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keilau
Cheap? Probably yes. Durable? I have serious doubt.
Most importantly, my Iwata has a smooth acting trigger and precise control. Cannot get that from the Chinese knock-offs.
Hi Keilau,
Curious why you believe one can't get durable, smooth and precise control from a Chinese made AB? I''ve had a Harbor Freight AB for a number of years and the trigger is smooth and controllable. Don't use it much because I've gone gravity feed but it still works just fine. I don't have a Master AB but have a friend who does and he's delighted with it - he's had it for a number of years! I realize that there are QC issues with the cheapest/noname (i.e. $10.00) ones off eBay but the private branded ones sold by dealers who back them with available parts and a 1 yr warranty (Master, Peak,etc) are, I think, probably a decent buy, particularly if one's budget is limited. If you look around the web you will find reports of individuals who have had to return VERY expensive airbrushes because of malfuinction. I'd rather have a 'made in China' AB than none at all. Just curiosity and some thoughts!
I have 3 made-in-China knock-offs, 2 are PowerCat and one Neo for Iwata.
I also have the Iwata HP-CS, Badger Krome and H&S Evolution Silverline as my reference.
When I start shopping for a better airbrush in 2008, I asked here how come the Master is so much cheaper than the Iwata. One reply from Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt warned me about the loose trigger and soft needle. Many other readers echoed that. I settled with the Iwata and never look back. It is still my go to airbrush today.
A year or so later, I got the PowerCat out of curiosity. That was supposed to be the most popular brand of made-in-China airbrush then. I dinged one of the needle the first day. The trigger tolerance were poor, the needles were not springy like the Iwata's. They proved everything that Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt described. But they were about 1/3 of the cost of an Iwata.
In 2011, I bought the Neo for Iwata at HL for $38. The trigger was reasonably precise and smooth. But the needle and nozzle were the same cheap quality as the PowerCat's. In fact, they had the same diameter and were interchangeable. It is a good option for modeler if cost is the primary consideration. Neo was known to have quality control issue, but mine worked just fine.
I also like the Krome and the H&S, but I still saw no reason to switch from the Iwata. Because we clean our nozzle and needle regularly, I found the better brands have a definite advantage due to better material and better manufacturing tolerance. They are less prone to wear and accidental damage.
Again, airbrush choice is very personal. But even the name brands are reasonably priced compared to today's kit price. Serious modeler really have no good reason to go for cheap in any tools, including the airbrush.
BTW, a Peak C-5 costs 4-5 times more than the typical Master airbrush. It is a quality made house brand for BearAir from Japan. It is unfair to both to mention them together.
After the above experience with Iwata and others, I always recommended here that first time buyer to try the airbrush he had in mind at a local store first. Hold it in your hand, pull the trigger to see if it feels comfortable and balanced in your hand. Read up on reviews to find out if the particular airbrush action has a gentle, linear type paint release or a quick, fast type. I like the first kind, but other modeler likes the quick, fast trigger action. Again, the final decision is always personal.