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What's a good partner to a Badger 175 Crescendo?

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  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Chester, UK
What's a good partner to a Badger 175 Crescendo?
Posted by mikeiw on Monday, May 15, 2006 2:41 PM

Hi,

My old Badger 350 has just packed up, leaking air all over the place & refusing to draw paint from the cup.  I used it mostly for clear coats where accuracy & fine spray isn't too cruical.

Consequentially, I'm looking for a replacement, but I'm not sure whether to get another "cheaper" airbrush and continue to use my Crescendo as my main 'brush, or to get hold of a good detailing airbrush, as the Crescendo doesn't seem that great at fine work, even with the fine tips installed.

I'd like to keep to Badger 'brushes if possible as I know them & have plenty of spare cups, but as always, I'm not entrenched in my point of view.

Any ideas folks? Wink [;)]

  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 15, 2006 2:57 PM
if you want a siphon feed,go with the Anthem 155,if you want gravity feed go with the Theyer Chandler(Badger owned) Omni 4000
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Monday, May 15, 2006 5:15 PM
Well, I have a Badger 175 which'll be my main brush and, I have a cheapy  single action bottom feeder from Harbor Freight which is a 1/2 decent general purpose brush which I'll use for future coats where accurracy doesn't really apply. By the way, the it's similar to the Badger (a copy infact) the bottles work on either. Just myMy 2 cents [2c]

Eddie

If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
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  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Monday, May 15, 2006 6:45 PM

Mike - have you tried soaking the tips and heads in cellulose thinner?  usually when mine would get clogged like that 30 min to a few hours in the cellulose thinner would eat anything in the way out...

If you are a Badger man, the Omni 4000 is a good brush I hear, but a 100LG with both a fine and medium head assemblies and neeldes would do you good.  I would opt for the 100LG should I be in the market for a Badger, one: with both tips you can do anything you want, two: once you get good at it there is margin to get even better with fine lines and such.

What type of modeling do you do mostly?  If it is 1/35 armor then the Omni 4000 is a good overall coverage brush with good detail ability as well.  If you do 1/48 and 1/72 aircraft however, the 100Lg would be just what the doctor ordered... ability for all over coverage and some pretty good detail with the medium combo and some downright serious ability with the fine nozzle for stuff like 1/72 Luftwaffe mottle and the sort...

The best to you either way you go!!

---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
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  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Monday, May 15, 2006 7:46 PM
Mike,  Tom is pretty knowledgeable on A/BsBig Smile [:D] so,  there's some food for thoughtCool [8D]
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
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  • From: Chester, UK
Posted by mikeiw on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 6:19 AM
Thanks for the tips chaps.

Tom - I tried soaking the old 'brush in cellulose thinners, but no joy - if anything, it got worse.  It's of an age where I won't bother trying to fix it any further, so I think I'll be dumping the tips on eBay to try to recover a few bob of my original outlay in about 1984!!!!  It did lie in a cupboard for 20 years while I was away from the hobby, so I don't think it owes me much Wink [;)]

As to what I model, I mainly do 1/48th scale planes, with a few 1/72nd scale items if they're the only game in town, or 1/48th would be too big.  Yes, I also like Luftwaffe stuff, so I can see some mottle in my future...  I've experimented with that using my 175 Crescendo, and it seems a little heavy handed (or is that me?) for the task.  Sounds like the 100LG could be my option then... will look into it further, thanks Thumbs Up [tup]
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 6:58 AM
Mike, I think you'll be happy with the 100LG from what I've heard, it is pretty universalBig Smile [:D] Don't think anyone's had any complaints on it.Thumbs Up [tup]

I have the 175 & I'm happy with it & I like the feel of it in my handTongue [:P] I've been doing alot of practicing with it TomThumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup] It  has a bit of weight to it but, feel it's fairly well balanced. I'm currently running at 40 psi but, that'll change once my regulator comes in this weekSmile,Wink, & Grin [swg] Then I'll be busy turning it down & gettting closer to the surfaceYeah!! [yeah]

If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
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  • From: Chester, UK
Posted by mikeiw on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 7:18 AM
I think that's probably something I need to do.  Fortunately for me, my compressor, a Sil-air came with a moisture trap & regulator built in, but I do tend to leave the pressure at about 15psi almost all the time.

