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Good Airbrush for detail work?

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  • Member since
    September 2010
Good Airbrush for detail work?
Posted by abunn1 on Sunday, December 5, 2010 5:23 PM

I currently have a cheap harbor freight double action airbrush that I have been using for modeling. It works good for general coverage work but I can't get it to do detail work at all.

I'm looking at a few different options for a new airbrush that I can use for detail work (preshading panel lines, post shading panels, exhaust stains on aircraft, etc).

What is a good model for this?  I have looked at the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS,  the Paashe VL, and the Paashe Talon.

Also, what are the advantages of a gravity feed airbrush over a suction type feed?

  • Member since
    September 2008
  • From: Minneapolis MN
Posted by BigSmitty on Sunday, December 5, 2010 5:44 PM

I'm nowhere near an expert, but I'll speak from experience as I have both the HP-CS and a suction feed Badger 100.

The HP-CS is really good for detail work.  Being gravity fed, you can spray at lower pressures which allows for generally finer lines, but I would refer you to this site for pretty much any question about airbrushing:

http://airbrushtips.110mb.com/

Don Wheeler goes into some serious detail about all things related to airbrushing.  And he has the photos to back up what he's talking about.  I would suggest going there to look at advantages/disadvantages between gravity and suction airbrushes.

Hope this helps some.

Matt - IPMS #46275

"Build what ya love and love what ya build..."

Build Logs, Rants and Humor

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Fullerton, Calif.
Posted by Don Wheeler on Sunday, December 5, 2010 8:24 PM

That Harbor Freight airbrush has a .35mm nozzle and a pretty fine needle.  And, even though I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner, it will do some pretty fine lines.  Try spraying some ink on paper towels and you'll see what the brush is capable of.  If you have a look at this page you can see a sample.  Play with the air pressure.  Fine lines require thinner paint and practice.

Matt  ---  Thanks for the plug.

Don

 

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home

A collection of airbrush tips and reviews

Also an Amazon E-book and paperback of tips.

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Monday, December 6, 2010 10:38 AM

In most cases it is the level of skill of the user, not the airbrush. However you do get what you pay for and those HF airbrushes though attractive in price aren't the same quality as those produced by the major manufacturers. An airbrush is for most a life long tool...so if you're life is short, spend less and get less out of it.

There used to be a similar tagline to market helmets...Got a $30 head, cover it with a $30 helmet.

Find an airbrush that fits you...and your needs.  Iwata has introduced a new entry level unit, from what I have read it is a good beginners airbrush. Definitely better quality than those from HF.

I've seen some pretty fantastic work from modelers using a very basic single action old school airbrush. Again it is technique and mastery of the tool in hand...just as an artist does with a simple pencil.

 

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • From: JERSEY : CHANNEL ISLES : BRITISH ISLES
Posted by Laurie on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 4:32 AM

 

This is my experience as a novice of just a couple of months.

I bought a suction fed Badger. I read on another forum all about air brushes. The advice was for a novice to stick to suction fed single action.

But I found this very difficult & did not get to far in producing good results.

Then looked again at the gravity fed & also the double action brushes

Decided on a Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Two. This was after taking advice  with a supplier, who seemed to know what he was talking about, especially as he did not favour a type as they stock all the major airbrush manufacturers.

I found the difference dramatic, as a novice, in having control. There is a bit more to it than the Badger suction in that it is not just pushing the button. But I soon realized that if you take note of how to use it from the instructions it became very easy to use.

 I went for the Evolution two as it comes with 2 nozzles & two needles which gives the option of fine or medium spraying. Although not at the level to appreciate this refinement it seemed sensible to have the facility for later. Think they also have a .6 nozzle & needle for wider work. Also has an adjustment at the rear to restrict the needle movement & therefore the amount of paint being sprayed.

 Also for nutters like me, who are likely to turn the thing upside down, it comes with a cap for the cup.

 Laurie

 


The "Two in One" is constructed in the same way as the Evolution Solo model, but with two nozzles and two cups.



 

 

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