Compressor/Apex Query

[AdrianB]

I have just purchased (yesterday) a Ultimate Apex airbrush and would welcome suggestions for a good compressor to partner with it. I want something that is quiet as it will be used within the house and I can go up to around £275. Low maintenance, relability and spares are important. It will have low to mild use, nothing long or excesive and is purely for decent finish scale model use. I was looking at the Iwata Smart Jet Pro:
https://www.graphicair.co.uk/product/iw ... gJ4_fD_BwE

However, I did speak with someone at Ultimate but it wasn't a great connection and I'm not sure we understood each other fully. I think I was advised to buy something with a 1litre tank which has somewhat thrown me as I thought the Iwata smart tech does away with the need for a tank.

Apologies if this exact query has been covered previously, I did search the forum but nothing was obvious in terms of a good match to my query ie: Apex/Compressor.

[Panzón]

Compressors for airbrush use can be had with or without the tank, and they all pretty much automatically come on when the airbrush trigger is pressed, and turn off when the trigger is released. The point of the tank is to smooth out the airflow through the airbrush. Compressors output compressed air in small, quick pulses as the piston or diaphragm operates, and depending on the airbrush, hose length, and how far back the trigger is pulled on a double-action airbrush, those pulses may be noticeable at the airbrush nozzle. The purpose of the tank is to have a small volume of compressed air to act as a sort of shock-absorber and provide a smooth, rather than pulsed, airflow to the airbrush.

[digger303]

Always buy a comp with a tank for the best results and the oil less compressors have a lower duty cycle ....They heat up quicker and need time to cool down before reuse. That time varies. They also tend to be noisier in general.

[AdrianB]

Thanks Panzon/Digger. Appreciate your input.

I've spent ages reading and watching Youtube videos regarding compressors, each has their own opinion and recommendations. Sadly, I seem to be further away from buying one than I was a few days ago

I've taken onboard your advice and will apply that to my continued search, thanks once again.

[ForbesHutton]

Compressors for airbrush use can be had with or without the tank, and they all pretty much automatically come on when the airbrush trigger is pressed, and turn off when the trigger is released. The point of the tank is to smooth out the airflow through the airbrush. Compressors output compressed air in small, quick pulses as the piston or diaphragm operates, and depending on the airbrush, hose length, and how far back the trigger is pulled on a double-action airbrush, those pulses may be noticeable at the airbrush nozzle. The purpose of the tank is to have a small volume of compressed air to act as a sort of shock-absorber and provide a smooth, rather than pulsed, airflow to the airbrush.

Quoted for truth.

Tankless compressors tend to cause spitting of the paint. You could train yourself to press for air, wait a second for the pressure to come on and THEN pull back to add the paint to the air stream, but Murphy will require the one time you mess this up will be near the end of a perfect-to-that-point paint job.

Whichever compressor you get, get a water trap for it and if you get one with a tank remember from time to time to open the tank, drain the built up water and let it dry out (otherwise the tank will rust from the inside out).

I use something like this:
Going on 6 or 7 years with it now, it's run perfectly, any faults have been operator induced at the other end of the hose.

[Twokidsnosleep]

If I may go a slightly different tac here, I would ensure a good spray booth as well.
That made a huge difference in being able to spray in the house and control the overspray and fumes
(And limit the bitching and moaning from my lady)
Benchvent from the UK is a top notch maker
If I had to get a cheaper compressor to afford a spray booth I would do so…actually did so

I have a cheap tankless compressor still and awaiting it to die. I will get a tanked up one next
Sparmax, Iwata or No name from Spragunner.com

Also I did a quick video on my regular routine in cleaning my Apex…if interested
You are welcome to ask questions so we can get you up and running….tons of little tips that make big differences

[AdrianB]

Appreciate the input, certainly compressors with a tank seem to be favoured and I have noted the need for a water trap also. Thanks for the link Forbes H, doesn't seem to work sadly.

I already have a Voilamart spray booth, nothing fancy but it will do the job........finding a location for it is another matter!

Thanks for the Apex cleaning video link, will view when time permits.

Sadly Spraygunner are outside of the UK where I'm based, but thanks anyway.

