Looking for my first airbrush. Please help me as much as you can. Any opinions are welcome

Mihia

Have you purchased your airbrush yet? I have been going through this same dilemma. I was really interested in the Paasche VLST for two weeks, but then someone gave me that Dons website (which is awesome) I switched to between a Badger 155 and a Iwata Eclipse BCS. I did some research and found a place in Calofornia that offers great prices and all different airbrushed. I ordered my Iwata Eclipse BCS set came with hose two paint bottles and quick disconnect for 135$ free shipping.

Best deal I found and I searched everywhere imaginable, also I spoke to a real person when I ordered, was quite pleased with experience.

Eric

Hi Micheal.  My first airbrush was a Testors Aztek kit.  What a mistake!  I just got a Iwata Neo kit that comes with the airbrush and compressor and I had no idea what I was missing.  I really like this aurbrush and would recommend it.  I am pretty new to modeling myself with only 3 kits under my belt.  For my current skill level I think this is a great airbrush.

1 airbrus. iwata hp-cs. Buy at hobby lobby with 40% off online coupon. It would be right for you.

Speaking from experience I bought a cheap chinese 0.20mm airbrush to shoot my vallejo primer, future wax etc. Didn't want to gum up my Paasche. I almost threw out the primer it was so grainy on the model and clogged the brush even with flow aid. Future wax went down pebbly as well.  The last model I primed was with my Paasche Talon with a 0.38mm needle. The difference night and day, primer coat was nice a flat, no clogging.  

Moral of the story dont buy a second cheap brush, you will most likely hate the results and waste money for nothing. Second is that small needle sizes clog easier. As a beginner myself I found my first few uses of a new airbrush to be frusterating without worring about bad quality brushes and clogged tips. 

Once final piece of advice, play around, experiment and don't get discouraged. Finding the right paint/thinner ratio, pressure and spraying technique is not an exact science. My first 2-3 models had a steep learning curve going from brush painting to airbrushing. Now I find with each model my painting gets better and better results and the initial frusteration was worth it.

I've run the full course of airbrushes, mediocre to full on high end. Iwata, Paasche, Badger, Binks, Testors and maybe some more that I have forgotten, thankfully.

Current inventory is 18, was more but I have given several away. For some time my most used are the Badger 200G, 100LG and 100G. They do everything I might have to do, extremely reliable and long lasting, among the most affordable available. For however much I have invested in AB's over the years, I could have gotten by perfectly with those three.

Several of mine have seen heavy use for years, no sign of wearing out any time soon. The key is careful use and keeping them CLEAN.

Pawel's post is good, I also use one brush for base coats and prime coats, the Badger 200G, but any of the Chinese knockoffs can be a real crap shoot, they can vary wildly in qualty from one serial number to the next. Plus, materials wise they just are not going to last as long as the major brands.

I know it may be overkill for many, but my compressor is the California Air Tools 1610A. Could not be happier with it. Several of the FSM members have reported satisfaction with it also. Super quiet, excellent performance, etc. But I also hear great things about the Iwata's, compare and decide what's best for you. Any particular info you might want, just fire away.

The H&S two'fer sounds interesting, might be a good choice for you. Good luck with your search, let us know how you make out.

Patrick

Mihai Ilie

Hey guys..thanks for your answers...and sorry for being a bit late to reply.

 

 

I started to think about the HP-C Plus (0.2mm) (I think this one should be a bit better than the Eclipse) and about the H&S Infinity (0.2mm) too.

 

I went to the local store yesterday and the guy there suggested this:

 

He said I should buy sth like a H&S Ultra (entry lvl h&s) with a small needle size 0.2mm and another cheap chinese ab for base coating. He said it would be a shame to use the Eclipse for such things and overuse it and damage it because I do too many things with it.he said to get a dedicated one for details and a cheap one for coating.

 

What do you think about this option? Would it be a good ideea? Could the Eclipse get damaged?

 

Seriously? You're gonna listen what a store employee recommends? You can't make up your own mind? Listen, you've read Don's site, it's your money, get what you want and can afford. 

Why do you need one exclusively for priming and base coating? Makes no sense. I do most of my priming using a rattle can (Rustoleum Grey Primer). 

Personally, you're overthinking too much. Buy one already.

I think Don's point is a universal truth. Crappy tools yield crappy work.

I'm a one brush guy, but if and when I get the latest move un packed and my station back up, I'd like to buy another one with a fine tip. 

Right now I have my trusty Badger, but i'd consider any of the ones discussed here. Those Iwatas sound like good units.

As for wearing brushes out, it can be done but it takes a whole lot of use. More likely, you'll drop it on the floor and bend the needle.

I'd seriously suggest you invest in a spray  hood. Those things get pricey, but they have so many advantages as far as controlling the environment in which you work.

You also haven't asked about the compressor. I'd be interested to see what the advice is, but my understanding is that the Iwata ones are good.

Hello!

I don't think the guy's recommendation of getting two airbrushes is so wrong. I myself have two airbrushes, a Paasche VJR and a cheap copy of some Iwata (I've bought my cheap airbrush for about 20$). Now that VJR is a small airbrush and it has two nozzles, #1 and #2. I have a problem sorting out their exact diameters, but I use the smaller one all the time. And I seldom even touch the other airbrush. I mainly do 1:72 aircraft and 1:35 armor. Sometimes I also build 1:24 cars. Now if I needed to gloss-coat the whole car, then I'd break out the pseudo-Iwata, but usually I use spray cans for something like that, because then I have less cleanup. For something like 1:35 tank I'd take my Paasche and do some shading. Small airbrush is perfect to do colour modulation and I think it's the way to go lets you paint better models right from the start, instead of getting there from models painted single colour with the airbrush. I hope it helps you - thanks for reading and good luck with your new airbrush, have a nice day

Paweł

Mihai Ilie

So you say that I should get the HP-CS?

