Ordering airbrushes online: Airheadairbrushes.com

OK, I had a "negative experience" with Dixie Art, but i gave them another try based on everybody's recommendations: I ordered some stuff to compliment the HP-C I got slightly used on EBay ($89). The prices were the cheapest that I could find anywhere, and the UPS guy dropped the parcel off today, 5 days after ordering it. That's about as positive as one can get when ordering anything, and I am pleased with them. I'll use them in the future as well. Just giving credit where it's due.....! So some goes to Roosterfish as well, thanks again for the stuff you emailed me!

JK

you guys are too kind! But i think ill just stick with saltydog for now! later.

'Air-Puff Daddy Dog' might be a better name.

Saltydog? Maybe you should change your name to 'Puff Daddy Dog' with those rap lines you just did.

Mike

I LOVE IT! Have you been following me around? You just described me. The only think you forgot is that I really use and not just admire an airbrush.

Great job, saltydog!

dont really need one,
but i just gotta have one,
want every airbrush under the sun,
spray paint by the ton,
i want this gun, no that gun,
omni 5000....4000....3000.....2000.....1000
BLAST OFF!!!!! to the hobby shop
hit the forums til' i drop
surf the web til' my eyes pop
im hopin, gropin for the brush with the most
whoa, did ya read that post?
what a boast!
just read the next post?
its an airbrush roast!
im trustin' my cyber friends
but it seems to never end!
push it all aside and grin,
for every airbrush has its spin.
hey, ill go to dixieart
but wait, the service aint worth a fart
visit bearair
and through my checkbook they'll tear!
purchasing an airbrush i swear,
is like breakin' in new underwear!
just purchase it if i dare,
remove it from the box with care,
upon its shinny finish i stare,
mesmorized by the awesome glare!
and just when i feel pleased with my buy
i read this forum with a sigh,
i gotta have another or ill die!
i gotta go to sleep so by!

later fellows.......and yeah, ill stick to the day job! im thinkin' hard about purchasing an eclipse just for the hey of it! its my money, leave me alone! dont say a word about it!!

Let me add this to a comparison of the two ABs. The Omni has an good and simple clam shell box that closes and with a rubber band wrap is very secure. The HP-CR has a TERRIBLE opening and cheap storage/display box. The Omni case opens with the push of a button while the HP's box has to open from the side. The HP box is made out of a clear semi-soft plastic. Once you wrestle the side open semi-plastic then you have to slide the cardboard box out completely to get access to the AB. Advantage: Omni.

Calvin,

The Paasche VL is a good airbrush but I feel there are better choices for just slightly more money. I prefer the Omni series myself and the Badgers as well.
The Iwata's are also very nice although they are a bit more expensive and you mentioned "Price" as a criteria of your purchase.
If you want a gravity-feed model I would buy the Omni 4000 or Iwata Revolution.
If you want a siphon-feed model then the Omni 3000, Badger Anthem, or Vega 2000 would be my choices.

If you decide on a Badger or Omni then shoot me an email as I can get you a good price through a direct distributor of Badger products.

Mike

How do I like the HP-CR Revolution versus the Thayer & Chandler Omni 4000? Are you trying to start a revolution?

Either one sprays just as well. The finished projects would look equally fine with either brush. Price-wise they are still comparable. If it comes to getting parts I believe the Revolution would cost more but the parts (needle and nozzle) but the parts seem better machined.

Quality, “sex appeal” the HP-CR looks better. It has a better finished chrome and the moving parts feel “tighter.” But either one works very well.

Weight of the two. Omni is 3.3 oz and the Iwata is slightly heavier at 3.8 oz. It doesn’t sound like much until you handle them. Without the paint caps on the Omni is 3.0 oz. and the Revolution is 3.5. The Omni with the lighter weight feels nimbler and more maneuverable. I like the Omni’s feel.

For cleaning either brush takes the same amount of time. HP-CR has a tapered and a finer finish and feels smoother when I clean the bowl with a small T-shirt scrap. But I use a brush and spray solvent through it so there is not a lot of wiping that I do in the bowl. On the Omni I can easily pull back the needle and spray solvent through the bowl. For quick cleans the Omni will be faster to clean. For a medium clean without the taking down the brushes they take equal amounts of time. For cleaning I prefer the Omni.

My answer: the HP and the Omni are equal!

QUOTE: Originally posted by MikeV QUOTE: Originally posted by chall I too am looking to buy an airbrush in the next month or so, and I have heard dixieart.com mentioned a time or two. They seem to have nice prices. Anyone have any negative experiences with Dixieart.com? There are a few that have had a negative experience listed on this forum with Dixie Art, but for the most part the service has been good for most. I have even ordered from them in the past with pretty reliable service. What airbrush are you considering? Mike

Hello Mike,

I would like an airbrush that meets the following criteria...

