Well, my Iwata Power Jet Air Compressor showed up Friday and I was unable to test it out until today. I decided to bring another desk into my room just for spraying to separate my building area from my spraying area.
First thoughts, and I am not a professional at all on compressors, is I am very impressed. The instruction for this model are a basically two pages but adequate for anyone to understand. The instructions guide you through setting it up and testing it.
My system arrived damaged. It looks as if it was dropped inside the shipping box because the right rear quick-disconnect and the outside frame where bent a little. I was able by hand to straighten it and it is still a little off but I doubt I will return it for this small amount of damage. I used plumbers tape on all connections and found that using either of the two air hose connections it did not last the five minutes between auto restart to re-pressurize the 2 liter tank. I did find that if you disconnected the hose(s) from their quick disconnect points that the tank held the pressure without leaking. I tested it for thirty minutes and the compressor still never kicked on. That tells me that there must be a minute leak at the quick-disconnect point which is not uncommon.
Pressure regulation: I found that in order to spray at a constant pressure of my choosing I had to set the pressure regulator at 3 to 4 pounds more than what I wanted it to be, so if I wanted to spray at 20 PSI, I would set the regulator for 23 and as soon as I start spraying it dropped to 20 PSI and held that even when the compressor kicked on. It would only go back to the 23 PSI when I was not spraying.
Pulsating: I found no pulsating in the paint flow at the three pressures I tested, 10, 25, and 40 PSI. Even when the compressor kicked on I saw or felt no pulsation in the spray.
Motor running: The motor will normally run soon after you start spraying and run until you stop spraying. The tank pressurizes in normally less than 15 seconds so it is a strong motor that, in my opinion will last a long time and unless you are constantly spraying should never get that hot unless you are spraying one of those 1/72 submarine hulls. I sprayed some test stuff for about ten minutes emptying two once-ounce paint jars. I stuck my hand inside the outside case to feel the motor and it was a little warm at best. Actually I would stay just a little over room temperature.
The kit includes two hoses which I like and three convertor attachments, one for Paasche, badger and Aztec brushes. The hoses I assume are designed for Iwata brushes. Being I use only Passche I will need to order one more Paasche connector so I can have two brushes hooked up at the same time.
Anyway, hope this unscientific review helps. I am happy I made the choice and spent a little more for a compressor. The tank really takes the stress of the compressor when you take more than a 15 second break on spraying.
Last point, noise level is really low and as you can see in my images it sits on a tile floor. It does not move when running. I think any of you wanting a compressor that is quiet and does not vibrate around on the floor, stays cool and holds pressure when spraying, will like this compressor. I use to have a old Testor's model that would constantly walk across the floor. This setup weighs about 26 pounds which helps keep it steady.
Charlie
