New to the forum, got a few airbrush and compressor questions.

Campbellj

I was considering just getting one of the 1/5hp compressors from harbor freight, to get me by for a few months until I could afford something better, but how noisy are they?  No ratings anywhere. and I didn't see any type of regulator on them.  It seems these cheap compressors like this are all over with different labels on them.  They all look the same to me, and most say somewhere around the 55db level.

Are you talking about this 1/5_HP compressor? There are some user feedback on this forum, mostly satisfactory. However, why waste $80 if you plan to get a better one in just a few months.

Campbellj

I was looking at airbrush depot compressors, mainly the tc-196,  but not being able to hear one up front to me it's taking a crap shoot hoping it's not as loud as a Central Pneumatic one that I have read is loud.   The Scorpion II appears to be the same compressor without the tank.  One compressor that really looks like it could be alot quiter is the Aztek one, the AC500 with the tank, I know it's a little more expensive, but it said it's rated at 48db's and I am aware that 6 db's doubles the volume, so it should be half as loud as the airbrush depot compressors, if the ratings are true.  I would love to be able to just shell out the money for another Power Jet, because I am already familiar with how it is, and it's a killer compressor, but I think the name on it makes it more expensive than it should be.  Any thoughts on any of this?  Suggestions?  Sorry for my long first post, but thanks for taking the time to read it all!   

If you were happy with the noise level of the Iwata PowerJet, take a look at the Sparmax TC-5000. If not, check out the Silentaire SuperQuiet 20-A which is not that much more than the PowerJet in price, but a lot quieter.

I don't see the Aztek compressor priced any cheaper than an equivalent Iwata. I have been told that both brands are sourced from Sparmax in Taiwan and have good reliability records. Part of the higher price come from better quality control and after sales customer service.

Excuse my self promotion, but you might want to check out my website for information on the Patriot and Aztek.

Don

Yea, that's the one from Harbor Freight that I was talking about.  I'm sure some people like it,  but I am sure it's one of those "get what you pay for" type deals.  The Sparmax one looks nice, I actually like the TC2000 a little better though, the 5000 seems really bulky, but I am glad you pointed out that website.  I could probably make a trip down to Miami tomorrow and try both of them out.  I had only seen the sparmax for sale at hobby lobby, and you had to have the 40% off coupon to even come close to rex's price.  Might be worth the drive down there to check them out.  I remember before I bought my iwata, an art supply store in Houston was showing me a Sparmax,  I remember it being gold, so it had to be the same one and it was pretty quiet from what I remember.  Seems I read on here somewhere that if you have a dual piston compressor, then having a tank virtually makes no difference.  Maybe?  I dunno.  Maybe I could pick up the TC2000 and add a tank later.  They do get excellent reviews though from what I have seen.  The Silentaire would be nice, but is way out of my budget unfortunately.   As long as I wouldn't get any pulsing with the TC2000 I would probably pick it, just seems like an excellent bang for the buck now that I think about it more and more.  

I am still kind of stuck on airbrushes though,  Maybe another badger, like a patriot?  Iwata eclipse?  Paasche talon?   Seems no matter who owns what, they all are great airbrushes.  I was just looking at the Talon on the Rex website and for cheaper than an eclipse it comes with 3 different heads and everything, so it could very well be 1 do it all airbrush.  Any thoughts on it?  Thanks

Your information on your website is great! Thanks for pointing it out to me,  I didn't even see the patriot on there.  I read the overview of the aztek yesterday and the patriot just now.  I am thinking with the aztek since it's such a love/hate thing, I don't want to take the risk with it and end up hating it.  But as far as the patriot, or eclipse or Talon, everyone gives them excellent reviews depending on which one they have.  Honestly I think Iwata is the most popular choice, simply because of the name, but that's just my opinion.  

I am pretty much considering myself as a beginner to airbrushing.  I know the concept, I know how they work, I know how to use one, but I don't think I could use all 3 back to back and tell you why I like one over the other besides the way it feels in my hand, due to lack of experience.  Maybe it's just best that I pick the one that feels the best to me provided this place in Miami has all 3 to try? 

