I currently have the opportunity to purchase either a used Iwata HP-B or the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS brand new for roughly around the same price. I’ve scoured the forums and it seems like everyone loves the Eclipse but not much is said about the HP-B - and specifically, an older HP-B.
First, a few details about the HP-B. The HP-B comes with an Iwata Smart Jet compressor and hose. The owner has stated that she doesn’t know too much about the air brush as she purchased it quite a few years ago and only used it about ten times.
As for the Eclipse, I plan to match it up with the ABD TC-20T air compressor but I can easily be talked out of that to buy a different (better) compressor in the same price range.
This will be my first air brush but I’d like something that will grow with me as I learn more about air brushing technique. My primary use for the air brush will be to paint aircraft models in 1/72 and 1/48 scale, maybe the odd 1/32 scale as well.
If anyone can shed any light on the pro’s and con’s of each air brush - or even which one is a better deal - I’d really appreciate it!
As the owner of the HP-CS (which was also my first airbrush), I can say it’s a great general purpose airbrush. It is easy to clean, performs well, durable, sprau acrylics, enamels and lacquers, etc. It’s limitation is the needle size, of which mine is 0.35. Instead of investing in a finer needle and nozzle, I inherited a Sotar 20/20 which I use for mottling and finer detail.
If I were in your shoes, though, I’d probably go with the HP-B. The high performance line from Iwata is just that much nicer than the entry level Exclipe line. Not knowing you skill level, the HP-B might be overkill at first, but as you use it a grow with it, you’ll appreciate it’s ability.
I did notice that the cup size is smaller on the HP-B. This may or may not be a factor to you.
Either way, I think you’ll be happy. Iwata makes a fine airbrush.
Get both the HP-B and the HP-CS. The Smart Jet is a very nice little compressor and you will not need the TC-20T.
The HP-B has a 0.19 mm needle/nozzle only and the the HP-CS a 0.35 mm, with option to change to 0.5 mm. Most modeler prefer the coarser needle/nozzle of the HP-CS and the finer HP-B is more for artist use. But you MAY like the finer nozzle if you do a lot of free-hand painting in modeling. Both should work just fine. It is only a matter of personaly preference. (I use a HP-CS and a HP-C+ clone.)
After a few months, keep both if you are using them alternatively. If you find that you are using one of the two most of the time, then sell the other at Ebay. You are likely not losing any money on used Iwata airbrush. They have good resale value.
I just think it’s more suited to modeling in general.
The HP-CS is like the Badger 100LG which can pretty much do it all whereas the HP-B is like the Badger Sotar 20/20 or the Renegade in that it excels mostly in fine line and excellent atomization properties. Both of those Iwatas serve a purpose but like I said, if I had to chose one it would be the most versatile of the two and that would be the HP-CS.
I’ll echo what Mike said. I have an HP-CS. When you get down to the size needle of the HP-B the AB can get really finicky. Paints must be thinned more and there is a fine line between proper viscosity and insanity. Needless to say the smaller needle doesn’t cover as wide an area when one is putting on base coats so using a finer AB can be more work for the same result.
My CS has the .35 needle and it is as fine as I’ve ever needed. When I need broader coverage I’ll get out the CR.
The 0.35 mm needle is a popular choice among modelers. Even the 0.35 mm needle can get tip dry problem now and then if the paint is not thinned enough.
Some prefer the 0.5 mm needle of the Iwata HP-CR or the 0.76 mm (0.03") needle of the Badger 100LG. These AB have 2 times (CR) and 4.7 times (100LG) the nozzle openning area of the CS and allow a shorter and faster trigger pull when more paint is need.
In addition to the nozzle size, the taper of the needle cone also affects the characteristic of the airbrush. I like the gentle linear trigger pull of the HP-CS. The newest Patriot Badger 105 is moving in this direction too. The Badger 105 takes the 3155 type fine tip needle (0.02" or 0.51 mm).
There are some good points here. I sometimes wish I had purchased the finer needled HP series, but maybe have the general workhorse that I do is an unknown blessing.
I ended up purchasing the HP-B and the Smart Jet for a bargain and, once my funds replenish, I may get the Eclipse. In the meantime, I do have access to a HP-CR in the event that I find myself needing a coarser needle.
I haven’t yet found any issues regarding the viscosity with thinning paints, but that might just be because I only just purchased it a few hours ago. =)
