I've tested the Grex at a couple of shows and like the way it paints. Wish I could afford it.

Right now I have an Iwata Revolution R and an Aztek. I use the Aztek for general priming and the Iwata for everything else. Like them both.

I think you will get many more answers and help if you post this question to the Painting and Airbrushing section of these forums. That's where we all go to get answers to questions like this. 

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Jim  

I own and use the first two you mention, the Iwata and the H&S.

They both spray just fine, about the same, I'd say. I prefer the H&S for 4 reasons;

1.    Ergonomics, it just feels better in my hands.

2.    Trigger pull, it is smoother and again, feels better

3.    I can completely disassemble the H&S without tools, not the Iwata

4.    The nozzle gets stuck in the end cap on the Iwata, making it impossible to change to different size nozzles without purchasing another end cap. I bought a new nozzle and end cap, and the same thing happened again. Unacceptable to me.

I have no experience with Grex's, but I can say at last years nats they were getting a lot of attention and selling like hotcakes, whatever that might mean.

A note on the H&S; I guess some folks really like the .15mm nozzle/needle. In my personal experience, spraying acrylics, the .15mm combination has been useless, but I'm probably missing something.

I would think Don Wheeler has written about the airbrushes you ask about, might be worth a look on his site.

Hope this helps and I'm sorry this post got so long.

Haven't tried the others so I can't judge but I love my Grex. This is my second one and I've been very happy.

Be aware that there is a forum, called Painting and Airbrushing, in the list of FSM forums.  There have been several recent threads related to this topic, and you may want to check those out.

If you can afford it get a brand name USA made one, for quality and parts. I use a CHINA BD-130 with no problems. Sprays great.

Man, those H&S airbrushes are expensive. Someday I'll get one....

I've used a Grex TG for the last couple of years and love it. The pistol grip and trigger works much better for me (It's a more natural movement than pushing a button and pulling back- at least to me), it sprays beautifully and is very easy to clean. I recommend them highly.

I didn't realise Grex was so popular around here.

Anybody have a Grex with a fan pattern? I'm still considering a fan pattern airbrush or mini airgun.

blackburge

I just sold my 20 years old Badger. I want to buy a very good airbrush quality. I have 3 models and I want to know your opinion. 

My number one : Harder and Steenback Infinity CrPlus 2 in 1 (with 0,15mm and 0,40mm)

My second one is: Iwata HP-C (With 0,30mm)

And the last one: Grex XGi (Probably the 0,30mm)

 

The H&S is twice the price of the Grex but the price is not a problem for me, I want to have the best airbrush for modeling in the market. 

 

Thanks guys 

 

You can buy thew Richpen 113C for 70.00 brand new on eBay and it is alomost identical in every aspect to the Iwata HP-C. iwata and Richpen are made in the same factory, so it's not surprising.

blackburge

I just sold my 20 years old Badger. I want to buy a very good airbrush quality. I have 3 models and I want to know your opinion. 

My number one : Harder and Steenback Infinity CrPlus 2 in 1 (with 0,15mm and 0,40mm)

My second one is: Iwata HP-C (With 0,30mm)

And the last one: Grex XGi (Probably the 0,30mm)

 

The H&S is twice the price of the Grex but the price is not a problem for me, I want to have the best airbrush for modeling in the market. 

 

Thanks guys 

 

Richpen 113C is nearly the exact gun as the Iwata HP-C, both will perform and feel identical to each other plus both are made in the same factory. The difference is you can buy a brand new Richpen for 70.00 on eBay, the HP-C, not so much. :-(

I'm not sure why you feel the need to have a .15mm? If you are a fine artist perhaps it would serve a purpose, but with knowing your gun and good gun control a .25 or .3 will get you vey nice, tight, clean, and fine lines. The SATAgraph 1 has a .25 needle and can perform the finest of lines and is perhaps too much a gun for what we do. But that decision is entirley yours, so good luck with whatever you choose.

And this is just a heads-up, Badger is a fine airbrush company and has perhaps the best customer service in the business. Their Krome, Spirit Velocity, and SOTAR models are more than enough airbrush to handle any modeling needs. Plus they have a lifetime warranty on labor. Thats right, "LIFETIME". They stand by their products.

Greg

A note on the H&S; I guess some folks really like the .15mm nozzle/needle. In my personal experience, spraying acrylics, the .15mm combination has been useless, but I'm probably missing something.

You're not missing anything Greg. The .15 is so fine that you have to thin your accrylics nearly to water and drop your air pressure way down, and even then you have to work hard to get a nice flow. It's doable but requires a lot of practice. Inks would work much better with that fine a needle. A .15 in my opinion isnt practical for what we do when painting models. A .25 or .3mm will get you very nice lines with much less work. I feel a .3mm is a good workhorse for modeling, it is pretty much an all-puprose gun at that size. Except of course for very large projects that require large areas of coverage. Those are just my thoughts on the subject, opinions will always vary from user to user.

KWS, I find your comment interesting, thanks.

Over the years I've read enough folks praising the super fine needle/nozzle combos to convince me I am doing something wrong. Maybe not after all.

Heck, I keep the .5mm needle/nozzle loaded up in my HP-CS and that works for a lot of stuff (for me, anyway)

Greg

KWS, I find your comment interesting, thanks.

Over the years I've read enough folks praising the super fine needle/nozzle combos to convince me I am doing something wrong. Maybe not after all.

Heck, I keep the .5mm needle/nozzle loaded up in my HP-CS and that works for a lot of stuff (for me, anyway)

 

I believe the latest SATAgraph 4b is sold with a .45 needle and it appears to be a very workable gun for this hobby,( from the sample videos I have seen ). It all comes down to the user in the long run. This practicular model is a German design but made in the USA.