the smaller 'silent' type are really much quieter than that. Is 'silent' just marketing speak for 'quieter'.

Ray

[MBOGO]

Ray,

I will stumble through answering this, you seem to have a good understanding of the concept, and I don't want to make you think it is more complicated than it is. The tank is filled by the bellows (no idea if that is the proper term) to a predetermined pressure, for the sake of conversation lets say 120 psi (pounds per square inch). When that pressure drops below a predetermined level, lets say 90 psi, a switch kicks the motor, which refills the tank, and then the motor stops running. Some of the smaller airbush specific compressors I have seen were a direct bellow that had to run constantly, and some from my understanding would give the pulsating the madmax refered to.

Normally you run an airbrush between 15-40 psi depending on what you are shooting, and the effects you want, in my humble experience. Some compressors have a regulator at the hose out point. My setup due to neccity when starting (which I am still using), was a hose to my regulator, which directly fed my airbrush hoses. In hindsight, I like this because the regulator could be adjusted or fine tuned on the fly, and I wasn't bound to the compressor. Some moisture traps have a regulator built in, but these pretty much have to be mounted.

The Iwata Studio Power Jet Pro Professional Compressor, has all these bells and whistles contained. The airbrush compressors of this type seem to have a refrigerator type motor, and are silent, portable, and self contained, without having to mount thing's to walls (moisture traps, ect). If you have the space and need (car tires, HVLP sprayer for large projects, air tools, high production level) a larger tank is very useful, and the compressor won't be running constantly.

Depending on the space you have available, your resources(cash flow), and needs (portability, amount of output, living in an apartment with thin walls and not wanting to anger the neibhors at 3AM) should determine your choice. You can easily set up a compressor for less than $200 US, http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Tools_Air+Compressors+%26+Air+Tools_View+All?sbv=Craftsman&sbf=Brand . It is what you prefer. The compressor that I'm using for airbrushing was given to me, and more than works.

I grew up around an auto body guy, and got my first airbush in 7th grade, plugged into my fathers compressor to paint model airplanes (mostly WWII and Vietnam era camoflage). Since then I have done some airbushing on about anything that could be painted, died, or inked. I am not the best nor claim to be, these are just my experiences, though, I have made some money on it, and done some work I was more than happy with. There is a learning curve to airbrushing, there is good info to be had to help you out. Practice, and have fun.

Marc

Edited November 15, 2009 by MBOGO

[OdinUK]

Hi Ray,

I recently got one of these from RDG tools, its about £74!!!:

http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/info%5f1622%2ehtml

The compressor is great for the price and I was suprised to get 2 air brushes for the price, I assumed they would be so cheap they would be useless but they are ok to get started with. When Ive learnt how to use them I'll get an Iwata.

[JLSleather]

I use the Paasche VL .... actually, TWO of them. It's a fairly inexpensive, yet broad range toy. Three sizes of tips you can use, though for these spirit based dyes I never use the largest (#5) tip. There are more precise brushes, but this is certainly "fine" enough for this work. New for about $65 US, and parts for it are EVERYWHERE.

Attach that with a 10' hose (3.05 m for our friends across the water). I like 10' just because I can use an in-line moisture trap and hang it on the edge of the bench when painting (not have it right under the brush adding to the weight of the tool).

And attach that to just about any compressor with a tank and regulator. Mine is a table-top model that makes almost no sound. 1/5 HP with a 1-gallon tank, which is more than enough for spirit dyes . It's supposed to blow 60 lbs, but these dyes only require about 20 lbs (max).

They make a VJR ("Junior) which still big enough, but has a gravity feed cup on top that doesn't suit me personally (I like to tip the brush for comfort). And the "AB" model is a finer detail brush but I think not worth the added cost (about triple, and makes a line you need glasses to see).

After all that long-winded stuff, here's MY plan... TWO VL models, 1 with a "1" tip and 1 with a "3" tip. Use the VL, let's me connect a 1-oz siphon bottle to cover large areas, or use the metal color cup when I'm just doing wallets/belts. Compressor that takes almost no room, makes almost no noise, and doesn't "puke" water into my dyes at the wrong time (which is EVER).

DISCLAIMER: The VL will spray acrylics, but will take closer to 40 lbs of air.

Oh, yeah ... the tank is for CONSTANT pressure. Without the tank, you're waiting for the compressor to MAKE the air. With the tank, you're using air that's already compressed and ready to be CONSISTENT.

Edited January 11, 2010 by JLSleather