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Graphicair A300S-D
Aha!
If you want to live for longer after using your airbrush then read on.
However,if you want to die slowly with your lungs filling and getting blocked with atomised paint spray and fumes, then skip this section 
If like me, you have always found yourself spraying outside using either aerosols or an airbrush, you will know the difficulties faced.
Insects, airborne debris, dust, tree sap, wind and rain etc, all contribute to that nice rough texured paint finish that you always wanted ?
Oh...  You didn't want that sort of finish to your models ?
The Spray Booth is, in my opinion ESSENTIAL !
Of course, if you have stumbled across this web site and indeed this article , congratulations! This at least means you are doing some research into spray booths.You will now doubt have followed a similar path to my own. Entering spray booth, diy spray booth,paint spray booth and every derivative you can think of into GOOGLE.
No doubt, you have also seen the "shock, horror, gasp" prices of the professional spray booths.
Yup, I have been there too  .
If you are tempted to use the 'cheaper' diy methods advocated on many modelling sites, then good luck.. you will certainly be dead before me .
My advice is ... Don't bloody bother !
I too considered DIY (or should that be DYI ? Do Yourself In?)
Yes, you can surf away to your hearts content and find all manner of DYI efforts, that their builders will say work. From cardboard boxes,plastic storage containers, to home made wooden / mdf boxes with computer fans, kitchen / bathroom extractors and cooker hoods.
Trust me, save up and buy a pukka machine just like the Graphicair A300S-D, I agree it is expensive, but isn't your health worth it ?
I saved up and got one of these beasties, and can honestly say I haven't regretted it at all.
This really is like comparing a dyson to a 12v car vac.
The power/suction /extraction, call it what you will of this unit is absolutely fantastic.
The volume the Graphicair A300-SD moves is awesome, there is just no way any of the 'diy /dyi' efforts can even come close.
Don't underestimate the noxious chemical stuff we modellers use to paint our models, over time you will suffer in one form or another.
Imagine, spraying your paint, enamels, acrylic, varnishes without it literally getting up your nose .. vent it all to the outside.. its a much more healthier and pleasant way to enjoy your hobby.
Here's the manufacturers Specification :
FEATURES
The unit exhausts air via flexi-duct externally to atmosphere.
Comprising: Particulate filter to 5 microns - Centrifugal blower, brushless, external rotor motor type. UL, VDE and CSA approved - Sealed electrical wiring and switch, downstream of filters - 2 metre x 100mm flexi-duct - All Steel construction finished in dove grey, plastic replaceable hood/shield.
ART & GRAPHICS APPLICATIONS
Reclining position: - For aerosol spray and airbrush use. E.g. for applying aerosol adhesives, lacquers, fixatives, airbrush sprays etc, to artwork placed directly onto the particulate filter face. The unit will accommodate artwork up to A3 size.
HOBBIES, MODELLING & CRAFT APPLICATIONS
Upright position: - For applying aerosol and airbrush sprays to 3D items (models etc) and artwork. Solder fumes, vapours and fine dusts and powders from other sources can also be extracted.
This unit is designed for immediate operator protection whereby large particulates (> 5 microns) are filtered and fine particulates (< 5 microns) together with gases, vapours and fumes within the spray/fume shield are exhausted to atmosphere via the flexi-duct.
FILTRATION
The particulate filter is a three stage, graduated fibre filter. The open structure of the first stage discourages surface loading and promotes depth filtration, ensuring a high dust holding capacity and reducing resistance to airflow. The denser backing filter and final scrim material provides finer filtration to 5 micron. NB: Spray particulate size varies from 10 to 20 microns.
Well, this convinced me to bite the bullet, filtering finer than 5 microns, exhaust to atmosphere.... how many computer fans /cooker hoods can boast these stats ?
My order was placed direct with the manufacturer, just after Christmas 2008 at a Festive Special offer and free shipping.
Do shop around, there are several suppliers who have this unit on offer occasionally, you may save some money and even get free shipping in the UK. Delivery is usually via courier due to the overall weight of the box !
Several days later, the 'Big Box' appeared . 
The unit was very well packed, wrapped in a huge piece of bubble wrap.
Supplied with instructions, mains lead, exhaust duct, instructions the booth itself is pre-assembled with the filter material fitted in situ.
The Graphic Air A300S-D unit is very well made, and a substantial heavy duty bit of kit. Very nicely finished and engineered.
The concept appears very simple, a powerful blower sucks the overspray through multi layers of filter materials down to the smallest particle.This is then blown thro' the duct to exhaust /atmosphere. All electrics are sealed against mositure or chemicals being sprayed.
The modeller is thus protected from inhaling any of the 'nasties' within the medium being sprayed.
The on off /switch is of industrial quality , switched on this beast roars into action, the power is awesome, you can even see the 4" duct 'inflate' as it blows through to exhaust.
Personally, I just cannot see any type of diy /dyi/ home brewed solution performing anywhere near the efficiency of this
Graphic Air A300S-D unit.
Final assembly simply involves slipping the exhaust ducting over the outlet and securing with the supplied 4" hose clip.Also unfolding the spray hood and fixing with the supplied velcro tape.
As supplied you can literally plug in the mains lead switch on and off you go. The exhaust duct is 2 metres long so you can push the exhaust end out of a door or window.
Fortunately for me, I have a workshop so I decided to 'plumb' it in, using a kitchen /bathroom fascia plate on an outside wall connecting onto the end of the exhaust. This works fabulously, the end result is spraying with both aerosol (primer) and the airbrush one doesn't fill the working environment with paint fumes and over spray.
As my primary hobby is O Gauge /Spur O railway modelling, my layout is fixed in situ, so the last thing I ever want is overspray covering my stock and scenics !
The Graphic Air A300S-D Spray Booth will suit most modellers, however the size is limited to A3 so models or parts that are larger need to be sprayed in sections. One other aspect you do need to consider, is the replacement filters. These are not cheap and work out around £90 for 6 , that said Graphic Air recommend replacing them every 6 months. Clearly that depends on the amount of use you give it. Remember these are particulate filters that will filter airborn particles down to <5 microns.. thats finer than most paint when atomised through an airbrush.
You only have to see what the filters catch to realise without a spray booth facility, you would be breathing the stuff in !
Yes, I know it's expensive, but what price is your health?.... my advice is to save up and invest in a spray booth if you can, if you can't well I'd seriously suggest you spray outside and not in a confined space !
In my opinion the Graphic Air A300S-D Spray Booth is a fabulous and essential tool for any modeller !
Busybeas
1. As received , the BIG HEAVY BOX ! The 12" rule is to show the dimensions of the Graphic Air unit.
2. The unit is supplied almost ready to go, just screw the 4" hose clip on to the exhaust outlet, plug the mains lead in .
3. The hood is folded and attached with the velcro strip already attached to hood and spray booth.
4. The unit assembled.
5.With the filter pad removed, there is a huge , super efficient blower unit all electrically sealed, so very safe ! A crappy 12v computer fan it ain't!
6.The front face of the filter pad
7.The rear of the pad, this gives 3 stage filtration down to < 5 microns !
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8. This view shows the exhaust duct attached
9. After some use, and in use.. and I am still alive and breathing to write this !
10. Some in spraying in progress with some 1/43 scale benches for my layout
11. The plumbing: Not very pretty, but darned functional & efficient !
12. The externals: This is the exhaust duct exit to atmosphere.
Simply a bathroom / kitchen plate, that opens under the exhaust pressure.
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