[WordenB]

I was very lucky to be given a Sparmax TC2000 which is a twin cylinder compressor without a tank. I know many people recommend one with a tank but I really haven't ever felt the need to change it. It is really very quiet and only runs intermittently as the hose acts as a reservoir. Out of interest I have just tested it and the compressor is running approximately one third of the time you are spraying at 15 psi (3 seconds spray between 1.5 second run).

[Kevthemodeller]

Take a look here compressors to match all pockets. All quality units none of your cheap rip off stuff and Martin's service is second to none

I can highly recommend the Sil Air 15A, not cheap but superb

[AdrianB]

WordenB.
Interesting to hear your thoughts on your tankless Sparmax compressor as I had been looking at the Iwata tankless compressors before being pointed in the direction of ones with tanks. I've carried out a lot more research and think I'm going to go with a Iwata Smart Jet Plus with handle tank. I found one at SprayGuns Direct for a good price, will ring them tomorrow and confirm price and spec.

Certainly not the cheapest but given the size, build quality and quietness it ticks a all my requirements. Not a done deal yet but watch this space.

Kev:
Thanks for the link to Air Craft Net. I had previously looked at their site, sadly the don't seem overly contactable at present which isn't great if something needs sorting out. Agreed, quality stock though.

[Kevthemodeller]

Kev:
Thanks for the link to Air Craft Net. I had previously looked at their site, sadly the don't seem overly contactable at present which isn't great if something needs sorting out. Agreed, quality stock though.

Email Martin unless he's ill or there's some major problem which he'll normally post on his website, he'll answer within a few hours a day at most. As mentioned I rate his service is second to none. I've personally bought a lot of kit from him, still do, including nearly all my paint. I order before 2pm and 99 x out of 100 it's at my door before 3pm the next day, I kid you not. I once had an issue with a LED desk light (only one bank would work) the light was a good few months old. Within the day he'd got back to me, he didn't have a replacement (they sell fast) as soon as he did it was at my door. With not even the slightest attempt to shirk responsibility, he then arranged for the collection of the faulty light. All in did was put it back in the replacement box, it was collected the next day no paperwork on my part.

Martin is superb, rest assured if anything goes wrong and that's not down to you, Martin will sort it and fast.

[AdrianB]

Hi Kev.

Only just picked your message up......I bought a compressor from Graphic Air yesterday, they were very helpful so hopefully that will be reflected in their service. Went for a Sparmax TC-610H Plus in the end, after WordenB mentioned them I revisited their range. Couldn't justify the cost of the Iwata and the TC-610H had good reviews plus a bigger tank.

Air Craft Net/Martin certainly sound very decent and I will take your comments for future reference when looking to buy, always good to get firsthand experience as there are so many awful service companies around these days.

Many thanks indeed to everyone for your help

[Twokidsnosleep]

Give us a pic of your set up when you get everything in and together
@AdrianB

[Kevthemodeller]

Hi Kev.

Only just picked your message up......I bought a compressor from Graphic Air yesterday, they were very helpful so hopefully that will be reflected in their service. Went for a Sparmax TC-610H Plus in the end, after WordenB mentioned them I revisited their range. Couldn't justify the cost of the Iwata and the TC-610H had good reviews plus a bigger tank.

Air Craft Net/Martin certainly sound very decent and I will take your comments for future reference when looking to buy, always good to get firsthand experience as there are so many awful service companies around these days.

Many thanks indeed to everyone for your help

Hi Adrian

No worries, the Sparmax TC-610H is a good compressor with a 58dbA noise rating, it's not as quite as the Iwata Smart Jet Pro 50dbA you linked in your first post. Which is why I suggested the the Sil Air 15A which is slightly over you budget but with 30dbA rating is like having a fridge running, it's pretty much silent.

I did look at the TC-610H myself, but found it quite intrusive noise wise, so opted for the 15A.

[AdrianB]

Scott:
Will endevour to sort out a few pics once set up (awaiting compressor and I'm working on my planned airbrushing area which is rather "snug"!) I also need to find time to navigate posting pics on here (I watched Paul-ISM's video on that very subject earlier today).

Kev: I'm hoping the Sparmax isn't overly noisy, it's a trade off as with most things in life, it seemed reasonable in the videos watched and I was assured much the same by Graphic Air.......only time will tell