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compare airbrushes?

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  • Member since
    June 2011
compare airbrushes?
Posted by woodworker on Monday, July 23, 2012 6:18 PM

anybody know of a website that compares different airbrushes?  I have a Renegade from Badger but not thrilled with it.  Just curious how other brands stand up to it.  thanks

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Monday, July 23, 2012 6:23 PM

Check out Don Wheeler's site. Lots of reviews and handy tips. https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home

What is it that you don't like about your Renegade?

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Windy city, US
Posted by keilau on Monday, July 23, 2012 7:49 PM

Phil_H

Check out Don Wheeler's site. Lots of reviews and handy tips. https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home

What is it that you don't like about your Renegade?

Same questionas Phil's.

Woodworker, What is it that you don't like about your Renegade?

I do not have a Renegade, but I have its cousin, the Badger Krome. I found the Krome to do well for modeling.

Don Wheeler's web site has a wealth of information on different airbrushes that you can use to compare their physical attributes. But you still need to try the airbrush with your own hand to see what you do or do not like.

  • Member since
    June 2010
Posted by montague on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 12:54 AM

you can try this you tube site. Good info and tips. I too have a patriot and Krome and am most satisfied. Pleaseescribe what is the issue, maybe we can be of help.

www.youtube.com/.../airbrushnews

  • Member since
    February 2015
Posted by Bick on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 7:54 AM

Unless it's malfunctioning, if you're not thrilled with your Renegade you'll probably never grow to love it. I think that selecting an airbrush is such a personal thing that, unfortunately, the only way I know of is to try then buy. Almost all AB's work similarly (the Paasche Turbo is an exception) and all will spray paint well including some of the cheaper Chinese AB's. If there's an airbrush retailer near you, I'd recommend a visit just to hold, look at, and feel various AB's.

Don Wheeler's site linked above is a great site for reviews of a number of AB's and includes info about airbrushing in general (the left Column on his site - not the reviews). You can certainly get an idea of ease of disassembling, cleaning and availability of parts there.

  • Member since
    June 2011
Posted by woodworker on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 9:40 AM

While at Wonderfest I tried a new brand of airbrush and it worked great.  I went back to the booth on Sunday and they had left earlier so I never did get the name of it.  All I know is that the airbrush cost $200.  I know it is not fair to compare a $200 brush to a $98  one but still the difference was remarkable.  That's what got me thinking about getting an other airbrush.

I am new to the airbrush and while I have to admit it I am beginning to think that my problem is that I want the skill of someone who has used it for years and months.  I think I will withhold any other complaints until I have had a lot more practice.  

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Fullerton, Calif.
Posted by Don Wheeler on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 11:37 AM

Grex was at Wonderfest, and I'm going to guess that's what you tried.  Did it have a green handle?  I'm working on a Grex review now, and it's a nice airbrush.  But, the Renegades are no slouch.  What were they spraying?  That can make a lot of difference.

You may be having paint problems.  You might want to try spraying some food colors or ink on paper toweling to practice.  That will show what the brush is capable of.  If it still sprays bad, examine the needle and tip.  The tiny Renegade tip is very fragile, and can easily be split or flared.  Use a good magnifier.  Feel the needle with your finger nail for any burrs.  The Renegades are good airbrushes, but I don't think they are the best choice for a beginner.

Don

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home

A collection of airbrush tips and reviews

Also an Amazon E-book and paperback of tips.

  • Member since
    June 2011
Posted by woodworker on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 5:24 PM

it was not Grex or Iwata.  The needle being exposed on the badger does bother me though.  I am always afraid I am going to bend it.  I have come to the conclusion that i need to just suck it up and practice, practice,  practice.

  • Member since
    June 2012
Posted by Compressorman on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 8:02 PM

Hi Woodworker,

You are right, keep on practicing and you will get to know your airbrush better and you will find that you two will get along much better. I have a theory that most airbrushes are more capable than the person that is using them. Many people will dump a lot of money on a super high-end brush when they can probably do the same things with a "normal" brush. Hope this makes sense. I used to do some kustom painting and used a passche vl. This is a brush that many people sneer at but it did fine for me,  I simply practiced and became comfortable with what I had.

Chris

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Monterey Bay,CA-Fort Bragg, NC
Posted by randypandy831 on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 10:07 PM

once you get the hang of it, you'll love this brush.

tamiya 1/48 P-47D $25 + shipping

tamiya 1/48 mosquito $20+ shipping

hobby boss 1/48 F-105G. wings and fuselage cut from sprue. $40+ shipping. 

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