Campbellj

Honestly I think Iwata is the most popular choice, simply because of the name, but that's just my opinion.  

Actually Badger is the most sold airbrush in the world by far but there are many on here who seem to gravitate toward Iwatas. I guess Japanese copies of American products are popular with this crowd.

Before anyone has a fit that was a little humor in case you missed it.

Honestly.  If you just need something that will do good base coats but still has the capability to do fairly fine detail with multiple paint types, Coast Airbrush has he Badger 155 Anthem on sale for $62.95 now.  It does not use the same needle as the 200.  It's designed to be really flexible in what media you can use in it.  I mostly work with enamels but I have researched it for weeks before I got mine a few weeks ago, and people say it's been working well for anything they shoot using it.  Including Acrylics.  Here's a link.  Check it out.

http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=155-1

For that sale price, it can't be beat.

Campbellj

Hey, first post here.  First off I want to say, this is a great forum and there is tons of good information around. I am starting a couple new 1/48 scale aircraft right now and I am finding all kinds of great tips around here! So,  this subject has probably been beat to death but, here it goes.  

I've been building models since I was little and basically hand painted everything.  Several years ago, I stepped up and bought a Iwata Power Jet compressor and a Iwata Eclipse bottom feed airbrush, and a Badger 200 while I lived in Houston.  The few times I actually got to use it there, living in an apartment, I loved the fact of how quiet the compressor was and never bothered anyone. Really the only thing I didn't like about the whole setup was just having a bottom feed airbrush and it feeling bulky in my hands.  I moved to Florida a few years ago and when I first got here, money was really really tight and I practically gave my compressor and eclipse away to a guy at work to get me through the first couple weeks.  I still have my Badger 200, to use for primer ext.. 

Now I am in the market for another compressor and dual action airbrush only because I use Tamiya acrylics only, and my Badger never seemed to spray those acrylics that well, I currently have 45-50 jars of paint so no reason for me to go buy all new paint.  My budget is not that big right now, and no way can I afford another power jet.  I've got my sights pretty much set in on an Iwata HP-CS airbrush though, but could go with a cheaper model if recommended.  Basically all I want to use the airbrush for is to get base coats on everything, mainly the aircraft when it is completed.  I like doing all the detail work with brushes.  I feel I have more control.  Although I would like to use an airbrush for exhaust stains, pre shading ect...  Any other recommendations on brushes?  I was considering another Badger, like a patriot or renegade just so I only need one type of hose, and won't have to change hoses around like I would if I got an Iwata.   One thing that I never liked doing was taking it apart to clean up after every time.  I am really attracted to the easy clean up that's supposed to come with the Aztek airbrush, I know it's a love/hate thing with that one, but simpler could be for me, I don't know, but I do know that I have seen some fantastic models finished with an aztek, so I know the results can be as good as any great airbrush.  I'm open to all options with this.  

I have been trying to find out all the info possible on compressors, and I am thinking one with a tank, or a dual piston model would probably be fine.  One of my main concerns in noise level.  I considered a CO2 tank setup, but I called around here in S. Florida a couple days ago, and these people want an outragous amount of money for these things and fills is not cheap, at least not here. I can get scuba tanks filled with Nitrox  for half the price of CO2.  It's unreal.   I was considering just getting one of the 1/5hp compressors from harbor freight, to get me by for a few months until I could afford something better, but how noisy are they?  No ratings anywhere. and I didn't see any type of regulator on them.  It seems these cheap compressors like this are all over with different labels on them.  They all look the same to me, and most say somewhere around the 55db level.   I was looking at airbrush depot compressors, mainly the tc-196,  but not being able to hear one up front to me it's taking a crap shoot hoping it's not as loud as a Central Pneumatic one that I have read is loud.   The Scorpion II appears to be the same compressor without the tank.  One compressor that really looks like it could be alot quiter is the Aztek one, the AC500 with the tank, I know it's a little more expensive, but it said it's rated at 48db's and I am aware that 6 db's doubles the volume, so it should be half as loud as the airbrush depot compressors, if the ratings are true.  I would love to be able to just shell out the money for another Power Jet, because I am already familiar with how it is, and it's a killer compressor, but I think the name on it makes it more expensive than it should be.  Any thoughts on any of this?  Suggestions?  Sorry for my long first post, but thanks for taking the time to read it all!   