What sort of pressures should I be looking at spraying Polyscale & Xtracrylix through the 175?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 10:48 AM
 mikeiw wrote:
I think that's probably something I need to do.  Fortunately for me, my compressor, a Sil-air came with a moisture trap & regulator built in, but I do tend to leave the pressure at about 15psi almost all the time.

What sort of pressures should I be looking at spraying Polyscale & Xtracrylix through the 175?


Mike,

Try starting out around 18-20 lbs and see how that works.
If the paint is being picked up and atomized well it is enough pressure, if not then turn it up a bit more.
The Crescendo with a medium needle/tip will spray as fine as any Badger with that needle/tip combo, the only downside is that the siphon-feed models need a bit more pressure to reliably pick up paint from the cup which translates to having a harder time with controlling overspray.

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
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  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 10:56 AM
MikeV, Thanks for that info. This 175 is my first Double-action & I do notice there is a difference between it & that cheapo single action from Harbor Freight I was using. I'm looking foreward to the arrival of the regulator (Paasche) from dixieart.
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
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  • From: Chester, UK
Posted by mikeiw on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 11:10 AM
Ah yes... syphoning needs more pressure to "vacuum" up the paint... I get it, so the 100LG will be easier to use at lower pressures, I would guess?

Thanks so far for your comments guys - they've been great & keep 'em coming! Wink [;)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 12:43 PM
 mikeiw wrote:
Ah yes... syphoning needs more pressure to "vacuum" up the paint... I get it, so the 100LG will be easier to use at lower pressures, I would guess?

Thanks so far for your comments guys - they've been great & keep 'em coming! Wink [;)]


Yes Mike that is true.
Gravity-feed airbrushes can spray at lower pressures than any other type of airbrush because of the design. I spray mine at 20 psi maximum and usually at around 15 psi normally.

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
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  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 9:19 PM
I have been running my 175 at 18 psi for quite awhile, but turned it down a little today, which gives me a little better control. It all depends on the user and how much or how little you thin your paint. I do everything with the 175 and haven't had any problems, and have yet to use the fine head for it... maybe I should Big Smile [:D] Oh, if you are going to be getting rid of the extra color cups...

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 9:29 PM
 eizzle wrote:
I have been running my 175 at 18 psi for quite awhile, but turned it down a little today, which gives me a little better control. It all depends on the user and how much or how little you thin your paint. I do everything with the 175 and haven't had any problems, and have yet to use the fine head for it... maybe I should Big Smile [:D] Oh, if you are going to be getting rid of the extra color cups...


That's something I wanted to know... I can run at 15-18 psi w/ the 175 Thanls eizzleBig Smile [:D]

Oh, yer a bit late on dem color cupsSign - Dots [#dots] I emailed him yesterday!!Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
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  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 9:36 PM

 Hippy-Ed wrote:
 eizzle wrote:
I have been running my 175 at 18 psi for quite awhile, but turned it down a little today, which gives me a little better control. It all depends on the user and how much or how little you thin your paint. I do everything with the 175 and haven't had any problems, and have yet to use the fine head for it... maybe I should Big Smile [:D] Oh, if you are going to be getting rid of the extra color cups...


That's something I wanted to know... I can run at 15-18 psi w/ the 175 Thanls eizzleBig Smile [:D]

Oh, yer a bit late on dem color cupsSign - Dots [#dots] I emailed him yesterday!!Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Looks like sick minds think alike Taped Shut [XX] Oh well, its just another reason for me not to clean them as often as I should... Black Eye [B)]

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 9:43 PM
LoL eizzle! ya mean ya actually clean 'em?!Shock [:O]Whistling [:-^]
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
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  • From: Chester, UK
Posted by mikeiw on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 3:00 AM
 Hippy-Ed wrote:
LoL eizzle! ya mean ya actually clean 'em?!Shock [:O]Whistling [:-^]
LOL @ you guys fighting over my color cups!  Haven't you spotted the fact that I've still got a fully functional 175 that can use the same color cups?Big Smile [:D]

Plus - I'm over here in the UK, so postage alone would kill ya Wink [;)]

Tell you something though.. I wish I'd found this section of the forum earlier.  I've learnt more about airbrushing here in a few posts than I've learned by trail & error on my own Blush [:I]

