Airbrushes

I think upgrading from an Aztek is always a good idea.  Although I'm not personally familiar with the Iwata Revolution, given that the venerable Paasche H single action is more than adequate for 1/35 and 1/48 armor, I should think the Iwata would more than meet your needs.  If price is a consideration, you might want to check out Badger 100, 150, and 155 Anthem series.

About the air cans, you will really thank yourself later if you lose them in favor of a compressor.  One of the tricks to painting well is having your air at a proper pressure.  Without a gauge, you're really guessing at your air pressure and as you use a can, it cools down which causes the pressure to drop as you're using it.

For great prices, check out DixieArt.com.  Free shipping on orders over $50.00

Andy

Being price conscious, I'd second the vote for a badger 100LG with medium tip from dixieart.com.  The larger  paint cup size will allow enough surface coverage on 1/35 and 1/48 scale stuff.  The gravity feed and medium head/needle setup allows it to do well with both enamel and acrylic for details like mottles on german fighters or squiggle kind of camo on tanks during wwii.  Replacement parts are also way cheaper than iwata.  Take a look at the iwata replacement nozzle and you will see the difference. 

As far as aircans are concerned, it is better to use a compressor for the long term of course.  If you really want an adaptor, badger actually makes an aircan adapter for their ABs but you might as well throw that 6 to 7 bucks to a spare needle or that 12 something dollar spare head for the AB.

I have a HP-CR and love it! The price for the brush itself is the same as the others listed roughly.  I got it for $69 through www.dixieart.com.  It's true some of the parts are more expensive but so far I have only changed a needle at $7 since I bought it. 

You'd need an adapter to fit the Iwata to a propel can, they are only a few dollars at dixieart as well if I remember.  I strongly recommend getting a compressor though as in the long run it is more cost effective and they spray better than the cans by a long shot.

If noise is not an issue then you can just get the construction style compressor from your local Lowes, Home Depot or even Wal Mart.  It comes with a 2 gallon tank so it only kicks on about every 5 min or so of spraying and my wife says it doesn't bother her in the front of the house when I am spraying.  For a bit more you can get something along the $169 dollar range that is somewhat quieter and more apt not to start a fight with the missus. 

   So I checked out the Badger 155 Anthem, and it seems to be pretty good and the deluxe kit on dixie art is only like 75 dollars! Before I buy it, though, what do you guys think of that particular airbrush?  Reliability?  Detail?  Matinince? General thoughts?

(The last airbrush that I bought for that cheap was my Aztek, and i dont want another repeat of what happenned to that)

P.S.   Do any of you know of a certian compressor that works with a 155 that is for a good price, is somewhat quiet, and is of good quality?

I've heard good things about these. Maybe not the ultimate in airbrush technology, but a good starter. Any other kind will run you $100 or more.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92403

Bgrigg wrote:

I've heard good things about these. Maybe not the ultimate in airbrush technology, but a good starter. Any other kind will run you $100 or more. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92403

Ditto to that.  It follows most of basic compressors' designs out there.  I have an iwata sprintjet and it pretty much looks the SAME!  If you want something really quiet,  you might think about opting for one that has an airtank, but then again the price to go up with that of course.

as far as the 155 anthemn, it makes a good general purpose brush.  it is a little easier to clean since everything can be unscrewed by hand for disassembly.  it doesn't really save any steps during the cleaning process though.  the angle for the taper of the needle is really large (the nozzle itself as well) and changes almost abruptly so it's all gonna be personal experience and finger control on how far you have to pull that trigger back.  that together with the fact that it's a siphon feed airbrush, which requires it to operate at a relatively higher air pressure, make it not the most well suited thing out there for a starter airbrush to do camos and small details.  i'd still say that a gravity feed medium tip airbrush will make a better do-it-all airbrush for a starter.  the iwata HP-CR is one of them, together with the CS.  how do i know this, i own a 155 still and now it's used for primer duty and sometimes large area coverage.

   OK, so, I am all confused now!!  So much good advice is coming in at once!!  I heard someone say that the Revolution CR is better for a beginner, so now I'm thinking about that, since that appears to be a great for a reasonable price.

About that compressor that is on that link, is it of good quality? since I DO NOT want something that preforms like my Aztek airbrush.  Also, will it hook up to a Revolution CR or do I need an adapter of some kind?

PS  What kind of hose do I need for a revolution CR, since the ones on dixieart dont come with hoses, you have to buy them seperately.

most aircompressor ends comes with a 1/4" fitting, including the one in the link.  dixieart.com actually sells the iwata airhoses on the side.  you should be able to find the link it on the same page.  or else http://www.dixieart.com/Hoses.html  scroll and see the iwata 94 BT010 10ft braided nylon airhose.  kinda expensive at 18.95 IMO though as you can probably find some 6ft lower price options on ebay. 

the compressor in the link comes with a regulator and a moisture trap, which are some okay enough accessaries.  my sprintjet works well for my need even when i dial the pressure down under 10psi.  for a no-name thing that follows the same designs, i don't see how bad it can really be as long as it has some warranties of some sort.

and yes, you will be just fine with the CR my friend.  keep a note to pick up some needle lube or maybe even a spare needle in the same order so you don't gotta pay for shipping the next time u get them in smaller orders.

John, you can always contact them and find out what the supplied hose connects too, such as a Badger or Paasche airbrush. Then get an adapter to go from that hose to whatever airbrush.

Ditto on the HP-CR... it is a great brush and I still use mine for a lot of things, my HP-CS is my fine detail brush..

I also had a 155 for awhile and liked it a lot.  But my preference in a case like this would be the HP-CR to start out on.  (Or any gravity feed for that matter, regardless of brand)  The HP-CR does good overall overage and I was able to do some convincing mottle on a 1/72 Bf-109 with it as well.  I think even if you upgraded later you would still hold on to it for general duty uses.

As far as the hose, if you have a hobby Lobby near you, check on their website as they usually have a 40% off one item coupon available.  Then you can get the Iwata hose for a lot less.  The hose has the correct sized adapter to fit that compressor and the airbrush as well. 

Good luck to you, whichever airbrush you get once you get comfortable with it you'll be very happy with the results!

Bgrigg wrote:

I've heard good things about these. Maybe not the ultimate in airbrush technology, but a good starter. Any other kind will run you $100 or more. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92403

Well, I think it's time I drop in on this... I have a HF compressor quite similar to this one. (only difference is mine didn't have the adjustable air flow regulator)  It's pretty quiet & I've had it for a couple of years now. I did buy a Paashe regulator for it when I received a Badger 175 from a forum member. imho this is a decent compressor to start off with & I may eventually add a tank to it later on but, I don't know if it's needed tho.