Calling Airbursh and Compressor Gurus

Good choice of equipment quality. Similar set sells for about $350 in the US.

I use the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS and like it better than others in its price range.

The Smart Jet is a good choice is reliability is your prime objective. A good alternative, similarly priced but slightly higher powered, is the Sparmax TC-2000 compressor.

I am not by any means a "guru", but I did do my homework & research the subject before getting involved. I would say that your choice of Iwata compressor  & Iwata gravity fed brush are right on the money - just be sure to order an airline to avoid some bitter disappointment when your kit arrives!

For modeling I would suggest that Tamiya Acrylics are easy to use, easy to clean up & easily available (although no doubt some will disagree). 

That's a good combination. There are cheaper sets available, but those will also be "lesser" sets. You mostly get what you pay for when it comes to airbrushes and compressors.

Ditto on the airhose, and I would suggest buying a spare needle, as they can be easily damaged! Ordering the spare right away will save you time and money in the future. I'm strictly a Badger Man, but Keilau can advise if there are other spares you might need.

keilau, Milairjunkie and Bgrigg

Thanks greatly for your prompt replies.  I researched this and have a photo of the package in my possession.  I also had a look at the box set at the local shop and an air hose is included in the package.  It appears to be a complete package and setup right out of the box.

There was the metion of a .35 mm needle and nozzle  in the set.  Also mentioned a .50 mm nozzle and needle, but not sure is this is included or not. 

From the $350. US quote, the C$ cost is $100. more.

I did't jump at it right away, but wanted to get some feedback first. 

Again, thanks for your replies.

John

John

I noticed "Airbush from Scratch DVD" & forgot to mention something - for airbrush techniques, from basic to advanced, stripping, cleaning.............., You Tube is probably one of the better places to find information.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words - how many words is a video worth?

Milairjunkie.   I hear where you're coming from.  I have looked at some of the You Tube videos and have airbrushing  sites bookmark.  Been looking at this. 

I guess, I might have to bite the bullet and pick one up.  Don't imagine I could find a better deal. 

John

PaPa-John

keilau, Milairjunkie and Bgrigg

Thanks greatly for your prompt replies.  I researched this and have a photo of the package in my possession.  I also had a look at the box set at the local shop and an air hose is included in the package.  It appears to be a complete package and setup right out of the box.

There was the metion of a .35 mm needle and nozzle  in the set.  Also mentioned a .50 mm nozzle and needle, but not sure is this is included or not. 

From the $350. US quote, the C$ cost is $100. more.

I did't jump at it right away, but wanted to get some feedback first. 

Again, thanks for your replies.

John

John, first, I am no expert, much less a guru. Just a weekend modeler who is interested in the technical aspect of airbrushing. I look to Phil_H, Mike_V and Don Wheeler for real airbrushing advices.

The HP-CS comes with the 0.35 mm needle/nozzle as standard and the 0.5 mm is not included, but can be ordered as option. The 0.35 is good for general purpose modeling that I use the most. It is NOT practical to change needle size on a single airbrush. Too much chance for inadvertant damage. (Unless you have an Aztek. No comment.)

The Iwata Revolution HP-CR has a 0.5 mm needle/nozzle and is cheaper if you want one. The CR is very popular among the British modelers.

I don't have a CR, but I recently purchased a Badger Patriot with the fine 0.5 mm nozzle. I found it complement the Eclipse well when I need to spray a larger model such as my 1/16 scale tank. If you want a larger nozzle, the Iwata Revolution or the Badger Patriot are both viable options.

The larger nozzle allows me to thin the paint a little less and use higher compressor pressure. Thus, I can paint a larger area slightly faster. 

I think that the original setup looks pretty good. The only thing I'd add is an external MAC vale air conroller.   Iwata sells theirs for $25.   One can get a MAC vale clone for $10 and free shipping from TCPGlobal.  

And for about $10, one can also pick up a set of "airbrush" toothbrush.  They're miniature steel brushes used to clean out those hard to get to areas.  

And personally, I like the .35mm needle better.

But all the other things such as template, video, 10 bottles of color that came with the package are near to useless for a modeler.

brickshooter

I think that the original setup looks pretty good. The only thing I'd add is an external MAC vale air conroller.   Iwata sells theirs for $25.   One can get a MAC vale clone for $10 and free shipping from TCPGlobal.  

And for about $10, one can also pick up a set of "airbrush" toothbrush.  They're miniature steel brushes used to clean out those hard to get to areas.  

And personally, I like the .35mm needle better.

But all the other things such as template, video, 10 bottles of color that came with the package are near to useless for a modeler.

 

Thanks for the input.  I anticipated the paints probably would,t be suitable for modelers, but at least I could use the to practice to get the knack and feel of using an airbrush and not waste the oother paints.

I am still debating with myself over what to do.  The wifey says its no problem if I pick the items up.

John

Oh by the way, the Iwata Smart Jet is fantastic.  Very quiet. Very portable.  The way they set up their moisture filer is very nicely done.

"And for about $10, one can also pick up a set of "airbrush" toothbrush.  They're miniature steel brushes used to clean out those hard to get to areas."

Or you could go to a drug store, big box store,(or chemists), and pick up some dental tooth reamers. They come in various sizes. Great for tiny nozzles.