Which Badger (and what needle/nozzle size)

Hi, MBird -

I use the 100G and 100LG, only difference is the cup size. For smaller detail work the 100G is perfect, for larger surface area jobs like primer or solid color base coats, the larger cup of the 100LG allows for longer spray sessions before reloading. I have fine and med tips/needles for both, they do all that I need. If I was only going to have one AB, the 100LG would be it. 

I also have the 105 Patriot, newly purchased, haven't used it all that much yet but like it very well too. I find the medium nozzles do pretty much everything I need, the fine nozzles do provide a bit finer lines, but I probably only use the fine ones about 10-15% of my time spraying.

I have a fondness for my old, plain Jane Badger 200 siphon feeds, and the 200G gravity. Simple, easy to clean, very efficient sprayers, reliable as a hammer. Excellent AB's and often overlooked.

I buy most of my AB's through Chicago Airbrush, or Webaire. Look for sale discounts, my 100G was about $54 with promotional discount code, including shipping. Both places have given me 100% reliable service. My 105 ended up with a cost of $55.

I strongly recommend you have a look at "Don's Airbrush" website, just type that in on Google, so informative and useful. You'll find all of the mentioned airbrush evaluation reports there, might help you make your decision as to which to buy.

I have Iwata, Paasche, Badger and Binks AB's, while they all function well, over the last few years I have developed a strong preference for Badger. Just really dependable workhorses and an affordable price, great values.

I also use a CAT compressor, the 1610A, love that thing.

Hope this helps.

Patrick 

Thanks for you info!

You said: "I find the medium nozzles do pretty much everything I need...." Do you mean the 0.50 mm nozzle (it seems like Medium means different things for the 100 vs. the Patriot). I am thinking I would get the Patriot with eth 0.5 which is Medium for the 100 series but 0.5 is Fine for the Patriot -- I think :) The 100 LG Medium seems to be out of stock everywhere :(

Thank you!

I use a patriot 105, i have both needle sizes for it the .4mm and .5mm,  I find the .5mm the best especially for acrylic paint. The size of the tip has little importantance in painting models.   Anything much smaller than the .4 size is made for inks and will cause you more clogging when using paint.

you can ask Ken himself from badger on their Facebook Page.

MBird -

JTRacing calls it right, the numerical size designation of the needle/nozzle sets means very little, the fine, medium and large designations are all that I go by. I don't even see a diameter size listed on the packages of my sets, just F-M-L.

Once I had a conversation with Ken at Badger, he stressed that needle size really meant more about what material the AB could effectively spray, not how fine the lines could be. I believe he meant how viscous the material is, thin ink or paint, etc.

I know it doesn't sound like a disciplined method, but I'll say that the vast majority, 85-95% of my spraying, is with the medium needle set installed in any of my AB's. And I'll also relate that when I do need a fine spray amount, like aircraft interiors or engines, I have to really thin the paint a great deal more than usual. I encounter considerably more clogging issues with the fine sets, same as JTR.

Maybe you could just try the medium when you get hooked up with one, to see if you really need a finer size.

I just used my new 105 a few hours ago, gave it a good workout with the med. needle, I see no measurable difference between it and my 100G or 100LG, in terms of spray characteristics. I like them equally. I think you'd be happy with it as well.

Did you visit Don's Airbrush website yet? Well worth a visit.

Patrick

Thanks to everyone for the great info!

Don's Airbrush Tips site is stellar and I really appretiate all the work and info there!

I ordered a 105 and am looking forward to its arrival!

I have not painted for some many years now so I'm really looking forward to seeing how the new acrylic technolgies are.

Thanks to all!

MBird, Sounds like you've already had some good advice, but i'd like to share my thoughts/experience too.

I have the 100LG and it is my workhorse airbrush. Like Patrick, if i could only have one airbrush, it would be the 100LG.

For what you describe, i would recommend both a medium and a fine head/tip/needle sets for the 100LG.

I use the medium for base coating and then use the fine for freehand camo etc. For many years i just owned the medium head assembly, but was not 100% happy with the finer spraying ability. I then bought a fine head assembly and it was like chalk and cheese, well worth it.

The ability to change heads etc really makes the 100 and 150 series fantastic airbrushes.

There is a big difference in how fine a line you can paint between the medium and fine, and i've found if you want to do nice mottling/freehand, especially on 1/72, you will need a fine. I use acrylics and have no issues spraying them. However, you will need to make sure you clean the fine tip, normally by soaking in thinners overnight etc, as it will clog more frequently.

I've recently bought a Badger Renegade Krome and it's in another league again, but, it really is only for fine fine detail.

Stick with Badger, you can't go wrong.

Chris.