First air brush

This is a question asked here many times,they are both good brushes,I have the Iwata,but that really doesn't matter,it comes down to personal preference and budget.

A good website that we usually refer folks to is Don Wheelers airbrush site,go ahead and Google it,it will come right up.It compares a lot of brushes,pro's,cons and so forth.

That sounds like a good capacity compressor,you will need a pressure regulator and vapor trap to go with it,along with the appropriate hardware and hoses.

The compressor does have the regulator and trap already installed on it. I have been looking at Dons site and kind of why the badger is starting to come into the picture for me. 

I have a Badger and I love it too.

My big compressor criteria is noise. It can be a real problem unless you don't have a day job and live in the woods.

GMorrison

I have a Badger and I love it too.

My big compressor criteria is noise. It can be a real problem unless you don't have a day job and live in the woods.

 

Fesan

if iwata is ordered what is needed for the .5 conversion for it? 

 

Fesan

 

3 liter compressor is a baby compressor kind of like the master ones you can buy from amazon for airbrushing.

 

Deleted

Badger is a good brush.  I had one that lasted for forty years before I replaced it.  I could have repaired it since parts are still available but I was lazy.  Easy availability of parts is a plus for the basic Badger brushes like the 150 and 200.

Your compressor may be overkill for airbrushing, but since you have it already it is fine.

Biggest thing about your first airbrush is to practice on scrap material for awhile before using it on good model, or else buy a cheap kit for practice.  A little practice will allow you to find your optimum thinning ratios and pressures.

Ya my Badger 200 lives on ! Had it about 45 years now, still my main modeling brush.

I agree with everyone above.

To chime in, the good news here is I think you are considering two extremely good first airbrushes. Like Tojo, of the two, I only own the Iwata HP-CS and I like it. Although I have a more expensive airbrush, the Iwata seems to have turned into my go-to a/b.

If I were buying my first a/b today based on what I know now, I might be tempted to try the Badger based on all of the positive comments I've read here over the years.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Wish there was a place near me i can try them honestly. I kust dont want to fall into the trap i normally do of buying a few different things to see what i like the best and sell off what i dont like lol.

I agree with Greg, above. Over the years I've owned many of the airbrushes made, currently use Badger, Paasche, Iwata and a very old Binks Wren. Not one of them can be considered inferior, like as has been said in this post, it is primarily a matter of which one seems to suit your needs best.

Comfort while holding it, ease of cleaning, cost of purchase and replacement parts are all things to consider. I'll offer this, if you do stay with the hobby for some time, your first airbrush likely won't be the last one you buy.

For my use, probably 90% is done with a Badger 100G, or 100LG, identical except for the gravity cup size. The LG with the bigger cup is handy for spraying large areas, like a complete coverage primer or paint coat. For those two airbrushes I have the small, medium and large needle/tip sizes, they do nearly everything I need for model painting.

I take advantage of sale prices, I think each of those mentioned I paid about $60-70 bucks for. I have settled on Badger for my everyday airbrushes, fit like an old pair of shoes, easy to clean and are ultimately reliable, very tough and durable. If parts are ever needed they are very reasonable in cost.

Some of mine are well over 40 years old, still work like new. If you do settle on a Badger, based on what you determine from Don Wheeler's website, I would highly recommend USA Airbrush for a purchase. I have made many purchases from them, faultless service and great prices.

From experience I can say Don Wheeler is very open to questions, always happy to help someone, I consider Don to be one of the definitive sources of airbrush knowledge. 

Best of luck with your search.

Patrick   

Do you like a slim barrel on your pens or a fatter barrel ? The Patriot 105 is pretty slim. By the same token you can get the 3 needle set with the airbrush for $90. The Iwata will be nearly twice that with the extra needle set you want. But some people just love Iwata, love the feel and how they work and so they will pay the extra. Most are at least somewhat seasoned or well versed around airbrushes and know what they want.

