Bearair Strategic Air Control Fraud don't buy

But, that's what those valves do on those expensive airbrushes!

I don't know if you got "ripped off", but I can understand why you feel you did. Shipping and handling charges are much different from the actual shipping cost, and for a good reason. Don't forget that someone at the store had to process your order, go to the shelf and pick the piece, pack it and arrange for it to be shipped. In essence, you hire the employee of the store as your personal shopper. That's the handling part of the charge. You're lucky the local customs agent didn't hit you up for duty (as I have been )!

I've bought from Bear Air, and they are an honorable online store. I would buy from them again, but I have to admit I wouldn't buy the "strategic air control" since I have my regulator mounted on my spray booth. I already have finger tip control!

Bgrigg wrote:

But, that's what those valves do on those expensive airbrushes!

 I don't they are suppose to regulate through bleeding, at least my Iwata HP-CH doesn't have air bleed out when adjusting the air on the AB. I completely cannot stand having this thing making so much noise and bleeding air in my palm while the AB is spraying and the compressor is also running. I think they should clearly state it is a bleed valve on their web description.  

Bgrigg wrote:

I've bought from Bear Air, and they are an honorable online store. I would buy from them again,

I would think they are honorable at least according to my last experience with them about 5 years ago when I bought my Iwata PowerJet and Eclipse CH from them. They had the best price on the net. But this time I totally got wasted.

I'm sorry to hear that you're not pleased with BearAir. I've bought things from them several times and have no complaints. For me, I use a Harder & Steenbeck AB Holder/manifold with an H & S braided airhose that has a micro-adjustable valve. Bewteen the MAV and the regulators on my compressors, I can achieve very precise control of air flow. As a result, I don't see the need for a MAC attached to an air brush.

scrambler8 wrote:

with an H & S braided airhose that has a micro-adjustable valve.

Where did you get that hose with the valve?

I bought mine at airbrushpeople.com. They are great people to buy from. I've spoken with a girl/lady named Sally, and she is very friendly and helpful. They ship immediately and I've received all of my orders from them in a few days!

You can find the hose on their website under ""Hoses & Adapters" for $41.60. If you order $80.00 or more, they pay for shipping. It is a braided hose that is 9' long.

Impressive setup. Your blue compressor looks a bit like my Campbell Hausfeld welder...

Sorry to hear you were misled by the advertising...I would hate to say it was fraud and don't buy...I'm sure a reputable dealer like that really didn't set out to de-fraud you out of money. They could have done a better job of explaining it but when you throw a post out there with the company name, the words do not buy and the word fraud people can get a bit turned off. Just my 2 cents.

I love how we always gotta get the next new things.  I got one of those MAC valve guns and when using it was still doing my pressure adjustments with the regulator on my compressor (which I had paid $60 for years ago and was still working fine).  One of those things - that I kind of slapped myself on the forehead and called me a sucker. 

It's all about the marketing.  We'll buy anything if they can get us to think we need it.  Even if we don't, LOL

 Kosmonot out

My big beef with the Bear Air SAC would be the size. For that reason alone, I would not be inclined to try it. However, I don't think that the idea behind a MAC, SAC or whatever, is a bad idea and may be helpful in some cases.

As posted in the pics, I have a MAC located at my manifold, so it takes care of the brush I'm using regardless. Also, I find it a bit easier to use there than on the brush itself. I think these valves can be helpful, but certainly not necessary to get good results.

I agree scrambler.  I'm just a creature of habit and found out I didn't need it after I got it.  But it seemed like it would be cool at the time, LOL

kosmonot out