Anyone own/use an Iwata Sprint Jet compressor? Thoughts?

Bought one about 2 months ago and am very happy with it. The unit is advertized not to pulsate and mine does not. I am using an Iwata Eclispe and usually use 10-15 psi with no problems. I also like this unit because it is quiet.

Mike

It is quiet - a HUUUUGE improvement over my first machine from about twenty years ago. The only time I seem to notice the pulsing is really below about 20 p.s.i. or so, and it becomes more noticeable the lower the pressure gets. I was trying to spray a couple very delicately masked parts a few days back and so I thinned the paint way down and was trying to spray at about 3-4 p.s.i. The paint worked alright I guess, but there was definite pulsing of the airstream. It didn't ruin anything per se, but it was there.

B~

its 1/3 hoursepower, correct? i need more iwata stuff, just like a friend of mine whose getting a tamiya airbrush, has a tamiya t-shirt, hat, pants, kits, etc

QUOTE: Originally posted by 1337 its 1/3 hoursepower, correct?

Not even close. It is only 1/8 hp.

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by uilleann I was trying to spray a couple very delicately masked parts a few days back and so I thinned the paint way down and was trying to spray at about 3-4 p.s.i. The paint worked alright I guess, but there was definite pulsing of the airstream. It didn't ruin anything per se, but it was there.

I don't see where you would ever need anything below 10 psi, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Mike

At that low a pressure, you're just about pouring paint out of the brush right??

Nope. It was a very delicate masking situation...due to the shape of the part it was difficult to get the mask to lay down on it and adhere with any strength. Also, I have heard of others on this board who have used very low pressures themselves. At any rate, I got the result I was looking for in the end.

Just curious to know how others have faired with this model.

I don't know about that compressor really, thought it looks to be good quality. I was looking at a silentaire scorpion 2 until my girlfriend's car got stolen and that money had to go to fix the console where they destroyed it starting the car.

What did you use for a mask to cover unusual shapes like that?

I was wondering if Iwata sells this compressor with a 220V variant?

I got the compressor as a combination with an eclipse, I am very happy with it. I haven't had it sputter or pulse air flow. by far superior than my first compressor which made a huge racket, vibrated the masonry loose and had no air flow control.

QUOTE: Originally posted by maddafinga What did you use for a mask to cover unusual shapes like that?

I ended up using a combination of circle template, post-it notes (the sticky parts) and in the end, Parafilm "M" with just a hair's worth of hand touch up when all finished. All in all a success - just difficult to get there.

As for the sputtering/pulsing I noticed, most of my spraying is done somewhere between 15-25 p.s.i. so I don't have a problem with it then. I tend to like to spray very fine, light coats to achieve my finishes and that's why I tend towards a lower pressure as a guide.

The definite plusses of the Sprint Jet to me are it's small size, light weight, and very quiet operation. The adjustment for airflow is pretty rudimentary, but it works well enough for most jobs. It did come with a water trap but I have yet to see so much as a drop of condensation form in it - and while Utah's a pretty dry place much of the time, we've had TONS of rain for the past few weeks. I would expect some of that humidity to make it's way inside,..and into my compressor's system, but nothing has shown up yet.

Bri~

I think The Iwata compressor your talking about is made for them by Sparmax. It is the same as the comparable Sparmax models. They are a decent compressor and quiet like you mentioned.

I have a new Smart Jet, which is exactly like the
Sprint Jet except for the automatic cut off. I really like it, quiet and I haven't noticed any pulsing. If I would have done a little more research, I would have saved money by going with the Sprint Jet. The automatic cut off doesn't work when you dial the pressure down anywhere below maximum. Since I rarely use anything more than 25 psi, this feature is a waste and probably just something else to fail. Other than that, I really like it.

cbreeze: Thanks for that post! I was just getting ready to lay out $190 for the smart Jet, but after reading your comments I think I will save the $40 and go with the sprint jet. thanks
-Brad

Brad,

I would also look at the Createx (Sim Air) Intruder 2000 as it comes complete with foot switch, regulator, and airbrush holder all for $185.
http://dixieart.com/TC2000.html

