Paint Booth

[Ike the BN Freak]

Its about time I invest in a "real" paint booth, aka moving boxes with packing paper is getting a bit old...and I'm running out of free boxes/paper.

Saw on Amazon one of these, http://www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush%C2%AE-Portable-Airbrush-Extension/dp/B00B2TESUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392796675&sr=8-1&keywords=airbrush+paint+booth

The reviews seem some what positive, however I'd figure I'd ask you guys if anyone has any experience on one of these?  Plan on using either Badger ModelFlex or Tru-Color paint.  Just don't really want to spend $300+ on a Paasche or similar booth.

[reinhardtjh]

I've seen these before online at the TCP site and on Ebay.  My biggest question is that the specs say DC motor and not for use with flammable materials.  So no solvent based paints, right?  Some of the commenters sound like they are using all types of paint.  Accident waiting to happen?

[Philip H]

I've actually got one - and the solvent thing is not really an issue as I've sprayed acrylics pretty much my whole modeling career (except Dullcoat).  IT has decent but not great airflow (on the low end of acceptable)- the motor is one of those in-line computer cooling type fans, but on steroids.  Looking at the motor specs for the motor itself online I found out its brushless, so I'm only minimally worried about putting Dullcoat through it. 

It you don't have a booth, spray mainly acrylics, and are space challenged this is a good option.

[Pomperaugrr]

I have one of these and like it very much.  It is a bit small, for large projects.  I am contemplating getting a second one, as they can be attached in a modular fashion.  The airflow is a bit weak, as stated, but it has been acceptable.  I only spray acrylics, but I still vent it out a window.  You can't go wrong for the price.  The turntable that came with it is useful and the whole unit folds down for easy storage and portability.

Eric

[C855B]

Tell me this isn't the same one as the Paasche booth: http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/nepaaisphb.html. Look-alike clones are one thing, but with so many minor spotting features the same this has got to be the same friggin' one... plus they give you the hose, too.

$10 less if you order direct from TCP Global (http://www.tcpglobal.com/itemdetail_AB.aspx?itemno=MAS+B420DCK), but shipping is unclear. Shipping calculator went bananas when I tried ($42 for UPS ground? Really?) and their direct ordering website is mostly broken, so getting it through Amazon is the better option.

I personally wouldn't sweat the solvent-based paints issue due to low vapor concentrations of using a small airbrush. If you want to feel belt-and-suspenders safe, then you have to go for the big-buck pro booths.

[reinhardtjh]

Tell me this isn't the same one as the Paasche booth: http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/nepaaisphb.html. Look-alike clones are one thing, but with so many minor spotting features the same this has got to be the same friggin' one... plus they give you the hose, too.

Sure looks the same.  The dimensions are the same, too.

$10 less if you order direct from TCP Global (http://www.tcpglobal.com/itemdetail_AB.aspx?itemno=MAS+B420DCK), but shipping is unclear. Shipping calculator went bananas when I tried ($42 for UPS ground? Really?) and their direct ordering website is mostly broken, so getting it through Amazon is the better option.

Especially if you have Amazon Prime and can get free 2-day or $3 one day shipping.

I personally wouldn't sweat the solvent-based paints issue due to low vapor concentrations of using a small airbrush. If you want to feel belt-and-suspenders safe, then you have to go for the big-buck pro booths.

If the motor is a DC brushless then there's a lot less to worry about, I'll agree.

[Philip H]

I did mine through Amazon.  Easy peasy.

And I agree about the volume of paint reducing the explosive hazard - I don't rais ethat issue any more however after a not too long ago smack down about not knowing what volatility information on an MSDS was, how it was calculated or why I should be worried about blowing my house up by painting solvents in anything less then a wind tunnel.

[Ike the BN Freak]

So looks like a decent booth then.

And if the fan is brushless, I should have no issues...and if I am truly worried/scared, I'll go get a little fire extinguisher and leave it near the booth.  Or if it gets real bad, open the window and push it outside if it catches fire.

[sirenwerks]

When you say it's a computer fan on steroids, do you mean it really is a standard CPU fan that could be swapped out for an even more powerful one to up the airflow?  Or swap out the fan assembly to one with a larger cage and blades?  What are the specs on the fan, if any?  I'm wondering if a trip to MicroCenter would solve that problem.  I really need a paint booth.  I have an old vacuum I could sacrifice and am thinking about building one from the several articles I've run across.

[peteski]

When you say it's a computer fan on steroids, do you mean it really is a standard CPU fan that could be swapped out for an even more powerful one to up the airflow?  Or swap out the fan assembly to one with a larger cage and blades?  What are the specs on the fan, if any?  I'm wondering if a trip to MicroCenter would solve that problem.  I really need a paint booth.  I have an old vacuum I could sacrifice and am thinking about building one from the several articles I've run across.

Vacuum impellers are IMO way too noisy!  Would you like to hold your head within couple of feet of that noise-generator (while airbrushing)? Also, they use commutator-based motors which generate lots of sparks!

My recommendation would be  a squirrel-cage blower. Most of them use induction motors (no sparks), or a brushless DC motor, and are relatively quiet.

Something like http://www.surpluscenter.com/Electrical/Blowers-Fans/DC-Centrifugal-Blowers/454-CFM-12-VDC-SPAL-007-A42-32D-3-SPEED-BLOWER-16-1406.axd  That is a 12V DC blower, but if you look around, you can probably find a 120V AC version.