Despite researching this site for about three weeks I still have some questions about detail airbrushes. I am a lifelong modeler getting back into modeling after a three year sabbatical in which I restored a couple of 1/1 Studebaker’s.
I have a Badger 150 that is about four years old and an Aztec setup, but both do not do real fine detail very well. I also would rather not use the Aztec at all. Not a bad painting brush just terrible to clean. What I still can’t seem to find anywere are apples to apples comparisons. On a tank type compressor, painting off the tank, does the Badger 100LG paint as fine a line as the Iwata HP-C?? How fine a line does the Omni 4000 paint in comparison to these?
I can get a pretty fine line with the 150 at low pressure using enamels but I would like to go strictly with acrylics.
I mainly build 1/48 aircraft 1/72 aircraft and 1/35 armor. My son does 1/72 armor and 1/144 aircraft. Yes I know the wonderful world of young eyes. Besides highlighting and weathering the finest line I would paint would be Italian onion rings in 1/72.
Price is not as important as the work the brush is capable of. I am willing to pay for the Iwata but not if there something in the Badger line that will do the same thing. Is there anyone out there with both of these brushes that can shed some experiance on this??
[quote]
does the Badger 100LG paint as fine a line as the Iwata HP-C?? How fine a line does the Omni 4000 paint in comparison to these?
Iquote]
the lg is compared to the hp-b, which is even finer than the hp-c
the omni is kinda closer to the hp-c
with proper needles and nozzles, the 150 should do in your case, if you need good fine lines, get a 100LG or a hp-c because the hp-b’s nozzle is not meant for modeling paints.
Thanks for your answer. That is good to know about the HP-b. How similar is the 100lg’s tip to the fine tip on the 150? On the internet they look like they might be the same piece. Also how does the tips size on the Omni 4000 and Badger 100lg correspond to the decimal number sizes given for Iwata’s tips?Or do they ? Sorry for the detailed questions but the answers seem to be here. This is easily the best hobby forum I have found.Thanks
blabride, you should consider the iwata eclipse hp-cs friend. it has a .35mm needle/nozzle combo and is capable of very fine lines. i also have the hp-c with the .3mm n/n combo that you can achieve fine lines with but it is very finicky when using modelling paints as i personally think the .3mm nozzle is too small to shoot model paints effectively. there are some on here that use the hp-c with no problems though. i also have an omni 5000 which is like the 4000 except with a smaller color cup. i can achieve the fine line with any of the three. out of the three, i’d say the hp-cs is the best all around airbrush that i’ve ever used. i also have the iwata hp-c. now, its a long story and i’m not gonna tell it, but i have the .4mm n/n conversion for my hp-c and i absolutely love this little set up. the comfort of the hp-c is excellent in my big hands. when doing cammo or really fine weathering and such, i slide the .3mm needle into the .4mm nozzle and this little set up rocks when it comes to the fine line!!! it cost me like the dickens to arrive at this set up, but i’m so glad that i have it. the fine line is effortless with the right paint to thinner ratio and psi!! its what i use for all detail work that i do.
but remember, the airbrush and taper of the needle and all that is important, but the viscosity of the paint, psi, and the distance from the surface is key when trying for the fine line. hope this helps. later.
I would agree pretty much with what has been said so far.
The Badger 100LG with a fine tip is equal to the Iwata HP-B but neither are really reliable for modeling paints with the fine tip.
I have the 100LG and it has a medium tip and needle as that is how it was sent to me at Badger’s recommendation for modeling.
I am an online Badger rep of sorts so I have many of their airbrushes to work with for comparison purposes. The best airbrush that Badger makes for the finest lines would be the Sotar 2020, although I don’t know if you would need one or not. Here again I would use the Sotar with the medium tip as the fine tip is too finicky with modeling paints and was designed for inks, etc.
Your Badger 150 with a fine needle/tip combo should spray about as fine of a line as you would need, but being that it is a siphon-feed model the air pressure needs to be higher than a gravity-feed which causes you to lose the ability to spray fine lines with less overspray and control.
In order from finest lines to less precise airbrushes I would go with the Sotar 2020 at the top followed by the Badger 100LG, then maybe the Omni 4000/5000.
I hope this helped somewhat. [;)]
Mike
BADGER!! I cant wait to use mine…2 more days.
jeff, you kill me!![(-D] never even laid a hand on the airbrush but recommending it left and right!![(-D][(-D][;)] keep it up, you funny. later.[:D]
It just feels right in my hand. BTW have you seen my post for you in the plane section??? It’s like on the 3rd or 4th page now…named for Saltydog. Its about stangs and youll like it[^]
yes i did jeff, and i appreciate it friend. i meant to go back and post a big thank you, but i let it slip to the dreaded 2nd page and forgot about it. sorry, but my belated thank you is deserved. later.
Thanks guys this helps a lot. Being that I have a lot of badger’s stuff already I may try the 100lg. But the Iwata may get a try as well. My son will be headed off for college in a year or so he could always use an airbrush right. Sounds like a good excuse to buy both.
i bet you’ll be keeping the iwata hp-cs and sending the badger packing with the son if you do!!![:P][;)] later.
i think he’ll send the badger to mikeV [:D]
At least one of us appreciates a quality airbrush. [:D] [;)]
Mike
i don’t get it!![%-)]
If you already have a lot of Badger equipment I would recommend you stick with using a Badger or Thayer & Chandler AB. Iwata and Badger use different air hook up on the AB and the air hose. It is not that expensive for the hose and hook ups but you will have to have the hassle of duplicating equipment.
Bet the Iwata gets the college degree.
or a gold dentures