Iwata Hi Performance range. advice.

I am finding it hard to track down any AB at the moment suited to 35th + 48th scale work etc.

I set out for the Iwata Eclipse hp-cs but can not find one in stock.It can be ordered but no date can be given and i have been caught like that before.I am getting feed up now because the shop which said they had a HP-CS just realised a part was missing.BUT they have a Hi Performace HP-B 0.2mm in stock which they say is a good match.I am not sure of the tip size being 0.2 compared to 0.35 it is also a fair bit dearer.Will it be ok?This is my first AB by the way.They also have a Badger 100 Syphon model which is unboxed but i do not fancy that.

Hi XLNT

I Have just purchased the Iwata Revolution TR-1 [:D](the Airbrush with the trigger) and have found it to be an amazing performer. Its easy to use especially if you have not used an Aibrush before and produces the finish that you would expect from Iwata. I got mine from Canada and including shipping to the UK only paid $80 for it (prices in the UK were around the £150.00 mark i.e $250+). The company that I got the Iwata from is PJH Tools and they have an HP-CS on e-bay at the moment for just under £70 shipped, just for yor information.

With regard to the nozzle size of 0.2mm this will give you the ability to produce super fine detail but will limit your area coverage. I have both 0.2mm and 0.3mm and use the 0.3mm by far the most (I work on armour/helicopters in both 1/35 and 1/48).

I am no expert but a keen new comer to the work of Airbrushing myself and have learnt the hard way by making the wrong purchases

I hope that this is of some use, but I am sure that you will get better advice from more experianced people than me!

Cheers,

Big E.

I have 3 Iwatas, an Eclipse B-CS (siphon feed), Eclipse HP-CS and a Revolution BR. I use the HP and BR far more than the B-CS.

If you can’t find the HP-CS locally, look for the Revolution BR - it’s an equally capable brush for much less money.

-Fred

Im using a cheap Iwata copy - Sparmax DH-102 and an Iwata HP-BH. Ive purchased the Sparmax some 4 years ago from Luckymodel.com for less than 40$ /chrystmass sale or something/ with shipping, its not listed at the moment but the DH-103 is and worths 56$ /the difference between the two is the nozzle/needle 102 is with 0.2 mm and the 103 is with 0.3/. You can also check the DH-02/03, the difference between the 02/03 and 102/103 is that the 100 familly has a needle lock. I can asure you that the quality is good and it works without any problems. As for the Iwata HP-BH, WOW this airbrush is from another planet, i find the MAC valve extremely useful and the overall quality is outstanding. Ive bought the Iwata 6 months ago from Ebay for about 160$ with shipping but it was a kit including a 3 meters braided hose, a mini water trap /at the airbrush end/ and a quick release. I know it`s not cheap but it worths every peny.

You can’t find one in stock? Who are you calling?

Are you in England or South Africa? I am guessing from your wording. The UK distributor of Iwata Airbrush is “The Airbrush Company”, Unit 7, Marlborough Road, Lancing Business Park, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 8UF. Telephone 08700660445.

http://www.airbrushes.com/

You can order from them directly. The email address is

sales@airbrushes.com

If you are not in UK, sorry.

Nice to see another HP-BH owner! After I got mine and used it, I quit The MV Badger Debate.

The best per application model A/B I’ve used so far. [8D]

It’s not a debate, it’s educating the beginners who are looking for an airbrush and think that a more expensive brand will be better. That is the main reason I push the point so often.

That is all that matters. Glad you are happy with it. It’s still too expensive though. [:P][(-D]

Just my opinion, but I think that quality tools make all the difference, regardless of the project - or hobby - you’re working on. For woodworking, if I had to go back to my original Sears table saw, I would prefer to get out of the hobby altogether. I have used, for many years a Delta 5HP with Biesemeyer fence that is dead on. The Delta cost more, but it is money well spent.

Likewise with spray painting. Not all that long ago, I used spray cans and got mixed results that depended greatly on the ability of the can/nozzle to get paint out. Then I tried a mid level Paasche air brush. It was much better than the cans, but the results were not what I was looking for. Since that time, I’ve acquired two Harder & Steenbecks (one with a .15 mm needle and the other with a .4 mm needle). I also have an Iwata HP-C Plus with a .3 mm needle. While the ABs cost more, the results are well worth the price of admission. I know what each brush is capable of and I know that I will get the same results every time

Years ago, I had an inexpensive single action, external mix brush and tired the air cans. The results were horrendous, and, I suspect, if I tried that combination again, I would still get horrendous results. I wonder how many people are turned off to a hobby, or and aspect of a hobby, because they bought cheap equipment for it and never had the chance to know it could be easier - and fun?

I’m not suggesting that every beginner go out and buy a $200+ air brush from the start. There is a learning curve that some people may not get past and they will then have wasted that money. However, once you get past the learning curve - and over the intimidation factor that is inherent with air brushes - then I think most people will go and buy the higher end brush anyway.

As someone once said: “A good tool makes a job easier, but a bad tool make the job a chore.”

No, It’s worth it.

I do have to use a Bdger 100G with a fine tip and needle for spraying AllcladII. My HP-BH doesn’t like the metallics.

I use my A/B’s alot and know which one works best for each particular task.

That’s why I have several different brands and types.