Lower end airbrush opinions?

I've been using a Sparmax SP-35C (0.35mm nozzle) for about 4 years now and I'm more than happy with it. It's got a decent weight to it and is very controllable, whether you want the finest glaze or a flood. Control is very proportional and linear. I use Tamiya acrylics and only really have trouble with the metallics, which can clog if they're not thinned just right. Even when they don't clog, I don't have the same level of control that I have with non-metallics - but I suspect that you would have similar issues with any fine-nozzle brush.

I believe there is a rebadged version of the SP-35 series sold in the UK as the Premi-Air G-35 - this differs from my SP-35C in having a cut-away handle. The price is good and I have seen some quite positive comments about this brush.  

Holy crap, are airbrushes ever expensive in the UK! You can buy a 105 Patriot from Dixie art, delivered to the Europe or Australia for $85 US, which is around £56. I don't know what your government adds for things like VAT or Duty, but I would expect a lot.

Don't have an opinion on the "lower end" brushes, just had to comment on the high prices!

Milairjunkie

Does anyone have any sort of opinion on what is the better choice from the "lower" end of the airbrush market?

When I say lower, I dont mean plastic / no-names junk, just a cheaper metal bodied brush that doesn't fall into the usuall Iwata / Badger / Paasche............... category - I was thinking along the lines of Sparmax possibly.

Thanks.

In the US, the Sparmax airbrushes are sold at about the same price as the other name brands. For example, the Badger 100LG, Iwata HP-CS, Paasche Talon and the Sparmax DH-103 are all within US$20 of each other in street price. Sparmax is considered a quality brand in the US.

I can find Sparmax relatively cheap from Hong Kong dealer, but the shipping to US is off-setting the price difference. Is the Sparmax significantly cheaper than the others in Scotland?

There are some house brands of unknown origin that are sold a lot cheaper. They look like the name brand models and may even work fine when new. But the quality is a big unknown.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95810
They are 20 bucks online, but if you have a local store they about 15$  I heard they are relabeld baddger or knock off that is very close to them.  I don't know though.

I started with this brush and it works great.  I upgrade to an Iwata HP-CS.  I can see a difference as the Iwata can do a finer line and spray at lower pressure.  But this the HF brush should work for 95% stuff most people want to do.  I still used it for base coat and experments with other paints so I don't damage the Iwata.  Their compressor work great as well.

You can pick up an airbrush at Hobby Lobby for cheap. This EZ Starter Airbrush Set as an example. Or how about a Paasche H? Which when you purchase either with a 40% Off coupon is a real deal! If you check the other craft stores, you might find other brands offering entry level and inexpensive units.

Stick with the brand names as they honor their warranties and products quality. My son purchased an AB from HF and it was simply put best described as junk. They replaced it four times (warranty) and finally handed him back his money saying that they couldn't provide him with a unit that worked properly. These places survive by selling inferior products that net huge margins. Even if they replace the item four times, they still made a profit.

My cousin is one of the executives to the parent corp that made the original  As Seen On TV-GINSU knives... which cost them to make was under fifty cents. CHA CHING! Huge profit even if you had to replace each and everyone you sold several times over. Which BTW he also told us only about 10% of all of them they sold were ever returned for warranty.

To quote an ad from Bell Helmets, "If you have a $30 head, cover it with a $30 helmet." Why risk an expensive model to that of a $15 HF airbrush of no recognizable name or lineage? Do you feel lucky? Well do ya?

HawkeyeHobbies

To quote an ad from Bell Helmets, "If you have a $30 head, cover it with a $30 helmet." Why risk an expensive model to that of a $15 HF airbrush of no recognizable name or lineage? Do you feel lucky? Well do ya?

Well said Gerald! I still am dumbfounded that people will spend countless hundreds of dollars on building a stash of kits and then complain that an airbrush is over $75 and a quality air compressor that with care will last them a lifetime is 5-6 times that price!

Thanks guys.

Gerald, I understand what you are saying, I was just looking for some general pointer on the lower end of the market, but as said not any "nicky no names" products.

I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire enamel or only acrlyic?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all thes solvent fumesI kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a "PREFERRED BRAND HERE", the most powerful airbrush in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky?

Well, do ya, punk?