Vega 2000. Any comments?

Greg,

I would love to see some of your work my friend.

We appreciate you sharing your years of experience on this forum with those of us still learning, it is much appreciated.

Mike

MikeV,

Sorry for the delay in response..working on a project for an up-coming model show. I've been building in 1/48th and 1/72nd scale for 20 years untill recently focusing on the later small scale US and Nato modern aircraft. I have had models published in FSM as well as a few contributions in the "Reader Tips", now "Questions And Answers" section of the Magazine. Now-a-days I like to share what I've learned with other modelers in my local model club, discussion groups, and my first how-to-book (not completed yet). I don't have a web page yet but if you'd like to take a gander at some models I've completed I can send pics via email.

I have a vega 2000 and its one of the best airbrushes i have yet if you could get it for a good price (80-100$). Badger's web site has a list of thir abs and it helped me find the v 2000.

Thanks again for the compliments Greg. I enjoy discussing airbrushing with you too as you seem to know quite a bit also.
I used to build some models a few years back and recently started to get interested in building my 1/48 Revell F-15E that I bought about 5 years ago.
I am having a tough time getting motivated in model building and airbrushing as of late.
Several years ago I built a 1/72 scale Testors/Italeri F-16 that came out pretty good. I need to take some pictures of it and show it somehow. How about your model building?
I would like to see some of your work too my friend.

Mike

I agree, and I must admit that I tend to be a bit bias when it comes to the Japanese brushes- forgetting that I started with the airbrushes you mentioned. You definately know your stuff MikeV, it's cool to brain storm with knowledgeable artists like yourself. MikeV, I've seen your art work, do you dable in scale models too?

QUOTE: Originally posted by plasticmod992 All this is not to discredit fine artists like MikeV and his colleges..their airbrush art is awesome! Just wanted you to be aware of these differences as it relates to airbrushing on different surfaces and seleting the right tool for the job.

Thanks for the kind words Greg and I agree with your advice on selecting an airbrush, but the Vega 2000 that he mentioned is pretty much in the same league as the Revoution you mentioned. The Vega 2000 although designed for T-shirt airbrushing is actually a great choice for modelling or practically any other surface you want to paint on. The only airbrushes that are total overkill for modelling would be models such as the Iwata Microns, Sotar 20/20's, and the Paasche AB Turbo.
The Iwata Eclipse and Revolution, Badger Anthem and 360, Thayer & Chandler (Badger) Omni, Matrix and Vega 2000, as well as the Badger Crescendo and Paasche VL are all good choices for either modelling, T-shirt artwork, and automotive artwork. Actually the surface being sprayed upon has little to do with the airbrush itself as far as spray patterns of the airbrush go. The reason there are super precise airbrushes like the Micron and Sotar 20/20 is because they are designed to spray very thin mediums that the airbrushes modellers use could not spray well enough. The tip and needle size selection in airbrushing is related to the properties of the medium being sprayed and that is the reason for changing them. Paints like Model Master enamels spray great through the airbrushes I listed above but put them in a Micron and they won't spray worth beans.
I hope this helps some for the beginners wondering why there are so many sizes of needles and tips in different airbrushes.

Mike

I use an Iwata Revolution, I've had it for a couple of months now. I love it!! It's a vast vast improvement over my Aztek. The more I use it the better I feel like I'm getting with it. I can't say enough good stuff about this brush. Since it's the best brush I have, it's what I plan to start using to do some airbrush painting as well. I think it'll work just fine, I can paint a large area, and a very fine line with it. I love this airbrush, can't say that enough. When I get really rich and famous for my artwork I'll ge a custom micron, like Dru Blair uses. Until that time though, ahem, I'll stick with my budget. I have been glad to hear from another revolution user Greg.

madda

jjmoncho,
If you are going to be airbrushing "scale models", I would suggest and recommend the Iwata HP-CS or Revolution HP-CR gravity-feed airbrushes. They are very easy to clean, spraying characteristics are excellent, fast leaning curve and they take hobby paints very well due to their nozzle design. Airbrush art rendered on artist papers or guessoed canvas is different than airbrushing on bare styrene. Airbrush paint is absorbed into the papers or canvas because it is porous (allowing a liquid to soak through)and you'll find that you may be able to get a fine line or render other special effects easily as with airbrush art but not as easily with a plastic models non-porous surface. So... selecting an airbrush for the specific work you'll be doing is very important...ie "illustration airbrushes" versus airbrushes recommended for "scale modeling" . You were on the right track with what you were going for initially...the Iwatas. Check out the Revolution HP-CR, it is recommended for modelling and it is only $59.00 at www.dixieart.com All this is not to discredit fine artists like MikeV and his colleges..their airbrush art is awesome! Just wanted you to be aware of these differences as it relates to airbrushing on different surfaces and seleting the right tool for the job.

QUOTE: Originally posted by maddafinga Hehe, I've had Dru Blair bookmarked for about 2 years now. I saw a pic he did of an F-14 flying low over the water that just knocked me out. I've been a big fan of his ever since.

Dru has done a bunch of awesome aircraft shots hasn't he? Wow! I also like his B-1 picture right over the water throwing it in the air from the jet blast. Very cool!

Mike

Hehe, I've had Dru Blair bookmarked for about 2 years now. I saw a pic he did of an F-14 flying low over the water that just knocked me out. I've been a big fan of his ever since. I'd love to be able to take one of those classes that he gives, but I live in a different state. Much thanks for that airbrush link. I think I'll be spending some hours there in the next couple of days. Many thanks for the compliments. I wish somehow that I could make some extra cash off selling prints or something. As it is now though, it's just a compulsion that i have. Luckily it's a very enjoyable compulsion.

madda

Madda,

That is beautiful work my friend! Wow!

QUOTE: Any good advise and/or tips for airbrush art?

If you have any questions about doing this kind of airbrush artwork then visit the West Coast Airbrush forum here:
http://www.westcoastairbrush.com/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/westcoastairbrush//ultimatebb.cgi

The Illustrations forum there would be your best bet as there are some extremely talented airbrush artists who post there including Dru Blair who is possibly the best realism airbrush artist in the world. If you get a chance check out Dru Blair's web site here: http://www.drublair.com/
He is unbelievable! [:0]
Here is a picture he recently did of a model named Alex Arden



Mike

Mike and Madda

You guys have some great talent.
Thanks for sharing those!..

That looks great once again Mike. I want to start doing some airbrush painting soon. I just need to get some kits finished first. Gotta open my workspace back up. I have a knotwork in mind that would look great layered and airbrushed. I dig the pic of the leopard too. Here's mine done with colored pencil:

It was just a pretty quick sketch, so it's not great, but I think it'll do. Any good advise and/or tips for airbrush art? I've never done it before and want it to come out well. I have gotten to where I can paint a pretty fine line with my Revolution, so that'll help I think. Here's a link to my pencil drawings, just in case anyone was interested. http://members.cox.net/maddafinga/artwork_of_josh_allen.htm

madda

The Vega 2000 is a very good airbrush and will hold it's own against most any airbrush out in it's specific catagory.
The Iwata airbrushes are also good and although some consider them the best, others disagree and prefer other brands such as Badger.

Here are some pictures of artwork I did with the Vega 2000 with the #3 needle and tip and Createx paints to give an idea of what this airbrush can do:

http://myartworkgallery.com/mag/slides.asp?member_id=14

Mike