Choosing My First Airbrush

Alex Shaw

Hi all,

 im just finishing off a bf-109 and then i'll be finally buying my first proper airbrush. It's either going to be the Premi-Air G35 or the Neo Iwata CN. Both are about the same price and both have good reviews. I can't decide which to go for, so I ask you, which would you choose?

The Neo is good value for its price ($38 in US). But not as good as a value when compared to the Iwata Eclipse or Revolution series. I can see that the needle and nozzle of the Neo are cheaply made. But the body is good and the trigger is smooth without feeling loose. It is THE best knock-off I have seen. The saving grace is that the Neo needle is interchangable with the Fenghua Bida needle, which means potentially cheap everywhere and easily accessible.

The Primi-Air G35 looks like a Fenghua Bida. I will just pick the cheaper of the two. If you can afford it, go for a real Iwata. 

save up a little more and get the Revolution series AB. i have the Neo and its an OK brush. not as bad as people make it seem but i do like my HP-CR a lot more. easy to clean and more consistent paint flow.  

The Prem-Air G35 looks suspiciously like a Sparmax brush (SP-35) & I've seen plenty of decent reviews on it, from the two you mention I would take the G-35.

Like other have suggested, it may be worth considering the relatively small jump to a entry level known brand brush... 

Don't forget to consider Badger as well if they are available.

There is a reason why they are all I use.

I really can't afford a real iwata right now, so i'll probably go for the neo, as it has a 5 year iwata warranty.

Alex Shaw

I really can't afford a real iwata right now, so i'll probably go for the neo, as it has a 5 year iwata warranty.

Milairjunkie

The Prem-Air G35 looks suspiciously like a Sparmax brush (SP-35) & I've seen plenty of decent reviews on it, from the two you mention I would take the G-35.

Like other have suggested, it may be worth considering the relatively small jump to a entry level known brand brush...

Milairjunkie is right that the Premi-Air G35 look awfully similar to the Sparmax SP-35 airbrush. Call airbrush.com to ask where the Premi-Air G35 is made. If it is made for them by Sparmax in Taiwan, it is a much higher quality product than Neo. The SP-35 will give you better atomization and easier cleaning.

The Neo is still good value for $38 US dollars that I paid at Hobby Lobby in the US. And it has better finish chrome plating and internal cup shape to help easier cleaning. It sets it a step above other Chinese knock-offs. But I was very disappointed by the quality of the needle and nozzle which are decidedly not high quality.

BTW, how much is difference in price between these two for you? It may not worth the saving if there IS a difference in quality. (A big IF since there is no oullet of Permi-Air in the US.)

keilau

 

 

Milairjunkie is right that the Premi-Air G35 look awfully similar to the Sparmax SP-35 airbrush. Call airbrush.com to ask where the Premi-Air G35 is made. If it is made for them by Sparmax in Taiwan, it is a much higher quality product than Neo. The SP-35 will give you better atomization and easier cleaning.

I'll inquire about. If it does turn out to be a re-badged sparmax, is that a good thing?

From what I've read, the G-35 is a rebadged Sparmax SP-35, and that is a very good thing.

(I think I must be the only one on the forum who uses a Sparmax SP-35 )

Phil_H

From what I've read, the G-35 is a rebadged Sparmax SP-35, and that is a very good thing.

(I think I must be the only one on the forum who uses a Sparmax SP-35 )

Alex Shaw, you can take the word of an experienced modeller who uses the SP-35. And he has been around this forum for a long time.

At the beginning, Iwata promoted Neo as being made of parts from Taiwan and final assembly in China. They no longer mention Taiwan in their latest Neo web page.

keilau

 

Phil_H:

 

From what I've read, the G-35 is a rebadged Sparmax SP-35, and that is a very good thing.

(I think I must be the only one on the forum who uses a Sparmax SP-35 )

 

 

Alex Shaw, you can take the word of an experienced modeller who uses the SP-35. And he has been around this forum for a long time.

