Best airbrush-Opinions

Just my personal input, there will of course be many others offered as the "go to brush."

Of all my airbrushes purchased over several decades, my favored ones are the Badger 100G, 200G and plain Jane old 200. My use is not particularly demanding, so no $300-400 AB's needed.

I consider the Badger line to be quality made, affordable, with good spray results. Mine are super easy to clean, an important feature for me. But there are many more out there worth a look.

Good hunting, I hope you end up with one that makes you happy.

Patrick

Thanks for the input.

Any airbrush will do as long as it's an Iwata. 

Nathan T

Any airbrush will do as long as it's an Iwata. 

 

I started with a Paasche H too! Whilst it was a good introduction to airbrushing, i found it to be a little cumbersome to use.

In my opinion (and for my purposes only), the best airbrush must be:

- dual action;

- gravity fed; &

- name brand (Badger, Iwata, Harder & Steenbeck, Paashe etc).

Of all of them, i think the third point is a must - by buying name brand, you can be assured you'll be able to find spares and replacement parts for years to come.

I see no point in buying cheap knock-offs, i'd rather forego 10 kits if it means buying a good quality airbrush.

My  

IEDDTEK

<big snip>

Any particular brush out there that really stands out as an all round capable unit?

I think the one that stands out is the one you try and really like.  I think there's a lot of 'personal preference' to selecting an airbrush. No matter what you buy, if it doesn't look right, doesn't feel right, trigger position/pressure not right and/or is hard for YOU to clean/maintain, you wom't be happy using it no matter the brand. Iwata and Badger seem to be the most recommend brand on this forum but there are others including H&S, Grex, and, yes, even the Master brand. I have several airbrushes but my personal preference is the H&S Evolution but I don't think it's particularly a 'stand out', it just fits ME and it's the one always attached to my compressor! I won't list all reasons I like the H&S but a critical one is ease of access to nozzle and nozzle size ( physical size, not spray diameter). IMHO decide what you want in an AB then fiind the brand that fits - it will be YOUR all around capable AB, My 2 .

Bick

 

 

IEDDTEK

<big snip>

Any particular brush out there that really stands out as an all round capable unit?

 

 

 

 

I think the one that stands out is the one you try and really like.  I think there's a lot of 'personal preference' to selecting an airbrush. No matter what you buy, if it doesn't look right, doesn't feel right, trigger position/pressure not right and/or is hard for YOU to clean/maintain, you wom't be happy using it no matter the brand. Iwata and Badger seem to be the most recommend brand on this forum but there are others including H&S, Grex, and, yes, even the Master brand. I have several airbrushes but my personal preference is the H&S Evolution but I don't think it's particularly a 'stand out', it just fits ME and it's the one always attached to my compressor! I won't list all reasons I like the H&S but a critical one is ease of access to nozzle and nozzle size ( physical size, not spray diameter). IMHO decide what you want in an AB then fiind the brand that fits - it will be YOUR all around capable AB, My 2 .

 

Ditto.

Mick.

Google Don's Airbrush Tips and there you'll find numerous reviews. This may help you make your decisions.

Bick

 

 

IEDDTEK

<big snip>

Any particular brush out there that really stands out as an all round capable unit?

 

 

 

 

I think the one that stands out is the one you try and really like.  I think there's a lot of 'personal preference' to selecting an airbrush. No matter what you buy, if it doesn't look right, doesn't feel right, trigger position/pressure not right and/or is hard for YOU to clean/maintain, you wom't be happy using it no matter the brand. Iwata and Badger seem to be the most recommend brand on this forum but there are others including H&S, Grex, and, yes, even the Master brand. I have several airbrushes but my personal preference is the H&S Evolution but I don't think it's particularly a 'stand out', it just fits ME and it's the one always attached to my compressor! I won't list all reasons I like the H&S but a critical one is ease of access to nozzle and nozzle size ( physical size, not spray diameter). IMHO decide what you want in an AB then fiind the brand that fits - it will be YOUR all around capable AB, My 2 .

 

Candidly, I have owned many AB models of most of the popular brands, Iwata, Paasche, Badger and others, have had the chance to try several others, H&S, T&C. My very basic Badgers for now are my most used, believe it or not my nearly 50 year old Binks Wren, single action external mix, has a purpose for spraying large area base and primer coats. That's as basic as an AB can be, but it performs very well for me.

Have you taken a look at youtube for AB reviews? Some of them are very comprehensive and provide good information about strong and or weak points. But I do think if you stick within the major brands, it's not common to find a really poor AB. Different handling characteristics and maintenance features are present, but most will do a credible job of paint application.

My .02 

You will have to experiment with a couple of them till you find the correct one for you.

I own a Badger 150 (30+ years old) for regular use. Badger Renegade Velocity for X-tra fine work. This is my favorite cause I can do some really close in and detailed work with the .21 tip it has.

I also have Badger Anthem 155 for regular/broader coverage work and recently bought an Ewata Neon gravity fed which I tend to use more now for general use. It cleans easier than the bottom fed ABs  and has a very smooth trigger.

It's really not so much the brush as it is learning how to master what you have. I seen amazing work with some very low end brushes. as long as your brush functions properly you should be able to handle the majority of the work needed in this hobby. If you need hair fine lines, then a detail brush is needed or your current brush may be upgraded if possible to a fine needle and tip. I seen amazing work from Badger 150's,175's, Paasche VL's, and Talons. Fermis has done some great work with a brush he claims cost him 20.00. My major concern and biggest selling point is customer service, I could easliy rate that, and Badger would win hands down.

If you truley feel the need to spend a fortune on a brush, by all means do so, but a high end brush is no gaurantee to better painting, practice is the key .