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Airbrush Advice

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  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Latvia, EU
Posted by Grahor on Friday, December 7, 2007 8:46 PM

>>Should I order the other tips and needles as well?<<

Get spare needles. At least 2. They cost $5 per one, and one, just one careless movement is enough to damage the tip.

You can more or less restore the tip, using tedious technicues, but never perfectly. That's why my own tip right now looks like a corkscrew, if I look at it through x15 magnifier. :) I've damaged and fixed it so many times... It changes the spray from the tip, makes it less finely dispersed, and adds spitting.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Friday, December 7, 2007 1:47 PM
 Bgrigg wrote:

I have the other tips and have never used them. Medium works for everything I've ever asked of it.

Do get spare needles, and some Regdab or Medea Super Lube needle lube! 

Sign - Ditto [#ditto]

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Friday, December 7, 2007 12:54 PM

I have the other tips and have never used them. Medium works for everything I've ever asked of it.

Do get spare needles, and some Regdab or Medea Super Lube needle lube! 

So long folks!

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Vancouver, WA
Posted by modlvr on Friday, December 7, 2007 12:19 PM

Thanks for all of the advice.

I went ahead and ordered the Badger 100LG Medium Tip.

Should I order the other tips and needles as well?

 

Thanks again. 

 

Andy Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. Scott Adams, 'The Dilbert Principle' www.andyshobbies.com (Not a store) modeler@andyshobbies.com On the bench. Tamiya F4U Corsair
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tacoma WA
Posted by gjek on Friday, December 7, 2007 1:06 AM
I think you hit the nail on the head. I have had a Badger 360 and a Badger 200 for years. I now have an Iwata HP-C with crown tip  and an Iwata revolution CR. The Badger 100 LG would be the way to go. Gravity feed, multiple tip and needle combinations, the price is good, service is good and it will take you as far as you want to go in the forseeable future. I think the HP-C can out preform the 100LG by only a small margin. The needle has a longer taper and I think that helps. Would you see a difference between how well the two painted... maybe..maybe not.
Msgt USMC Ret M48, M60A1, M1A1
  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Latvia, EU
Posted by Grahor on Thursday, December 6, 2007 6:28 PM

>>And all I wanted was some advice on what airbrush to get?<<

You see, the problem is, there are no "good" or "bad" airbrushes (well, with some exceptions, of course), there are airbrushes which are better suited for the task you need. So, what exactly do you need?

If you just need to lay basic layers of paint on a model, your current airbrush is probably all you need. Or may be a good Badger workhorse with different tips - I'd say, 155 Anthem with Medium (for everyday spray) and Fine tips (for the times when you feel fancy and want to show off), with corresponding needles, is enough. Mind you, you can by a Sparmax for a third of the price of the Badger (plus shipment from Taiwan), and it probably will make no difference whatsoever in your airbrushing.

If you need to paint freehand lines, freehand camo, blend colors one into another and add transparent and semitransparent layers, tints and other fancy artwork, you will probably need something with a tip of 0.3 mm or smaller. But remember, that the finer tip it is, the harder it is to just put a basic layer of basic paint, and the more likely acrylics will cram the tip half-work. 

Sure, Iwata Custom Micron is a great thing - if you know exactly what to do with it. If you don't, you are far better off with a basic Badger. As a rule of thumb, if you are not sure if you need Iwata or not, you don't need it. By the time you'll need Iwata, you will not only be sure why you need it, but also will know exactly which model you need. :)

Now, compressor is a different thing. What you need, is a compressor which doesn't break easily, and - absolutely - with a tank. That's all you need from compressor. Me, I've made mine myself from a bit of pipe for the tank, a compressor from an old refrigerator, pressure regulator and some welding. Well, plenty of it. Costs nothing (which is important, considering our economic situation here), works perfectly. You don't need brandnames; you just need something that works.

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Vancouver, WA
Posted by modlvr on Thursday, December 6, 2007 5:20 PM

 

Oh I wasnt upset or put off in the least. See the simely. I've seen the same thing in kites, golf and just about any other hobby you can think of.

Andy Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. Scott Adams, 'The Dilbert Principle' www.andyshobbies.com (Not a store) modeler@andyshobbies.com On the bench. Tamiya F4U Corsair
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Indiana
Posted by hkshooter on Thursday, December 6, 2007 5:09 PM

Don't get your panties in a wad, modlvr. The guys are just having fun with a Chevy vs Ford battle. No harm meant and certainly no remarks made toward you. Lighten up and enjoy it! A couple of the guys who responded are amoung the most knowledgable airbrush people I know and thier advice is wise and accurate. Join the crowd and there is a huge amount of info here for you.

Advice on the AB? Get the Badger, like mentioned above. All in all most of the big names perform very well and similarly. The biggest differences in the brands may just be customer service, parts availability and price. Hence my recommendation for the Badger.

 

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Vancouver, WA
Posted by modlvr on Thursday, December 6, 2007 4:59 PM

And all I wanted was some advice on what airbrush to get? This is almost like going to different car dealerships and being told they all have the yop selling model in the country.

 

Maybe I'll take p knitingEvil [}:)]

Andy Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. Scott Adams, 'The Dilbert Principle' www.andyshobbies.com (Not a store) modeler@andyshobbies.com On the bench. Tamiya F4U Corsair
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Thursday, December 6, 2007 3:15 PM
 Gigatron wrote:
 Bgrigg wrote:

I have a Badger 150 that is at least 25 years old. The guy who gave it to me couldn't remember, so it may be even older. Works fine.

