What airbrush should I get?

Graham,

I use a Badger 150-IL and I am very happy with it. I bought a Badger compressor and I just love their products. There was a bit of a learning curve when it came to cleaning it but it is a piece of cake now. Using it also has a bit of a learning curve for a beginner as it is a double action airbrush and takes some getting used to. However, I sure am glad that I spent a few bucks more as it gives me unbelievable control. I use it for both general coverage and some 1:35 figures and I really love it. Also, in my opinion, Badger has some of the best customer support available. I can seem to find their parts everywhere and when I needed a replacement manual last week, they emailed me a copy within a day...Unbelievable! Basically everyone has their preferences so you will probably get a ton of different answers to your question. My main advice to you is really know what you want and need out of the brush and how much you are willing to spend. Also, if possible, go to the store and actually look at the brush...ask to hold it or try it if at all posible. I was leaning towards an Aztek brush before I went and tried it out. I really didn't like how it felt in my hand. The Badger 150 on the other hand was really comfortable for me and the deciding factor. Anyways, good luck with your purchase and let us know what you get.

Make that tow votes for Badger.

However, I'm an advocate of the 100 series brushes, using both a 100 SG & LG, the former with a fine head, the latter with a medium head.

You don't need two, as the heads are interchangeable between the two brushes, the LG just having a larger colour cup, and therefore more suitable for coverage work.

Easy to use, and capable of very fine lines for detail work, I won't hesitate to recommend a Badger 100 series brush.

I think that works out at slightly more than 2 cents worth! 

Karl 

I'll chime in with yet another vote for Badger. I have both the 150 and 100LG. The 150 is the siphon or bottom feed version of the 100 series and parts can be swapped between the two brushes. The 100 is gravity fed and is better for fine lines as it can be used with less air pressure. The 150 requires greater air pressure, but you can hook it up to a larger container (I have a 3.5oz bottle!). I use it for priming, solid color coats and gloss and matte overcoats.

Both of them are available through places like Dixie Art or Bear Air and go for around $65 US. 

Sorry guys but.... I'm going to break up the Badger group hug here and strongly recommend a Paasche air brush. I just bought a new Paasche H set, single action with accessories off Evilbay for $40.00 and some change. This is my third one (other two were stolen) and just finished painting my Monogram 1/48 F-8E with great results. Paasche has a great variety of airbrushes and the quality is outstanding. They can spray both acrylics and enamel paints with proper mixing. Paasche has a huge line of single action and double action air brushes. Cleaning is easy and they last for years with proper care. They can be used with almost any brand air compressor and are always reliable.

My recommedation is... Go Paasche!

Air Master 

Can any one say anything about this one:

http://www.southeasthobbies.com.au/catalogue/aztek/ (2nd one down)

Run!

 

E

The aztek is primarily plastic.

You wouldn't but a plastic wrench or screwdriver, would you?

Another badger vote. Great service on replacing needle bearings, easy to clean, robust.

For a single action: 200NH

For double: Badger 100 or 150 but if you want to spend the extra $$$, get a 360.

I see your point. Badger it is.

I have a Badger 155 Anthem and a Iwata Eclipse. Both are awesome in different ways. I think if I had to pick one I'd give up my Badger before the Iwata. I think the Iwata has magical properties. You just point it at stuff and they turn colour.

Very happy with my Iwata Eclipse, after coming very close to purchasing an Aztek or a Badger.  I just liked the feel of the Eclipse, and was impressed with the precision of the parts.  I went to a Pearl Paint store and they gave me a good demo of each.  What sold me was that one of the artists was using an Eclipse right there in the store, and he was airbrushing eyelashes on a painting with it, as well as doing broader coverage.  Also, a bottom feed is handy if you think you might spray more than a 1/4 oz of paint at a time, which I sometimes do when I paint signs.

Lol, wow, I knew I would get a huge response... OK, i think I have it narrowed between the Badger 100/150 and the Iwata Eclipse. Is bottom feed easier to use or top feeding? What type of compressor is best? I have a small room devoted to my hobby so I don't have a lot of space and I need something fairly quiet since I mostly paint at night and the kiddies are asleep (sometimes wife too and she is less forgiving about being woken up). My kids would be like, "Hey Dad, that looks cool, can I watch?"