At the beginning, Iwata promoted Neo as being made of parts from Taiwan and final assembly in China. They no longer mention Taiwan in their latest Neo web page.

I just got an email back from airbrushes.com, and turns out the Premi-Air is made in the Sparmax factory, to airbrushes.com specifications. I have to say i'm still being drawn to the Neo with it's 5 year warrenty and interchangeable cups. I'm not planning to do any super-detailed work, I just want a decent, reliable brush. Ive been using a Badger 250 and paint brushes up until now!

Alex Shaw

keilau:

Phil_H:

 From what I've read, the G-35 is a rebadged Sparmax SP-35, and that is a very good thing.

(I think I must be the only one on the forum who uses a Sparmax SP-35 )

 Alex Shaw, you can take the word of an experienced modeller who uses the SP-35. And he has been around this forum for a long time.

At the beginning, Iwata promoted Neo as being made of parts from Taiwan and final assembly in China. They no longer mention Taiwan in their latest Neo web page.

 

I just got an email back from airbrushes.com, and turns out the Premi-Air is made in the Sparmax factory, to airbrushes.com specifications. I have to say i'm still being drawn to the Neo with it's 5 year warrenty and interchangeable cups. I'm not planning to do any super-detailed work, I just want a decent, reliable brush. Ive been using a Badger 250 and paint brushes up until now!

Moving up from a Badger 250, either the G35 or the Neo will be a BIG improvement.

Not all airbrushes are created equal. While I have not seen a Permi-Air AB, I can say that the Sparmax is a huge step up in quality from the Neo for Iwata. If you can save a lot of money, try the Neo. You may just like it fine. If the Premi-Air is not that much more, that is no reason not go for the G35.

Neo has some quality control issues at the beginning. It is good for Neo to have the extended warranty. On the other hand, the regular, high priced Iwata has just a one year warranty. Does it tell you something?

keilau

p until now!

 

 

Moving up from a Badger 250, either the G35 or the Neo will be a BIG improvement.

Not all airbrushes are created equal. While I have not seen a Permi-Air AB, I can say that the Sparmax is a huge step up in quality from the Neo for Iwata. If you can save a lot of money, try the Neo. You may just like it fine. If the Premi-Air is not that much more, that is no reason not go for the G35.

Neo has some quality control issues at the beginning. It is good for Neo to have the extended warranty. On the other hand, the regular, high priced Iwata has just a one year warranty. Does it tell you something?

Premi-Air it is then! It is actually £5 cheaper than the Neo anyway.

I've got a Badger 175, Siphon feed, Dual action and it has soldiered through my first airbrushing "jobs" and I think it is a nice sturdy platform, but thats just a suggestion, i think it's round the $100-120 mark but I'm not sure

Alex Shaw

Premi-Air it is then! It is actually £5 cheaper than the Neo anyway.

In the US the Sparmax SP-35 is twice the cost of the Neo. But I can order it from Hong Kong for $45 including airpost shipping to US.

Just come across this in Aeroscale. They seem to confirm that the G35 is Sparmax.

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I just came across the Harder and Steenbeck Ultra, which is only a bit more than the neo or premi-air. Anyone have any experience with this brush?

Alex Shaw

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I just came across the Harder and Steenbeck Ultra, which is only a bit more than the neo or premi-air. Anyone have any experience with this brush?

Being in UK, Harder and Steenbeck provides the most value because it is produced in a UE country, Germany. I paid a bit more than you do for H&S and a lot less for Iwata.

I would suggest the Evolution Silverline if your budget allows. I have one and like it a lot. I have not seen the Ultra myself.

The choice of an airbrush is always somewhat personal. Try the different airbrushes for balance and trigger action in your hand before making a decision.

