I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread, and Bob for starting it. You have all made my decision both much easier and a little harder [;)].
So which one are you leaning toward Ross?
Uuhh…ummmmm…aahhh…hmmmm…
Leaning? More like wobbling… [(-D]
I’m having a hard time deciding between the Badger 360, 150, 155, 100, and Omni 4000.
Here are my predicaments:
I once (1970’s) owned a Badger, don’t remember the number, and I HATED it. Those d**m’d long, incredibly fragile, easy to bend just looking at them, needles! That’s why I bought a Paasche.
The one thing I don’t like about the Paasche is having to change needles, apertures, and tips. (I’ve replaced that absurd tiny set screw with a knurled screw.)
I hate taking apart airbrushes, so changing tips/needles is not desireable. This makes the 100 and 150 types problematic. However, they come highly recommended. [angel]
The 155 is attractive for two reasons—no needle change, and supposed ease of disassembly/cleaning/assembly. As for the latter, it still has a long, incredibly fragile needle.
The 360 is attractive because of the single needle and the ability to use either gravity of siphon feed. I wonder about the seals in the swivel, though.
Then there’s the Omni 4000. I really like the looks of this brush, and the advertised features. I wonder about ease of cleaning, though.
I think the critical consideration is ease of disassembly/cleaning/reassembly.
Any additional thoughts, comments, hysterical laughter…?
I just reread this thread, and I think, based on everything that has been said, that I am now leaning toward the Omni 4000, second is the 360, and third is the 155. Now I have to look at cost.
Any additional comments are eagerly anticipated.
Ross,
I think the Omni 4000 would be your best bet.
It is easy to clean too!
It is the airbrush I use the most for modeling and the 360 would be second as I use it a lot for small jobs with the tiny cup it has.
Mike,
Looking at the parts diagrams, the Omni looks more complex than the 155. Yet you say it is easier to clean. IIRC, one of the advertising points of the 155 is ease of disassembly.
I do like that small cup on the 360—lately I’ve been doing a lot of small areas.
Not long now, I’m going to tape pictures to the wall, and throw a knife…[:O]
(more dramatic than a dart board!)
The Omni is not complex in the least bit.
The 155 is faster to disassemble slightly because of its quick needle removal and the fact that the head is finger tightened, but it is a siphon feed airbrush and won’t spray reliably at the lower pressures that the Omni will. I took this pic of the two disassembled to show you the parts comparison.
As you can see the number of parts is really identical except for the reverse-a-guard aircap on the Omni which you don’t even have to remove if you don’t want.
Mike, you’re a prince![tup][:D]
Now I’ve got it down to the 360 (that tiny color cup) or the Omni.
Does anyone know whether Paasche cups will fit the 360?
Ross,
The Paache glass jars will fit it yes, but the metal color cups will NOT!
No metal color cups fit it because of the bowl shape.
What makes you consider the 360?
You can put just a few drops of paint from an eye dropper into the cup of the Omni and do the same thing as using the small 360 cup. The only advantage to the 360 is that you can use the glass or plastic siphon-feed jars on it for spraying bigger amounts of paint, although the 1/3 oz cup size of the Omni holds enough for most any project in modeling.
I have 10 different Badger/Thayer & Chandlers so I will help if I can. [:D]
Tell me, do you get a commission? Just kidding!
I keep thinking in terms of siphon feed, dagnabit! [%-)][:I]
I guess you’ve sold me on the T&C 4000. In fact, I’m building the order even as we “speak.”
I’m getting an adapter so I can attach it to my Paasche hose (the Paasche will still be in considerable use.) Anything else I should get? Spare parts?
No commission my friend, I just like to recommend the products I believe in and use myself. [(-D]
I would buy an extra tip and needle to have in case you need it as the art stores and hobby shops don’t usually carry parts for the Omni’s.
Other than that, just take care of it, clean it good and be gentle when putting it back together and it should last a long time.
Glad I could help my friend and I am here if I can help in any other way. [;)]
Again, my warmest thanks! You’ve been wonderfully helpful!
It was my pleasure Ross.
I would also recommend you get some Badger Needle Juice also to lube the airbrush with as it makes the action smoother and keeps paint from drying in places you don’t want it to.
Mike, would that be “Regdab”? It was the only lube I found on the DixieArt site, so I bought some.
Ross- good choice! I was about to jump in with a recommendation for the true gravity fed brush as well, but you beat me to it!!! I think you can’t go wrong, they’re very easy to clean… able to do detail at lower pressures and less overspray. If you are only going to use a small amount of paint, just put a few drops in the cup and go to town! I’ve painted with as few as 2 drops of paint in my Iwata for small things with no probs!
And as long as you treat your brush well, the needles are not fragile in the least. Let it drop nose down on your desk and it’s a different story! [;)]
I used to be stuck on bottom feed but I am a convert now!
That is it my friend! [:D]
By the way “Regdab” is Badger spelled backwards in case you missed that. [;)]
I’m sure I’d have gotten it…eventually…[;)]
Wow-I’m glad I decided to check back in-missed a lot of good conversations/information.
Thanks to all who contributed…and asked questions. Unless something changes, I will be going with the T&C Omni 4000.
Again, thanks.