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Advice with airbrush compressor (Heresy advice)


Jackalwolf

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Hey all,
 
It seems unfortunately it might be time to change my compressor. My current one has performed quite well with low noise levels but for the last months it has been building up too much moisture and the PSI pressure seems to have dropped, since the regulator doesn´t work that well anymore and PSI in rest state doesn´t build up beyond 30.
 
This is my current compressor, from Grex:
 
http://www.grexusa.com/grexairbrush/products.php5?id=AC1810-B
 
http://www.grexusa.com/grexairbrush/pics/m_AC1810-B.jpg
Type: Piston Type Compressor
Horse Power: 1/8 HP
Displacement: 0.7 cfm
Max. Pressure: 60 psi
Weight: 4.98kg
Noise Level: 55dB
 
It´s on the mid/premium side of compressors, at around $200 (£190 pounds since there are no local dealers and you have to pay shipping and tax) and it´s quite silent indeed, and to be honest I haven´t missed a tank too much since it´s really silent and the pressure was stable until the regulator presumably broke.
That said, I do want to try one with a tank for my next one but I don´t want something massive and I do want a premium silent compressor, so I was looking at the following from Iwata:
 
http://www.iwata-medea.com/products/compressors/tubular-compressors/tubular-compressors-smart-jet-plus/
http://www.iwata-medea.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/uploads/iwata-airbrush-compressors-tubular-compressors-smart-jet-plus-main.png
Type: Piston Type Compressor
Horse Power: 1/6 HP
Displacement: 0.81 cfm
Max. Pressure: 60 psi
Weight: 5.50kg
Noise Level: 54dB
Tank: 0.45 liter
 
It clearly outperforms my current compressor in all aspects, with 1 dB less, more HP, same PSI, and a tank of 0.45 liters which should be more than enough for my miniatures. Plus it´s compatible with all my airbrush accessories so it will be plug and play.
 
The only con is the price, clocking in at a minimum of £264 ($350).
 
Anybody would recommend against it?

I can recomend the Iwata smart range even if there pricey. I had one for 6 years until it had an accident. I used it on and off during that period, and was good for consitentcy

I replaced it with a sparmax tc-620x wich has a tank and two hose points. Its proved very powerful with a good range of control for the psi. A bit cheaper, but sparmax make compressors for other makes rebranded and are good quality.

Major, I purchased a cheap regulator to see if there´s any difference since changing the whole regulator unit would cost me 80USD plus shipping plus tax, which would be circa 90 GBP when all is said and done for something that might not solve the issue. I wish Grex had EU stockists but it´s a problem.

Well I was more thinking taking it to a repair centre in London?

Google shows lots of places and companies that service and repair such equipment (regardless of what the compressor is for), so I would think you'd have somebody nearby you that you can at least call? I mean, it's not like it's (1) in warranty, or (2) they'll break it more than it is already. - at the *worst*, it will cost you a couple of hours on a wasted trip.

Then again, I suppose suggesting a repair rather than buying a new compressor probably shows my age! teehee.gif

The second reason is that I want to start a Vlka Fenryka army and a non astartes army (solar auxilia or DKOK) and I´m definitely keeping around the EC, but I don´t want to have that many projects in my plate plus the SoH speartip war style is quite similar to the Rout's drop down and :cuss things up leitmotif.

When I needed a replacement for my non tank compressor, I bought a generic AF186 compressor with a 3L tank from ebay, but you can find them on Amazon and lots of other places. It looks very similar to some of the name brand offered ones and has performed flawlessly for over two years now and I paid around £70 delivered. They seem to be about £80 now but anyway here are the listed details. Listed noise level is way lower than either of the two you have details from, 10dB is equivalent to doubling the volume.

 

Output 1/5 hp (150W)
Rotation speed 1450 / 1700 rpm
Standard volume 23 l/min
Pressure setting range 0 - 4bar
Adjustment range on: 2,0bar off:4,0bar
Actual operating pressure in continuous operation 0,35 - 2,5bar
Max. pressure 6,0bar
Tank capacity 3 l
Hose connection 1/8 inch 9 mm
Cable length 1,9m
Nozzles suitable for all types of airbrush with nozzles 0,2 - 1,0mm
Dimensions 310 x 135 x 350mm
Weight 5,2 kg (light and portable)
Noise ca. 45 dB (low noise level)
Overheat protection available
Shutdown start / stop automatic

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