The good thing about the ultra is that it features parts from the evo, i think it has the same needle for example

Alex Shaw

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I just came across the Harder and Steenbeck Ultra, which is only a bit more than the neo or premi-air. Anyone have any experience with this brush?

The Ultra is quite a popular entry level airbrush - you could consider it as a slightly stripped down Evolution, The main differences between the Ultra & the Evolution are;

The Ultra's air cap & needle cap are a combined one piece unit, which means that the needle cap can't be removed as it can on the Evolution.

The Ultra uses the same needles & nozzles as the Evolution, Grafo & Infinity, but due to the different air cap design, it will only accept the 0.2 + 0.4mm needle sets - the 0.15 & 0.6mm sets won't fit.

The Ultra uses a push in paint cup system, whereas the Evolution uses a screw in system - even so, you still have a choice of 2 or 5ml paint cups.

That's about it - general design is similar to the Evolution / infinity & build quality is the same. Regards actual performance & the quality of finish it can provide, this is also on par with the further up the range models as the core components are basically the same - it just lacks some of the "bell & whistles" & available options of those other models.

Milairjunkie

 

Alex Shaw:

 

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I just came across the Harder and Steenbeck Ultra, which is only a bit more than the neo or premi-air. Anyone have any experience with this brush?

 

 

The Ultra is quite a popular entry level airbrush - you could consider it as a slightly stripped down Evolution, The main differences between the Ultra & the Evolution are;

The Ultra's air cap & needle cap are a combined one piece unit, which means that the needle cap can't be removed as it can on the Evolution.

The Ultra uses the same needles & nozzles as the Evolution, Grafo & Infinity, but due to the different air cap design, it will only accept the 0.2 + 0.4mm needle sets - the 0.15 & 0.6mm sets won't fit.

The Ultra uses a push in paint cup system, whereas the Evolution uses a screw in system - even so, you still have a choice of 2 or 5ml paint cups.

That's about it - general design is similar to the Evolution / infinity & build quality is the same. Regards actual performance & the quality of finish it can provide, this is also on par with the further up the range models as the core components are basically the same - it just lacks some of the "bell & whistles" & available options of those other models.

Sounds good, maybe i'll get it. But something has just occured to me - I only have to spend another £10 on top of Ultra's price and I could have an Iwata Revolution...

Alex Shaw

Milairjunkie:

 

Alex Shaw:

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I just came across the Harder and Steenbeck Ultra, which is only a bit more than the neo or premi-air. Anyone have any experience with this brush? 

The Ultra is quite a popular entry level airbrush - you could consider it as a slightly stripped down Evolution, The main differences between the Ultra & the Evolution are;

That's about it - general design is similar to the Evolution / infinity & build quality is the same. Regards actual performance & the quality of finish it can provide, this is also on par with the further up the range models as the core components are basically the same - it just lacks some of the "bell & whistles" & available options of those other models.

Sounds good, maybe i'll get it. But something has just occured to me - I only have to spend another £10 on top of Ultra's price and I could have an Iwata Revolution...

Alex, any of these 4 options may work well for you.

The choice of an airbrush is always somewhat personal and subjective. Try the different airbrushes for balance and trigger action in your hand before making a decision.

Keep in mind that you need a good air source for the airbrush. It will be a bit more expensive and the quality may vary a lot more than the airbrush. Be very, very careful in your compressor selection. The Permi-Air will allow you more money to spend on compressor.

keilau

 

 

Alex, any of these 4 options may work well for you.

The choice of an airbrush is always somewhat personal and subjective. Try the different airbrushes for balance and trigger action in your hand before making a decision.

Keep in mind that you need a good air source for the airbrush. It will be a bit more expensive and the quality may vary a lot more than the airbrush. Be very, very careful in your compressor selection. The Permi-Air will allow you more money to spend on compressor.

Speaking of compressors, what would be a decent cheap one? I've seen some on everythingairbrush that I presume are made in China, they are piston compressors (mostly), some with and without tank. I have read that tank-less compressors create a pulsing affect, how noticeable would that be?