Sparrowhyperion

Honestly.  If you just need something that will do good base coats but still has the capability to do fairly fine detail with multiple paint types, Coast Airbrush has he Badger 155 Anthem on sale for $62.95 now.  It does not use the same needle as the 200.  It's designed to be really flexible in what media you can use in it.  I mostly work with enamels but I have researched it for weeks before I got mine a few weeks ago, and people say it's been working well for anything they shoot using it.  Including Acrylics.  Here's a link.  Check it out.

http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=155-1

For that sale price, it can't be beat.  

I also see the patriot on there for 72.95, that's a good deal too.  The only think I don't really like about the 155 is it being bottom feed,  that's what I didn't like about the eclipse I had,  was that bottle hanging down.  Made it very weird to hold.  Who knows though,  I could say a paint cup gets in my way on a gravity feed after I use one.  I have never used a gravity feed brush before.  Thinking of that,  how big would the cup have to be to get let's say 1 coat of paint on a 1/48 plane?  I wouldn't mind having to keep adding a little paint with a dropper here and there just to have a smaller cup, or even maybe a brush with a removable cup I'm confused with all the different options that is available.  The more stuff I see the more confused I get.  Lol

My great Idea of driving down to Miami tomorrow is a no go, because I found out that place drop ships all that stuff and don't keep anything in stock.  The actual physical store is a Art&Framing store, so that's a bummer......  It's so hard to believe that where I live there is no good art supply stores around like there was in Houston.  We have Ultrecht Art,  Jerry's Artarama, and Michaels 

Campbellj

Sparrowhyperion:

Honestly.  If you just need something that will do good base coats but still has the capability to do fairly fine detail with multiple paint types, Coast Airbrush has he Badger 155 Anthem on sale for $62.95 now.  It does not use the same needle as the 200.  It's designed to be really flexible in what media you can use in it.  I mostly work with enamels but I have researched it for weeks before I got mine a few weeks ago, and people say it's been working well for anything they shoot using it.  Including Acrylics.  Here's a link.  Check it out.

http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=155-1

For that sale price, it can't be beat.  

I also see the patriot on there for 72.95, that's a good deal too.  The only think I don't really like about the 155 is it being bottom feed,  that's what I didn't like about the eclipse I had,  was that bottle hanging down.  Made it very weird to hold.  Who knows though,  I could say a paint cup gets in my way on a gravity feed after I use one.  I have never used a gravity feed brush before.  Thinking of that,  how big would the cup have to be to get let's say 1 coat of paint on a 1/48 plane?  I wouldn't mind having to keep adding a little paint with a dropper here and there just to have a smaller cup, or even maybe a brush with a removable cup I'm confused with all the different options that is available.  The more stuff I see the more confused I get.  Lol

My great Idea of driving down to Miami tomorrow is a no go, because I found out that place drop ships all that stuff and don't keep anything in stock.  The actual physical store is a Art&Framing store, so that's a bummer......  It's so hard to believe that where I live there is no good art supply stores around like there was in Houston.  We have Ultrecht Art,  Jerry's Artarama, and Michaels 

You may be interested in this other thread on the topic. Your original choice was a very good one.

Well I took the plunge, bit the bullet and ordered an airbrush and compressor.  I ended up getting an Iwata HP-CS and a barely used Smart Jet Pro (hose included) for less than 300 bucks.  I know the compressor don't have a tank like I originally wanted, but for the price I got it for, I don't think I could have passed it up knowing the quality I am getting with it, from my previous Iwata stuff I had.  I contacted Iwata and spoke to a tech there for a while before I made the purchase and he assured me that the Smart Jet Pro was perfect for modeling and there was really no need in me purchasing anything more expensive, It was nice that he obviously didn't try to "sell" me the best they have!  He also recommended the CS being that he said it is a little easier to clean than the Revolution CR and I could get finer detail with it.  Out of all the great reviews I read about it on here, and his encouragement, I knew I wouldn't be making a bad choice.   Now the waiting game starts for delivery.............................the hard part.

