I use a iwata eclipse HP CS, had it for a few years. I was just snooping around some other forums a few weeks back and there was a lot of talk about a Mr Hobby line I’ve never heard of. I did some reading and from what ive read the line is supposed to be compatible to iwata. I was wondering if anyone had and experience with it. It’s 85$ at a few places I looked. I’m sure it’s not as good as my eclipse but for 90$ it’s probably worth having around if it’s any good.
Sorry, I don’t have one. I use a Paasche VL and an Iwata Neo. The Paasche is my workhorse, like the Studebaker of airbrushes.
Sorry I wrote a novel here. I just kept on typing. HAHA
The Iwata Eclipse airbrish isn’t really comparible to the average $50-$100 airbrush for a few reasons.
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Iwata airbrushes are made in America, and they are very high quality. Because of this they tend to cost much more than equivalent airbrushes.
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The Eclipse airbrush is different than all those cheaper airbrushes, and that key difference is the reason why the Eclipse is my favorite airbrush and the reason I have 2 of them. They have a floating needle seat design.
The floating needle seat design means the needle seat is a larger cone shape that is removed without tools, and it is so much easier to clean. I hate that tiny little needle tip you have to remove with a wrench on all those other cheaper airbrushes.
NOTE: There is a cheaper Badger airbrush that costs about $60 that has the floating needle seat design. I forgot which mode it is. Other than this airbrush I don’t think there are any other airbrushes out there that have a floating needle seat that cost less than the Eclipse.
- Mr Hobby, and Tamiya both sell airbrushes. But since they are cheaper construction, and have the screw in needle seat, I would just go on Amazon and buy a $25 chinese airbrush instead. They are probably just about the same thing. I actually have 2 of these cheapy airbrushes for dirty work that I use occasionally. They work well, but my Eclipse’s are way better, and easier to clean.
And while I am rambling, I would like to turn you on to a new (old design) airbrush I got to try out recently. It was such a great design that I went and bought one immediately!!!
It is the Paasche H Series airbrush.
The Paasche H Series is a single action, siphon feed, external mix airbrush. This means the paint doesn’t flow through the airbrush body at all. Paint is siphoned up through a coned “seat” with a tip that is in the airstream. Inside the “seat” is a needle, and you thread the “seat” up and down on the needle to adjust paint flow. Tighten the “seat” all the way down onto the needle you get no flow. Thread it out, and it adds paint. It is a super simple design and super easy to clean.
To clean you just need to remove the needle and seat and flush them out. The airbrush body doesn’t really get dirty because it doesn’t really see any paint.
I have one of these. They are cheap but high quality. Since it is single action I use it for primer, and on larger projects that do not require the control of a dual action airbrush.
Here is the airbrush. The arrow is pointing to the needle / seat assy.
And here is what the needle and seat look like. The seat is on the left end and threads in and out on the needle. The needle is actually a cone inside.
And then the airbrush siphons paint out of a jar, or they have a little side cup similar in size to the cup on top of a gravity feed Eclipse.
And here is a link to an awesome deal on the Paasche H airbrush. I paid $65 for mine.
Iwata airbrushes are made in Japan. Iwata’s Global Distribution is headquartered out of Portland, Oregon.
The HP-CS has been my workhorse for over 20 years. Extremely versatile and reliable.
Rob
Iwata Padawan
Ah, I could have sworn I saw somewhere that said they were made in America. My mistake.
Ah, I could have sworn I saw somewhere that said they were made in America. My mistake.
No worries. They’re still amazing airbrushes!
Rob
Iwata PAdawan
Go to Spray Gunner website and read about the GSI air brush .
They sell them .
Their good air brushes .
Appreciate the feed back, yeah I knew iwata was made in Japan and I read that the GSI was made in the same factory, I own and use a eclipse so I’m not trying to replace it by any stretch, just in the market for a spare and ran across this which had high marks from what I read.
Thanks for taking the time to put all that together, I’ll take a look at that one as well.
The PS-289 is one of the airbrushes I use. I can say directly that this airbrush works absolutely fine for scale modeling.
I use lacquers as much as possible, and this airbrush works wonderfully with lacquers. Atomisation is good and fine lines are possible. Thinning of the paint is important, but believe you are experienced enough to know this.
What i think could be improved:
This airbrush has a screw in nozzle. Compression fit nozzles that the Eclipse or Harder and Steenbeck have certainly allow the nozzle to be cleaned more effectively. Problems often arise from clogged or dirty nozzles. It is also more feasible to pull the needle out from the front for cleaning with compression fit nozzles. Pulling paint back past the needle bearing is thus avoided.
Next. The plating in the paint cup could be improved. I found the plating wore away quite early on, but really, this is more of a cosmetic issue and should not affect performance. I am impressed by my Harder and Steenbeck Infinity, the plating in the cup (and everywhere else) remains in pristine condition.
Hope this is helpful.
several good threads about them on Reddit as well.
I appreciate the feed back.
Another newish brand that is really well made for the price range is Gaahleri. I picked up the -39 for $60-$70 and I’m really impressed.
Thanks for the info bud, I appreciate that.
they all share the same parts like needle/nozzle etc. all made in same factories.
the bodies are bigger and heavier though