Which one of these..

M

Menno

Guest
Hi all,

After some courses on AirBrush I've decided to buy my own set up, which I mainly going to use to make art work paintings on canvas (in the evenings 3-4 hrs). I will start off with an old cheap spray gun but will prob buy a new Iwata HP-CP. For the compressor I have several options in mind, listed below. Being silent is an important criteria (live in an apartment), budget is around 200,- USD. An issue can be that I live in Australia, not all compressors are available. The compressors I have in mind:

- Rolair JC10 plus (Pros: 2.5 gallon tank, availability in AUS, Cons: bit pricy, not sure whether suited for AirBrush, overkill?)
- California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S (Pros: Price, Silent. Cons: Availabilty, only 1 gallon tank, not too powerfull?)
- California Air Tools 2010A
- Something like this (Pros: cheap. Cons: not sure about quality and noise)

Hope you can help me out on this. Other suggestions are always appreciated.. :)

cheers,

Menno

PS: could I run into problems with powersupply in Australia / Europe with some of these American products?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi Meno, can you please do an introduction...? Cheers Mark.

Welcome dragon.jpg
 
I will start off with an old cheap spray gun but will prob buy a new Iwata HP-CP.

I'd suggest to buy HP-C (non Plus) model. My opinion it's better for cleaning after use and between colour changes, use of small amount of the paint, it especially important for you, who's going to use only one airbrush for the start. They sell now new 50 anniversary model identical to old model.
http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=50th_Anniversary_HP-C_Airbrush
You'll get cool tool in cool aluminum box (like micron series, only blue).
You will have the same spray pattern as HP-CP has, but more convenient airbrush.


Being silent is an important criteria (live in an apartment), budget is around 200,- USD. An issue can be that I live in Australia, not all compressors are available. The compressors I have in mind:

- Rolair JC10 plus (Pros: 2.5 gallon tank, availability in AUS, Cons: bit pricy, not sure whether suited for AirBrush, overkill?)
- California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S (Pros: Price, Silent. Cons: Availabilty, only 1 gallon tank, not too powerfull?)
- California Air Tools 2010A

Buying one of these, you will not regret.


- Something like this (Pros: cheap. Cons: not sure about quality and noise)

Something like this must be two piston type, if you want to have it to work a bit longer for you. One piston type overheats too fast, lives less.
I had similar, but two piston model. Worked OK. But I'd buy one of those, you've listed.



PS: could I run into problems with powersupply in Australia / Europe with some of these American products?

110V for the US.
230V for Europe.
What you've got there?
 
Your budget of ~ US200 - approx AUS$280
I hope that is just for the compressor or you’re not going to get far.
Forget getting a compressor from overseas, the shipping will require your right leg and your first born child.

So let’s go through your list... all Aus $ quoted.
- Rolair JC10 plus (Pros: 2.5 gallon tank, availability in AUS, Cons: bit pricy, not sure whether suited for AirBrush, overkill?)
I found it online for $395. It’s not silent but certainly quiet enough to use in an apartment if you put down a rubber mat under it. Not so much of an overkill, the motor won’t struggle to keep up and the good size tank won’t refill as often as an “airbrush” type of compressor.

- California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S (Pros: Price, Silent. Cons: Availabilty, only 1 gallon tank, not too powerfull?)
I only found one reference for this one. Claims goods will be delivered within a week.... company is based in Kuwait... adaptor plug require ... warning bells ringing loud and clear !!!
- California Air Tools 2010A
Ditto above- not sourced locally

- Something like this - yes they are available from eBay, cheap enough, have Australian plug (not adapter) ... down side is that they run a lot and even with a tank as you have linked to) they risk over heating with continuous use.

If you want an Iwata airbrush then check out airbrushmegastore.com.au. They are the cheapest for Iwata in Australia, and you won’t go wrong with an iwata eclipse, definitely worth biting the bullet and stretching the budget.

If you let us know what’s state in Aus you call home then I’ll do some digging for you.
 
This would be my recommendation if you want to go with an ‘airbrush compressor’
I’ve dealt with this company on many occasions.
https://www.hobbytools.com.au/super-quiet-mini-air-compressor-with-tank/

Like I said, overheating MAY be a problem if you run a high air flow for extended times. For airbrush art you’ll generally under 30psi and when you get the hang of it you’ll likely be under 20psi.

You also need to consider what paints you want to use. You’ll need a hose (and a moisture filter if you go with the Rolair)
 
All of those machines listed has basically got the same motors. All the the same ballpark regarding power. All the same noise levels and all suitable for airbrushing. It is just the tank sizes and layouts that are different.
 
