How does this AB rank vs. the top of the line AB's??

I used to own an Aztec... the Eclipse blows it away as far as cleaning... spray some thinner of choice through, back flush, spray the rest of the thinner out and you're done!  One every two weeks or so I take the nozzle and tip off and soak in lacquer thinner for a few hours or run them through the ultrasonic cleaner and it sprays like the day I bought it!

I remember soaking the Aztek tips for hours trying to loosen acrylic, time spent with a qtip or a toothpick trying to get paint out etc...  there's no comparison!!!

And Jim answered your question on nozzles... one nozzle/tip assembly does it all... and they don't break unless you drop it on the head...

oleander13 wrote:

I have a couple more questions if you guys don't mind answering them. I'm a little confused as far as the nozzles go on the nicer AB's like the eclipse.  I am more familiar with the changeable nozzles which allow you to spray fine lines with the tan nozzle, switch it out for general spraying with the gray etc.  Do you achieve the same results with the eclipse by only regulating your pressure and the thinning of the paint, or do you get extra nozzles and change them out?

Well, Aztec has a design all their own. But yes, just changing the air pressure, spraying distance, and trigger is all that is needed to go from a hairline to 2" pattern.

Also, for anyone with a Aztec 470, how much easier is it to clean the eclipse and maintain it? Is it even easier at all?? Thanks guys. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Sorry, never owned an Aztec so I can't compare for you. But my wife can strip down and clean the Iwata so... 

oleander13 wrote:

Also, for anyone with a Aztec 470, how much easier is it to clean the eclipse and maintain it? Is it even easier at all??

Check your PM's.

I have a couple more questions if you guys don't mind answering them.

I'm a little confused as far as the nozzles go on the nicer AB's like the eclipse.  I am more familiar with the changeable nozzles which allow you to spray fine lines with the tan nozzle, switch it out for general spraying with the gray etc.  Do you achieve the same results with the eclipse by only regulating your pressure and the thinning of the paint, or do you get extra nozzles and change them out?

Also, for anyone with a Aztec 470, how much easier is it to clean the eclipse and maintain it? Is it even easier at all??

Thanks guys. Your help is greatly appreciated.

oleander13 wrote:

I only plan on using the AB with 1/35 armor, 1/48 aircraft, and perhaps the occasional ship.  I'll take a look at the CS since it's more economical.  No sense in paying more for features I don't need. One other quick question...I've got the AC200 compressor from Aztec and haven't had any real problems with it.  Will the eclipse HP-CS work with this compressor??   Thanks for all your help guys!

Just need a new hose for the iwata with a 1/4" compressor fitting, which dixieart.com carries as well.  I just started using my new HP-SBS (side feed cousin of the CS with no other differences) with a crown cap and preset handle taken from a HP-BC2.  Meanwhile I do also have the HP-CH.  The one suggestion I can offer is that if you do use enamels (I used model masters), pick the eclipse series, which has a self centering nozzle (In the .35mm nozzle case, a screw on nozzle on top of a self-cenering piece) which makes them a little easier to clean.  The extra air valve does come in handy on the CH from time to time when I do pre-shading for small panels on 1/48 armors but if you have a good regulator on the compressor already, it's not THAT nessassary of a gadget to have.

Bgrigg wrote:

One thing I will say, it is the holder of the brush that contains the skill, buying a high end brush does not guarantee high end results. I've seen paint jobs done with a $40 Badger that blows me away.

True Bill regarding the skills of the holder of the AB producing high end results (not blowing you away though LOL). There is also some truth too that if you give him a better tool, he'll produce a better end result or maybe faster. I'm not trying to knock Badger by any means, just trying to make a point between different quality levels of AB's in general. I mean even Iwata has different levels.

Did that make sense?
I think I got confussed in how to say what I was thinking.

I better head back to the lake, my son and his friend are driving me nuts! 

jhande wrote:

Oh, Bear Air doesn't carry Iwata any more.

True enough, guess Iwata didn't like Peak being sold side by side.

Anybody have any experience with the Peak brushes? From what I see they're a clone of the Iwata, without the stigma of high price.

One thing I will say, it is the holder of the brush that contains the skill, buying a high end brush does not guarantee high end results. I've seen paint jobs done with a $40 Badger that blows me away.

Edit: That compressor will work fine, you may need to get an adapter, but if it pumps air it's good to go! /edit

I only plan on using the AB with 1/35 armor, 1/48 aircraft, and perhaps the occasional ship.  I'll take a look at the CS since it's more economical.  No sense in paying more for features I don't need.

One other quick question...I've got the AC200 compressor from Aztec and haven't had any real problems with it.  Will the eclipse HP-CS work with this compressor??

 

Thanks for all your help guys!

That is one of the best there... but I'll echo Jim on the Eclipse HP-CS being a fine brush, and probably the most you would need for modelling. I've had my HP-CS for awhile now and LOVE it!  If you're set on that brush you mentioned, won't be letting yourself down, but you could save a bit for buying another kit and get the HP-CS.

What are you going to be painting mostly?  If you're like a lot here with 1/72. or 1/48 planes, 1/35 armor etc.. the CS can handle all that...

That's a lot of airbrush, certainly ranks high, nice.

But make sure you really need the extra control of the MAC valve, especially just for modeling.

Have you looked into these which are also good choices?

Eclipse HP-CS                               $109.97 at Dixie Art
High Performance HP-C Plus           $159.00 at Dixie Art
Your - Hi-Line HP-CH                     $189.00 at Dixie Art

I've seen the HP-CS in action, not a bad AB at all, I think it's next on my list.

Oh, Bear Air doesn't carry Iwata any more.

Just my

That IS a top of the line Airbrush, and quite a step up from the 470 IMHO.

Me? I'm a Badger man, made in the US of A. You can get a 100LG and a 150 for the price of the HP-CH.

Whatever you do compare prices against Dixie Art and Bear Air before laying any money on the table!