Oh, and btw - cellulose thinners works beautifully on even dried acrylic paint... eats thru it in no time!
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 3:45 AM
mikeiw, I've been following this thread so, I was quite well aware of what you were talking aboutApprove [^] I knew you were hanging onto the 175... My good buddy eizzle on the other hand has been sniffin' too much CA glue or, was in direct contact with it too many timesWink [;)] So, I thought I'd have a bit o' fun with himMischief [:-,]Laugh [(-D]Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
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  • From: Chester, UK
Posted by mikeiw on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 6:09 AM
 Hippy-Ed wrote:
mikeiw, I've been following this thread so, I was quite well aware of what you were talking aboutApprove [^] I knew you were hanging onto the 175... My good buddy eizzle on the other hand has been sniffin' too much CA glue or, was in direct contact with it too many timesWink [;)] So, I thought I'd have a bit o' fun with himMischief [:-,]Laugh [(-D]Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]
Figured that was the case Wink [;)]

Speaking of sniffing chemicals, what do you guys use for a spray booth?  I built myself one out of MDF with a bathroom fan extracting the stinky stuff out of the building, but it doesn't seem to work too well... possibly because the fan is underpowered?  I'm mildly asthmatic, and if I ever use even acrylics without a mask, I can feel the difference in my breathing... which can be a bit inconvenient when I'm out on my mountain bike the next day Sign - Oops [#oops]
  • Member since
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  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 7:26 AM
Mike, I do not have a spray booth as of yetSad [:(] although I've been considering building one once I get around to it. Seen some nice ones here & one thing I've noticed, people tend to use a kitchen fan in them with somesort of filter system vented to the outside. I don't recall the size motor to use. Maybe eizzle or, perhaps MikeV can add more on this. I'm faorly new to the world of airbrshing & have been learning a great deal from people such as Tom (tho9900), MikeV and even Swanny just to name a few.
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
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  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 8:31 AM

 Hippy-Ed wrote:
mikeiw, I've been following this thread so, I was quite well aware of what you were talking aboutApprove [^] I knew you were hanging onto the 175... My good buddy eizzle on the other hand has been sniffin' too much CA glue or, was in direct contact with it too many timesWink [;)] So, I thought I'd have a bit o' fun with himMischief [:-,]Laugh [(-D]Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Sign - Off Topic!! [#offtopic] Its Tenax... thank you very much! Jeez Ed, now you got everybody harrassing me...Sign - Dots [#dots]

Oh, and I was aware you were keeping the 175, however, I was hoping the thought of a little bit of money might make you decide to give up a couple Big Smile [:D] and Ed, no, I don't clean them! I have so much paint built up inside my color cup that its going to take a torch and gasoline to get it out Wink [;)]

I can't play with you guys anymore, your to meanTongue [:P] (J/K)

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 8:47 AM

 Hippy-Ed wrote:
Mike, I do not have a spray booth as of yetSad [:(] although I've been considering building one once I get around to it. Seen some nice ones here & one thing I've noticed, people tend to use a kitchen fan in them with somesort of filter system vented to the outside. I don't recall the size motor to use. Maybe eizzle or, perhaps MikeV can add more on this. I'm faorly new to the world of airbrshing & have been learning a great deal from people such as Tom (tho9900), MikeV and even Swanny just to name a few.

I really don't know much about them, but here are a couple links that should be helpful

http://www.briansmodelcars.com/tutorials/tutorial.asp?TutorialID=65&CurPage=1

http://www.briansmodelcars.com/tutorials/tutorial.asp?TutorialID=23&CurPage=1

I hope those help, I prefer to just breath the fumes, it helps me deal with Ed a little easier Evil [}:)]

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 10:51 AM
 eizzle wrote:

 Hippy-Ed wrote:
mikeiw, I've been following this thread so, I was quite well aware of what you were talking aboutApprove [^] I knew you were hanging onto the 175... My good buddy eizzle on the other hand has been sniffin' too much CA glue or, was in direct contact with it too many timesWink [;)] So, I thought I'd have a bit o' fun with himMischief [:-,]Laugh [(-D]Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Sign - Off Topic!! [#offtopic] Its Tenax... thank you very much! Jeez Ed, now you got everybody harrassing me...Sign - Dots [#dots]

Oh, and I was aware you were keeping the 175, however, I was hoping the thought of a little bit of money might make you decide to give up a couple Big Smile [:D] and Ed, no, I don't clean them! I have so much paint built up inside my color cup that its going to take a torch and gasoline to get it out Wink [;)]

I can't play with you guys anymore, your to meanTongue [:P] (J/K)



Oh, when did ya switch from CA ta Tenex? was that after gluing a model to yer fingers &  all?Wink [;)] How's that stuff work? Any good?
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
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  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 12:18 PM
Yeah, a little bit after having an attack aircraft attatched to me, I figured it was time to switch! Tongue [:P] Ed, I really like the stuff, especially with the Touch N Flow! Just put a dab in the seam and squeeze it together for 15 seconds and your done. You even get a little bit of melted plastic sticking out of the seam, so on most occasions, you don't have to use filler, just sand that down. Its worth the investment if your thinking about switching!

