Badger Sotar Detailing AB at Amazon

Dunno, but at that price I sent a quick text to the wife saying "Please!  Please!  Please!"  Hopefully she's not done with her Christmas shopping yet! ;)

I just ordered one.  I couldn't resist.

Wow. Me too, though I have 6 AB's, I couldn't resist at that price. I blame it on CBA (compulsive buying addiction). Maybe I'll not use it a lot but I can tell everyone I have one.

I thought about buying it too, but I just bought a Badger Krome not too long ago and I already have an Anthem and Iwata Neo so I think I'm good for now.

Man, is that a great price or what?  I am so tempted to buy one, although I haven't done any painting in months.   And, since I have nerve damage that results in very little fine feeling in most of my fingers, I've found that double-action AB are difficult for me to get used to.  It is hard for my numb fingers to operate that double-acting trigger button.  But, but, the price is so good and maybe I really do need to move up from my old and venerable Paasche H...sigh, decisions, decisions.

On a side note, is anyone familiar with the triggger-type ABs out there?  I would think they might be easier to operate for me.  Does anyone know anything about this one?  Here:

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush-All-Purpose-Precision-Dual-Action/dp/B0026SHUMA/ref=pd_sim_ac_99

I convinced my wife to get me one for Christmas (Yes men, a grown man can influence his wife in the same way a whiny toddler can!).  I have a soft spot for Badgers.  I still have the 200 I got as my first ever airbrush about 25 *cough cough* or more years ago and my workhorse airbrush is the Anthem, but I've had my eye on the Sotar for doing fine detail work for sometime.

@Texgunner,

The SOTAR comes with a trigger limiter or something like that. You can use it as if it were a glorified single action AB.

I wasn't sure if I needed a 4th AB. But when my kids said, "Dad, you have nothing to lose," I placed an order :-)

Mine will be here tomorrow! (Friday)

To change between my Paasche Model H and this Badger, will I need any sort of adapters, or do they have the same type fittings?  Thanks!

Gary

WOW I thought this one was out of reach. 3-5 days standard shipping….

Paasche & Badger use different type fittings. A Badger to Paasche fitting would cost you a few bucks.

Chrisk-k

Paasche & Badger use different type fittings. A Badger to Paasche fitting would cost you a few bucks.

Thanks Chris.  I was looking at the products on Amazon and it looked like the fitting ton the air hose that attaches to the regulator was just a common, standard fitting just like my Paasche's hose.   Is that correct?

@Texgunner,

It depends on what air hose you use. I assume you have a Paasche-compatible air hose, and a Badger AB won't fit with that air hose. In that case, you need an A-151 Badger-to-Paasche-hose adapter.

Visit Chicagoairbrushsupply.com and check out various adapters for different ABs. You'll get more accurate information there than at Amazon.  

Chrisk-k

@Texgunner,

It depends on what air hose you use. I assume you have a Paasche-compatible air hose, and a Badger AB won't fit with that air hose. In that case, you need an A-151 Badger-to-Paasche-hose adapter.

Visit Chicagoairbrushsupply.com and check out various adapters for different ABs. You'll get more accurate information there than at Amazon.  

Again, I appreciate your reply Chris.  I was thinking that instead of using my Paasche hose with the Badger, I would simply remove the Paasche hose at the regulator on my CO2 tank and screw on the Badger hose.  Thereby, having a hose attached to the Paasche ready to attach at the regulator and another similar set-up for the Badger (with its own hose).  I would simply switch out the set-up according to my painting needs.  Does that make sense?

Gary

This is SO tempting! But I'm not having much luck so far with the .2mm needle with my HS Evolution, so I figure same with this one (same needle size, though you can buy the .45 and/or .7mm if you want).

But for those of you who have .2mm needles all figured out (which is probably everybody except me), can't see how one could resist this!

I am in the same boat as I have a Krome which I really like.  Why would this be in my list?  Of course the drool factor not counting:)

John

If you have a Hobby Lobby they carry some adapters. Its also a good idea to take your airbrush and hose with you as knowledgeable in store help is a big YMMV.

You might also look at a "quick disconnect" while there.

Another possibility. Harbor Freight airbrushes may actually include the adapter you need. Use the adapter do what you will with the airbrush. May actually be cheaper than buying the adapter alone via mail order.

