Second airbrush choices

Thanks all for the outstanding advice. In looking around online, I've kept coming back to the Iwata Eclipse and I think I may put that one on the Christmas list. Pretty hard to argue with the Doogster

The Harder and Steenbecks look appealing, but pretty pricey. I know that my Paasche Talon is capable of super-fine work when I need it and I can get it to cooperate, but if the HP-CS can serve as a less-finicky, easy-clean workhorse, I'd be pretty happy. Thanks again, everyone!

It's all subjective. 

I've currently got four airbrushes (five if you count the ancient Paasche H that I use as a carpet bomber) - the Iwata HP-CS Eclipse, Iwata HP-C+, Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Silverline, and Harder & Steenbeck Infinity. Over the past two years, I've owned and sold a Grex Tritium TG.3, Badger Patriot 105, and Badger Renegade Velocity. 

Of those, the HP-CS is far and away my workhorse. Along with the HP-C+ for detail work.

The things I like about the HP-CS - it's versatile, easy to break down for cleaning, and bulletproof. The needle on that thing seems to hold up a lot better. You can also swap in a .5mm needle/nozzle (I believe designed for the HP-BR) and get a wider spray pattern.

The HP-C+ is a jewel. Sucks for big, consistent coats, but I'm doing a lot less of those nowadays, and I've been doing a lot of shading and modulation work with the C+ recently, even on big paint jobs. The feel and performance of the thing is great, but it is a bit harder to clean due to the tiny nozzle and tiny paint channel.

The Harder & Steenbecks are similar to the two Iwatas. They seem to spray acrylics better, and that's where they really see use. The needles are more fragile, though, and I've found them very prone to initial spatter (when you press the trigger but don't pull it back). My Iwatas never spatter, so I tend to lurch their way for fine work where I don't want to fuss with it.

The Badgers...I didn't like the way they felt, and the non-linear needle design of the Patriot really threw me off. The double-taper, at least to me, created an "all or nothing" feel to the paint flow.

The Grex - is a FANTASTIC airbrush. But the trigger mechanism that sounds so appealing was, in practice, a recipe for carpal tunnel. After using it to mottle a North African Bf 109, my arm was basically numb for a day. I've thought many times about picking up their non-trigger equivalent. The Genesis, I think it is. 

i personally recommend the iwata revolution CR or some will say HP-CR. i spray acrylics,enamels,and lacquers through it will zero problems. very very easy to clean and maintain. it's great for large coverage and can get down to small lines also with practice.

the badger 105 is in the same category as well.

can't go wrong with badger or iwata

but it all comes down to feel and personal preference.

The Badger 105 Patriot is pretty simple to tear down and clean. None of the parts are really tiny and you don't need any tools.  With a little care it will last a very long time. I haven't used this setup yet but I understand there is an .030mm needle and tip available for it now. With that you could choose from .030mm, .050mm and .070mm needles, tips and regulators to suit your needs. It comes with an .050mm set but .070mm parts from the Anthem or 360 will work. Lots of places sell Badger tips and needles so if you needed a replacement then possibly you could find one locally. If the needle bearing wears you can just send the brush to Badger and they will replace the bearing. All it will cost you is shipping it to them.

The Iwata Eclipse is very similar in the way it assembles/disassembles and would be another good option. Don't have one myself but lots of folks use them. I do have a Revolution CR and like it a lot. A nice brush for not a lot of money but they have had price increases since I bought mine. The tips are small and need a wrench to remove but I don't do that very often.

When it comes to acrylics I mostly use Tamiya and they're pretty easy to clean up. I use MM enamels sometimes and lacquers a little more often. I don't have any problem keeping the 105 or CR going with a minimum of maintenance. MM Acryls do require a little more attention...

Tony

Hi Stoutfella,

If you want easy to clean and a workhorse I'd recommend one of the H&S AB's (I have, like and use the Evolution Silverline) or, if  just a workhorse I'd recommend an Iwata Revolution CR which I also have (the Paasche Model H [I also have]  is a great AB but is siphon feed and your Talon is gravity). Now, that said, I offer a suggestion but with a couple of disclaimers: (1) I'm not an expert with an AB, (2) what I suggest  will probably cause cries of derision from some. You already have a great airbrush and changing from acrylics to enamels shouldn't really be a problem. Until you sort that out, consider one of the inexpensive 'made in China' airbrushes and use it for the paint you less often use. I have two made in China AB's: the Harbor Freight Deluxe and since I like gravity feed I bought THIS one (long story as to why). The Harbor Freight worked (still does) great for several years until I went to gravity feed and the newer one also works well. Don't know how long it will last and, honestly, it's not a workhorse for me but for $20 why not think about it and put something else on your Christmas list.

stoutfella

What might you recommend as a solid, dependable, easy to clean workhorse of an airbrush?

All thoughts welcome. Thanks.

I'm sure not an airbrush expert, but it sounds like you're describing the venerable old Paasche model H.  Yes, that's the only one I've ever seriously used, but I've painted 40-50 models with it, in a variety of finishes(all done with enamel paint).  A friend gave me his Paasche VL, but I've had a hard time getting used to the double-action feature of that one.  Good luck with whatever you choose.

Gary