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I tried out the Iwata HP-CS

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
I tried out the Iwata HP-CS
Posted by MikeV on Monday, April 26, 2004 9:19 PM
Well guys my Badger quick connect for the Iwata came today and so I thought I would try out the HP-CS in the same way that I tried out my other airbrushes a while back in a quick test. I mixed MM Acryl Flat Black in a 2:1 ratio with a 50/50 mixture of 70% iso alcohol and water.
I shot it at 20 psi and achieved these results for the heaviest and finest lines I could do at the moment:



I then dropped the pressure to 10 psi and took the air cap off the HP-CS exposing the needle for the sharpest lines I could achieve. The result was this line:



This airbrush does not put out a lot of paint as you can see from my thickest line, but then again most people want this type of airbrush for thinner lines which it does pretty well.

Here is my honest, unbiased opinion of this airbrush with the little bit I have used it for so far:

It is a nice airbrush, well-made, and the finish and chrome on it are first rate.
The balance is nice and it sprays very well. It is able to achieve some very thin lines and I think the biggest reason for this is that the needle has a long, sharp taper more like the fine #1 needles do in Badger's and Thayer & Chandler's.

The trigger is very responsive and a big part of this is because the spring is snappier than some of the airbrushes I have. Some people prefer a faster returning spring and that is why my buddy Scooter "hot rods" his Omni's with a stiffer spring. I have been told that putting a Badger Crescendo trigger spring in an Omni makes it snappier because it is a stiffer spring. Something else you may want to experiment with. Wink [;)]

I am pleased with this airbrush and I like it a lot, but I don't think it is worth almost twice the cost of an Omni 4000. Sorry to disappoint you Iwata fans. Big Smile [:D]

I think that the Iwata airbrushes are kind of like Snap-On tools, they are a little fancier finish so people get the impression that they are better although in the real world there isn't much difference in results over other brands.

So that's my unbiased opinion at this point of this airbrush.

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: USA
Posted by MusicCity on Monday, April 26, 2004 9:35 PM
QUOTE:
I am pleased with this airbrush and I like it a lot, but I don't think it is worth almost twice the cost of an Omni 4000. Sorry to disappoint you Iwata fans. Big Smile [:D]

So, once again we find out that dollar for dollar a Badger is hard to beat. I think I might have heard you say that once or twice Smile [:)]

Thanks for the report. I was wondering whether you had played with it. When I read your post I then remembered about your not having the disconnect yet.
Scott Craig -- Nashville, TN -- My Website -- My Models Page
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Monday, April 26, 2004 10:44 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by MusicCity

So, once again we find out that dollar for dollar a Badger is hard to beat. I think I might have heard you say that once or twice Smile [:)]


That would explain why Badger manufactures and sells more airbrushes annually than all other companies combined. Big Smile [:D]
If the HP-CS was around $75-80 I would say it would be an airbrush to definitely consider, but they are $105 which I think is outrageous. For about $30-40 more I can buy a Sotar 20/20. Wink [;)]

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Monday, April 26, 2004 10:51 PM
QUOTE: Sorry to disappoint you Iwata fans

not a disappointment at all my friend. thats fair enough for me. my decision for the iwata over omni lies in the comfort more than anything else. later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 26, 2004 11:45 PM
Nice report MikeV. Well, as the saying goes, "Different Strokes for Different Folks"! keep us posted for future opinion Mike.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 10:21 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by MikeV

QUOTE: Originally posted by MusicCity

So, once again we find out that dollar for dollar a Badger is hard to beat. I think I might have heard you say that once or twice Smile [:)]


That would explain why Badger manufactures and sells more airbrushes annually than all other companies combined. Big Smile [:D]
If the HP-CS was around $75-80 I would say it would be an airbrush to definitely consider, but they are $105 which I think is outrageous. For about $30-40 more I can buy a Sotar 20/20. Wink [;)]

Mike


The price of Iwatas has gotten out of hand. When I bought mine it was nowhere near the $105 that is is now. Probably because of the weak dollar and not price gouging.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 1:26 PM
Thanks for the report. I'm still learning with my Iwata HP-CR after years with my Paasche H, but I like it more all the time. Not sure the HP-CS would be a lot better than the Revolution, especially for the $ difference.
RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 5:47 PM
yep, simply put, badger is the BEST airbrush EVER made*








*are you still paying attnetion?
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 6:36 PM
hey 1337, does your mind change with the wind my friend?Big Smile [:D] or, are you just trying to buddy up with old badger dog mikeV?Tongue [:P] he aint gonna take you to arizona bubba!! he's takin' his wife!!Wink [;)] just hackin' on ya my friend. later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 7:10 PM
lol salty, but several things:

1. my mind (almost) never changes about airbrushes (Except that time about iwata and badger, and that time i used to like aztek...)

2. im fine right here, thanks. lol pwned
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 8:41 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by saltydog

hey 1337, does your mind change with the wind my friend?Big Smile [:D] or, are you just trying to buddy up with old badger dog mikeV?Tongue [:P] he aint gonna take you to arizona bubba!! he's takin' his wife!!Wink [;)] just hackin' on ya my friend. later.


Haha Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]

You are hilarious Chris. Wink [;)]

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 8:47 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by plum1030


The price of Iwatas has gotten out of hand. When I bought mine it was nowhere near the $105 that is is now. Probably because of the weak dollar and not price gouging.


I wonder if the popularity of them has made the price rise also? It's hard to say.

QUOTE: Originally posted by rjkplasticmod
Thanks for the report. I'm still learning with my Iwata HP-CR after years with my Paasche H, but I like it more all the time. Not sure the HP-CS would be a lot better than the Revolution, especially for the $ difference.


