The Iwata Smart Jet model features "SMART" technology and is a great compressor for the occasional and professional artist doing general airbrush applications. The Smart Jet is powerful, compact, reliable and quiet. Iwata Studio Series compressors are absolutely the best value in the world at a discounted price that doesn?t blow you away.
Iwata's Smart Jet Compressor shuts itself off automatically when not in use. This helps prevent heat-related moisture buildup, reduces running time, and lengthens the life of the motor. The Iwata Smart Jet air compressor will still produce full capacity air flow on demand and is built to be inherently quieter than other compessors.
This 1/8 hp compressor has zero maintenance, oil-less, piston motor, with an on/off switch. A moisture filter prevents pulsation. A mounted air pressure gauge allows a working pressure from 1 PSI to 35 PSI. A high strength polyurethane air hose is included, which fits all Iwata airbrushes and comes with a built-in airbrush holder.
Iwata Smart Jet Compressor
Iwata Smart Jet Technology:
Iwata Smart Jet Features:
Iwata Smart Jet Specifications
To be honest, I have never been interested in purchasing a small air compressor for airbrushing. My shop has two extremely large compressors running the entire facility. I have a outlet for air virtually every few feet that I can plug into. Recently I did a onsite airbrushing demonstration. Bill Williams from Aset/Iwata brought an Iwata Smart Jet compressor for me to use at the location. I was impressed by it within the first few minutes of use. Bills daughter and CFO of Aset wanted me to airbrush some Angel wings on a cowboy hat for her. I ran out of time to do them at the demo so, I took the Smart Jet home with me so I could do them later that night. I set it up in my kitchen and went to town on the Angel wings. I was amazed by how quiet the compressor was and the fact that even with heavy use, the compressor could maintain a constant pressure of 35 psi. The motor would only turn on for approximately 3 seconds to keep the tank filled with air. By the end of the second day of the demonstration, I knew I had to have one of these units. Now I use this for all airbrushing, even at my shop.
The Iwata Smart Jet can be purchased either as a seperate unit or you can buy it in a kit. The one I have is a kit that is offered exclusivly by Aset/Iwata. It came with everything you see here. The "Airbrush Concepts" dvd is a airbrushing introduction by Craig Frasier.
This is how it looks when set up. You will notice that it has a fold up grap handle on the top that make it easy to move around.
If you have ever airbrushed in a large shop you know that you are always looking for a place to sit your airbrush down so it will not get damaged. This was one of my favorite features. A built in airbrush holder. No more dropping it and damaging the air cap or cup.
When airbrushing it is very important to maintain a set amount of air pressure "psi". The Smart Jet has a built in air regulator. I like the fact that I can see if there is a air leak in the system. Most of the time you wouldn't even know that you had a leak. Most commom leaks are from a tiny pinhole in your air line or you have a simple loose connection.
Having any water from moisture build up can ruin a illustration real fast. The Smart Jet comes with a in-line water trap. Located at the bottom of the water trap is a air bleed valve. The Smart Jet also comes with an extra long primary hose that installs between the compressor and water trap to help aleviate any moisture. So far, I have yet to even see moisture develop in the water trap at all.
The water trap and pressure gauge (regulator) is easily removable for maintenance and cleaning.
The compressor has suction cups mounted to the legs. These keep the compressor from vibrating whatever surface it is and keeps it from walking around a table like most cheaper compressors do.
Iwata really went out of their way to make the compressor extremely user friendly. The on and off switch is located at the top of the unit.
If you purchase a "kit", it comes with a Iwata Eclipse HP-CS. Then Eclipse is hands down the best beginner/intermediate airbrush on the market.
Overall, I love everything about this compressor. I couldn't find anything that needed improvement. Except the air hose for the airbrush. The hose that comes with the kit is the cheap, thin, polyurethane hose that tangles itself up. I replaced it with a braided air hose. I was able to see a noticeable improvement with my illustrations by having even more control with the performance of my airbrush. I highly recommend the Smart Jet Compressor to every artist, beginner or pro. You can purchase the compressor alone or in one of the "kit" versions. There is also a less expensive version of the Smart Jet compressor. The Sprint Jet is the exact same unit except it does not include the extended air hose or the airbrush holder.
DELUXE AIRBRUSH KIT:
On Sale at Jerry's Artarama
Sale $319.99
Smart Jet Compressor
Average Price $199.97
Sprint Jet Compressor
Average Price $159.00
AUTOMOTIVE AIRBRUSH KIT:
Average Price $450.00
IWATA SMART JET
COMPRESSOR
Written By Steven Craig
ARTIST PROFILE
STEVEN CRAIG
Steven Craig is the owner and head painter of SKC CUSTOMZ in Lake Havasu City, AZ. In the past Steven has won the House of Kolor Prestigeous Painter Award and was a 1st Place winner of Dupont's Hot Hues Awards. He most recently was awarded the Matrix System's FX Grand Prize Award. Steve paints a wide range
of jobs from guitars to large off shore boats. Visit his web site at
