Decisions on Airbrushes

I have a Badger 150, and it's a great airbrush. It's the siphon fed version of the 100 series of gravity fed brushes. IMHO the better option is the 100LG. The ability to keep air pressure at a minimum really helps in getting fine lines. I'm lucky enough to own one of each.

I have a 100F and a 155. The 155 (equal to 150 and 175) is a good general duty ab. My 100F is good at fine detail, but I want a 100LG or comparable for great fine detail.

If your only painting one color subjects, a siphon feed like the 150 is a good choice. However, if your going to want to paint fine lines, free hand camo patterns for feathered edges, shading etc, go for a gravity feed like the 100LG. Spend the money one and get what you need. You'll learn to use it just fine.

I am an Iwata guy but I have had several badgers- go for the 100LG. You will have more options and be happier in the long run.

The 155 and the 360 are the same airbrush exactly internally except the 360 has that tiny cup that holds about 10 drops at the most.

The 155 was designed for T-shirt airbrushing and is a good overall airbrush and it will put out a ton of paint too. It is the fastest airbrush to disassemble that is made....period.

The 150 is also a good choice if you want an all around siphon-feed airbrush.

I personally would choose the 155 or the Omni 3000 over the 150 if I wanted a siphon-feed but that's just me. I own all of the ones mentioned and a few more.

I struggled with airbrushing until I purchased the Omni 4000 about 6 months ago.  I love this airbrush.  I use Tamiya acrylic paints and build armor models.  Very good AB for base color and camo patterns.

This is what I like about it:

- 1 needle and 1 tip is all you need.  Don't have to switch internals to get a broader or narrow spray pattern.

- Very reliable.  I clean my AB immediately after using it, and it's always operated perfectly the next time I use it.

- Siphon feed  (oops....mistake - gravity fed)

- Very robust operation, never have problems while using it.

- End Results - Excellent

The airbrush is about $75, which I think is a decent price for the level of quality.

Larry

 

I second the Omni 4000.  Easy to use and maintain, and is a quality product overall.  The above post pretty much covered it all.  Except that it's gravity feed, meaning you can use lower pressure to get in much closer, allowing finer lines. 

Here is the cheapest one I can find: http://bearair.com/prodinfo.asp?number=100251

DHM wrote:

.................  Here is the cheapest one I can find: http://bearair.com/prodinfo.asp?number=100251

That's a great price. 

Thanks for the link DHM.

Larry

DrewH wrote:

I have a 100F and a 155. The 155 (equal to 150 and 175) is a good general duty ab. My 100F is good at fine detail, but I want a 100LG or comparable for great fine detail. If your only painting one color subjects, a siphon feed like the 150 is a good choice. However, if your going to want to paint fine lines, free hand camo patterns for feathered edges, shading etc, go for a gravity feed like the 100LG. Spend the money one and get what you need. You'll learn to use it just fine.

100F? Is that one out of production? ...I've got a 100LG and I love it. It's double action, so the only difference will be that it has a slightly steeper learning curve than a single action.

I think Drew means the 100G. The only difference between the G and the LG is the size of the color cup.  He will be disappointed if he thinks the LG is capable of finer lines, it's the same airbrush otherwise.

I was wondering...I googled 100F and there was nothing. I like color cups...Seems it'd be a lot easier than filling bottles, cleaning bottles, and so on. I wish they made a 200LG, with the larger 1/3 ounce color cup. The G color cups are too small to do much for modeling.

I have a 100F. I have had it over 15 years. It has been out of production for a few years now. It uses a side attached 1/8 oz color cup to the right side. It was the top of the line back when..... All the internal parts are the same as a 150, just the feed changed.

I do want to get a 100G or LG. I have never had a gravity feed and think I need one

DrewH wrote:

I have a 100F. I have had it over 15 years. It has been out of production for a few years now. It uses a side attached 1/8 oz color cup to the right side. It was the top of the line back when..... All the internal parts are the same as a 150, just the feed changed. I do want to get a 100G or LG. I have never had a gravity feed and think I need one

I'll have to search for that...interesting!

Ah, the side feed 100SF! It's still around. Dixie Art and Bear Air have it listed, though both just call it the 100. Available in left and right hand and is capable of spraying straight down.

It's technically a siphon fed, but due to the horizontal flow it requires a little less pressure to pick up the paint than the 150. The difference between it and the LG would be pretty hard to see. 

The 100 series (SF, SG, G & LG) and the 150 are variations of the same airbrush. All parts, with the exception of the body are the same.

The 150 was sold as an illustrator's brush, while the 100SF was considered a photo retoucher's brush due to it's vertical ability. The rest of the 100 lineup are considered detail brushes and could be used for both.

Well now they may call it the 100SF - but

It works great for me. But I need a better detail brush so a LG seems to be in my future

I believe you, I believe you!

I just don't know how much better the LG will be in comparison. I can spray almost as fine a line with my 150. I do find the LG a little easier to clean, and that's worth it. The nice thing about the whole series is the interchangeability.

DrewH wrote:

Well now they may call it the 100SF - but It works great for me. But I need a better detail brush so a LG seems to be in my future

I believe you now too! Sorry... -I saw that on Bearair, but as Bill said, they just call it the 100.

At least I know I haven't completely lost it

 

.......yet

I had the Anthem 155.  It is a desent brush but I wan't happy with the results and the paint waste and ended up buying what I was thinking of buying in the first place and that was an Iwata Revolution CR Gravity fed.  Do yourself a favor, whatever brand you buy and buy a GRAVITY FED airbrush.  You will get better resutls and get more use out of it as you can do finer work and detail.

