Hi guys, I’ve recently gotten into the airbrushing for models such as mechs and also gundams, with possibly starting planes in the future soon. Currently I am using a Rich AB-300 handed down to me from my father, but I’m thinking of getting another one or two airbrush, one for another color so I don’t have to constantly clean and switch colors, and the other for just priming. I’ve taken a look at the reviews online for the Badger Regenade Velocity and Krome, while also the OMNI 4000 and Patriot 105, but I’m having a really hard time decide which one to get as they are all very good. As of right now I’m leaning towards the 105 as that you can switch between a conversion size of .5 or .35mm for only 15 bucks more according to webairbrushes. (I live in Canada). I don’t plan to do much super fine detail work however.
My next question is (Hope I’m not asking too much for a first timer) as mentioned above is another airbrush for just priming. I am wondering if the Badger model 350 is just fine, or if possible, is even a cheaper option like the badger 250 good enough. Thank you very much for your time.
The 350 is fine for priming and general coverage. The 250 can put on a nice coat, but it is actually trickier than the 350, as you have less control over the spray. That being said, there is no reason you couldn’t use the 105 for everything. You can even put a .76mm nozzle in it if you really want to blast out paint.
The Omni 4000 is a sweet airbrush with a wide range of coverage. You wouldn’t go wrong with either one.
Hi Don, thank you very much, super happy you responded, as I’ve been reading your website and that lead me to post on here, along with armorama.com for the past 2-3 days on deciding an airbrush. As you mentioned, the Patriot 105 has a conversion kit which is what I’m leaning on to buying it over the OMNI 4000, unless the OMNI 4000 can fit other needle/nozzle sizes too, but I don’t see that when I searched online, but if there is, please let me know
The Omni only comes with a .5mm nozzle. That’s the same size as the standard Patriot nozzle. But, the Patriot can be converted to .35mm. You can download the Omni manual and parts diagram here.
Hi Don, thank you very much for the information, I will go with the Patriot 105 then, along with the 350, just one last thing, will the super fine conversion kit Guarded regulator work with the .5mm of the patriot, or will I need to get another one? Thanks!
The Rich AB-300 is considered one of the best airbrush for general purpose use, up there with the Iwata Highline or the Olympos. If you are already used to its quality, you will have to spend $200-300 to match it. I do not see the Rich AB being sold in US anymore, but it is still popular in Japan and Europe.
The Badger Krome may be a good companion as a second airbrush. The trigger action and spray pattern would be similar to the Rich you have. But the Patriot is a low end model that is too much a down grade from the Rich AB300. Try the airbrushes in your hand before you buy.
Hi keilau, thanks for the response, I did think about that, but I don’t do any fine line work or hair line work with the Rich-AB 300 because I don’t have the skill to do that yet, but I have been practicing. I will be using the patriot pretty much on the mech and gundam parts, which are relatively well sized, although the real reason would be I’m a poor university student xD, i’ll probably save up for the Krome later on, but I think the Patriot is fine for me right now. Although when you say try, do you mean like going to a store? because for some reason I can’t find anyone near my area that sells Badger, mostly Iwata.
EDIT: Since I’m a little short on money, would the Badger Velocity also be a good upgrade from the Patriot?
Yes, the Velocity is a huge improvement over the Patriot. It has the same nozzle and needle system as the Krome. They are both in the Renagade series of Badger airbrushes. They have a micropolished and the small linear flow angle needle. The Renagade also has much less overspray. When you put the needle of the Renagade next to one from the Patriot, you cannot fail to notice the finish and shape of the needle tip. I had both the Krome and a Patriot fine but had since sold the later.
In the hand of a master skill modeler, the quality of the airbrush is less important. For me who does not possess good skill and figure control, I find the gentle, linear stroke trigger of the Iwata HP-CS, Krome or H&S Evolution much easier to use and learn from. The Patriot has a “quick release” type trigger where the paint comes out fast with a slight touch of the trigger. At the end, the choice of an airbrush is very personal.
It also depends on how you want to use the airbrushes. For primary use and easy color change, you probably want to stay with airbrush with similar performance and trigger action. For primer and finish coat use, you want something that is easy to clean.
Just to clarify a little, the Renegades and Krome come with fine (.33mm) and ultra fine (.22mm) nozzles and needles. You can see a direct comparison of the fine needle and a Patriot .5mm needle on this page. Notice the slight difference in taper and the shinier finish on the Renegade. So, the Renegades do have better trigger control for fine work. I can’t see that the difference is huge. Have a look at my sample squiggles further down the page. On the other hand, the Patriot is lighter, the distance from trigger to tip is less, parts are cheaper, and they are much easier to clean. For general purpose model painting, they work just fine. And, with the inexpensive super fine conversion kit they have very good trigger control.
Hi Guys, thanks for the info, I think I probably will go for the velocity, as I’m usually very good at taking care of very fragile things, I know the Krome can change between the .2 and .33, can the Velocity do that? Like I know Velocity comes with .21, but is there a needle that can change it to a .33?
The nozzle openning size only tells a small portion of the story. The more important factor is the taper angle of the needle. Badger calls the taper angle the “linear flow angle”. You may be interested in an old discussion on this topic.
Hi Keilau thanks. Luckily enough, I got some help and my Badger Krome along with the 350 is on the way, I just have one last question, my compressor is an old Sparmax compressor also handed to me from my father, and since I’m planning to use more than one airbrush now, should I get a 3-4 way valve/manifold or should I go with quick disconnects instead. Would there be too many air loss if I was to go 3-4 way valve? Thanks!
Your father really knows how to pick the best equipments. What Sparmax compressor do you have?
Personally, I like the quick disconnects. I hope that you order them with the airbrushes so that there is no extra shipping. The quick disconnect has the convinence whenever you need to free the AB from the hose for a more thorough strip down cleaning.
But a manifold should work equally well. Functionally speaking, they are the same.
Hi Keilau haha yeah I know, apparently he used to love to do airbrushing, I can’t say what model it is since he doesn’t have the box or manual anymore, but I know it’s around my age (I’m 25). One of my fellow gundam modelers took a look and says it looks similar to the newer AC 101. Here’s some pics if that helps identifying it:
Hi Model thanks for the info. I’m happily awaiting for my Krome and 350 to arrive, I then looked at later in the year where I’ll have some more money, and I’m looking at a possible backup to the Krome. I looked at all the airbrushes that Don mentioned and reviewed, and I’m thinking of the Paasche Talon, looks okay to clean, and parts seems to be easier to find than the Patriot 105 in the sense that there seems to be no one selling the 41-036 super fine spray GUARDED regulator, because I really don’t like unguarded regulators, and also can have 3 nozzle sizes.
