noname vs brand name airbrush

The brand names stand behind their products. This is especially important when you need a replacement part—and you WILL need a replacement part, sooner or later. (Sooner if you are new to airbrushing.) With Harbor Freight, etc., you may be on your own—or up an air line without a regulator (as in down the tube, fast.)

That being said, remember Martinek's Law of Tool Selection: "The only tool you can afford is the best tool you can find." This particularly applies to brand name products. All of the major air brush makers make good air brushes, but some also make "entry level" (read, "cheap and not very good" products. Get a higher end Badger, a Thayer & Chandler (owned and sold by Badger), a Paasche, or even an Iwata, etc., and you'll probably be happy. Get a low end Badger, and you might not. Get an Aztec and one of two things will happen: you will swear by it, or you will swear at it.

As for a specific recommendation, I love my Thayer & Chandler Omni 4000. I can do almost anything I need or want to do without changing tips and needles. I also own a very old, very serviceable Paasche H that I now only use for metallic paints, but it served very well for many years in all applications.

mitsdude wrote:

Example:Telescopes Many people buy the department store junk and have a terrible viewing experience. Plastic lenses and gears. However, buying a high end Meade or Orion can make all the difference in the world because you get sharper, brighter, more detailed images. The high quality optical glass lens/mirrors and precise metal gears to move everything make a huge difference.

And those brands are cheap compared to Astrophysics and Takahashi.

Actually for telescopes I would go with Celestron, they make great instruments.

OK, we are off topic now.

mitsdude wrote:

I've read many posts here(there are to many to read them all) about brand names like Badger-Iwata-Paasche vs generics like Harbor Freight et al. The general concensus seems to be to go with one of the brand names. What specifically(examples) is it about the brand names that make them a better choice? The price difference (to me) is not that great if the brand names will truly help produce a better paint job.

The reason to go with a good quality airbrush (name brand or not) are:

(1) If offers precise control that allows you to develop your skill. I started out with a Paasche H and changed to an Iwata HP-CS after many year. Knowing what I do now, I would have make the upgrade years ago.

(2) The name brand airbrushs are cheaper in the long run. If you are serious about using the AB, you will sooner or later need replacement needle and nozzle. In the US, name brand parts are easy to find locally at reasonable price. If you buy from Harbor Freight, the replacement needle is available by internet order and costs more than 50% of the airbrush. It is also twice the cost of an Iwata needle, not to mention the quality difference. No replacement nozzle from Harbor Freight.

For occasional airbrush users, a house brand airbrush (BearAir, Airbrush Depot etc.) is worth consideration. The quality when new is quite good, but the durability is unknown. But don't expect the quality of an Iwata. The comment about replacement also applies, but you may not need it.

I have the Hobby Lobby Craft Stores with 15 minutes' drive. The Iwata HP-CS is the best deal I found when using their 40% off coupon. I love the smooth control and ease of cleaning of the Iwata.

Thanks for all your responses.

keilau,

I have been looking at the bottom feed version! I could literally kick myself over this airbrush. About a month ago Hobby Lobby had the kit version (spare parts, hose, paint) regular $149 marked down to about $49. The clerk said the only thing wrong with it was the paint set was missing. I left it there (late Saturday evening) with the intention of doing some research on the brush and coming back early Monday morning to possibly purchase it. Well, I forgot all about it until a few days ago. Naturally it was no longer there.

mitsdude wrote:

I have been looking at the bottom feed version! I could literally kick myself over this airbrush. About a month ago Hobby Lobby had the kit version (spare parts, hose, paint) regular $149 marked down to about $49. ..........Well, I forgot all about it until a few days ago. Naturally it was no longer there.

The Iwata Eclipse HP-BCS is a regularly stocked item at Hobby Lobby. They restock every month. Just check back when you see the 40% coupon the next time. If you don'e find the AB, talk to the store manager and ask to see their stock list of the Iwata airbrushes and request he/she to re-order the HP-BCS. Then, check back when you see the 40% coupon the next time. It is $80 instead of $49. Is it good enogh for you? The HL kit include a micro moisture filter and a coupon for a replacement needle. At that price, it is a better deal than any other vendors on any name brand AB.

Alternatively, you can check the Badger garage sale. Some modelers like the quick on-off type control of the Badger better than the fine linear control of the Iwata. It is the result of using different taper on their needle.

http://www.badgerairbrush.com/Garage_Sale.asp

Triarius wrote:

Also, check out Bear Air and Dixie Art Supplies