AB advice

[harp.ta]

I’ve been using a Paasche H and D500SR for about 3 years now and I’m about to kill my second compressor. Paasche was amazing about replacing the first one for me, but as that one is on it’s last legs and I doubt they’re going to give me another freebie, I’m thinking about going with a different brand. I like the H but I’ve found the lines it makes aren’t fine enough for some of the finer detail work I’d like to do. It’s great for blocking color but not great for painting details freehand.

Right now I’m looking at Iwata AB/Compressor sets (Eclipse HP-CS), but I was curious about how that model stacks up against other brands and airbrushes (Tamiya, Badger Patriot, et. Al.). I was also wondering if anyone had any opinions on Iwata compressors (which models - ninja jet vs silver jet, are they worth the money, etc.)? I build mostly aircraft (WWII-era and modern) and armor (mostly WWII era) but have been known to build ships as well (I have a Tamiya 1/350 USS Enterprise on my shelf waiting to be built at the moment). I’d like to stay in the $200-300 range for a compressor and airbrush “kit” if possible (maybe exceed that range a little), and for now am looking to stay with the single action variety of AB.

Any advice you guys could give would be great. Thanks in advance!

EDIT - After digging, I found some paperwork for when the compressor was replaced - it was one year ago to the day from today. Meaning they last exactly one year before going out.

[patrick206]

Just my thoughts from personal experience, with the H and many other airbrushes over several decades of use.

Actually, I think the H is a very capable AB. Many of the very fine modelers at FSM use them, and produce excellent results. Since you want to stay with a single action, external mix AB, you may be hard pressed to find another that can substantially outperform your H.

I use Badger, Paasche and Iwata AB’s, other than smaller size and light weight, I can’t consider any other single action external mix to do much better for me than the H. Maybe if you experiment with thinning ratios, pressures, work area illumination and distance from tip to model, you’ll find your H is a better performer than you now think.

[harp.ta]

Thanks for the response, Patrick! What kind of compressor are you using for your H? I don’t have a very good grasp on what kind of AB will work with what brand of compressor without an adaptor, etc. The airbrush has been a real workhorse for me, although I would like to try a gravity feed at some point.

[patrick206]

Hi, Harp

Over the years I’ve used perhaps four compressors, a couple from the auto parts store, one from Binks, currently a California Air Tools model 1610A. This latest one is a twin cylinder piston type, very quiet, super efficient and cool running. Even though it was $180, it’s the best I’ve ever owned and I wouldn’t hesitate to replace it with another if it became neccessary.

There are many others less expensive available, some may be quiet running but I can’t advise, because all of my prior ones were quite noisy and I don’t know which aren’t. You can ask for recommendations here on FSM in this section.

Several folks have related finding good ones at an affordable price at Harbor Freight, worth a look. And I do think a piston type versus diaghram, (sp?) will maybe be less noisy. One with a tank included is a needed option.

Short answer, any compressor that you find to suit your needs, is affordable and not offensively loud, will do the job for you. I do recommend using a pressure regulator and water trap/seperator.

Is your H equipped with different nozzle sizes? If not they are inexpensive and will go a long way toward aiding in application quality, easily ordered through Paasche or the other retail dealers.

And remember, thorough cleaning is a real requirement for ANY airbrush, any dried paint bits or residue left behind can and will affect the spray quality. A quick spray rinse with thinner, just doesn’t do the cleaning sufficiently.

Last, if you have not already, I highly recommend a detailed look at “Don’s Airbrush” website. Anything about airbrushes, compressors, cleaning and accessories will be found there, even an example of your H is to be found. Have a good look, well worth your time.

Just for reference I currently have several airbrushes, but my most often used are Badger 200 and 200G single action models, and a Badger 100G dual action. Of these three the most used is the 200G, which is a gravity feed.

Other than a rather smallish cup size that requires more frequent refilling, (not an issue for me,) the 200G is the most useful for most of my needs. The 100G with dual action gives me a bit more precise control, for jobs such as camo borders or really fine detail work.