Anyways, like I said, I'm mostly painting figures (1/6th scale or thereabouts) - picture resin kits of monsters and you would be close. So... how do I decide on the model? I plan on having only one airbrush and keep it forever... Cost doesn't matter as much as the permanency ( I only want to buy it once).

Graham

I actually have all three mentioned above.  None are bad and all are extremely versatile.  It really gets down to personal taste.  The Eclipse BCS and the Badger 100lg with a fine tip are similiar in performance, just in a different way.  There are many variables that affect performance such as viscosity, pressure, air source, distance, temperature, medium, etc.  The BCS is more expensive and depending on where you are, the parts may be hard to find.  If you have a Hobby Lobby nearby, you can get parts @ 40% off with a coupon.  However, Badger's are easier to service with the parts being easier to find.  Of course if you want the most popular and the most numerous, that would be hands down the Paasche VL or Paasche H.  Yeah, got those too.

 

E

Well, just to throw you a curve ball, read the link which is still at the bottom of Painting and Airbrushing page regarding the Infinity Solo.  I posted this as I was interested in the Harder and Steenbeck.  I ended up getting it and love it.  The neat thing about it, is the quickfix feature.  Being a dual action, this allows you to preset the trigger travel.   Clean up is easy as well, as the needle will come out thru the front.  Not cheap at around $240. 

Is the Iwata or the Badger easier to clean/ take apart? Also, does it really matter if the feed is above or below? Parts should not be a problem since I live in Toronto and we have a zillion art stores up here (Curry's being the most prominent and easily the most economical). I'll probably buy it next week - thanks so much for the input, people. Does anyone have an opinion on the compressor - I like quiet and I heard the Iwata is pretty good. Apparently oil-less is the way to go.

Graham

Just read the top of this thread.  Since figure modeling is what you're into, IMHO, you need a detail brush.  The Iwata HP-CS may be easier to clean because of the drop in .35mm nozzle.  The Badger 100lg w/ a fine tip is a screw in tip that requires beeswax to seal it if you had to replace it (or you could replace the entire head assembly for around $15) .  I would recommend going to both Iwata's and Badger's website to get a parts breakdown.  But in the end, both would be excellent choices for figures when combined with a silent compressor.  You'll need a compressor that you can adjust to a low pressure for detail work.  If the figures that you model are really small, you may indeed be looking at a high end detail/illustration brush.  The H&S Infinity, Badger Sotar 2020, Iwata Hi-Line's and HP's, or Paasche V may fit that bill.  You may also try posting this question in the Figures section of this forum to see what your fellow figure modelers say.  HTH.

 

E

grayv wrote:

Is the Iwata or the Badger easier to clean/ take apart? Also, does it really matter if the feed is above or below?

For what you're doing you will want to get a gravity feed (above). You will be able to run at much lower air pressures this way. As for cleaning I find them both about the same but I think the Badger is maybe a little easier. I wouldn't describe either as hard to clean though. Any airbrush takes a little time and effort to clean.

Here is my 50 cents worth.  My first airbrush was the Aztek 4709.  All I can say is it didn't even last a year.  I bought a Badger 155 and although I liked it, the trigger wasn't smooth even after lube and the suction cup wasted more paint.  Finally I bought the Iwata Revolution CR and I am glad I did.  Very easy to clean and a great brush for spraying acrylics.  I also bought the Iwata HP-C Plus and use it quite often also but it requires some trial and error for paint to thinner ratio.  I will say that my Revolution will do everything I need it to.  If you are thinking about trying to save a few cents, don't.  Buy a good airbrush to begin with and you'll be glad you did in the long run.  If after all of this you still aren't confused see if your Local Hobby Shop has any airbrushing classes or knows of anybody that is.  You may be able to try some out before you make your decision.  Rob

I had the good fortune to test quite a few different airbrushes before I made my purchases.

I ended up with an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS & HP-BCS with a nice, quiet compressor.

Here's part of my setup - IWATA ECL4500 Airbrush Kit with Mini Tank Compressor $254.98

I think the setup would serve you just fine.

A picture is worth a thousand words! I will print out your pic and use it as my shopping list. Thanks again for all the input.

Graham (future airbrusher)

That's a good deal!

 

E

Finally bought it - decided on Iwata Eclipse CS with a compressor (came with the kit) and a bunch of stuff. Got it at Curry's (Toronto store) for about $450 with taxes and everything. Now how do I get it past my wife...

Thanks for the input.

Graham (future airbrusher)