Sorry if this question has been asked before, or if it seems similar to a couple of other active threads in this forum right now. Those similar threads got me thinking, and I figured I would ask the “experts” some specific questions, so please bear with me.[:I]
So, I’m thinking of using part of my tax refund to get an Iwata airbrush. I have a badger 150 that works pretty well, but I do wish that I could paint thinner lines. I have a couple of questions that I am hoping someone can answer for me. What I THINK I am looking for is a double action, gravity feed AB. Now for the questions:
What are the differences of each model of Iwata airbrush as far as quality and which one would you recommend?
As I mentioned, I have a Badger 150. Will I gain an advantage by switching to an Iwata? If so, what will the advantages be?
practice with your 150, you should be able to do great work with that one. If you’re bent on getting a new one, I’d vote for an Eclipse HP-CS. After 7 or 8 airbrushes of different manufacturers, that’s the one I swear by. Breeze to use and clean.
I’ll second Plums choice as I also have the HP-CS. I also have a Badger 200 that worked great, but since I got the Iwata, the Badger has been “benched”.
I spent a lot of time and posted many questions here in the forum before buying my Iwata, but I’ve never regretted the purchase.
Iwata’s site has a chart showing the different models of A/B’s and what each model is best used for. Here’s their site: www.iwata-medea.com
I see that you are in Denver. Me too, in the Washington Park neighborhood. If you want to pay me a visit, I’ll let you try out my Iwata in my shop, and you can see first hand how it works before you buy one. Send me an email at stng955@cs.com.
That comes with practice, not a different airbrush.
Iwata basically has three lines of airbrushes with the Micron being the top, the HP-C, HP-B and others being the standard line and the Eclipse series being the ones suited best for hobby and modeling uses. I would go with an Eclipse as the others are not worth the extra cost for modeling.
I would say no, there is no real advantage except for a different design, feel, shape, etc. which may help you paint better. It’s hard to say.
If you have a #1 tip and needle (fine) for your Badger 150, you should be able to paint lines of around 1/32" with practice which is as fine as you will ever need for modeling.
The Iwata may have a nicer finish and a smoother trigger, but an airbrush does not necessarily make you paint better, that is up to the skills of the user. [2c]
I agree with mike. You should look at any upgrade of your airbrush as an upgrade of “potential”. I have used an old Aztek A320 single action for a couple of years and get great results with it. I recently bought an Iwata HP-CR that will “potentially” allow me to do far better things than the Aztek and it’s limitations will allow i.e thin lines and effects. Buying the HP-CR has not made me a better airbrusher (for the moment that is)…that will only come with PRACTICE!!..and only then will i benefit from the better quality of the Iwata
When I was a very little kid, like 3 or so, I used to believe that different shoes could make you run faster. As it turned out, the power was all in my legs.
Thanks for the input guys; I do appreciate all the comments. I am still not sure if I am going to get the Iwata or not. I have only tried Badger brushes and I’m eager to try out an Iwata, but I am not sure if the tax refund is going towards a new brush, or more kits.[:D]
A friend of mine does great work with his 150, and he claims to spray as low as 8 psi. Aagin, I’d say practice with your 150 and save your money for later.
Is the 150 a double action? If so I’d probably stick with it if it was me. On the other hand, if you’re intent on getting a new airbrush, take a look at the Revolution CR, it’s cheap and good quality.
I believe the Badger 150 is a double-action bottle feeder. If I remember right it really is very versatile because you can get three useable tips with it. The tips were 0.25, 0.50 & 0.85mm and that makes it adaptable to make pencil fine lines to large area coverage. I believe the price is about under $60.
I’ve never tried one because I was weaned on a gravity feed and I don’t like bottles hanging below the airbrush hitting my painted, still wet, models.
The Badger would be a good AB to keep. Or if you are itching for a new AB then for under $60 a gravity feed Iwata HP-CR would make a short and nice list.
I’ve got one of those cups. I think I even used it once. I tend to lean my airbrush at strange angles. Not a good thing to do with an open-top cup! It works fine, I’m just so accustomed to them.
