Newb about to purchase airbrush/compressor

Wow, I can't believe how expensive that stuff is out there!

The AC-100 kit which sells for $359 works out at about £175, in the UK it would be retailing at around $160 dollars - for that kind of outlay in the UK or Europe you would be looking at getting the same compressor & a mid range H&S / Iwata / Grex airbrush.

If I had to advise on either, it would be the AC100 kit - the Tamiya kit does have the brand name on it's side, but it's rechargeable battery powered, diaphragm (I think), unregulated & without a moisture trap. The AC-100 kit will be Chinese, but its uses a reasonable compressor.

A couple of things that you may want to consider;

I don't know what your import duty is like, but you could probably import considerably better kit for the same cost. Delivery cost from Europe or the US may be hefty (for the compressor especially), but I imagine that from Japan or the likes would be much cheaper?

If compressor noise isn't an issue, see if you can pick up a DIY compressor from one of the shed type outlets & import a decent brush.

Diving is popular in NZ - what about considering an air tank, could be cheap-cheap if you know someone in the game.

Mike, I recommend neither. For a serious modeller like you, you want good tools that you can rely on for years.

Since you are not concerned about cost and want to buy locally, the best airbrush at Acorn Models is the Badger 100LG. It is a very good choice for modeling. Don't forget to pick up the airhose adaptor.

http://www.acornmodels.co.nz/products/tools-accessories/airbrushes/70377/

http://www.acornmodels.co.nz/products/tools-accessories/airbrushes/66086/

The Acorn Models overcharge for the only compressor in stock. The price is for a Sparmax AC-100 compressor, but they substituted it with a cheaper made-in-China AS-18 compressor. They may have similar specifications. But the Sparmax will run much cooler and last longer than the AS-18. (The AS-18 should work fine with the Badger 100 too. But I hate paying so much for it.)

If you change your mind about supporting LHS, there are a lot more options in Hong Kong. Not sure how much trouble is there for importing. But the quality options should deserve some consideration. Check out Sparmax options at YY&Van in HK. Good luck Christmas shopping.

Cheers for that guys. Im kinda tempted to talk to the other LHS and see what they can do for me.

As for noise, that kind of is an issue, i live in an apartment and the neighbours are about 6 inches away lol. Anything too loud could cause some interesting times ahead. Also the other neighbours have a baby on the way. So the quieter the better.

Thanks for pointing out about the tamiya one, ill be avoiding that. You'd think they would have all the bells and whistles considering its purpose-built built for modellers.

Ill keep looking around, thanks guys.

Tamiya makes several high end airbrushes too. But the one at Acorn Models is a mini spray gun, not an airbrush. Go to Tamiya's web site to find out what you like and ask the LHS if they can order it for you.

Based on what I heard about the LHS in Australia, I suggest that an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS airbrush with a Sparmax AC-501H compressor may be the most cost effective solution. Again, it all depsends on what your LHS can order for you.

Mike,

For what it's worth, I completely agree with Keilau.

I have the exact setup he recommends - ie a Badger 100LG with a Sparmax AC-100 (albeit a slightly older model with a different valve on the bottom of the moisture trap) and it is an awesome setup. 

You're lucky your LHS stocks the Badger 100LG.  Over here none of our LHS seem to stock any Badger products anymore. 

It's probably worthwhile asking about what deals can be done to bundle those two together.

Thanks guys, so you think the AC-100 (make sure it is actually an AC-100 not an AS-18) with a badger 100LG? Ill have a chat with them next week.

aren't mr.hobby and tamiya units made by iwata? 

like everyone else.....those prices are very high. 

randypandy831

like everyone else.....those prices are very high. 

Welcome to the NZ dollar

randypandy831

aren't mr.hobby and tamiya units made by iwata? 

Mr Hobby, Tamiya & Rich are all made by Fuso Seiki in Japan as far as I know - where Iwata fits into all of this I'm not quite sure.

Do  Fuso Seiki manufacture for Iwata or do Iwata manufacture for Fuso Seiki...................... as the saying goes "the world wonders"

Milairjunkie

Do  Fuso Seiki manufacture for Iwata or do Iwata manufacture for Fuso Seiki...................... as the saying goes "the world wonders"

I am not sure who makes them for Iwata but they do not manufacture their own airbrushes.

There used to be a place they called, "The Factory" by those in the airbrush world that was located in Japan and manufactured many brands of airbrushes. I know someone who actually toured this place with a famous Japanese airbrush artist. That was many years ago so I am not sure who makes what now.

Sorry Scorp I'm not trying to hijack your thread here...........

GreenThumb

Milairjunkie:

Do  Fuso Seiki manufacture for Iwata or do Iwata manufacture for Fuso Seiki...................... as the saying goes "the world wonders"

 

I am not sure who makes them for Iwata but they do not manufacture their own airbrushes.

There used to be a place they called, "The Factory" by those in the airbrush world that was located in Japan and manufactured many brands of airbrushes. I know someone who actually toured this place with a famous Japanese airbrush artist. That was many years ago so I am not sure who makes what now.

I've heard that FS manufacture Iwata, GSI Creos & Tamiya brushes along with others & their own brand Rich...

I've heard that part of the (admittedly rather large) Anest Iwata group manufacture everything for everyone & that FS is just a brand / marketing company....

There have also been numerous suggestions that Sparmax are involved in the manufacture or assembly of Iwata products (airbrush that is, it goes without saying that Sparmax manufacture Iwata's compressors).....

Maybe it's just me but there seem tto be so many similarities between Iwata, GSI Creos (Mr Hobby), Rich, Peak, Tamiya & possibly others that it seems more than coincidental. Most of the major brands outside Japan seem to have their own quirks & share little familiarity in appearance or construction, so I just don't buy the "it's the evolution of the airbrush" reasoning for all the aforementioned products being so similar?