Mike, we discussed a few models, including Badg. and Paasche…
I got home yesterday from Denver’s air & space museum(REALLY COOL),
only to discover my State tax Refund check sitting in my mailbox…[t$t][Y]
I ordered The Paasche Millenium from Bear Air, Should be here next week!
I’ve got a buddy in the restaurant biz, and he said he’ll give me a 20(?)lb CO2 tank…
just have to pick up a regulator, and I’ll be 'brushing for around $100-120…
I’m psyched to play with the brush[H]
I went w/ the Millenium mainly 'cause the price was right for me, and widely available parts; The set I ordered, the MIL-SET, includes the #3 needle. P. says it can go from 1/64" to 1"…
If I find I need a new needle(#1 or 5) or other parts, I can pick them up not 5 miles away from my pad…
73 bucks, all done and said(so far) for the brush set and CO2…
I have to be honest, the Iwatas were way too expensive for me to even consider…Retail from $150 - 500+ in their case…
I spent almost an hour talking airbrushes with the salesperson; She was great!
I came to the conclusion, With the help of the salesperson, that spending 100+ bucks on my first airbrush was not logical…
The Millenium is a step up from the VL, but still well witin my budget. Justifying 150 dollars at this point just didn’t make sense to me. If I find at a later date that the Millen. doesn’t accomplish what I need it to, then I’ll look into a better 'brush…
Good point on price. I forget that some retailers want full MSRP for their stuff.
I got my Iwata Revolution CR for $99 in my LHS a couple of years ago and it included the hose, can of air and adapter and a bottle of Acrylic AB cleaner. Seen them on ebay for lots less.
I bought my Eclipse CS for about $50 IIRC, used from a board memeber. It works like a champ. I bought a second Iwata Revolution BR for those big jobs and it also included all the extras, also for $99 from the LHS about a year ago.
I’ve seen many deals better than these even at the time I bought them but I decided to buy from the shop because a friend of mine worked there. Regardless, the shop still went out of buisness.
I noticed that you said you might buy a “better” airbrush later if needs dictate. There is nothing wrong with the choice you made at all so don’t think it inferior to others. I was only curious because you mentioned it as one that you looked at and then never mentioned it again.
I think you did just fine.
I still have the second AB I ever bought, a VL. I never use it anymore but every so often I think about pulling it out for old times sake and hooking air up to it. After using gravity feeds for four years though, I think I’d end up frustrated and angry with it.
The Paasche Millenium sounds like a good starter aribrush for those who perfer siphon feed airbrush. It comes with 3 sizes of nozzles and a self-centering tip. All sound good. It is priced similar to the Badger 155. We have a lot of feedback on the Badger 155 already, particularly the Don Wheeler web site. It would be wonderful if you can come back and share your Millenium impression.
For those who want a gravity feed airbrush, there are the Iwata Revolution CR4500 ($73), The Paasche Talon ($74) and the Badger Patroit 105 ($74), both of which are very popular with modelers. You don’t have to spend over $150 if you want an Iwata.
Of course, there are many good choices at the over $100 range too. I paid $97 for my Iwata Eclipse HP-CS at a Hobby Lobby using their 40% off coupon a year ago. When considering the model kit we are going to buy in a year, it pays to invest in a good tool that you can learn off. I believe all the above mentioned airbrush fall into this catagory.
Good luck with your new AB. Come back to tell us how you like the Millenium.
I know a few of the experts on this forum like CO2 tank for its quietness and dry gas. I used cheap airbrush compressor (Paasche DA400) myself. It has the convinence of a reliable power source in the US.
Good find and the price is right. When I added an airtank to the Paasche DA400 compressor, I need a check valve and could not find the 1/4" size at any plumbing store. I finally got one from a brewary supplier too.
Many other forum will enjoy reading how you put the CO2 system together too. [Y]