I would agree Rick. You know, when it comes down to it most of the airbrushes we use can spray freehand camo on 1/72 scale aircraft, which is about as much as most modelers will ever need an airbrush to do. There are many that are good enough for this hobby that cost $65 and less to fit that bill, but then again everyone has their own opinion on what they like and some want to spend upwards of $200 on an Iwata. Wink [;)]

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 9:17 PM
spend the extra money on another a/b or a compressor
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 9:55 PM

Like salty dog, not a dissapointment to me. I went from an aztek to a hp-cs and it's from rags to riches. I'm extremely happy with it. The price is a little high, but you got the best deal here mike! 30 bucks! I think you got some good quality for that money.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 9:58 PM
hey rick, i just emailed iwata customer service a couple of days ago to question them as to whether i could use the hp-bcs .5mm n/n in the hp-cs. they said yes that i could buy the nozzle cap, needle, and nozzle and convert my hp-cs to a revolution for around $21 from dixieart. so, instead of paying for the whole hp-cr, i'm gonna just order the 3 part conversion so i can swap between the 2. when it gets here, i'll have the .3mm, .35mm, .4mm, and .5mm n/n combos so that should cover all my needs(or wants more like it). i said all that to say this, i wonder if you could get the .35mm n/n to work in your revolution? that would be cool. later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 10:42 PM
Chris,

Why waste the money on a .5mm tip when you have no real need for it? Confused [%-)]
Are you planning on spraying house latex through your airbrush or something? Laugh [(-D]

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 11:23 PM
never can tell mike. i have a cabinet shop ya know!! why do you keep askin' mike, your gonna get the same answer my friend. i just like to play with airbrushes brother!! Big Smile [:D] just to have it man. i like to see first hand what the differences are. i may be able to get a tighter line with less thinning which covers better. future may go through the larger needle better. i just plain want one to play with. you have more than one airbrush right? why spend more money on another airbrush if the one you had was doing just fine. i know some of yours were given to you, but didnt you buy more than one? why? you know how it goes my friend, i really cant explain it. i dont buy airbrushes for my hobby alone, i like to play with and experiment and things. Wink [;)] i would be fine with what i have but my curiosity wont rest until i try it for myself. later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Stockton CA USA
Posted by roosterfish on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 2:08 AM
See? I was right, it was a set up. Big Smile [:D] But MikeV bought the Iwata for $30 so isn't that half of the price of a T&C? Now Mike can sell the Iwata back on Ebay and go back to the Badgers-but tell everyone he used the Iwatas and they stunk. Black Eye [B)]Dead [xx(]Smile [:)]
Winners never quit; quitters never win.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 4:05 AM
I know where you're comin from Salty. I had a HP-CS and I could have lived with just that one airbrush to do everything I wanted with ease but I decided to get a HP-CR Revolution as well. To be completely honest the real reason I bought it was just because I wanted to see first hand if metallic paints spray better through that .5mm nozzle and sure enough they do. Now I have two airbrushes, love both of em and wouldn't part with either one.

Cheers...Snowy
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 6:35 AM
QUOTE: Now I have two airbrushes, love both of em and wouldn't part with either one.

now leave me alone mike!!

Wink [;)]
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 7:28 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by saltydog

QUOTE: Now I have two airbrushes, love both of em and wouldn't part with either one.

now leave me alone mike!!

Wink [;)]


I was just curious. Tongue [:P] Wink [;)]

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 12:46 PM
Hey mike, if you dont like the iwata, you can ALWAYS give/sell/pawn/trade it with me...
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 4:50 PM
QUOTE: Hey mike, if you dont like the iwata, you can ALWAYS give/sell/pawn/trade it with me...

oh Lord....he's done jumped the fence again!! and the wind blows to and fro. later.Clown [:o)]Big Smile [:D]
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 7:41 PM
Do any of you have the preset handle on your HP-C or HP-CS?
My buddy Chuck has a brand-new one that he doesn't need and he said he would trade me for my stock Eclipse cutaway handle. It is a $33 handle but I don't know if I would really use it that much. Confused [%-)]
Of course it would add to the value of the HP-CS in case I want to sell it for a better airbrush. Laugh [(-D] Mischief [:-,]

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 7:50 PM
like a badger
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 9:14 PM
QUOTE: Of course it would add to the value of the HP-CS in case I want to sell it for a better airbrush.

hardy......har.........har mike.......hardy......har........har. i made a home-made preset handle for my hp-c and used for one or 2 sessions and havent used it since. i personally think its a waste of money for a modeller. it too restrictive if you ask me. say you want to clear a clog, you'd have to unscrew to let some slack in the handle, clear the clog, then re-adjust the setting on the preset handle back to where you had it. factory preset handles may operate different from the one i made though. later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 11:00 PM
Thanks Chris.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Wink [;)]

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 29, 2004 12:04 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by saltydog

QUOTE: Hey mike, if you dont like the iwata, you can ALWAYS give/sell/pawn/trade it with me...

oh Lord....he's done jumped the fence again!! and the wind blows to and fro. later.Clown [:o)]Big Smile [:D]


You beat me to it Salt!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 12:43 AM
Hey salt, what is the e-mail of Iwata cutomer service?
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Friday, April 30, 2004 7:01 AM
Jenni Nissila <jennin@medea-artool.com>

sig, the above person is the one who contacted when i sent an email to iwata. if that doesnt work, go to this page and look about halfway down the page and to the left and you'll see an icon "submit email", click on that and you all set. http://www.arttalk.com/iwata/. later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
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