Going to buy an airbrush this weekend.....

Slurm · Post by **Slurm** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 6:19 pm

Which one should i get? I have a few that i have seen around town that i am considering:

http://h1072420.hobbyshopnow.com/produc ... d=IWAR4600

http://www.unitednow.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=MCI-2000

http://www.unitednow.com/detail.asp?PRO ... =PAA-VLSET

Those are my current options. Let me know if you have any opinions or recommendations. Im looking at spending around 100 bucks, give or take. =)

Thanks!

didihno · Post by **didihno** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 6:33 pm

I use the first one you linked there, the Iwata revolution gravity feed.
Its beautiful to use and well balanced, apart from that I'm not very experienced with airbrushes, its my first one!
Did a lot of research before I got it though.
An awful lot.
I learned only to stay away from modeling brands, like testors or revell, and not to touch things like the Aztec.
Paasche and Iwata seem to be the best brand out there, kind of like Lexus and Mercedes, with Badger being the Ford of the airbrush world.
I love the feel of my Iwata though, mmmm....stainless steel.....

Zen-Builder · Post by **Zen-Builder** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 6:48 pm

I think your needs should define what AB you get and not your wallet.

A good AB will last you for many years, I always recommend new buyers to start off with a list of requiremnts.
1.) Purpose of the AB(Detail work, larger coverage)
2.) Medium that will be used with the AB(Enamels, acrylics, inks)
3.) Air source( Can, tank or compressor.

All the above will help you decide on gravity vs suction feed, nozzle size, single and/or double action, etc.

AB aren't really that expensive anymore but you don't want to spend the same money twice if your first AB doesn't fulfill all your needs.

OTOH, buying an expensive AB and having a crappy source of air supply will also not result in good results. Air-supply(compressors, etc) is where the big money goes too, usually you will spend x-times the amount of the AB on a decent compressor.

HTH.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 7:31 pm

Iwata Eclipse.

Love mine.

But, have you used a double action airbrush before? There is a learning curve but once you get over the initial hump you'll love it.

Slurm · Post by **Slurm** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:19 pm

Never used an airbrush before period. But im already planning on practicing on a couple of cheap TIE models i bought to break myself in.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:46 pm

The problem most people seem to have is finding a comfortable way to hold the airbrush while being to work the double action lever. Then it's just a matter of getting the finnese down.

Slurm · Post by **Slurm** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:00 pm

ill just use the Brett Green "Fist Full o' Airbrush" aproach

Post by **TER-OR** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:27 pm

I've got an Omni 3000, which I quite like. It's made by Badger and is a good art brush.

Saturn · Post by **Saturn** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:41 pm

Slurm wrote:ill just use the Brett Green "Fist Full o' Airbrush" aproach

Bless em' for making all those useful Testor's Scale Workshop videos- but for some inane reason Brett Green's method of holding the AB has always irked the bejeezus outta me.

Instead of holding it like a pencil, he holds it like a fencing foil, with the thumb controlling the air/paint flow. It's just odd as hell to watch. Aussies gotta be different I suppose.

Iwata Eclipse BS and Revolution CR here. Nary a complaint.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:04 pm

The fist method is great...if you airbrush at the waist. Otherwise it's uncomfortable, awkward, and coarse.

Then there's the great 'two-handed' vs 'one-handed' debate.

2 handed give extreme control but means you cannot hold the painting object (common in model painting). It also offers a longer holding time due to less stress on the grip.

1 hand has less control but you can move the object around as you paint it. And if you suffer from arthritis you can cramp up fairly quickly from the grip. Thickening the body of the airbrush out a bit with some Aves can alleviate some of those problems.

Mikko · Post by **Mikko** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 1:56 am

What has been said. Take that Iwata.
I have used all sorts of brushes in the past, but now I only would buy one of the HP-C style gravity fed brushes.

Cheers,
Mikko

Slurm · Post by **Slurm** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 7:22 am

well, im back to report that i did NOT go with your recommendations!

hehe, this is due to my wifes ability to find good deals. SO, i went to a local craft store (Michaels, dont know if you have one around you) And bought a Badger Anthem 155-7 set for 90 bucks. (they had a coupon in this weekends flier for 40% off any one item in the store)

I read some customer reviews and didnt read anything terrible so im going to give it a shot. Wish me luck, and thanks again for all of your responses!

Slurm

Post by **TER-OR** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 11:22 pm

The 155 is a good brush. It's the 360 without the swivel head. You'll find it a good general-purpose brush.

Sdf-1 · Post by **Sdf-1** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 11:37 pm

Pretty good price too!

rallymodeller · Post by **rallymodeller** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 7:40 am

I have a Badger 350, an Aztek single-action, and a new Iwata Revolution BCR. I have to say that having used the Rev a few times now the Iwata is the way to go. Better balance, easier cleanup (the plug on the top of the body is a miracle!) and just generally better "feeling".

Go with the Iwata.

Mark Yungblut · Post by **Mark Yungblut** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:57 pm

I'm gonna buck the trend here. I am a true fan of the Paasche VL. I have had one since I went to art school in the early 80s. I still use it and have had replace a couple of tips in 20 years.