Alex Shaw

keilau:

Keep in mind that you need a good air source for the airbrush. It will be a bit more expensive and the quality may vary a lot more than the airbrush. Be very, very careful in your compressor selection. The Permi-Air will allow you more money to spend on compressor.

Speaking of compressors, what would be a decent cheap one? I've seen some on everythingairbrush that I presume are made in China, they are piston compressors (mostly), some with and without tank. I have read that tank-less compressors create a pulsing affect, how noticeable would that be?

See my comments on Chinese compressor in this other post.

Be careful when you compare shop for compressor. The Chinese made ones will have a horse power spec 2 times that of others to sound more powerful than they actually are. They justify this by using the "startup" HP. Other manufacturers use running HP. (For example, a Chinese compressor 1/3 HP is equivalent to Iwata 1/6 HP.)

In UK, you need to look at the Revell Master Class Kompressor at Wonderland Models. Probably the best value in compressor in UK.

Newer piston type airbrush compressor should not need a tank because pulsation usually is no longer a problem. Better compressor model still has the airtank to reduce the motor on-off frequency and thus reduce wear. The pulsation issue is a carry over from the old, under powered, diaphram type compressor for airbrushing. You may still find some LHS pushing them at premium price because they have a well known airbrush brand name on them.

keilau

 

 

 

See my comments on Chinese compressor in this other post.

Be careful when you compare shop for compressor. The Chinese made ones will have a horse power spec 2 times that of others to sound more powerful than they actually are. They justify this by using the "startup" HP. Other manufacturers use running HP. (For example, a Chinese compressor 1/3 HP is equivalent to Iwata 1/6 HP.)

In UK, you need to look at the Revell Master Class Kompressor at Wonderland Models. Probably the best value in compressor in UK.

Newer piston type airbrush compressor should not need a tank because pulsation usually is no longer a problem. Better compressor model still has the airtank to reduce the motor on-off frequency and thus reduce wear. The pulsation issue is a carry over from the old, under powered, diaphram type compressor for airbrushing. You may still find some LHS pushing them at premium price because they have a well known airbrush brand name on them.

Unfortunately, I can't afford the revell compressor. I was thinking more along the line of this one :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Airbrush-Compressor-AS18-2-Oil-free-/120780411514?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item1c1f12d27a

Or this one, if a tank is really necessary :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Airbrush-Compressor-Tank-AS186-Oil-free-/110746526082?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item19c901e182

If this info helps, I don't make huge amounts of models, so won't be using the compressor too regularly, and I don't plan on airbrushing for particularly long periods of time.

Alex Shaw

Unfortunately, I can't afford the revell compressor. I was thinking more along the line of this one :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Airbrush-Compressor-AS18-2-Oil-free-/120780411514?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item1c1f12d27a

Or this one, if a tank is really necessary :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Airbrush-Compressor-Tank-AS186-Oil-free-/110746526082?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item19c901e182

If this info helps, I don't make huge amounts of models, so won't be using the compressor too regularly, and I don't plan on airbrushing for particularly long periods of time.

Alex, I understand and many modelers are having to make similar choice like yours. I did a little write-up on the second (AS186) compressor with tank. It is $40 US dollar plus shipping from Northern Tools in the US. No a bad deal for infrequent user.

Compressor is the type of thing that you get what you paid for. All my comments on Chinese compressor applies here. After you receive your compressor, test it by forcing the motor to run for 30 minutes. If the cylinder gets hot, return it. If it runs cool, keep it. The main problem of Chinese compressor is the wide variance in quality control. A hot running compressor can fail without giving any hint and at the most inconvenient moment. You may luck out and get a good one the first time, but don't count on it.

Best wishes in your shopping. Come back and tell us your adventure.

keilau

 

Best wishes in your shopping. Come back and tell us your adventure.

Roger that!