Hi all,

Received my Sotar 20/20 a couple of hours ago and just had to play with it. First thing I did was change the regulator to the 'crown' type which comes with it. In the process, took the whole nozzle assembly off and, yes, dropped that tiny, tiny nozzle. Fortunately I was over my workbench so found it quickly. Be careful - it's tiny. I didn't like that very fine needle just sticking out so wanted add the additional protection. I also added a Badger to Iwata hose adapter and a quick connect. First, sprayed some thinner - it worked fine then sprayed some acrylic (craft paint) which had been thinned for my H&S Evolution. The Sotar is a nice airbrush and beautifully made but, frankly, I didn't find much difference in my hands from my H&S Evolution with the 0.2 mm nozzle. I'm not an expert with an airbrush but was able to do some fine lines with the Sotar but I think similar to the Evolution. The Evolution with a 0.2 mm nozzle is the one always on my compressor and, because there was little difference for me between the two the Sotar might get more use than I had initially thought, particularly when I want to do small areas. Anyway, the Sotar's a nice airbrush; here's a pic of it with my Evolution Silverline.

The darned thing looks so cool, makes me want to buy it anyway. :) Thanks for the field report, Bick.

Couldn't resist for that price.  I know have a Patriot for the large work, the Krome with the fine needle and now the Sotar for the really fine work.  At least I don't need to change needles and with the quick change couplings on all three it is a snap to change the hose.  Mine did not come with an adapter either, but I ordered one with the brush.  I am convinced the is a real Badger and not a knock off.

Cleaned it up and took it apart and reassembled and then sprayed some IPA and then just water and it works great.  Just waiting to try it with some real paint.  My Christmas is bought and already unwrapped, but I am a smiling camper.

John

I misread the arrival date. Mine will arrive on next Monday, not today. A couple folks at Amazon claim that Amazon sold fake SOTRA AB's. There is no way Amazon can sell Badger counterfeits. Selling counterfeits is a federal crime and Amazon isn't that stupid.

I also ordered a Badger-to-Iwata quick connector. I can't survive without quick connectors!

I couldn't resist either.  Today, my Sotar arrived and so now I have my first double-action airbrush.   I haven't used it yet, but when I do, I'm going to need some information.  Like, how the heck do I clean it?  I'm very well versed in maintenance and cleaning of my old Paasche H but this is all new to me.  What is the typical cleaning sequence for cleaning one of these?  Thanks for any help!

Gary

Why is this $60 on Amazon and $$$$ most other places? Usually at 2-4X this price. This much of a price difference is very uncommon on legit products, not just air brushes. I'm not suggesting these are fakes, just an unusual situation.

Is Badger trying to clear these out to make room for an upgrade? Did someone at Amazon or Badger accidentally put an extra "0" or two on their last order and there is a butt load of these sitting in a warehouse

Maybe, someone at Amazon made a pricing error? Good for us!

As for cleaning, every double action AB is different. One can find lots of AB cleaning tutorials on Youtube and on the Net. Basically, you shoot a solvent (Windex), disassemble it, clean parts, and assemble it. Much more time consuming than cleaning an external mix AB.

Hi Guys,

I can think of a number of reasons for the 'hard to believe' price but it would be pure speculation. After reading Chris-K's initial post I did some surfing on airbrush fora - not modeling ones but where artists make their living using an AB - and, in addition to positive experiences with the SOTAR noticed reports that Amazon had sold the SOTAR for $75.00 some time ago (I missed it). I notice, too, that the packaging on mine lists the "Sotar Air-Brush Company" as the seller (not Badger). From Don's review of the SOTAR, it was sometime after introduction that Badger assimilated the Sotar into is regular line of AB's rather than a separate company. Comparing my SOTAR with the picture on Don's site the only difference is the shape of the color cup. I think current pricing reflects this change from SOTAR to Badger. NOS (new old stock) perhaps. Anyway, I'm quite sure my SOTAR is genuine and happy to be the beneficiary of that price whatever the reason. It is a nice airbrush!!

As Bick wrote, there are a few possible reasons for the low price.  I can only assume it is somehow considered to be to Badger's economic benefit.

I noticed the cup difference.  It has a couple of advantages.  It doesn't tip back so much, so you don't have to work at such a steep angle.  Because of the angle change, there is more distance between the cup and trigger and room for your finger.  And, it has straight sides, which makes it easier to find something to use as a cap.

For cleaning, you could probably get away with flushing and then pulling and wiping the needle.  I would also swab out the channels in the bottom of the cup with my little interdental brush.

Don

I just got the Sotar .

i have ?

There is a second need and tip .

The tip is different shape . What is the difference ?

thanks

Rick

The needle is just a spare for what is already in the brush.

The tip is just an alternate tip that provides the two little prongs sticking up that helps protect the needle tip. The downside is the prongs can "sometimes" contribute to dry tip, providing a surface that paint can dry on, build up, and eventually clog the tip.

This being a .2 mm tip it is more sensitive to dry tip than a "typical" hobby brush of .4 or .5 mm.