1. Quality results
2. Ease of use and maintenance
3. Price

I will be using the airbrush mainly for German armor with an occasional plane throw in. I plan on building 2-3 models per year.

I have considered puchasing a Paasche VL double action from Dixieart.com.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Calvin

Hey Roosterfish, how do you feel like the Revolution compares to the Omni?

QUOTE: Originally posted by chall I too am looking to buy an airbrush in the next month or so, and I have heard dixieart.com mentioned a time or two. They seem to have nice prices. Anyone have any negative experiences with Dixieart.com?

There are a few that have had a negative experience listed on this forum with Dixie Art, but for the most part the service has been good for most. I have even ordered from them in the past with pretty reliable service.

What airbrush are you considering?

Mike

Back to the original question...has anyone had any negative/positive experiences with Airheadairbrushes.com?

I too am looking to buy an airbrush in the next month or so, and I have heard dixieart.com mentioned a time or two. They seem to have nice prices. Anyone have any negative experiences with Dixieart.com?

Thanks in advance.

Calvin

I've never used a Testors AB so I wouldn't know what it feels like. I'm bias and the hanging bottles airbrushes or the unbalanced airbrushes with cups that I tend to spill more often are not to my liking. I like to use gravity feed brushes and, being bias, I like to use Thayer and Chandler Omni or the Iwata HP-CR airbrushes for painting models. I suppose some would say I was spoiled from the beginning since the first airbrush I bought in 1983 was an Iwata HP-C. I still use it along with my other airbrushes and it has never had to have any parts replaced. Other people might have a different opinion so if I were you I would look around this web site for more information.

Darn...I just butted in again.

my turn to butt in, but mine is a question. right now all i have is the testor entry level airbrush, the one that comes with the propellant can. it seems to do alright with what i have used it for. overall one color coats or simple two color. i do however want to get something with more flexibility, ie something that i can do more cammo and that type of schemes without a lot of hassle. this brush seems a little too entry for that type of work. what do you suggest for the next step? again sorry to butt into this question but maybe the answer will help jkelly make up his mind. or at least give more possibilities.


joe

Not to butt in...oh, yes I am. The HP-C has a smaller nozzle and needle. The HP-Cs smaller .3 mm nozzle will make it harder to get get your paint through and will need more coats of paint to get your project covered. If you want an Iwata that is better for airbrushing models go have a look at the Iwata Revolution HP-CR with the bigger nozzle/needle combination. A T&C Omni airbrush will also do the job just as well as the Revolution. And T&C parts for the Omni is much cheaper to buy.

QUOTE: Originally posted by jkelleycrna ....because I can!

I can buy a Ferrari to get me to work too, but it is unnecessary.

QUOTE: Seriously, ....you like your Omni that much? Hmmmm...maybe I'll take a closer look at them first, thanks!

The Omni is a great airbrush, but it is not as refined and precisely machined as that Hi-Line you are looking at. It all depends on what you want. If you just want the Hi-Line because you can afford to spend the money to play with it that is your choice, but it is not necessary for this hobby. That was my point and I am in no way trying to discourage you from getting what you want. I just don't want to see you spend $175 on an airbrush and later realize that an airbrush much cheaper would perform just as well for this hobby.
If you want an Iwata I would recommend the HP-CS Eclipse as it will do anything you will ever need as well as any other Iwata and for less money.
What are you planning on doing with this airbrush that made you consider the HI-Line?

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by MikeV I've seen his web site but am not familiar with his business practices. Why would you want an HP-C Hi-Line for modeling? Mike

....because I can!

Seriously, ....you like your Omni that much? Hmmmm...maybe I'll take a closer look at them first, thanks!

i just cant express in words how much i love my omni 5000. it almost brings tears to my eyes! i hadnt used in over a month and i miss it. (ill be glad when i finish this house im building and ill have more time). it is capable of handling all the airbrushing i want to do in the modeling hobby. get what ya want though jkelly, just research a little befor the purchase. i know for a fact that the omni is excellent. later.

I'm not trying to "get" anyone Chris.
Of course it is true that he could buy about three Omni's for the price of that Hi-Line.

I just can't understand why people seem to think they need these top of the line illustrator airbrushes for modeling when something much less expensive will produce the same results, and usually better results.
I think clever marketing is what catches the eye of people and deceives them into thinking that this newest airbrush is the answer to their airbrushing dilema.
Testors is good at that with their Aztek ads.

Mike

go get him mike!!!!! oh.........sorry! ill just butt out. later.

I've seen his web site but am not familiar with his business practices.

Why would you want an HP-C Hi-Line for modeling?

Mike