That is one of my airbrushes, and it works well for me. But no, I'm not necessarily recommending it because I believe most folk tend to recommend what they use, and also because there are so many folk here with more experience than I have, I have no business anything. That said, please see my recommendation in the next paragraph.

My only real suggestions would be to purchase a gravity feed, double action airbrush and again, stay away from the very small needle/nozzle combos.

I consider the Iwata HP-CS and Harder and Steenbeck 2 in 1 comparable, they are the two I have in use. I like the feel of the Harder and Steenbeck a bit better, and I can strip it without tools. But lately, I don't wrench tighten anything on the Iwata either, so I suppose that argument is moot.

I so wish I'd found Don Wheeler's site whilst I was where you are, looking for my first airbrush (that wasn't 30 years old and corroding, which mine all were).

I don't consider the H&S 2 in 1 a mistake in any way. One of these days I might just learn something and find a use for that .2mm nozzle, who knows.

Mihai Ilie

 

He said I should buy sth like a H&S Ultra (entry lvl h&s) with a small needle size 0.2mm and another cheap chinese ab for base coating. He said it would be a shame to use the Eclipse for such things and overuse it and damage it because I do too many things with it.he said to get a dedicated one for details and a cheap one for coating.

 

What do you think about this option? Would it be a good ideea? Could the Eclipse get damaged?

 

This is BS.  That means he doesn't know what he is talking about.  You are not going to damage a good airbrush by over using it.  Take care of it and it will last for many years.  Nozzles and needles do wear out, but it takes a lot of painting to do it.

You can get H&S airbrushes with various size nozzles.  You would do fine with either the Eclipse or one of the H&S airbrushes with a .35 or larger nozzle.  Don't waste money on a cheap Chinese airbrush.

Whatever you get, learn how to clean it and keep it that way.  Don't expect to be an expert right away.  Practice on junk plastic before trying it on a model.  Experiment with thinning and air pressure.  Get a decent compressor with a pressure regulator.

Good luck with it.

Don

Greg

I agree that all the airbrushes you are considering are good ones. I own and use two of them.

My suggestion is that you stop considering the .2mm needle/nozzle. I think anything under .35mm is going to cause you trouble, especially as a beginner.

Have fun and good luck with your purchase decision.

 

So you say that I should get the HP-CS?

Best regards!

I agree that all the airbrushes you are considering are good ones. I own and use two of them.

My suggestion is that you stop considering the .2mm needle/nozzle. I think anything under .35mm is going to cause you trouble, especially as a beginner.

Have fun and good luck with your purchase decision.

As Patrick says, do research, but it also depends on what you can get where you are.

Many of the guys in my hobby club get great/superb results with the new generation Badgers, but I haven't used them.

The A/B I use the most is a Iwata HP-CS, which I've had 10 years.

I have had it serviced, mainly because I dropped it point down on the floor, so I can agree that parts are expensive! (much of the cost of service was covered by their 10 year warranty, but not worn/busted parts)

I have 0.35 and 0.50 headsets, (needle, nozzle & headset needed)  but the 0.5 set is most usefull & more forgiving when using acrylics and primers.

I did these 1/48th vehicles & gliders

and this 1/35th HobbyBoss AAVP7 3 colour NATO camo freehand

I would avoid the cheap chinese knock-offs, they will last weeks, months even, but the Iwata CS was warrantied by the UK dealership for 10 years.

Guud luck.

It's good that you're doing your homework, getting information so you'll have a better idea of what is a good choice for you. I'd only offer the following, a rugged and high quality AB that does the work you will actually be doing, and at the most affordable price, will be the most suitable for you.

Iwata makes some of the best around, I use one. My only heartburn is the cost of replacement parts, when and if needed, and the rather higher acquisition costs compared to other brands. My Iwata does no better work than my Badgers, most of them were bought new at authorized dealers, most on promotional sales, some as low as $50-$75.

The recommendation from Blacksheep214 to check out Don's airbrush website is the very best thing for you to do, I believe, great suggestion. You'll find detailed information on so many different types and brands, actual use reports, maintenance, strong and weak points, etc.

Seriously, spend some time looking it through thoroughly and you'll have a real headstart on your search. In the end, there is no benefit to purchasing more airbrush than you will ever need, or buying one that can't keep up with you as your skills advance.

If you want, come on back with more questions or ideas. That's why we're here.

Patrick

Michael,

I received an Iwata Eclipse CS for Christmas and from my own experiences is solid, reliable, easy to maintain AB. I use it as my go to AB and so far haven't had any problems. Just ensure you carry out a little maintenace and use a little of the lube on the parts from time to time to keep in perfect condition. It has surpassed all my expectations and I can't reccomened it enough.

I'm also looking at an Iwata Revolution CR and the best price so far is around the $95 - $105 usd mark. I'm guessing that your in Europe, but you can look at http://www.airbrushmegastore.com they have good pricing and ship Internationaly.

Best of luck

Damian

Read the link to Don's site below and make your own decision which one you want.

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home

Those are all good airbrushes. I've never seen the Hansa, but being made by H&S, I'm sure it's decent quality.  I think the Neo is a little too delicate for a first airbrush, and not the greatest for broader coverage.  I wouldn't recommend a nozzle smaller than .35mm.  Of the ones you list, I would pick either the Iwata Eclipse or the Evolution.  The Evolution has more choices of nozzle size.

Don