I’m going to go eat....
hopefully you’ll be back with your location while I’m gone :)
 
All of those machines listed has basically got the same motors. All the the same ballpark regarding power. All the same noise levels and all suitable for airbrushing. It is just the tank sizes and layouts that are different.

Yes, but shipping to Australia is horrendous, in some cases it doubles the cost then you need to add 10% gst (tax)

Believe me, I hunted high and low and even in the middle to find a reasonable priced quiet compressor... I couldn’t find cheaper than $300 for a low air volume one. I wanted to be able to run the spray guns too if I wanted to, so up the price went (I landed at $450 ) :(
 
Yes, but shipping to Australia is horrendous, in some cases it doubles the cost then you need to add 10% gst (tax)

Believe me, I hunted high and low and even in the middle to find a reasonable priced quiet compressor... I couldn’t find cheaper than $300 for a low air volume one. I wanted to be able to run the spray guns too if I wanted to, so up the price went (I landed at $450 ) :(

Powerful, cheap and silent will never come in one package. We are lucky that those motors has finally landed in South Africa because the price and quality of "airbrush" compressors are horrendous. I know you can't ship these to you but I'm just showing what we've got. With the current exchange rate you can divide those prices by 10. https://www.adendorff.co.za/product-category/air-compressor-range/oil-free-compressors/
 
Thanks for all the advise!
I just moved to Brunswick, Melbourne.

From a quick scan through the suggestions I think the Rolair-Ab5 might be a good option (I could even take it with me to Europe whenever I move back :))

ps: I'll post an introduction
and the ~300 AUD is just for the compressor
 
I got the cheap one (the last one on the list). I guess it’s inferior to the others, but it does the trick for me. Me too am living in an apartment, and got kids sleeping at night, but the maximum noise it makes could be comparable to an aircon unit. If you close the door, nobody will be bothered by the sound.
 
Hahaha.... that will teach me to check who posted! I’m so sorry Vlad, and I don’t care if you call me Squishy.... we all know we are attached at the hip anyway :)

We are here in Europe all like Asians, so it's hard to recognize people one from another, even the names sound almost identical Vladimir, Dimitris... how to remember them:D
Don't mind Jackie, it's all just for fun, that's less and less in real life:)
 
I found this Iwata HP-CP (the HP-C (non-plus) as suggested by Vladimir is not available through airbrushmegastore.com.au). I guess prices ($222) are in USD, right? The other option would be the eclipse, which is ~$50,- cheaper, is the HP-C significantly better? Or more convenient to work with? (for the type of work see my intro)

I also found the California Air compressor on amazon. It's 108 USD + 105 USD shipping = ~300,- AUD.
 
I found this Iwata HP-CP (the HP-C (non-plus) as suggested by Vladimir is not available through airbrushmegastore.com.au). I guess prices ($222) are in USD, right? The other option would be the eclipse, which is ~$50,- cheaper, is the HP-C significantly better? Or more convenient to work with? (for the type of work see my intro)

I also found the California Air compressor on amazon. It's 108 USD + 105 USD shipping = ~300,- AUD.

Yes, the price is like that.

With HP-C you can do fine detail work, that Eclipse is not able to do because of different air caps. Looking at your present level I'd say you already need HP-C.
Eclipse is for broader works, where you need faster coverage. I don't say Eclipse is not worth, but it's just tool for other tasks.

Besides, you can find good lots of HP-C from e-bay, but that can be lottery, as not always you get airbrush with not spoiled nozzle and needle.
 
I found this Iwata HP-CP (the HP-C (non-plus) as suggested by Vladimir is not available through airbrushmegastore.com.au). I guess prices ($222) are in USD, right? The other option would be the eclipse, which is ~$50,- cheaper, is the HP-C significantly better? Or more convenient to work with? (for the type of work see my intro)

I also found the California Air compressor on amazon. It's 108 USD + 105 USD shipping = ~300,- AUD.
The prices on the airbrushmegastore site are Australian dollars, not US.

For the price you are going to pay for the US California air I honestly think you’d be better picking the Rolair for Australian $299. You won’t need an adapter plug, you won’t have to worry about the different voltage long term and if something goes wrong you’ll have local support and cheaper shipping for repair if needed.

After looking at your pics in your intro I’d suggest a more detail oriented brush (normally a slightly finer needle/nozzle)but you can always go to that later.

In the right hands an eclipse can do some amazing things.
 
Alright, made up my mind, I'll go for the HP-C Plus and the Rolair AB5.
Which means that I also need a hose and a moisture filter, do you have any suggestions? (sorry, I did not really dive into the technical aspects of airbrushing, yet :))

If the Iwata is really 222,- AUD it's quite a lot cheaper than on other sites I've seen so far, but I still guess it has to do with my (browser) location settings or so, we'll find out.. :)
 
Back
Top