Airbrush recommendations

There are a couple of people on here that use the Revolution and like it very much. Someone on another post compared their Omni with the Revolution and liked the Omni a bit more for whatever reasons. I think it was 'roosterfish' who posted that.

Mike

It was me! I have the HP-CR Revolution and an Omni 4000. They both spray the same. HP-CR has slightly closer tolerances and feel tighter, like an HP normally does. The Omni has much cheaper replacement parts that work just as well as the Revolution. The Revolution weighs 3.8 oz and the 4000 3.6 oz. Because the Omni is slightly lighter it feels more responsive in the hand. When I do a quick clean to change colors I perfer to use the Omni because it has the cut-out on the balance shaft so I can pull the needle out and spray lots of solvent easily throught the brush. Sex appeal goes to the Revolution. It oozes quality.

It is a tough call. They are both priced very close to each other. They both spray the same. I like the 4000's clamshell case and I hate the Revolution's soft plastic blister pack case that is a pain to open. You have to tear the whole box down to get to the airbrush.

I also have an Omni and Iwata HP-CS and if money is not an object (as prices of Iwata have been going up, weak dollar?), go with the Iwata. It has a smoother trigger and is easier to clean.

I looked at the revolution today, didn't realize it was a single action. So thats out.
The Eclipse is too expensive. Tried the Aztek's, felt like toys.
The Badger 360 cup is too small and un-capped. Leaving me tossed up between the Badger 100LG or Omni 4000. Whatever the difference is between the two.( Is there? )

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kingbone I looked at the revolution today, didn't realize it was a single action. So thats out.

That is the Revolution SAR you saw.
They also make the Revolution CR and BCR which are both double-action models that are gravity feed and siphon-feed respectively.

QUOTE: Leaving me tossed up between the Badger 100LG or Omni 4000. Whatever the difference is between the two.( Is there? )

I would choose the Omni 4000 as the Badger 100 is more of an illustration airbrush.

Mike

Thanks Mike, looks like it will be the 4000.

Any thoughts on the Vega 2000?

Chris

Don't know if you are asking me or Mike. I forgot to say I am looking for a gravity feed to supplement my Badger 200 siphon feed.

What's wrong with the Paasche H? I love mine and wouldn't trade it for anything.

QUOTE: Originally posted by mastercarp Any thoughts on the Vega 2000?

Chris,

The Vega 2000 is a real good siphon-feed model although I hear the new ones are not quite as good as the older models. I don'r know why but that is what I was told. I own an older model that I bought back in the 90's that was manufactured by Thayer & Chandler when they were still in business.

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kingbone Thanks Mike, looks like it will be the 4000.

A good choice my friend.

Mike

and the hits just keep on coming! gentlemen, must i break out in song again? this vicious cylce must cease. do we never grow weary of debating these issues?

just 1 thing

<subliminal message>
IWATA REVOLUTION CR
</subliminal message>

i like omni too, just not as much as iwata.

My favorite airbrush is the Iwata Eclipse BCS. Bought it new on EBay for $60. It is easy to use, clean and maintain. I too have a Paasche H, which is OK for monotone finishes but it does not touch the Iwata when it comes to camo demarcation lines.

QUOTE: Originally posted by goldenretriver My favorite airbrush is the Iwata Eclipse BCS. Bought it new on EBay for $60.

That is an excellent deal. Wow! [:0]

Mike

I originally posted this question on the FAQ, and Mike was kind enough to suggest I put it here.
As a newbie to modeling (actually I'm returning to it after a 40 year break) I've tried both hand brushed and spray can paints, and definitely see the advantages of spraying, hence my desire to switch to an airbrush.
However, I'm at a loss as to which airbrush to buy, and could use some guidance as to which airbrush(es) would be best to start with.
I've tried doing web searches for comparative reviews by users of the various makes and models, but I've only been able to find reviews of a particular airbrush, or listings by manufacturers of their models and features.
I'd appreciate some responses from the more experienced modelers as to the makes and models of airbrush(es) they use, why they do and don't like a particular make or model, what they would recommend for someone who is just starting out, and why.
Thanks.

Kealii21,

Welcome to the forum.

There have been many posts here on this very subject if you do a search and you will find that there is really no agreement on the perfect airbrush as they are all pretty good and it boils down to personal tastes much like any tool.
I think most here would agree though that a double-action airbrush is your best bet as it will do anything you will ever need an airbrush to do.
The single-action models also have their place but it is better to just go to a double-action right off the bat and learn how to use it so that you don't start with a single-action now and find you have to buy another airbrush later to get a desired effect. There are basically two kinds of double-action airbrushes: gravity-feed with a built-in color cup on top, and siphon-feed which take both a metal color cup or plastic and glass bottle. Some people think that a gravity-feed is best to buy for modeling because they can spray at lower pressures, although I am not convinced of this unless you are talking about spraying at 3 or 4 psi which I think is silly. The design of the airbrush is basically another preference thing as some like the color cup on top as gravity-feed models are designed, and others like the color cup under the airbrush as the siphon-feed models are designed. Still others prefer the side-feed model which as the name implies, has the cup on the side allowing better visibility for intricate work like illustrators do with an airbrush. I have both gravity-feed airbrushes as well as siphon-feed models and I like them all. The gravity-feed models are a little bit faster to clean as there is no siphon-tube to clean, or plastic and glass jars to clean when finished as there are with siphon-feed models.
So it basically comes down to what style of airbrush you like and need.
If you plan on using the airbrush in a setting other than just modeling where more paint is needed such as T-shirt airbrushing, painting murals on walls, or other uses where 1-3 oz. of paint may be needed, then your choice is simple, get a siphon-feed model.
My personal choices for gravity feed airbrushes are the Badger Omni 4000, and Omni 5000. Iwata also makes good airbrushes such as the Eclipse CS and the Revolution CR. If you want a siphon-feed model then my choices are the Omni 3000, Badger Anthem 155, and Badger 150. Here again Iwata also has some excellent models in the Eclipse BCS, and Revolution BCR.
There are many very good models of siphon-feed airbrushes and others that are popular are the Badger Crescendo, and Paasche VL, both of which have a fatter body on the airbrush that some people prefer. I happen to prefer the slimmer design such as the Anthem 155 and Omni 3000.
The reasons I prefer Badger's products is because they are affordable, parts are readily available and no airbrush company takes care of their customers better than Badger.
That is why Badger sells twice as many airbrushes annually than all other airbrush manufacturers combined.

I hope this helps some.

Mike