Starting out it's tough to know what you want till you dive in. You need a starting point. If you displayed two models, one painted with an Iwata, the other with a Badger would you pick the best one by airbrush brand or by the skill used to paint the model ?

oldermodelguy

Do you like a slim barrel on your pens or a fatter barrel ? The Patriot 105 is pretty slim. By the same token you can get the 3 needle set with the airbrush for $90. The Iwata will be twice that plus the extra needle you want. But some people just love Iwata, love the feel and how they work and so they will pay the extra. Most are at least somewhat seasoned or well versed around airbrushes and know what they want.

Starting out it's tough to know what you want till you dive in. You need a starting point. If you displayed two models, one painted with an Iwata, the other with a Badger would you pick the best one by airbrush brand or by the skill used to paint the model ?

 

Don't forget a hose and adapters with/for what ever you get.

oldermodelguy

Don't forget a hose and adapters with/for what ever you get.

 

Some sets come with hoses and some don't. You will probably have to adapt to your compressor.

Badger has it's own (smaller thread ) fittings but if it comes with a hose it will fit the airbrush. Any kit that comes with a hose the hose will fit the airbrush, just maybe not your compressor. US Arbrush should know what you need.

Fesan

I can not make my mind up the wife might murder me when i just say oh well and hit order on both of them

 

That we can't help you with lol ! 

Why don't you contact USA, their policy says they are there to help you if new to airbrushes or seasoned pro. So take them up on the offer.

Contacted them and waiting on an answer. The quick disconnects for air brushes are they all able to connect to the same disconnect on a hose or the female ends different for each brand? 

Fesan

Contacted them and waiting on an answer. The quick disconnects for air brushes are they all able to connect to the same disconnect on a hose or the female ends different for each brand? 

 

They should interconnect once you have the male/female ends set up right between different brands. Least as I understand it ( mine are set up different than that, I just disconnect at the compressor with the big utility style disconnect used for my lvlp guns and nail guns, I have an 8 gal portable compressor I use around the house and yard and airbrushing).

Were you able to come to any conclusions ?

oldermodelguy

Were you able to come to any conclusions ?

 

Fesan

 

 

yes. As for question to usa airbrush  i will just say not happiest with customer service but got my answers i needed. The badger did not ship due to “delivery” of shipment they need but it is what it is. The iwata shows up on saturday. Couldnt choose so bought both.

 

So is the Badger still coming ? Either way congrats ! And happy airbrushing.

oldermodelguy

 

So is the Badger still coming ? Either way congrats ! And happy airbrushing.

 

Fesan

 

Yes the badger is on the way just no clue when its shipping. (Asked for estimated time of their delievery they need to ship it to me and got no response in 24 hours) the iwata will be in hands on saturday for me to mess around with so was thinking of taking a crack at the vallejo (think thats how you spell it) acrylics also while at it. I tends to do everything enamel guess my younger habits still are kicking in lol. It will spray right from the bottle though too.

 

Vallejo Model Air I presume ( hope) ? Much easier to learn on at first than Model Color. Make sure you really stir it well, get all the pigment stirred in well till your stirring stick come out of the bottle with no sediment on it, then stir a little more.. In Vallejo Model Air even though it's ready to spray I still like a touch of thinner in it with a little retarder. Do that it will go down over primer like silk .

Enamels spray very well through an airbrush.

the acrylics thin with alcohol right? And whats this retarder you speak of?

Fesan

the acrylics thin with alcohol right? And whats this retarder you speak of?

 

No don't put straight alcohol in Vallejo paint. I make my own thinner but as a beginner I suggest you get some Vallejo thinner and retarder, some people like their flow aid. You will be better off to shoot the Vallejo straight from the bottle if you can't get the thinner between now and saturday than to use alcohol, assuming it's Model Air. It will spray ok. Too much alcohol in Vallejo paint will jam your airbrush up solid with what looks like a latex membrane ! Don't even think about it.

Are regular acrylics viable to use once i learn a little more?