Campbellj

Well I took the plunge, bit the bullet and ordered an airbrush and compressor.  I ended up getting an Iwata HP-CS and a barely used Smart Jet Pro (hose included) for less than 300 bucks.  I know the compressor don't have a tank like I originally wanted, but for the price I got it for, I don't think I could have passed it up knowing the quality I am getting with it, from my previous Iwata stuff I had.  I contacted Iwata and spoke to a tech there for a while before I made the purchase and he assured me that the Smart Jet Pro was perfect for modeling and there was really no need in me purchasing anything more expensive, It was nice that he obviously didn't try to "sell" me the best they have!  He also recommended the CS being that he said it is a little easier to clean than the Revolution CR and I could get finer detail with it.  Out of all the great reviews I read about it on here, and his encouragement, I knew I wouldn't be making a bad choice.   Now the waiting game starts for delivery.............................the hard part.

I agree that it is a very good choice for modeling. It may not be the cheapest, but the quality and peace of mind that come with it is well worth the cost.

Anyone else who are interested, you can get this combo for $315, with free hose and free shipping, from Chicago Airbrush Supplies. No, I have seen it anywhere else for under $300 yet. Campbellj got an extra good deal.

I am in the same boat your in. I was looking at that same compressor at harbor freight. Well I did some digging. I guess it is a good air compressor when it starts out but I have herd over time could be tomorrow next month 6 months from now that the compressor will start spraying oil into the air line . So I thought to my self might as well do it right the first time and go from there. 

I am looking at the Badger patriot. That does look like a nice and easy setup. I have never owned an air brush but I am leaning towards this one. Secondly I was going to pick up the Model expo air compressor and their collapsable paint booth. 

Anybody know anything about the fumes be extracted from that booth. I hooked one up at the local hobby store and we were all impressed. Just curious I gues.

Yea, I almost went with the combo from chicago airbrush, but ultimately ended up with what I got because the compressor comes with a protective case around it and an actual regulator vs a moisture trap and bleed valve, and the price was right.  I have read nothing but good reviews about either one of them though.  

I would just do it right the first time around, that way later on your not out the 80 dollars that the harbor freight compressor costs when you do upgrade, your right there is so many mixed reviews about that compressor, I really didn't want to chance it and be unhappy.  

As far as airbrushes, I researched the patriot as much as I did the Iwata, honestly I don't think there is a wrong choice to make, they both seem to be excellent brushes with fine reviews.  I just chose the Iwata for the same reason I chose the compressor,   it was what I had before and I know I already like it.   

Campbellj

As far as airbrushes, I researched the patriot as much as I did the Iwata, honestly I don't think there is a wrong choice to make, they both seem to be excellent brushes with fine reviews.  I just chose the Iwata for the same reason I chose the compressor,   it was what I had before and I know I already like it.   

I have both the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS and the Badger Patriot 105 Fine. Yes, both have their fans. And they share some similarity in the self centered nozzle design. Both are easy to clean. But they are diagonally opposite in their handling characteristics. The Patriot is much cheaper too.

The patriot is a very forgiving airbrush. With practices, many users claim that they can get very fine detail from it. I will recommend that you order the fine needle option. Badger claimed that:

The PP Series’ nozzles feature drop in self-sealing paint tips and scaled back max-flow spray regulators (protective crown spray regulators are available, and come standard on 200NH).  These nozzles were especially designed for clog-free airbrushing with quick drying (usually water-base) media, but because of their non-clog design they perform excellently with all types of spray media.

On the other hand, the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS has a very smooth trigger and a gentle linear action. It is easy to tell the difference when you try both. The Iwata will force you to thin the paint more and spray misty, multiple layer coats to get good result. The Iwata has a smaller nozzle (0.35 mm standard vs. Patriot 0.5 mm fine) and the needle taper is much longer. The result is less overspray when painting fine lines. It is important if you do free hand camo. I like the Iwata needle's straight taper that has excellent fine line capability. But it does make you to thin the paint more, particularly acrylic, to avoid tip dry.

Different user has different needs and perferences. My recommendation is always try them both before deciding. I am biased in my opinion because I like the Iwata handling characteristics and results more.