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Made in us
Death-Dealing Devastator





New Mexico

I just purchased this

http://www.iwata-medea.com/products/iwata-airbrushes/hi-line/hp-bh/

Its my first airbrush and I need advice from someone with experience.
While perusing around a website looking for accessories I found this air/water separator that's rather inexpensive but I can't really find any reviews. I already searched forum archives and there were no answers to this question, nor anything about the product. Here is a video made by the manufacturer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY9tRSP6ojc

Despite the fact that he's obviously reading everything he says, the product is impressive.
Would this be total overkill?

http://www.amazon.com/SMC-AMG150C-N02B-Separator-Manual-Bracket/dp/B009VQ018U/ref=sr_1_6?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1391033760&sr=1-6&keywords=smc+amg+water+separator

Or would I be just fine with this instead?

http://www.amazon.com/Iwata-Pistol-Grip-Moisture-Filter/dp/B000KACCN8/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1391034292&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=iwata+filter

Perhaps you know of something better? Please comment!
   
Made in us
Rampaging Furioso Blood Angel Dreadnought





Boston, MA

I have the pistol-grip Iwata moisture trap and it works fine... Ive never seen that other thing and I'm not so sure the connection/fittings would work?

If moisture in your line is a big problem - you can also try moving your compressor/air-source as far away as possible from where you are working with the airbrush.

Both of my compressors also have moisture traps; they came standard, and I find those work well.

Please check out my photo blog: http://atticwars40k.blogspot.com/ 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut






Will depend a lot on your compressor, where you live and where your compressor is located. Down here in Florida, my compressor is in the garage with a line running to my hobby room. Humidity is so high that I actually run two moisture seperators and change them about once a month (the element can be recharged in the oven).

When I lived in West Texas, the air was so dry, I dont think my fliter ever needed to be changed during several years of use.

Small, low pressure compressors which are kept in houses with central air will tend to be closer to west Texas than Florida in most the US and a moisture seperator may not be needed for water based paints. Lacquers and enamels are more tempermental to water getting mixed in though.

All of that said, for airbrushes, the SMC filter is overkill and than some. It is rated at 300L per minute (right around 10 cfm). Most airbrushes run at around 0.5 - 1 cfm. The one CFM will run air hogs like single action external mix brushes, while most internal mix double action brushes are down closer to the 0.5 cfm requirement. The high flow can actually flow too fast for the medium to properly dry the air as a result.

Also, the little filter can be attached further from the compressor. This is a good thing. Warm air holds moisture better than cold. Compressing air raises its temperature (both due to the gas law, as well as mechanical activity in the compressor). If you allow the air to cool off more, the water is easier to remove, so a smaller filter becomes more efficient.
   
Made in us
Death-Dealing Devastator





New Mexico

Thanks for answering gentlemen. I live in southern new mexico and the climate here couldn't be any dryer. I will also be using mainly acrylic paint.
   
 
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