Mike

Thanks Mike! That one does look pretty good too. Do you have any experience with this model? Do you know how it compares to the Sprint Jet for loudness? How is it for pulsating? Do you see any advantage in upgrading to the tank version?

sorry for all the newbie question, and thanks,
-Brad

Brad,

I do not have personal experience with either the Createx or Iwata compressors so I can only give you what I know from Airbrush Action magazine as well as word of mouth.
According to Airbrush Action's Compressor Buying Guide from the April 2003 issue, the ratings for those two compressors are as follows:

Createx Intruder 2000: 1/6 hp, 70 psi max pressure, 55 dB, 5,000 hours of service, 24 month warranty

Iwata Sprint Jet: 1/8 hp, 50 dB, 40 psi max pressure, 5,000 hours of service, 12 month warranty.

I have heard good things about both compressors so I would either go with the one you like better or call Dave at Coast Airbrush and ask his opinion.
Phone (714) 635-5557 or email him at kustom@coastairbrush.com

Mike

Thanks Mike!

My pleasure Brad.

Let us know what you find out or what you decide to buy.

Mike

Hey Mike,

Just to clarify (and not that it really applies for us in modeling) but my sprint jet says it's rated all the way up to 100 + p.s.i. - and it sure feels like it too. The dial on the compressor seems to be pretty accurate. Now if the Createx is a 1/6 hp as opposed to the Sprint Jet's paltry 1/8 I would expect it to be able to create even greature pressures.

Just what I've found on mine anyway.

Bri~

Brian,

I think that is a static load rating and it does not apply to real world use.
My 1/2 hp Jun-Air only goes up to 120 psi so I know that little Sprint Jet can't put out that kind of pressure.
The numbers I quoted in the post above of 40 psi and 70 psi are continual use ratings.

Mike

yo mike, i thought the sprint jet had 1/4 hp i think , and the silent jet had 1/8'th. i remember clearly the silent has less hp's.

QUOTE: Originally posted by 1337 yo mike, i thought the sprint jet had 1/4 hp i think , and the silent jet had 1/8'th. i remember clearly the silent has less hp's.

The Sprint Jet is 1/8 hp: http://www.arttalk.com/iwata/compressors/sprint_jet_air_compressormainpage.htm

What is the "Silent Jet"? They don't make one by that name.
You either mean the Smart Jet (also 1/8 hp) or you mean the Power Jet (1/6 hp).

Mike

my bad, i thought smart jet was a name hmmm. may just get a used fridge.

Gotcha Mike. It sure felt to me like it could have been 100 p.s.i. - shows what I know though!

Bri~

I was wondering if anyone has been surprised by the contents of their Iwata compressor? I recently purchased a sprint, but on opening the box discovered an engine with sprint on it but an air-hose set up which seemed to be more like that on the smart jet (moisture trap not connected directly to the main body but linked via a hose). Dont suppose this really matters?

Same opinion w/ jfrejo. As I know sparmax made many brands include iwata. Same spec only different brand (iwata has higher brand image-also higher price as well). I own compressor twin piston product made by sparmax but different name/decals & paint color only. Consider to compare all spec you need at www.sparmax.com.tw (yes.. it is made in china-taiwan)
For pulsation matter (eventhough couldn't handle on/off frequency cos automatic switch), I use 2 moisture trap regulator w/ gauge, one attached direct to compressor firm with 30 psi setting , another one set to my bench, base on my experience, I could set any pressure at whatever I need even below 5 psi without no pulsation anymore.

QUOTE: It did come with a water trap but I have yet to see so much as a drop of condensation form in it - and while Utah's a pretty dry place much of the time, we've had TONS of rain for the past few weeks. I would expect some of that humidity to make it's way inside,..and into my compressor's system, but nothing has shown up yet.

I have the Sprint Jet but have had condensation shoot out of my Iwata ABs before (on cloudy or rainy days). had to dish out another $20 to buy the water trap that fits on the AB itself. other than that I like the compressor, quieter than the cheap Sears compressor I had before, but still not as quiet as I would like.