Test airbrush chosen

I will be using the Sparmax DH-103 as the brush I will test products with.

Vintage Thayer & Chandler

1960's model A in original case with instructions and test sheet.

1960's A model with original hose fitting.

1980's model A with original case, instructions and box, which is now squared off.

1980's model A with included accessories, note nozzle cover is now plastic.

UPDATE: All cleaned and the parts have arrived, now to try it.

I recently received two 1960s and one 1980s model As. All are in good condition with their original cases and instruction sheets. The cases are fantastic hard shells with nice metal trim and silk lining and a velour base. The base has a metal clip riveted on that holds the brush firmly in place without damaging it. the only difference between the 1960s and 1980s cases are the shape, with the 80s one being squared off.

First Review Sparmax Portable Battery Compressor

Everything included with the compressor. Sp-35 airbrush pictured is recommended by Sparmax as it has a low 10 psi operating range.

• DAC-25 Compressor
• 100-240v Mains power
• NiMH battery pack (not banned for travel like Lithium)
• Multi voltage battery charger
• Australian plug adapters 
• Braided hose 1/8th" fitting with a proprietary compressor fitting.
• Padded bag with belt loops and two style carry strap

Pictured with a 20c piece for size comparison

Specifications: Sparmax DAC-25

• Airflow: 6~7 lpm
• Constant Air Flow: 3 L/min at 10 psi
• Max pressure: 26 psi
• Power: 100-240v mains and 12v  battery pack
• Weight: 0.4kgs/0.9lbs
• Size:  Lx10 Wx5 Hx10.5 cm

I personally own this compressor and have been using it for a couple of years. I have hooked it up to a pressure gauge and it reaches exactly 26psi. Sparmax recommend the SP-35 Air Brush  for this model compressor and I got it as a set. The same set is also sold under other names, Temptu, Graftobian, OCC and Kett. Sometimes with the compressor housed differently. Temptu having the fanciest packaging.

Running the compressor continuously does not over heat the unit, it can also be run inside the carry bag. I have run mine for over 1 1/2 hours with no trouble. The battery pack on a full charge will last just over an hour if run continuously and much longer if you use it in shorter bursts as would be normal.

Here are the results for maximum continuous  pressure with product. I fitted a pressure gage between the compressor and guns that were all fitted with quick connects. The product used to test was Badger Air Opaque.  I also used the mains power and not the battery. I have listed if the brush will spray and the maximum continuous psi reached with each brush.

• Sparmax SP-35 YES  @12 psi (recommended by Sparmax for use with the compressor)
• iwata HP-C+ YES @12 psi
• Sparmax DH-103 YES (similar to the old HP-C)  @12-13 psi BEST
• Thayer & Chandler Vega 2000 from the 1990's ONLY WITH PROPERLY THINNED PRODUCT @ 8 psi
• Thayer & Chandler from the 1950/60's YES @12 psi
• Harder & Steenbeck Infinity .4mm needl YES @ 8-9 psi
• Paasche H #3 nozzle NO @ 8 psi (consistent pressure but low air supply, only use it if you need a spatter effect)
• Paasche Talon .38mm needle YES  @ 8 psi
• Aztec A470 Tan fine nozzle YES @ 8-10 psi
• Badger 200  Medium needle NO  @ 6 psi WORST

These tests show that you do not have to use the recommended SP-35 brush with the compressor.

Two brushes did not fare well,  the Paashe H needs more air flow and will only give a grainy stipple coverage, this is to expected as it is the only external mix brush. The Badger 200 also needs more air flow and would only work in spurts.
The Sparmax DH-103 was the unexpected standout.

Check the links

Adding links to the various official manufacturers sites and other interesting airbrush sites.

Welcome

Reviews on airbrushes, compressors and the different products used with them will follow shortly.

Airbrush Equipment Reviews

Soon I will be reviewing airbrushes, compressors, products and accessories used for make-up.

IMATS Sydney 2010

The International Make-Up Artist Trade Show—better known as IMATS—will bring world-class make-up talent to Australia September 18-19, 2010 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year will be bigger and will have the student competition.

Merry Christmas

To one and all, have a Merry Christmas and happy New Year

IMATS Sydney

Thousands of make-up artists, vendors, manufacturers and enthusiasts convene for the make-up world’s biggest gathering to discuss, display, discover and collect the best the industry has to offer. If you’ve ever wanted to learn the techniques or experiment with the products, or if you just have an interest in the art of make-up, then Sydney is where you need to be. The show is open to the public. No make-up artist credentials are required to get you in the door.

The Sydney Convention Centre (located on Darling Drive near Darling Harbour) will host IMATS, presented by Make-Up Artist magazine. On September 12 and 13, 2009, make-up pros will come together to provide the finest education and demonstrations in the world— ideas will be exchanged, products tried, and make-up secrets revealed.

Along with the keynote presentations, IMATS Sydney will feature more than 50 international cosmetics vendors and educational seminars held throughout the weekend. A gothic theme has been chosen for the IMATS student competition’s beauty/fantasy component; the prosthetic/character competition has an X-Men mutants theme.

**Tickets are available for purchase at http://makeupmag.com/imats_tickets/cPath/194/.

**Our partner hotel for this event is the Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. For a discount room rate, phone 0011-61-02 9265-6052, fax 0011-61-02-9266 2083 or e-mail denise.osullivan@hilton.com. Make sure to provide the booking code GMAKE. http://www.hiltonsydney.com.au/

**EXHIBITOR LIST**

ACMUSE

Artistry of Makeup Academy

Art & Tech College

Atelier Makeup

Ben Nye

Crown Brush

Designer Makeup Tools

Encore Beauty

Evolve Makeup

Gorgeous Cosmetics

Kryolan

Lashes on Line

M.A.C. (Educational Sponsor)

Make-Up Artist magazine

Make Up Business

Make Up Effects Group

Making Faces

Makeup Foundation

Media Makeup Academy featuring Make Up For Ever

Mehron

Naked Cosmetics

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

Pacific Trade Group

Rowe Trading

Royal Brush

SHDC

Smooth-On

Ultimate Brush Roll

Yaby Cosmetics

(More exhibitors to be added once they're confirmed.

Re-Released Action figures

While in HobbyCo this afternoon I saw these. Re-released Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the original style cards, they had the turtles plus the figures I never had the bad guys and Casey Jone and April O'Neil. I remember opening the original figures. They also had the Biker Mice from Mars. The photos are taken with my phone camera.

Anzac Day 2009

Earth Hour - Sydney

This photo was taken from Glebe looking at the city skyline at 9:15 28/2/2009. The houses in the foreground and all of the corporate signs are out plus Star City which went out a little lateer than the others. The fish market however did not dim a single light as seen in left hand side of the picture.

Just set up BlogWriter Lite for my iPod touch.

Great Light

I just shot this from the balcony, it has been raining all day then it cleared just as the sun set creating this great view. Sorry for the grain but the auto iso picked 1600 and I forgot to check.

Paasche Colour Cup Cap

After spilling airbrush colours on my pants and myself one to many times, I decided I needed a cap for my Paasche H colour cup. Searching countless art and hobby stores turned up nothing. My next hope was the internet, surely there would be someone who had a lid for the Paasche. Hours of searching the world wide web turned up nothing.I decided to create my own and after a few failed attempts came up with the cap shown fitted to my 1/4oz colour cup.

Finally no more ruining my pants and as an added bonus the cup can be tilted at angles that would not normally be possible . I have since found out that the cap will also fit VL 1/4oz colour cups. Email me if you would like to know more.

Test Post

This is a test post to check colours