I have an Aztec 470 that I bought back in 2000 and it’s been ok, but is failing and needs to be replaced. I mostly do armor modeling with the occasional airplane thrown into the mix. I use a 2 gallon Campbell Hausfeld air compressor that I picked up at Harbor Freight many years ago. It has a regulator built into it that seems to require adjusting somewhat frequently.
I’m looking to replace the 470, and trying to decide if I should just get one jack of all trades airbrush, or would be better off getting a couple of different ones.
If you could have only one airbrush which one would it be and why?
If you could have only two airbrush’s which two and why?
If you could have only three airbrushes, which three and why?
Notice that I’ve migrated from siphon feed to gravity feed because cleaning bottles is a hassle for me. These are just my personal thoughts because that’s what I have. That said, there are probably others that would make me happy but I just don’t have and haven’t used them. A personal thing, I think.
I’ve accumulated a fair number of airbrushes. But, as I state on my website, if I only had one, the Badger 155 Anthem would be it. It will go from wide coverage to almost pencil line without changing anything. And, with the new super fine conversion kit, it will do hairlines. I rarely use bottles, but I can if I need to. it’s rugged and super easy to clean and it feels good in my hand. Everything is replaceable and parts are cheap. It’s the airbrush I use.
As an avid fan of your website I KNEW you’d say the 155
Seriously, thank you for providing the website, I think it’s one of the best on the web. It is simple, straight to the point and not cluttered with a bunch of useless stuff.
There are a lot of good airbrushes available for fine work. The Neo will do really fine if you are careful with it. You could get something like that and an inexpensive Paasche H or Badger 350 for broad coverage and general use. The Talon has a wide range of spay patterns with different nozzles. And the large cup holds a lot of paint. But, for something like a 1:32 aircraft, I think a siphon airbrush is handier.
The Iwatas and Grex and Harder & Steenbecks are beautiful airbrushes and well built. But, in my opinion, the 155 is the best bang for the buck.
I’ll have to chime in with Don as an Anthem fan. In 40 or so years of airbrushing, with several brands and numerous configurations used over the years, The Anthem is the only airbrush I’ve ever actually loved. It’s a no-nonsense design, dead-easy to use and clean, with no nasty habits that I’ve been able to find.
I have three airbrushes. One is a Testors/Aztec that I bought at a super sale. I haven’t used it in a long time- it is hard to clean and clogs frequently.
I have two Badgers, a very old 200, and a double action, I think a 150. I ordinarily use the 200 for day to day use. Works great, versatile, and easy to clean.
I save the 150 for complicated jobs- either very fine lines or misting on the lightest, most transparent coat. I find it troublesome to clean if I have to disassemble brush- hard to get it re-assembled just right.
The 155 is fine for priming. Its .76mm nozzle will put out a wide pattern if you want it to. Like I say in my review, at 20psi it can empty a 1/4oz. cup in about 12 seconds.
I appreciate all of the feedback from each of you.
I purchased a 155 Anthem via the local Michaels store for $86 (including tax).
I am considering getting the 105 Patriot as well since the two seem to be parts interchangeable and I would like to have both a Siphon feed and Gravity feed. I would install the super fine detail conversion kit into the Patriot. This would give me a good general purpose in the 155 and a detail brush with the 105.