 

Rob

I had a 360 which has since been repaired and eBayed.


Was a good brush, however I jumped in and thought wow twist the end and I have gravity and syphon. However the cup is very very small. Not enough for modeling imho. Also the needle is exposed all the time you have the cap off. I did find that for me it was uncomfortable after an hour or so.

When I got it the trigger was a little rough but this was sorted by using a little wet & dry on the slot the trigger sticks out of. However what turned me off in the end was this: I had just finished spraying and was shooting some lacquer thinner through it when I noticed something strange. There's two small holes on either side of the body, left & right just behind the cup. Well normally you can see through it and see the needle in the middle. I noticed this black thing in there, wanting to come out the hole. I pulled on with a little hook thing and what came out? A small black o-ring!!! Very strange I thought and looked at the parts breakdown. Funny thing is it ain't listed. Turned me right off.

Now I have an Iwata HP-CH and a eclipse bcs. The build quality is a world apart. The High-Line series isn't a fair comparison to the 360. I can pull the needle out the front too meaning I don't drag paint crud through the needle packing. They require less frequent taking apart to clean too. Best bit is I bought them from HK both for less that what the 360 cost me. The needle cap stops you from damaging the needles too.

dublove wrote:

The build quality is a world apart. The High-Line series isn't a fair comparison to the 360.

Lets compare apples to apples my friend. That Iwata is in the same category with the Badger 100LG, not the 360 which is an Anthem modified.

I can pull the needle out the front too meaning I don't drag paint crud through the needle packing.

The needle can be pulled out of either end it does not matter as that is what the needle bearing is for.

They require less frequent taking apart to clean too. Best bit is I bought them from HK both for less that what the 360 cost me. The needle cap stops you from damaging the needles too.

No airbrush needs to be taken apart to clean more than once every 5th or 6th time using it.

You bought two Iwatas for less than what you paid for the 360?

Did you buy the 360 in Beverly Hills or something?

Hi Mike, I thought you would reply :)


You sure you can pull the needle forward on your 360? On mine and the spare needle there was a metal ball attached to the end of it. You could pull it forward maybe just an inch then the thumbscrew to lock the needle would stop it going any further.

Bear in mind I am in the UK though - No 360's on ebay when I bought and the best price I found (new) was £174 thats $355. Shocking I know. But yet I took the chance and got the Iwatas from a popular eBay shop and luckily I did not get any customs charges, which could have been another 24%

I'm not saying the badger is crap as it's was a good brush. But I am finding the Iwata much easier to use.

I am still a bit shocked.  In the US, the HP-CH costs more than twice the cost of the 360.  The 360 is simply put, wierd.  It is a 155 Anthem that can be used as gravity feed.  The Anthem is a t-shirt brush that was designed to be able to spray a lot of paint, but the color cup on top of the 360 only holds a few drops of paint.  The HP-CH is an Illistrator's brush, designed to spray a smaller volume of thinner paint at lower pressure, much like in modeling.  The 155/360 series is similar to BCS Eclipse.  They are designed to spray large volumes of thicker paint at high cfm and pressure, such as 60psi at 2cfm(which is high for airbrushing).  I own a BCS and a Badger, both of wich are good. 

 

The metal ball in the needle is to keep the needle from poking and hurting the user because of the design of the handle.  I don't believe you can pull it through the the body.  Can the ball be screwed off?  If so, take it off and you should be able to pull the needle foward once you remove the nozzle. 

dublove wrote:

Hi Mike, I thought you would reply :) You sure you can pull the needle forward on your 360? On mine and the spare needle there was a metal ball attached to the end of it.

No, I was referring to airbrush needles in general, the 360 and the 155 do have that ball on the end of the needle that you mentioned and have to be drawn out the back, but it doesn't matter as the needle bearing keeps paint out of the inside of the airbrush.

Wow, high prices there for sure! If the Iwata is working better for you then keep using it my friend as that is what matters.

MikeV wrote:

Wow, high prices there for sure! If the Iwata is working better for you then keep using it my friend as that is what matters.

Haha prices :) Fuel here is currently $8 a gallon. Import from Hong Kong so i don't go hungry lol

dublove wrote:

MikeV wrote: Wow, high prices there for sure! If the Iwata is working better for you then keep using it my friend as that is what matters. Haha prices :) Fuel here is currently $8 a gallon. Import from Hong Kong so i don't go hungry lol

Wow!

Hi guy's

Thanks for the much appreciated info.  I have enjoyed reading all your inputs.  You guy's made my decision easy.

I ordered both the 150 Professional and the 100LG (F).  Figured with the ability of swapping parts between these models, these would cover all of my airbrushing needs.  Also ordered spare parts as someone suggested.

So now here I sit waiting patiently for my order to come in from BearAir.

Again Thanks for all the input

Birdgunner

Absolutely great choice.  Great versatility with that system.  I will admit that my prediction for you will be, that with three heads available, you'll reach for the 100lg more often than not.  The 150 will be great for airbrushing large areas with it's siphon bottle feed.

 E

Ditto on your purchase. I own both brushes and agree that they are terrific airbrushes. I'll also agree that you'll end up reaching for the 100LG. It's easier to clean, too.

Hey Guys:

    It was taking me all day to decide on what brush to buy until I read your discussion I would like to thank you for making the decision easy. I looked into the Iwata, Tamiya's, Paschels, Badger and could not decide, I even contemplated the Aztek. Thanks for making it easy. The bearair site was great but I found my Baddger 100LG for 60 bucks at:

https://www.coastairbrush.com/

 

Thanks,

Eric