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 12:25 PM
I'm considering itBig Smile [:D] I've heard it's good stuff & makes seams abit easier to deal with. especially them fuselage & B-17 wings...
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
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  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 6:04 PM

Eddie - it really is that good (with the touch and flow gadget) .. everything said before is true AND when gluing a wing on in most cases I have been able to get the wing flush up to the root with no gap... I just fold a piece of med-fine grit sandpaper in half to get in at where the plastic bubbled up and no seam!

 

 

---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 6:24 PM
 tho9900 wrote:

Eddie - it really is that good (with the touch and flow gadget) .. everything said before is true AND when gluing a wing on in most cases I have been able to get the wing flush up to the root with no gap... I just fold a piece of med-fine grit sandpaper in half to get in at where the plastic bubbled up and no seam!


What's the going price for this? Can I pick it up at the LHS? I'm going to Reno on Friday & I'll probably hit High Sierra Models while I'm thereBig Smile [:D] Thanks to espins1 who informed me it's a decent shop awhile back. I agree and have been there several times alreadySmile,Wink, & Grin [swg] I don't have a LHS here anymore & that's the next best thing I can find at the momentMischief [:-,] Also, gives me a good excuse to tag along when dad's headed to RenoEvil [}:)]

If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
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  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 7:45 PM
 Hippy-Ed wrote:
 tho9900 wrote:

Eddie - it really is that good (with the touch and flow gadget) .. everything said before is true AND when gluing a wing on in most cases I have been able to get the wing flush up to the root with no gap... I just fold a piece of med-fine grit sandpaper in half to get in at where the plastic bubbled up and no seam!


What's the going price for this? Can I pick it up at the LHS? I'm going to Reno on Friday & I'll probably hit High Sierra Models while I'm thereBig Smile [:D] Thanks to espins1 who informed me it's a decent shop awhile back. I agree and have been there several times alreadySmile,Wink, & Grin [swg] I don't have a LHS here anymore & that's the next best thing I can find at the momentMischief [:-,] Also, gives me a good excuse to tag along when dad's headed to RenoEvil [}:)]

Ed, I think I paid around $7-8 for my Touch N Flow. Its just a small glass tube with a needle in the end, but it makes using the stuff so very much easier, and it will save you from ruining about a 1/4 bottle of Tenax, cause when you dip a brush in there, you get melted plastic in it from the brush, and that tends to dilute the glue. I would recommend it, I would also mention, get yourself some of the paint tubes, the ones that Testers sells with the mixing bottles, and use that to draw that glue into the TNF, cause I couldn't hardly ever get it to go the right way! If you get one and you have any questions, just ask, I'm sure a lot of us can help you out! Good luck Ed!

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 7:54 PM
I can't believe I'm saying this Thanks eizzleDead [xx(]Shock [:O] I'll see what my budget is when I get up there and leave the casinoShy [8)] I did good last time I was thereBig Smile [:D]
I have some of those pipettes already & next time I go see the Doc w/ my g.f. I'll try for some moreSmile,Wink, & Grin [swg] The TNF sounds like it's a good deal & has it's uses but, doesn't the Tenex clog it?

If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
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  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 8:01 PM

Eddie - the Tenax is about $5 to $6 a bottle here but it lasts a looong time.  The glass tube applicator is about $5 here.. .it's really worth it for the above mentioned reasons...  word of caution:  never "push" the applicator across the plastic, always pull it toward you.  It melts the plastic pretty fast and will clog the tip if you do that...

here's a good guide on one way to apply it... 

http://www.accurate-miniatures.com/builds/sbd/sbdbuild05.shtml

-=edit=-

just read anothe post ya made.. if the plastic clogs the tip just sit the tip in the Tenax for a minute or so and BAM!!!  it's all dissolved.. Tenax is like water... literally...   it won't clog the tip...

---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
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