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airbrush help

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  • Member since
    November 2005
airbrush help
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 10, 2005 10:01 AM

Hi all

Want some help!. I have been looking for a new airbrush but there are so many out there which one do you go for?. Its not like a car that you get to test drive before you buy. I`ve been looking at the iwata range but it still comes back to the same question which one, any help would be great.

Many thanks all Alan.

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: CT - USA
Posted by thevinman on Thursday, November 10, 2005 10:39 AM

As far as airbrushes go, you are better off getting a double action, gravity feed brush. You can start with a single action, they are cheap, but if you enjoy airbrushing and the level it takes your modeling to, you will quickly find yourself looking for a dual action, internal mix. I say, if your going to do it, and your reasonably serious that you will continue airbrushing, then go for a good quality Airbrush right off the bat.

If you are going for “high end” then choose:
- Gravity Fed / Internal Mix
- Dual Action

Personally, I have a Badger 100LG and an Aztek. Lot’s of folks here don’t like Azteks. (My Raiden & Me-109 where both done with my Aztek – you can check them out on my website) As far as cleaning them…I don’t see the big deal. The Aztek tips pull apart easily and clean up in a dunk of your favorite solvent. The cups come off too, for the same procedure. I just left them in Windex when I was done for the day and they where ready when I got back. For me, this was not an issue. (Even the Badger needs a “tip soaking” once in a while.) They are a little less “conventional” so I think folks are just not used to them. And, some folks have them breaking…but mine hasn’t broken yet. The one thing I have noticed is the Badger gives me a little more “control” as I found the trigger on the Aztek less precise, but that could just be me…Most AB are metal, so they “feel” like they have substance. The Azteks are made of some polymer material. I think the differences are mostly in people’s heads…but that’s what can make or break you: The Mindset.

It’s more important to learn the skill then it is to get the “best” airbrush. The “best” airbrush in the world won’t work without the skill of the user. Conversely, a user with great airbrushing skills can work wonders, even with a “marginal” airbrush.

So, some good brands to look at are (in no particular order)
- Badger (Thayer & Chandler)
- Aztek
- Omni
- Paasche
- Iwata

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Thursday, November 10, 2005 9:00 PM

Alan - I echo the thoughts on getting the dual action/gravity fed airbrush.  I think a lot of it boils down to what you are going to paint... if all you ever do is 1/35 armor then there are a broad range of brushes to consider... the Badger 175 and 155 are two.  If you do 1/48 aircraft and 1/35 armor the Badger 155 and Iwata HP-CR are good for that.  For 1/72 aircraft ESPECIALLY if you want to detailed camo schmes either the Badger 100LG or G, or the Iwata HP-CS are in order.  I have heard good things about the Iwata HP-B too for fine camo application.

I own both Badger and Iwata airbrushes and use them both depending on the situation... but as I do mostly 1/48 AC the Iwata HP-CR get's the most use...

feel free to ask as many questions as you like!!!  I can't tell you what is the best airbrush... only you can find that out.. a recommendation is to go to someone that sells several different brands and ask to hold them... the one that feels right in your hand will probably work best for you!

---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 11, 2005 3:12 PM
Being extremely new to airbrushing  with my Badger 150 I can not offer any pro's or con's on anything except to say "Michaels" has the 150 set with all the goodies for 50% right now. I think i will buy another brand just to see the differences eventually.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Cornebarrieu (near Blagnac), France
Posted by Torio on Saturday, November 12, 2005 12:42 PM
 Yoda wrote:

Hi all

Want some help!. I have been looking for a new airbrush but there are so many out there which one do you go for?. Its not like a car that you get to test drive before you buy. I`ve been looking at the iwata range but it still comes back to the same question which one, any help would be great.

Many thanks all Alan.



In order to aim at the solution, I'd like to ask you two questions that will "engage" you for the immediate future :
_ what kind of things do you want to paint ( armor in 1/35, ships in 1/350, planes in 1/144, etc...) ?
_ how much money do you want to spend ?

When I say "engage you for the immediate future" I mean that the first answer might  influence the choice and that the second answer will automatically broaden the range more or less. I don't mean that "the most expensive the better" as I don't believe there is "the best airbrush in the world" ( I think there are " the best airbrushes in the world") I paid $25 for the cheaper airbrush I own and you don't want to know what I paid for the most expensive, but both have their use.

I'll stick to the other chaps who advocated double action and gravity feed, though the second point  might be a matter of personal preference

Thank you all for coming José

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 12, 2005 2:01 PM

Hi Tom

Thats the problem which one to get its not like a car you can test drive that before you buy.

Problem is i have not long got back in to modeling, 25 years is a long time out. My partner got me the aztec the one in the wooden box, i get on with it but it dont feel right when i use it. So have been looking at the Iwata  IW-HP-C-PLUS & the Iwata Iwata Studio Series Sprint Jet compressor but its a lot to pay out & if you dont get on with it ? what then. I think this is what i will end up getting but at £350.00 its something i am still looking at whats about.

But many thanks for your input. Alan

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Saturday, November 12, 2005 3:25 PM
 Yoda wrote:

Hi Tom

Thats the problem which one to get its not like a car you can test drive that before you buy.

Problem is i have not long got back in to modeling, 25 years is a long time out. My partner got me the aztec the one in the wooden box, i get on with it but it dont feel right when i use it. So have been looking at the Iwata  IW-HP-C-PLUS & the Iwata Iwata Studio Series Sprint Jet compressor but its a lot to pay out & if you dont get on with it ? what then. I think this is what i will end up getting but at £350.00 its something i am still looking at whats about.

But many thanks for your input. Alan



Alan, you might consider buying a garage style compressor. They can be found for at least half the price of a "airbrush" compressor. They're also a bit noisier, but not always. Another idea is to buy a CO2 tank and refill it. Check out a welding supply or even a pop bottling business.

Also don't forget Ebay! http://search.ebay.co.uk/airbrush-compressors_W0QQfltZ9QQfromZR8
is a partial listing. Those blue ones http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MINI-AIRBRUSH-COMPRESSOR-AIR-TOLL-SPRAYGUN-NEW_W0QQitemZ8014374766QQcategoryZ30906QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
are basically the same as the one I currently use. Good enough for models! £26-50 is not that bad.

I AM planning on getting a garage style for myself as I want to be able to run pneumatic tools off of it.


So long folks!

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Saturday, November 12, 2005 8:48 PM

Alan - the HP-C-Plus is a good brush but might limit you... it would not be able to do the broad coverage on a tank let's say... (ok you say you dont build tanks... I used to also..  right now I am about 70% done with a M-41 Wink [;)]..  The Iwata HP-CS would handle everything from 1/72 aircraft with the german mottle to larger subjects like tanks... the Badger series has the 100LG which with both the fine and medium head/nozzle/needle could do everything as well... also if you spray acrylic the HP-C plus might hurt you... the HP-CR is more suited to that and does very fine detail....

The compressor would work for you.,.. but as someone else has said (I hate that when replying you can only read the message you are replying to not the enitre thread like the old board.. so sorry "someone else" I couldn't credit you!) a commercial compressor is much less and really isn't that loud... if you have a small child or a sensitive to noice wife living with you the hobby version might be better however...

---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 13, 2005 2:52 PM

Many thanks to you all for your help i now have a compressor that pushes out 2-40psi so now just need to sort out the new airbrush. So am off to see a range of them & they have got some there that you can try out.

SO once again many thanks allThumbs Up [tup]

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