Iwata

You are going to get a million different opinions on Iwata vs other Air burshes. There are plenty of other threads that cover that issue. Sounds like you have made up your mind on what you are getting, but I will tell you that if you are planning on doing a lot of air brushing using can air will get expensive real quick. For what you are going to spend on cans you can get an inexpensive compressor and will be much happier in the long run. Good luck with your search.

Tanx Hercmech. Was hoping for just Iwata responses, but I'll listen up for other brands too. Just planning on the canned air till I reload my dollar gun.

Steve

I'm not an Iwata guru, so others can pitch in on that.

As for canned air, it's only pro is that is cheap when starting out, but as time goes by it's price advantage starts to diminish pretty rapidly, most other things about it are on the con side of the coin. It's pretty handy if you are investing in a very cheap set-up to figure out if you like the whole airbrushing thing, but other than that it's a non stater.

You may find that after investing some decent money on a good airbrush, that canned air will let the whole set-up down drastically & won't give you a fair impression of your airbrushes or your own capabilities.

To be honest, when looking to purchase an airbrush set up (whatever end of the market), you will generally be looking to spend the same or more on a comparable compressor as you will on an airbrush................

I hate to sound like a broken record but give Badger a look. I have an Iwata, Grex, Aztek and Badger. They all function about as well as each other, but the personalized customer service you get from Badger is second to none and they are significantly cheaper, so you may be able to afford the AB and a inexpensive compressor.

I have heard that about Badger, and did use them about 20 years ago, but never liked the feel in my hand. Heard many many good things about Iwata, and the slim line appeals to me. Looking at the Eclipse series. Canned air will be for a very short time, I just wanna get going before I go nutz sittin around. Retirement is fun.

Steve

Steve,

If you are set on an Iwata and have access to Hobby Lobby, print out  the 40% off cupon and use it there.

If you are looking for a slim AB look at the Badger renegade velocity, or even the new Krome. very slim and has a .021 neddle for fine work. There are a couple of threads here about them. Here is one.

Again not trying to sway your opinion, but when a company does right by me and I beleive in and have used their product I feel that I need to let others know.

Sweet... tanx Herc. Gonna go look.

Steve

If an Iwata is what you want, go for it. You won't regret it.

Tony

i been using the paasche talon for about three months with no problems. kit came with two needles and two headsets along with a hose for an OK price. 

i recently picked up an iwata revolution CR for $70 at local hobby shop. i've only done test runs on paper with acrylics and i find it much more easy to clean then my talon and the trigger has less resistance. 

they are both awesome but im leaning more to the iwata because it has a better feel.

don't bother with air propellant. you can get an harbor freight compressor with an water trap for about $60 bucks. 

Check your messages.

Iwata is great. I prefer this over any other brand, just excellent to use and maintain.  Don't bother with Badger. If you are only going to use cans for air then don't bother. Wait until you can get an Iwata airbrush and an Iwata compressor. You will be better off.

Like I said a million different opinions.

just because you don't like badger doesn't mean he will. all the companies listed make great products. it all comes down to what you like and personnel preference. 

montague

 Don't bother with Badger. If you are only going to use cans for air then don't bother. Wait until you can get an Iwata airbrush and an Iwata compressor. You will be better off.

Have you had a problem with Badger?  I have several, and they all work fine.  Iwata makes good airbrushes too.  So do Paasche, Harder & Steenbeck, Dagr, and Grex, I understand.

Don

I've had 3 badgers, 100(?) 200 & 150  in that order, they are also ranked in (by me) in that order.

I now have an (entry-level) Iwata CS. This is (IMHO) a level of magnitude better for these reasons:

Rolls-Royce quality, for a Rolls-Royce price though, but for what I paid for no.2 & 3, plus spares... I could have bought 2 CS's...

Way easier & nicer to use.

& cleanup is a breeze, significantly so.

I also still have the 150 & 200 as backups, but yea, get yourself a compressor, pfreferably one with an airtank & 'fridge-type silent motor, & as ever you do get what you pay for.

I stand by my comments that Badger has really stepped up their game.

For those of you that have only seen their older AB's have a look at the new stuff, like the Renegade series. Very nice brushes! Also the Sotar series are sweet too...pricey but sweet.

Jon_a_its

Way easier & nicer to use.

& cleanup is a breeze, significantly so.

I

Could the difference be partially due to the fact that the 200 and 150 are siphon fed?

Don

Don Wheeler

Could the difference be partially due to the fact that the 200 and 150 are siphon fed?

