I have added a review of the Harbor Freight single action airbrush to my website. Comments and suggestions are welcome, especially if you have used this brush.
Don
thanks for the review. i bought their dual action for learning and thought the rocker assembly was a pain to put back. i sat there and fiddled with it then finally figured it out.
im using a paasche talon now but i still use the harbor brush. i should give the mods a try that you posted.
Don, I looked over your site, some great info there. After getting back into modeling recently, I decided to purchase a Paasche H (due to it being from the LHS) and love it (of course i have nothing to compare it to). After reading your review, I’m glad I bought the “H” instead of going really cheap. I did however buy the 1/8hp tankless compressor from HF and it works flawlessly… so far.
Thanks for the comments, guys.
Don
i also use a harbor freight compressor with the air pressure regulator. hasn’t gave me any problems. awesome product for the price.
i bought the iwata neo for dirt cheap today to give it try before throwing under the bus and honestly it isn’t as bad as people say it is. its like any other product imo…some like some don’t. i find it very very easy to clean compared to my paasche talon.
Will someone please convince Don to post a review on an Iwata or an Harder & Steenbeck!!
Why waste bandwidth on a something no modeler care about. Sorry Don, I have to say it. [6]
Two reasons: I was curious about it, and it was cheap enough that I could satisfy my curiosity. To tell the truth, I’m not that curious about the Iwatas or Harder Steenbecks. I’m sure they are fine airbrushes for those who can afford them. I don’t make any money from my site. I do it just for fun and the satisfaction I get from the e-mails I sometimes receive from people who it has helped. The site is mostly aimed at beginners, and I don’t really believe that a beginner needs an Iwata or H&S brush. I know that at my skill level, I don’t need one. So, it would be difficult for me to justify the expense. Besides, I kind of like to do brushes that you won’t find anywhere else. Badger has kindly supplied me with a few of my airbrushes. If any other company wants to send me a sample, I’d be happy to add it to my reviews.
I appreciate your interest and support, Kei. But, I don’t expect I’ll be doing the airbrushes you mentioned in the near future. But, thanks for asking.
Don
Don, I enjoyed the review, as well as your other reviews.
keilau:
There are people interested in the function / utility of "bargain " priced HF products.
I see it all the time on metalworking forums.
Not everyone can justify the purchase of an airbrush which, alone , lists for nearly $300.
OTOH, " How to talk your wife into the purchase of a $300 airbrush and a $229 kit "
might just be a good thread for the General Modeling forum…[whstl]
I have no objection to FSM forum members posting or reading reviews of expensive airbrushes.
Buy whatever you can afford.
For me, reading a review of a $300 airbrush would be just as useful as reading an in depth Motor Trend review of a Ferrarri .
However, here is one review of an expensive airbrush- I don’t know if the airbrush is still in production:
http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/tools/harder/tool_harder_infinity.shtml
Enjoy !
Sprue-ce Goose
You are right about other users. I received a couple of e-mails from leather workers. They use an airbrush to apply dye.
Kei Lau is just teasing, and my response was probably too serious.
Don
Don, Thanks for the write up on the air-brush. I recently got back to the hobby after about a ten+ year hiatus. I’ve been back for about 4 months give or take. I used to be fairly comfortable with an airbrush and I have an old Badger 100 and an old Paasche H. I had an old antiquated compressor so I decided to head over to Harbor Freight after I saw an ad for an inexpensive compressor. I bought a nice compressor with the airbrush for $79.00. They both work pretty well but I wasn’t doing a good job of tuning it up. After your post I was able to make some adjustments and am very pleased with the results! I still use my Badger but I also use the HF Thanks for the post.
Why waste band with with baseless complaints.Your post was needed. Sorry I had to say it.
Thanks again!
Chazzer (Scott)
i don’t really see a need for an iwata or harder & steenbeck review. we already know they are great brushes.
imo all these companies make awesome products. it just comes down to what you like and personal preference.
IMHO there´s always need for unbiased reviews. The more info, the better for us consumers.
Problem is that about 90% of all reviews online isn’t. Comes with the fact that most reviewers can’t afford buying all brands out there, and some, especially magazines and large websites, mostly review airbrushes that are sent cost free from the producers.
Kudos to people like Mr Wheeler who dig into their own pockets to supply us with reviews.
Don:
i thought you might be interested in what someone did with two single action airbrushes similar to the HF version you reviewed on your website.
I’ve posted a link below.
Scroll down to the very bottom of the web page to view the photos:
Kudo. I have nothing but the highest respect for Don Wheeler and his many in depth reviews. He looks at them from a modeler’s prespective. It makes his reviews making more senses to me and, I presume, other not very highly skilled, but very motivated, hobbyists.
He tells it as is and has the sharp eyes of an engineer. Most importantly, he knows how to use an airbrush proficiently.
The Iwata Eclipse HP-CS and the H&R Evolution are both at the $120 price point in US. It is not out of reach for serious modeler, beginner airbrusher. Having a review from Don will be of great value to modeler who wants to pick the right first airbrush.
I found a world of difference when switch from a Paasche H to an Iwata CS. I always suspect that I would have been better off starting out with the Iwata instead.
Believe me. I have tried and failed to convince Don to do the reviews that I want to see. [:'(]
Why not post your own review?
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing that.
Don
I bought a HF SA airbrush a few years ago. It was only useful for flood coats, and has ended up not even good for that.
Now I use it for blowing dust out of my computers! [;)]
If that is so easy to post an insightful review, there will be many Don Wheeler sites. [;)]
I did post my impression of the airbrushes that I have at this forum. [8-)]
Don stated his reasons why it would be difficult for him to justify the expense of purchasing such an airbrush.
If you were to give Don a sample airbrush, or talk a manufacturer into supplying a sample, would a review be possible?