Hope this helps, any other questions feel free to ask.

Patrick

Thanks for the response, Patrick! What kind of compressor are you using for your H? I don’t have a very good grasp on what kind of AB will work with what brand of compressor without an adaptor, etc. The airbrush has been a real workhorse for me, although I would like to try a gravity feed at some point.

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

The brand of air compressor is irrelevant to use with the airbrush brand you have. The issue is making sure you have the right hose adapter to fit the compressor fitting. Most will fit regardless of compressor brand.

[5-high]

Paasche H. Is the go to airbrush that I use most of the time …I do have the VL.paasche for finer painting .also have 10 others ready at hand …I still have my paasche dieafram compressor. .paasche sells the parts to rebuild it .but if you’re heart is set on a new compressor then I recommend you getting a piston type with a 3 liter tank …the usualy come with water trap and regulator. It’s not necessary to have two pistons (one should survice)…you came order from online stores …some come with airbrushes …some don’t …price? ??..I’ve seen them from 100 —to 400 $$$.

But get one with a tank , there wiper quite. I’ve owned myn for over 10 years.

There’s a plus side of useing a compressor with a tank …you don’t have the pulsing of air that the dieafram compressors make .

5-high

[RobC]

I also have several airbrushes (Paasche H, Paasche Talon, Iwate Eclipse HP-BCS, Iwata Eclipse HP-CS). The H was my first and still one of my favorites for variety of uses, I like how easy it is to clean and i’ve always had good results with it.

IMO, If you have the space, spend a little more $$ and get a good shop compressor, my scale model workspace is shared with my automotive work space, so i have a regulator on my California Air tools compressor which will put out loads of volume for powering multiple brushes if you ever need it, has a tank and is quiet ~70 db. It really comes down to the enviroment you spray in and level of tolerence for noise, having a tank helps as it takes a good 10+mins on constant spraying for my compressor to kick in.

This seems like a reaonsable deal for a quiet small 1HP unit with tank - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00889ZYD8?keywords=california%20air%20tools&qid=1457490285&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

I have the 10 gallon tank, 2HP version but i use that for cut off tools and other things requiring high CFM in the shop.

This one is a 4.6 gallon and i’ve use this one as well, great compressor. - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00889ZYPG?keywords=california%20air%20tools&qid=1457490285&ref_=sr_1_6&sr=8-6

I moved away from the smaller hobby compressors as i wasnt a fan of the cnostant run and preferred the versitility of a more power compressor w/Tank, but its all personal preference

Rob

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

My compressor was $85 through TC Global.

[harp.ta]

I’ve been hearing folks recommend that California Air Tools 1610 like crazy. I think I’ll buy one of those and keep my H for now (I might buy a Badger at a later date just to try one out). Do any of you guys who use a CAT 1610a compressor have to use an adaptor for the hose or will my Paasche hose (with in-line moisture trap) plug straight in?

Thanks for all the advice guys!

[harp.ta]

I have I, III, and V size needles/nozzles for it currently. The I size is the smallest (its also the one I most frequently use). I use the III and V sizes for clearcoats, primer, thicker paint types, etc. and the I for acrylic paints (tamiya, model master, vallejo, and occassionally I’ll shoot some AK stuff through it). I might invest in a new size I needle and try that out. It’s quite possible I haven’t been dilligent enough in cleaning it. I mostly just shoot windex through it until its clear and once a week tear it down and soak it/clean it. Any recommendations for a super thorough cleaning of airbrush needles?

[harp.ta]

Anyone have any thoughts about the Paasche 3000R compressor. It’s a about 50 bucks cheaper and has a tank which should increase the longevity. Seems like the size and noise factors might be slightly better. My workbench is in a laundry room that is fairly small and we have a sleeping 4 month old directly above it.

[modelmaker66]

at one time I had an iwata smart jet compressor. No tank but really quiet.