Don

Agreed.

I have the 100LG and find cleanup to be so quick and simple, especially compared to my Paasche H (which is siphon feed).

Chris

" Could the difference be partially due to the fact that the 200 and 150 are siphon fed?

Don "

Don my 200 was siphon fed, my 150 was top-loading,  but bothe were good in their day.

The Iwata is a much later generation, is still easier to use & clean. 

As others have said, this is not comparing like with like, & having no experience of  Badgers' later airbrushes. I can't comment on them.

Some of these choices will be based on what is available to you, fashion /popularity, & some will always be partial/loyal to a particular brand.

Try & have a go with as many brands as you can, as what suits one will not suit another, eg, Aztec, some really love them, others.... not!   

Latigo

I am going to purchase an Iwata DA. I am starting with armor models, and feels I might as well get the best while money is in my pocket. I would appreciate any recommendations for this type application, pros and cons. I am starting with an 1/35th M1A1 tank. Also, pros and cons on using canned air to begin with.

 

Tanx guys

Steve

Best entry level Iwata is the Revolution CR. I own two and they do everything I need them to. I also have an HP-C with a smaller nozzle for more delicate work but rarely use it. For the price vs features the CR is the way to go in the Iwata line up.
Pros of canned air, portability, no noise, no moisture.
Cons, you run out because you use more than you think you are and always will run out in the middle of a job. As you use the can it cools and will frost over during an extended period of spraying, I suggest sitting the can in a bowl of warm water. As the can cools it looses pressure too. In the longer term they are stupid expensive.
I suggest that if you want to try canned air for now press a portable air tank into service. If you don't have one they are cheap and hold lots more air than a can, you'll quickly spend more on the cans than you will a tank for the same amount of use. You can fill the air tank at the gas station.

Wow, I was able to get through a reply that stayed on topic, answered the OP's question, and didn't offer advice that wasn't asked for in the first place or try to sell him something he never wanted to know about to start with. What a concept.

Thanks for all the help guys... decided on the Iwata HP-BCS and the TC-196 dual piston with tank from TCPglobal.

Now I have to start thinking about paints for armor. I am scared to begin.

Thanks again

Steve

I just got a great little three gallon compressor at Harbor freight for 40 bucks. It's not too loud and runs an airbrush great.

You did good hkshooter! Good advice too.

Congrats Steve, I'm sure you'll enjoy that brush and compressor. I like gravity fed brushes but those bottle fed brushes sure are handy too, you can use as big a bottle as you want and never have to reload. And if you should ever want to try it, the .35mm nozzle and needle will drop right in.That compressor should be fairly quiet and hopefully last you a long time.

Tony

garylee

I just got a great little three gallon compressor at Harbor freight for 40 bucks. It's not too loud and runs an airbrush great.

If you want to try a tools compressor indoor, make sure that it is returnable. Not everyone has the same high tolerance for noise. Likely that it won't work if you have family.

Jon_a_its

Don my 200 was siphon fed, my 150 was top-loading,  but both were good in their day.

Look again. Your 150 will be a bottom feed or siphon feed. A top feed 150 is called the 100.

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Iwata are among the finest of the airbrushes, but you do pay a premium for them (though not a HUGE premium). Consider them a BMW and a Badger as a Chevy. The new Renegade line would be your Corvette. You can get a top end Badger for the cost of a low end Iwata. Then consider that airbrushes are not cars, but tubes that spit paint. My philosophy is save some money on the airbrush, and spend the "extra" money on the compressor. I've found that it's the hands, rather than the tool, that's important, and that whatever I can't do with my trusty Badger(s), I won't be able to do with an Iwata, or H&S or Grex. My ability runs out long before the capability of my Badger 100LG. And you can't do anything without a reliable source of air.

Expect to spend between $75-150 for the airbrush, and $150-250 for a good compressor.

CO2 has some great advantages, but my luck would have me running out on a Saturday night during a long weekend where Monday is the holiday. Maybe if I had two tanks...

I use a garage style compressor and pipe the air into my mancave. That way I don't hear the compressor (though my neighbors do, teach them for running their hot tub motor all freaking night!), because it is LOUD!

great choice. Iwata makes awesome brushes. im happy with my revolution CR i got a week ago and for $70 bucks, no complaints.

I'm happy with my 14 different Badgers and Thayer & Chandlers.

How good can they be if you need 14 airbrushes?

montague

How good can they be if you need 14 airbrushes?

Never thought of it that way.