I need Iwata! but which one???

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
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Hi guys!
I need a new airbrush and decided to join the Iwata club, but I’m a bit stumped about which one to buy. After reading your posts and after reading info from thier site, I’m still not sure which one is the best (for me…).

All data is from dixie art, cause they have a nice list. none was copied though. I just sumed it up.

First of all there is the Custom microne series
Here we have: B, SB, C
they range between 300-360$
According to Iwata-medea these are not recommended dor modelers.
Any thought why? maybe our colours are too thick?

Second we have the Eclipse series
Here we have: BCS, SBS, CS, BS
they all about 105$
According to Iwata-medea these are Highly recommended for modelers.
Does any one of you use the BS or maybe the gravity feed is is too small?
Those of you who use the CS, does the large (9oz.) gravity feed gets in the way, sometimes bumps into with the model or interfeers with a ‘straight line’ view?

Third we have the more “simple” double action class the Revolution.
Here we have: BCR, CR, SAR
all around 60$

Fourth we have the HP line
Here we have: HP-A, B, SB, HP-C, BC, BC2
Between 130-170$
And also the “HI performance” and “Hi line” series
Here we have: HP-A+, HP-B+, HP-C+, HP_SB+, HP-BC+.
Between: 153$-195$
They all look great and better then the eclipse BUT(!)…
the only one recommended for hobbiest is the HP-C+. However it is stated that it’s “only” a “good match” for enamels and acrylic enamels, when the eclipse is a perfect match

So… I’m stumped[B)][banghead][B)][banghead][X-)][X-)]

What do you recommend, and please give me your best calculated answers. Budget limit is 200$.
Today I moarn the complete loss of my Paasche VL.
Thanks guys, hope I did’nt get you waaaayyyyy tired[:-^]

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There are several threads on this, but most of the guys here on the Forum seem to prefer the CS. Personally, I purchased a CR a few weeks ago and like it a lot. My choice was dictated by having little experience with double action AB’s after years with my Paasche H single action, and budget considerations. Don’t regret buying it and may add a CS one of these days.

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HP-CS ALL THE WAY!!![:D][:D][:D][:D] I was really shocked at the preformance of the CS and it’s just an awsome AB. Here’s my work with it. They black arrow is about the size of my thumbnail.

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The only diference between the cs and the bs is the size of the cup.
I have the bs and i love it, to me it’s the perfect airbrush!

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i say get the ch or the cr, the highline is great cause you have the mac valve for air control, the cr is good cause its cheap and really damn good.

mikeV how fine is the needle on the badger 100 lg? i just ordered one

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Hey 1337, in case you haven’t noticed, we avoid using swear words on this Forum. If you must cuss, find another Site.

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ShModeler, First of all, I congratulate you for having a choice of Iwata for your next purchase since this airbrush use the finest craftmanship that i know of. [:D]For your choice, HP-C, if you wanted to spend a little more, or HP-CS, if you have a tighter budget. whatever you decide, hope your happy on your purchase. Keep us posted.

lito.sf, do you use the HP-BS for deatiling and camouflage or can you use it for painting entire models since i’ve noticed that it has a smaller paint cup?

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Yes, the Micron requires really thin inks, acrylics and urethanes to reliably spray well.
It is very delicate and very expensive to buy parts for. Total overkill for modeling.

The Eclipse is the best choice all around as it offers pretty much the same performance as the higher-priced Iwatas.

These are also a good choice but the Eclipse is capable of finer lines if you need them since it has a smaller tip/needle than the Revolution series.

The HP-C is a good airbrush but I don’t feel it is worth the extra cost because the performance is not any better than the Eclipse.
I wouldn’t waste my money on the Hi Line models either as they are not necessary unless you just have to have the newest toy on the block. [;)]

If you want an Iwata I would say you should go with either the Eclipse CS or the Revolution CR. The choice is yours.

Mike

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Sigman, i usit for everything, the cup is smaller but it holds 1ml of paint, to me is enough, but ive never built a big model so far, like a bomber. I belive the bs is a bit easier to handle and to clean if one day i need to refil it while painting, i think i can do it very rapidly with no problems at all, but never been there yet.

