And the winner is....

I just ordered the omni 4000. I have been told and also read that gravity feed ab can paint finer lines than siphon fed. I am also new to air brushes I used to use can paint. I do custom cars and now getting into armor. Just like when you go to purchase a car, everyone is going to tell what brand they use and like. From the research I did, all three of these are very good airbrushes.

The gravity feed brushes are capable of slightly finer lines simply because they will feed at lower pressures. I have an Omni 3000 (siphon feed) that I've had for a good while and while doing the camo on my F-105 I kept running into feednig problems at very low pressure (not sure how low because my pressure gauge was barely registering, but somewhere around 5-7 psi). I decided to get the Omni 4000 (gravity feed) and it does feed properly at lower pressures.

This does make sense since in a gravity feed brush the paint is already present in the brush and doesn't have to be pulled up through the siphon tube.

The ability to switch colors by screwing one bottle off and another on is very handy, and it's one of the reasons I like siphon feed brushes, but at the same time you can always keep your pre-mixed paint in bottles and pour a little into the paint cup of a gravity feed brush.

Charger, you've picked three good brushes. I can't pick for you, and doing cars you probably won't need the fine-line capabilities as much as those of us who do things with multiple colors. Personally, based on my limited experience, I'd go with the Omni or the Iwata. Both will give you a lifetime of service, both will do anything you want.

Check your area and see if there are any dealers for Badger or Iwata. If so you have an outlet for emergency spare parts if you should happen to break something and need a quick replacement.

QUOTE: Originally posted by charger2000 I've read somewhere that Badger's trigger is somewhat "hard", and after a 10mins session, your finger could be a bit... tired...

That is not true. How "hard" the trigger is is dependant upon how tight the trigger spring is set and it is adjustable.

QUOTE: Which one produces the finest patterns?

Of the ones you mentioned they are all pretty close.
Both the Omni 4000 and the Badger 155 spray about the same in terms of line width but as Scott already mentioned the Omni being a gravity-feed will allow you to spray at lower pressures which reduces overspray and allows you to control the line better.
I have never used the Revolution CR but I am assuming it is not quite as precise as it is the cheaper line of Iwatas and I don't believe it sprays as fine as the Eclipse CS and others. Maybe someone like 'plasticmod992' (Greg) could tell you more as I believe he has both the Revolution CR and an Omni.
Personally I would choose the Omni 4000 but that's just me.
The Badger 155 is a great airbrush also.

Mike

QUOTE: ....Personally I would choose the Omni 4000 but that's just me. The Badger 155 is a great airbrush also. Mike

the decision it's coming....

thanks !

I just saw this...


why the Omni 4000 has such a low ratings for hobby and craft works ?

and why the 3000 has such a high rating being the same model but siphoned ?

That is because some people do not know any better.

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by MikeV That is because some people do not know any better. Mike

ahem...

that's curious because it's from a Badger catalog...

it's simply a bad advice (the table chart) or... not ? I shouldn't give it too much importance ?

sorry for my "tough" understanding..

I know it is from a Badger catalog.
I don't pay much attention to those charts because they are generalized for people with little experience with an airbrush.
The Omni 4000 was designed for illustration and automotive work and so that is why it is listed where it is but that does not mean that it won't work very well for modeling. The catagory of "hobby" could entail using mediums much thicker than modeling paints also so that is why airbrushes like the siphon-feed models are higher rated under that category.

Mike

All I can add is that there are several people here using Omni 4000's, myself included, and I only know of one who has had a problem with one.

I have both a 3000 and 4000 and can tell you for sure that for the mediums that we use the 4000 will flow better at lower pressures, and for doing fine detail work on models that is what you want.

I did just think of one other item that may have put the 4000 lower than the 3000. As Mike said, "Hobby Work" includes more than just building models, and the fact that the 3000 can hold a large bottle for painting larger items may be considered a plus in some instances. It seems like I have a 2oz bottle for mine (it actually came with my old Badger 200 so I can't really remember the size).

QUOTE: Which one produces the finest patterns? I have never used the Revolution CR but I am assuming it is not quite as precise as it is the cheaper line of Iwatas and I don't believe it sprays as fine as the Eclipse CS and others. Maybe someone like 'plasticmod992' (Greg) could tell you more as I believe he has both the Revolution CR and an Omni. Personally I would choose the Omni 4000 but that's just me. The Badger 155 is a great airbrush also. Mike

The revolution is really really really good, its imho one of the better airbrushes I have ever used, it just can't do AS fine lines as other ones, but its really good control

wow, maybe I'll try the Omni 4000 and the Rev. CR...

So I can decide with my eyes and... fingers

thanks for support guys !

Nik

I really don't think you could go wrong with either one. It's all really a matter of getting used to what you have and learning to use it well. I know for a fact that my airbrushes are capable of doing far better work than I can, so I just keep trying.

BADGER!

I see you have that nasty cough again, Jeff. Not that it bothers me though

Charger, I Can't help you with an Iwata but if you want to take a hop to Nashville you can play with my Omnis.

Hey, Mike, there's a great idea! MikeV's Airbrush Rental! Try ie before you buy it! $10 a day, $100 refundable depsit, you pay shipping both ways.

QUOTE: Originally posted by MusicCity Hey, Mike, there's a great idea! MikeV's Airbrush Rental! Try ie before you buy it! $10 a day, $100 refundable depsit, you pay shipping both ways.

Now you're talking my friend!
You are indeed a genius Scott.

Mike

Does this mean I get a cut

hmmm... even with the discount, the onmi is around 70, the iwata is around 60, so iwata wins in that idea
iwata parts are more expensive

the choices are REALLY REALLY close, but under this cercumstanse, i suggest you try them both out, pick the one you like more, its a personal thing

BADGER!!! ...sorry (not really)

Saltydog have you had those iwatas surgically attached or otherwise to your hands yet???

BADGER!!!

QUOTE: Originally posted by MusicCity Does this mean I get a cut

It was your idea buddy so how about 40%?

Mike

QUOTE: It was your idea buddy so how about 40%?

The man in generous to a fault ... I'd have settled for 20%

QUOTE: Originally posted by MusicCity Charger, I Can't help you with an Iwata but if you want to take a hop to Nashville you can play with my Omnis.

thanks for the offer but I'm afraid the trip would be a little too long

TRIVIA: find out from my "Location" where I am...

It sounds like you are on a ship because those coordinates are 45 miles out to sea.
Navy? Coast Guard?

That search was wrong.
How about Italy? Near Pomezia?

Mike

Looks to me like you are in Ethopia or Djibouti somewhere I cheated though, I looked it up on my world map last night.

Edit ... Crap, I got the lat and long reversed. How about Italy or there abouts?

Mike, at least we now agree on the continent

Scott,

I used MapQuest's search.

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by MikeV How about Italy? Near Pomezia? Mike

and the winner is... Mike !



Nik

going a lot out of topic...

Why, in your opinion Dixieart completely ignores my requests...

I filled twice the Feedback form for a couple of questions, but nothing, niet, nix, niente, no answer... [:0]

Does anybody knows the e-mail address of them ?



Nik

Nik,

While Dixie Art does have some of the lowest prices, they do tend to have lousy customer support at times.

Mike

For one thing, the feedback form doesn't go to Dixie Art, it goes to some place called ICorp.Net. Presumably they handle the online ordering.

I've had good luck with Dixie Art, but I didn't use their online ordering, I called them on the phone. Wish I had an email address for you, but I can't find one.