0.5mm for Iwata Eclipse

Of course you could always go with the HP-CR(comes with .5mm). I use HP-CS with the standard .35mm needle and it works fine with tamiya acrylics (very little thinning (sometimes not even needed) needed other than some of the standard difficult colors such as White).

If you have not bought the HP-CS yet Hp-CR model would be the cheaper way to go for a .5mm needle with gravity feed.

I upstuffed my 0.35 mm head & needle on my HP ECLIPSE CS

& bought the following as a matched SET:

1 x 0.5mm Nozzle Cap for Eclipse BCS/SA (IWS-6021) = £7.25
1 x 0.5mm Fluid Nozzle for Eclipse BCS/SA (IWS-6041) = £9.55
1 x 0.5mm Fluid Needle for Eclipse BCS/SA (IWS-6171) = £7.25

& 1 x 5-piece Airbrush Cleaning Brush Set (E-5CB) = £3.49

from: Airbrushes.com in the UK    

see here for a parts diagram: https://airbrushes.com/parts_info.php?cPath=217_225_219&sort=2a&products_id=18&osCsid=d19528ae43862569902d4b8e1f673dab

(other vendors are available, etc)

I found that the 0.5mm was better suited to to my way of working with Vallejo Acrylics esp the primers, a bit more forgiving...  (JUST DON'T OVER-tighten!!! )

Chrisk-k

For $20, I think it's worth experimenting with .5mm vs. .35mm. My town has Hobby Lobby. I know they sell many Iwata parts.  

Don't forget to take in your cupon.

Chrisk-k

Hmm....a person at LHS told me .5mm would be easier for a novice to use than .35mm.  I'll use only Tamiya acrylic paints and Vallejo Model Air.

Yes, a simpler design airbrush will be easier to use, but also give the user less control of the paint, thus, less build up of the skill. So, I will not recommend it for the average modeler who wants to learn airbrushing.

However, it is not that much the size of the nozzle as I explained earlier. There is small difference between a 0.35 mm Iwata Eclipse vs. a 0.5 mm Iwata. There is huge difference between a 0.5 mm Eclipse vs. a 0.5 mm Patriot.

Acrylic paint is more prone to tip dry and clogging because it dries faster. Enamel is an easier paint to handle, but more messy to clean.

In summary, the Iwata 0.35 mm HP-CS will have a steeper learning curve, but will bring you better reward if you take the time. It is a good starting point for an experienced modeler wanting to start on airburshing.

For $20, I think it's worth experimenting with .5mm vs. .35mm. My town has Hobby Lobby. I know they sell many Iwata parts.  

Hobby Lobby has all you need to convert. You will get a lot more paint coming out when you switch. I have mine set up for doing clear coats such as future. But I use the smaller .35 and the .21 for usual work.

If it's Tamiya or Vallejo, you'll notice a bigger difference if you use the right thinners and get the right air pressure (which of course varies from project to project). The nozzle will only make a very minor difference. You'll still have occasional clogging and bad airbrushing days with either nozzle.

Hmm....a person at LHS told me .5mm would be easier for a novice to use than .35mm.  I'll use only Tamiya acrylic paints and Vallejo Model Air.

Chrisk-k

I'd like to go for 0.5 mm with the Eclipse (the stock size is 0.35 mm).

Are a 0.5 mm needle and a 0.5 mm nozzle all I need? Or, do I need a 0.5 mm nozzle cap? 

If you do not have a good quality airbrush yet, the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS is an excellent choice, and the 0.35 nozzle set is ideal for general purpose modeling.

Yes, you need the needle, nozzle and cap to convert to 0.5 mm. All these parts are for the Eclipse series BCS airbrush and fit the HP-CS gravity airbrush as well. I got all three for $18 at Hobby Lobby. You may have to pay a little more if you do not have a HL nearby.

The 0.5 mm nozzle on the CS behaves very similarly to the stock nozzle and the difference is barely noticible. Both sets have relatively small needle taper angles. Their long linear trigger stroke is smooth and give good paint control. The atomization is very good with little overspray. But it does require you to thin the paint sufficiently and spray in fine, misty mutiple passes.

 If you want a quick paint release airbrush, you can try the Badger Patriot. The smallest nozzle (fine needle) is 0.5 mm. You can get 0.75 and 1.0 mm nozzle too. But the difference from the Iwata is its short taper, double cone needle. You barely pull back the trigger, paint comes out easily. Some modeler cannot tolerate the quick paint release, others feel that's just fine. The Patriot parts (needle etc.) are not as fine and polished as the Iwata parts, but do not cost more either. And the airbrush itself is much cheaper. It is also a much lighter airbrush if you like light weight. I prefer the Iwata weight and balance.

Chicago Airbrush has a .5 part set for you. http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/eclipseparts.html . You will need a needle, nozzle and cap. This isn't cheap. Dare I ask why you want a .5 needle/nozzle? If you want to go with a broader spray, you could get a second airbrush: something basic like a Paasche VL or even a Chinese knock off like a Master for about the same amount as a tip, nozzle and needle will cost for an Eclipse. I use three airbrushes on almost all my kits because the different spray patterns are like different paint brushes. The Eclipse is a good brush and the fine atomization you get with it is why most people buy them. Actually, I like the .35 size for a lot of things - it's pretty good for detail and if the paint and psi is set right will spray a good sized area also. If you're having trouble with clogging or something else, post and lots of good modelers here will try to help you out. But getting a .5 for the Eclipse is fine too. Switching needles only takes a few seconds and having two needle/nozzles is a good idea if you're only using one brush. If you have any problems, I'd suggest calling Chicago. They do take calls and their sales people know airbrushes. 

Thanks. The BCS is not a gravity feed AB. Maybe, I should look into the Badger 105 which comes with a .5 mm nozzle.

You need the .5 mm nozzle cap or the the nozzle won't fit.

http://www.merriartist.com/Parts_for_converting_Eclipse_HP_CS_s/1087.htm (out of stock currently)

The .5 mm is standard on the BCS, so it looks like Dickblick may be a good bet: http://www.dickblick.com/products/iwata-eclipse-series-airbrushes/