Hi guys looking to purchase the first air brush and been a toss up between the badger patriot and iwata eclipse hp-cs. Kind of looking for pros and cons on both to help the choice. Also is a 3 liter tank compressor good to start with? (Have it laying around for now)
edit: if iwata is ordered what is needed for the .5 conversion for it?
This is a question asked here many times,they are both good brushes,I have the Iwata,but that really doesn’t matter,it comes down to personal preference and budget.
A good website that we usually refer folks to is Don Wheelers airbrush site,go ahead and Google it,it will come right up.It compares a lot of brushes,pro’s,cons and so forth.
That sounds like a good capacity compressor,you will need a pressure regulator and vapor trap to go with it,along with the appropriate hardware and hoses.
The compressor does have the regulator and trap already installed on it. I have been looking at Dons site and kind of why the badger is starting to come into the picture for me.
I have a Badger and I love it too.
My big compressor criteria is noise. It can be a real problem unless you don’t have a day job and live in the woods.
3 liter compressor is a baby compressor kind of like the master ones you can buy from amazon for airbrushing.
The Iwata HP CS is available with a 0.35 & 0.5 Headset, make sure you order the right one for your needs, as if you switch between headsets you will need to swap parts
2, 3, Headset,
4, Nozzle,
17, Needle
https://airbrushes.com/parts_info.php?products_id=18 Not Cheap…
If you are in the US, a Badger may be a better option for parts & servicing, Good luck,
& Talent is only included after practice!
Ditto about Airscources, large Industrial compressors can be noisy, hobby spec ones, especially those with a refrigator type motor are almost silent, a consideration in some households.
All the hobby compressors are small, one with a 3L tank should be fine.If it runs and makes and holds air pressure and flows air you’re good to go. You will probably need a hose adapter for the brand airbrush you get ( $8 or so). TCP Global can probably help you out.
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Badger is a good brush. I had one that lasted for forty years before I replaced it. I could have repaired it since parts are still available but I was lazy. Easy availability of parts is a plus for the basic Badger brushes like the 150 and 200.
Your compressor may be overkill for airbrushing, but since you have it already it is fine.
Biggest thing about your first airbrush is to practice on scrap material for awhile before using it on good model, or else buy a cheap kit for practice. A little practice will allow you to find your optimum thinning ratios and pressures.
Ya my Badger 200 lives on ! Had it about 45 years now, still my main modeling brush.
I agree with everyone above.
To chime in, the good news here is I think you are considering two extremely good first airbrushes. Like Tojo, of the two, I only own the Iwata HP-CS and I like it. Although I have a more expensive airbrush, the Iwata seems to have turned into my go-to a/b.
If I were buying my first a/b today based on what I know now, I might be tempted to try the Badger based on all of the positive comments I’ve read here over the years.
I don’t think you can go wrong with either one.
Wish there was a place near me i can try them honestly. I kust dont want to fall into the trap i normally do of buying a few different things to see what i like the best and sell off what i dont like lol.
I agree with Greg, above. Over the years I’ve owned many of the airbrushes made, currently use Badger, Paasche, Iwata and a very old Binks Wren. Not one of them can be considered inferior, like as has been said in this post, it is primarily a matter of which one seems to suit your needs best.
Comfort while holding it, ease of cleaning, cost of purchase and replacement parts are all things to consider. I’ll offer this, if you do stay with the hobby for some time, your first airbrush likely won’t be the last one you buy.
For my use, probably 90% is done with a Badger 100G, or 100LG, identical except for the gravity cup size. The LG with the bigger cup is handy for spraying large areas, like a complete coverage primer or paint coat. For those two airbrushes I have the small, medium and large needle/tip sizes, they do nearly everything I need for model painting.
I take advantage of sale prices, I think each of those mentioned I paid about $60-70 bucks for. I have settled on Badger for my everyday airbrushes, fit like an old pair of shoes, easy to clean and are ultimately reliable, very tough and durable. If parts are ever needed they are very reasonable in cost.
Some of mine are well over 40 years old, still work like new. If you do settle on a Badger, based on what you determine from Don Wheeler’s website, I would highly recommend USA Airbrush for a purchase. I have made many purchases from them, faultless service and great prices.
From experience I can say Don Wheeler is very open to questions, always happy to help someone, I consider Don to be one of the definitive sources of airbrush knowledge.
Best of luck with your search.
Patrick
Do you like a slim barrel on your pens or a fatter barrel ? The Patriot 105 is pretty slim. By the same token you can get the 3 needle set with the airbrush for $90. The Iwata will be nearly twice that with the extra needle set you want. But some people just love Iwata, love the feel and how they work and so they will pay the extra. Most are at least somewhat seasoned or well versed around airbrushes and know what they want.
Starting out it’s tough to know what you want till you dive in. You need a starting point. If you displayed two models, one painted with an Iwata, the other with a Badger would you pick the best one by airbrush brand or by the skill used to paint the model ?
personally would go with skill. The air brush does not make the person in my opinion. I just saw the badger 105 with all 3 needles which caught my attention on usa airbrushes so got some more thought to put into it. One of them is being ordered this week is all i know. As for size of pen never really bothered me. By trade i learned to adapt to different size things in my hand without thought of how it feels in my hand.
Don’t forget a hose and adapters with/for what ever you get.
they do not come with the adapter that would be needed? And i think the badger needs its own hose right?
Some sets come with hoses and some don’t. You will probably have to adapt to your compressor.
Badger has it’s own (smaller thread ) fittings but if it comes with a hose it will fit the airbrush. Any kit that comes with a hose the hose will fit the airbrush, just maybe not your compressor. US Arbrush should know what you need.
I can not make my mind up the wife might murder me when i just say oh well and hit order on both of them
That we can’t help you with lol !
Why don’t you contact USA, their policy says they are there to help you if new to airbrushes or seasoned pro. So take them up on the offer.