Getting into a peeing contest on which airbrush is better is silly. It's a tool. Having said that, I've looked into replacement parts for Iwata vs. Badger and Badger wins the availabliity and price war! 

'Cause you'll never need replacement parts for an Iwata Wink [;)] Laugh [(-D]

-Fred

 

Someone sounds thoroughly brainwashed. Sigh [sigh]

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by Gigatron on Thursday, December 6, 2007 2:24 PM
 Bgrigg wrote:

I have a Badger 150 that is at least 25 years old. The guy who gave it to me couldn't remember, so it may be even older. Works fine.

Getting into a peeing contest on which airbrush is better is silly. It's a tool. Having said that, I've looked into replacement parts for Iwata vs. Badger and Badger wins the availabliity and price war! 

'Cause you'll never need replacement parts for an Iwata Wink [;)] Laugh [(-D]

-Fred

 

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Thursday, December 6, 2007 11:09 AM

I have a Badger 150 that is at least 25 years old. The guy who gave it to me couldn't remember, so it may be even older. Works fine.

Getting into a peeing contest on which airbrush is better is silly. It's a tool. Having said that, I've looked into replacement parts for Iwata vs. Badger and Badger wins the availabliity and price war! 

So long folks!

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by Gigatron on Thursday, December 6, 2007 10:41 AM

well, While I'm still on my same $65 Revolution or $110 Eclipse in 20 years and you've all been through 20 $65 badgers, well... let me know how that works out for ya Wink [;)]

-Fred

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Scotland
Posted by Milairjunkie on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 8:21 PM
Rolls Royce - from the same company that gave us the Beetle.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 10:48 AM
 Gigatron wrote:
 MikeV wrote:
 Gigatron wrote:

Iwatas are the Cadillac of airbrushes. 

 

I think Cadillac's are cheaply made. Laugh [(-D]

ok, they're the rolls royce of airbrushes Wink [;)]

Better?

-Fred

 

Yes an Iwata would be like a Rolls....very overpriced. Laugh [(-D]

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by Gigatron on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 7:57 AM
 MikeV wrote:
 Gigatron wrote:

Iwatas are the Cadillac of airbrushes. 

 

I think Cadillac's are cheaply made. Laugh [(-D]

ok, they're the rolls royce of airbrushes Wink [;)]

Better?

-Fred

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 1:04 PM
 Gigatron wrote:

Iwatas are the Cadillac of airbrushes. 

 

I think Cadillac's are cheaply made. Laugh [(-D]

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by Gigatron on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 8:11 AM

I run a CraftsMan 3 gallon, 1.5 hp air compressor I got from sears.  Yeah she's loud, but only on fill-up, and that's only once every couple of weeks (more if I'm doing a lot painting).  Even then, it takes under 2 minutes to fill from near empty.  Other than than, dead silent and doesn't use any electricity because it runs off the storage tank.

As for brushes, an Iwata Revolution BR is my workhorse.  Gravity feed, decent size cup doesn't require a lot of refills, double action and only about $65 from dixieart (and free shipping).  Iwatas are the Cadillac of airbrushes.  My paint thrower is an Iwata Eclipse BCS.  With a 2oz bottle slung underneath, I could paint for days.

-Fred

 

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Redmond, Washington
Posted by Leaadas on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 1:50 AM

I am not sure about the differences is compressors as I just went and bought one with very little research about it, probably foolish actually, lol.

I would second Brigg's nomination of the Badger 100LG. It was the first airbrush I ever used and it was easy to learn with.

- Tom Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Vancouver, WA
Posted by modlvr on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 1:38 AM
Is that it? Or has Bgrigg said it all? Cool [8D]
Andy Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. Scott Adams, 'The Dilbert Principle' www.andyshobbies.com (Not a store) modeler@andyshobbies.com On the bench. Tamiya F4U Corsair
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Saturday, December 1, 2007 8:45 AM

There are few compressors that won't work.

A warning about the compressor, it'll be pretty loud. I have a similar 3 gallon pancake tank compressor, and if it wasn't on the other side of a wall, I would go insane! I've had mine for a couple of years now, though I am suspicious of the life span. When it does decide to die (notice I say when and not if) I'm going to splurge on an expensive Badger Millionaire or similar "silent" airbrush compressor.

For an airbrush, you can't go wrong with the Badger 100LG. Found online at Bear Air or Dixie Art.

So long folks!

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Vancouver, WA
Airbrush Advice
Posted by modlvr on Saturday, December 1, 2007 2:26 AM

I bought a inexpensive HS-30 (Made in china) gravity feed airbrush and a 1/8hp mini compressor shaped like an elephant to try airbrushing. To my surprise I was ok at it and the first model I am working on a Triceratops for my grandson is looking good.

 

I am looking to upgrade. I was thinking of a Harbor Mastor compressor (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47407) I saw on an airbrush demo on youtube.

 

I also want to get a new airbrush. I am looking for advice and guidence. Does this compressor look ok for working on models. Mostly aircraft. Some ships.

Reccomendations on airbrushes, extra tips ect.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Andy

Andy Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. Scott Adams, 'The Dilbert Principle' www.andyshobbies.com (Not a store) modeler@andyshobbies.com On the bench. Tamiya F4U Corsair
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