I am planning on buying a new Badger soon, but it’s a toss up over these two. I currently have a 100LG which I love, and a 200NH. The 100 has everything I like EXCEPT the head design, which is a pain to clean with the little teflon head seal. My 200NH has the newer head design, which does not use that seal. Looking at the Velocity and Patriot, they seem to have a different head design, perhaps similar to the 200NH? The features I really want are:
dual action
gravity feed
single needle/head design
finger tight head assembly
color cup lid
Has anyone out there used both of these 'brushes, and which would you recommend? TIA!
While I haven’t touched either brush, I share your love for the 100LG. I find I have no issue with the washer, but different strokes! I also have the 150 and the 200-20, all with the “old style” head assembly. All excellent airbrushes, and I love how the parts are interchangeable between all the brushes, except that the 200 takes a much longer needle.
The 105 uses the same head your 200NH does, though it comes equipped with the fine nozzle and needle, while the 200NH uses a medium nozzle and needle.
From what I have read, the Velocity is more a very fine line airbrush more suitable for illustration, while the 105 has a broader range of use for the modeler. Given the price difference, my nod would be for the 105, though I freely admit that both are on my wish list, and both will likely find their way into my air brush tool box at some time, once I perfect the “but honey, they followed me home and look so cute!” face.
LOL, I hear what you’re saying! Thanks Bill, the 105 does look a bit more versatile the closer I look at them. I use a fine tip/head for everything on my 100, just don’t like having to torque the head down so much for a good seal (even with a new teflon seal every time!). I really like the new head design on the 200NH, and my dream AB is a 100LG with the head style form the 200NH. Looks like the 105 may fit that bill.
And the $25 (or so) difference in price will justify buying another kit! I learned that from my wife and her “I was going to buy the $200 shoes, but then I found these for only $125 and used the savings to buy this new dress”. I’ve yet to figure out exactly WHAT savings!?!
Once you get it in your hands, I would be interested in your impressions on how it compares to the 100LG. I’m not convinced that the 105 is superior in actual use.
I think the reason I don’t have an issue with the washer is I rarely ever take the head assembly off. Now that I’m thinking about it, it’s been well over two years since I replaced the washer last. I use only acrylics, and back flush while cleaning. I DO use beeswax on the threads, which means I don’t have to crank down as much to get a good seal.
Are you tightening the head down to get rid of air leaks around the threads? If so, that’s not what the Teflon seal is for. It’s to keep the air from mixing with the internal paint chamber. You don’t really have to tighten very much to do that. If you’re concerned about air leaks, use a little wax on the threads like Bgrigg. But the small amount of air loss here really isn’t enough to make any difference.
Since your dream brush is a 100 with the 200NH head, then the Patriot is what you are looking for. I have one and it’s a beauty. The Renegades have a new patented head assembly. The tip floats like the 200NH, but it appears to be a tiny thing. I don’t have one, but you can read a review here. With the .21mm tip, I expect that thinning might be a little more critical.
Unless you have a store near you that has parts for the Patriot 105 I would order an extra needle and tip as well in case you need it. There’s nothing worse than damaging a tip and needing to paint something and you have to wait for the USPS/UPS/FedEx to deliver the one you had to order. [;)]