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Sigman, i usit for everything, the cup is smaller but it holds 1ml of paint, to me is enough, but ive never built a big model so far, like a bomber. I belive the bs is a bit easier to handle and to clean if one day i need to refil it while painting, i think i can do it very rapidly with no problems at all, but never been there yet.

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Did you order the fine needle? I don’t know the size of the needle as that doesn’t really matter. That needle and tip should be able to hold it’s own against anything out there.

Mike

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my recommendation would be the eclipse hp-cs. i wouldnt buy the hp-c as it comes with a .3mm n/n combo and it was very difficult for me to achieve the results i was looking for with that small of a nozzle. i too looked at the charts on the iwata home page before i purchased the hp-c and purchased it because the chart said Excellent for hobbiest, enamels, and acrylics. however, i wasnt satisfied with my hp-c until i bought the .4mm conversion kit for it. i have the omni 5000, eclipse hp-cs, and the hp-c with the .4mm n/n combo and out of the 3 i love the hp-c the best for the comfort and wieght issue. the reason i recommend the hp-cs over the hp-c is because when the hp-cs gets to your front door, its ready to go to work. if you purchase the hp-c, your definetly want to get the .4mm n/n conversion kit that is offered as an option. later.

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MikeV yeah i ordered the finest one, large cup, just wondering how it is compared to the revolution. it could probubly inflict some serious whoop @$$ to other airbrushes, and its cheaper too. now all i need are quick connect’s and disconnects, and hoses… hint hint :wink:

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I would say the Badger 100 LG is capable of finer lines than the Revolution series of Iwata’s since the 100 LG is an illustration airbrush.

Mike

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WOW! thank’s for each and one of you guys!

I’m so impressed with the high quality of the people around here. I’m glad I can tell about you guys for my “real life” friends, what great people you are!
[8D][8D][8D]

Well it seems it comes down into three Iwata’s. in the lead is the Eclipse HP-CS, second Eclipse HP-BS, third place HP-C with the conversion set.

I would like to go the extra mile over the Revolution series.

Once again, Thanks guys!

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It seems I forget to ask another very inportant question!

These airbrushes comes solely as airbrushes and nothin else (ie, complete set like paasche VL), right?
If so, I would have to add an air hose and maybe some extra niddles and nozzles?
I would also like to add a crown air cap.
Would you suggest to get it all in one purchase or is it going to be good OOB?
Does any one of you guys know if it’s possible to use an airhose from (a dead) Paasche with an Iwatta?
thanks!

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Yes, they come without an airhose and no, that Paasche airhose will not fit without an adaptor.
You don’t need a crown cap or anything else as that airbrush as well as all of the others from different manufacturers are good enough OOB to paint anything with practice.

Mike

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again, the eclipse is the best OOB. i purchased the crown cap with mine and in my opinion, its a waste of hard earned money. take the money that you’d spend on the crown cap and invest in the hose (or adapter) quick connects. oh, and get ready for an truely excellent airbrush. also, i wouldn’t invest in an extra needle and nozzle just yet. i’m fairly clumsy and disorganized and usually go through needles like q-tips, but i find the iwata needle and nozzle to be very durable. later.

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I would cross out the HP-C with a conversion for modeling. It would be adapting an illustrators airbrush that sprays watery, ink-like paint that has a smaller nozzle and converting it to a modelers airbrush to spray thicker pigment paint… Also the HP-C doesn’t have a thinner-resistant teflon seal for the needle so you could run a chance of having the paint eat away the needle seal. If you use acrylic paints it would be no problem. I do use my HP-C with enamel and thinner, laquer thinner too, and have not had a problem but I’m taking my chances. I have a couple of back up airbrushes if I do ruin a seal it would be less of a risk of downtime for me. If I only had one airbrush I would worry a lot more.

If you consider using a enamel now or in the future consider getting a airbrush with a teflon seal.

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or lacquors especially.

i just realized how cheap badger parts are: $16 for an 8 foot hose, $8 for a needle. these are canadian bucks. MikeV do you have a spare adaptor for the standard size compresser?