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New airbrush question

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  • Member since
    January 2020
  • From: Maryland
New airbrush question
Posted by wpwar11 on Sunday, April 19, 2020 12:16 PM

Happy Sunday All,

Ive been modeling for 6 months now and decided I enjoy this enough to invest in an airbrush. With that decision made a few days ago the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS arrived with Iwata smart jet 850 compressor.  I had time this morning to set up and learn how it works.  I just shot water through and everything looks great.  I did notice the trigger action back to release paint is smooth and controlled.  The trigger action down to release air is fine except it doesn’t push down very far.  Is this normal or I’m I missing something?  

Follow up question.  I guess I’ll use plastic pipettes to drop paint into the cup.  Can you reuse those things or is it one and done?

  • Member since
    July 2018
  • From: The Deep Woods
Posted by Tickmagnet on Sunday, April 19, 2020 12:30 PM

I love my Eclipse and yes it is a short downward press and you'll get used to it. I never reused the plastic pipettes when I used them, but now I have a couple dozen glass droppers that I can clean real good and reuse. I just drop them in a jar of water after I use them so the paint doesn't dry and after I am done with a build I clean up the ones I've used.

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2020
  • From: Maryland
Posted by wpwar11 on Sunday, April 19, 2020 12:41 PM

Thanks.  That was a quick to the point answer.  I’m going to practice before it hits any projects.  I’m happy there is nothing wrong with it.  Cool!

Its a beautiful day in Maryland.  Time to enjoy my other hobbies out on the deck.  Guinness beer and Padron cigars.

Cheers and thanks again.

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Sunday, April 19, 2020 12:45 PM

I use little paper shotglass sized cups to mix paint. They can be pinched to make a little pour spout. Maybe not the most economical way to save paint, but one can hold 2-3 a/b cups worth. Makes refill a snap.

Enjoy the Stout. A friend of mine has had to close his brew pub for the time being, but he's selling out the door. He is still brewing and has about a dozen tanks going. 

Time to take down a Growler and get his Prickly Pear IPA.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Sunday, April 19, 2020 12:46 PM

I hope like your Iwata Eclipse HP-CS, I like mine.

I think lots of folks when starting out with a double action airbrush think that airflow can be controlled with how far the trigger is pushed down. That confused me at the beginning.

The trigger up/down is meant as an airflow on/off switch only. It is meant to be either up or down. Airflow is controlled by the pressure reguator. Paint flow is controlled by pulling the trigger back or forward.

I hope this helps and makes sense.

There is an order to trigger control on a double action airbrush.

1.  Push down trigger (start airflow)

2.  Pull back trigger/lever (start/control paint flow)

3.  Push trigger forward when done (stop paint flow)

4.  Release trigger (let spring push it up, to stop airflow)

Believe it or not, failure to do it this way can make dry tip worse when using some acrylics. I can't remember where I learned this, might have been Don Wheeler's site.

Edit: You may have already known all of this. On reading your question, I thought you expected more trigger travel to be able to control airflow. If I guessed wrong, didn't mean to.

 

  • Member since
    November 2018
Posted by oldermodelguy on Sunday, April 19, 2020 1:38 PM

I reuse my pipettes, just flush them out good then stand them up in a cup to dry.... I keep a separate one for thinners.

I'll let the double action Iwata guys talk up the airbrush. I'm not a fan of double action anyway, given the choice I always go for my trusty old Badger 200 single action ( I own both double and single action brushes).

  • Member since
    January 2020
  • From: Maryland
Posted by wpwar11 on Sunday, April 19, 2020 2:27 PM

Helpful!  No I didnt know about the up/down motion just being an on and off  mechanism.  It makes sense and I do find things a bit confusing at the moment but with anything practice, practice, practice.

GMorrison-

Enjoy the pear IPA.  I worry about the lititle brew pubs and breweries across the nation.  Over the last 20 or 30 years it’s been nice seeing the micro beer explosion especially here in the east.  Good luck to your buddy and thanks for responding to my question. 

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