Airbrush for an occasionnal modeler

 I have the Badger Chrome. Its my go to brush for 95% of my work. I also have the Badger Sotar 20/20 fore finer work. I also have a couple Iwatas, which are also very good all around airbrushes.

What needle size are you using?  Is the needle size impact a lot for fine details?  And do you use the needle limiter?

 

What needle size are you using?  Is the needle size impact a lot for fine details?  And do you use the needle limiter?

 

LucBuj

Hi to all this great community!

I already have a badger 150 with the 3 neelde sizes but I want to try a gravity feed airbrush.  

I hesitate between Badger Krome / Patriot 105 Extreme and Paasche Talon.

Wihtout being a professionnal modeler/airbrusher, I want to use it for better fine details.  There are some functions on the three of them like the needle limiter and pressure control.  Are they really good options to get fine details / lines?   

I'm an old modeler with years out of the hobby and now occassional I can use my badger 150 for overall surfaces but I have difficulties to get fine details like camouflage on a BF-109 for examle... 

Any advice/trick/reeflection about those three airbrushes?

A big thanks in advance...

 

I have several Badger's. I tried the Extreme 105, found the air control valve to be ill fitting and rather useless. I ordered a 105 body, used the Extreme parts and made a basic 105.

I think the plain old 105 is among the best airbrushes made, I also use the 100G for tighter areas. The Sotar with three needle sizes is a fine all around AB, and can do just about any painting tasks, I like mine very much.

Many experienced modelers here will agree, the plain 105 is an excellent choice for a do it all AB. Very inexpensive, rugged and reliable, will last for a lifetime with good care. My most frequently used are the 100G, 105 and Sotar, all with three needle sizes.

If you haven't already, go to "Don's airbrush" website, you'll find considerable information about all of these and more. A visit well worth your time, highly recommended.

Patrick

 

I love my old 105.

 

Bill

Yes I've just discovered it yesterday I will surely have a great look. For my decision I will probably eliminate de Paasche as I already have some badger hardware. I think I will go with the Patriot Extreme as the plain 105 is not available at my hobby store at the moment... The Krome seem to be maybe for most advanced user than me... The 0.3 needle seem to be a good compromise for me.

My vote if you have to have top feed, would be for a Badger 100 fine ( because all the needles and tips fit from your 150). But even with my 200 using a side cup I've never lacked for fine detail using the .25 tip and needle, you just got to hand crank the needle because it's single action. But I can reduce flow to where you can't see the mist by sight, only when you move in real close you see paint accumulating on the surface. It's a very fine atomizing tip, yet can be opened up for broader coverage too. It's my favorite needle combo now for more than 45 years. And that can be put on the 100 top feed airbrush. There is also a .22 tip for that brush ( screw in tips with teflon seal).

I'd most likely personally just get a side cup and fine needle set for the 150 and call it a day though.

Thanks to all of you.  I will probably chose the patriot 105 extreme because my supplier offer this one at a discount price and the only other badger options are Patriot 105 and Krome.  And I have a gift card to use before it's expiration too!

 

Krome seems to me most of a more professionnal airbrush for me, I was interested by it for it's precision for doing detailed camouflage and lines. I'm doing mainly aircraft 1:48, 1:72 and use the airbrush for main covering.   I've read this one is dedicated for really fine details and I'm afraid that my skills would not match the brush!   

Do you guys are using the needle limiter at the end of the brush?  Does this option is really usefull and helpfull for beginner to get better fine results?

And for the Patriot Extreme, I effectivly found the the PAC vavle is useless.  It comes with high roller trigger which I think will help me to get better control.   With a 0,3 needle it should be ok for general purposes. 

And last questions:  at which point the needle size impact the fine details???   As I saw some videos from guys doing hair lines with both Badger Extreme vs Krome with the same needle size...  I've never succeded with my actual Badger 150 with .22 needle.  Does the airbrush itself impact more that the needle size?

And are you aware about more abordable quick connectors than the badger ones?  

And thanks for the Don's web page, it is really a bible to mee!

LucBuj - I just remembered I found the stronger tape, like in the Post Office rolls, to be a good temporary fix for sealing the pac valve hole. Just ditch the screw, tape over the hole, replace if needed in time. Very easy and works great. I did that for my Arrow Extreme, until replacing with a straight Arrow body, as I did with my 105 Extreme.

I tried after market quick disconnect, the Badger one is far better and worth the cost.

Glad you liked "Don's airbrush" site, priceless info.

Patrick