what is a pre-set handle for an airbrush?

QUOTE: Originally posted by lonerbboy does anyone think that the Hp-B is a better investment? i am painting mostly robotic models. so sometimes i like to put highlights. the hpc is really good. but is the hp b better?

No the HP-B is not better, it is just a different tool for a different job.
I would consider both as overkill for modeling as they are illustration airbrushes.
Have you always had trouble with the HP-C?

QUOTE: and i have come across a question. what is a "pre-set handle?" i don't know what i have. but it's easy to use. it has a spring in the back and the design seems different from the one pictured. can anyone tell me what the difference is between the pre-set handle and an original airbrush? any help will be great.

The pre-set handle allows you to set the needle where you want it at and have it spray at that setting, essentially it turns the airbrush into a single-action.

Mike

The HP-B and HP really are illustration airbrushes and as such they are meant to use water based paint and inks. I have both. The nozzle needle combination of the HP-B is 0.2 mm and the HP-C is 0.3 mm. The nozzles are really too small for model paints that have pigments. You could consider two options. One, you could get an air brush that has a bigger nozzle that you can use with model paints like Badger, Thayer & Chandler Omni, Paasche or Iwata Revolution sells. Two, you can get an Iwata four piece conversion for the HP-C that modifies the air brush so it has a larger nozzle (0.4 mm). But the conversion is not cheap at $53.70 at Dixie Art and $65 at Bear Air. For the price of the conversion parts you could buy a decent air brush.

I've got an Eclipse HP-SBS. This is the side-cup model with a .35mm nozzle & needle.
I fitted a preset handle, which limits the travel of the needle. The airbrush still acts like a dual action, but the maximum paint flow is limited by adjusting the rear screw.

I find the preset handle really useful for fine lines and detailing. Without it I sometimes pull the trigger too far, making a real mess. Middle age is affecting my co-ordination!

Cheers

thnks for the replies.
i wasn't aware of what the pre-set handling is all about. but now that i know, i don't think i need one.
but if i grow 5 years older perhaps, my arthiritis might kick in, so then i will have to get the handling set

yeah, i was wondering if the Hp-c was the best for modeling. it is for illustration and more technical things and all, which i have a background of, but i mainly used it for model kit building.
but i don't make large scale models of vheicles. but rather robotic figures. which is around 12 inches tall at the most. mainly they are around 9-10 inches tall. and the painting spots are rather small.
so i kind of like the iwata hp-c.
but the thing is, certain parts just don't work right sometimes. it doesn't flow right, or the needle tip doesn't show anymore once i stick it into the airbrush. before i was able to see the end of the needle point sticking out of the tip of the airbrush body. but now i don't.
i'll check into different airbrushs. iwata and badger and all. i have never used badger though. how much would this go for?

If you don't see the needle sticking out the nozzle then you have a clog blocking the nozzle. A big chunk of some type of pigment is rammed into the end of the nozzle. It doesn't really matter what type of pigment you used now because it is a hardened chunk. Try squirting WD-40 and blowing out the nozzle. If you are lucky that will clean the nozzle. If that doesn't work try using a toothpick to GENTLY ream the nozzle clean. If you can find a fine wire you might be able to get that to work through the nozzle. Last try would be to get your needle and gently push your way through the nozzle. A pipe clean can help keep the nozzle clean. Or you could get a new, expensive Iwata, nozzle. Tell me what happens, OK?