Hi guys, i am a long time wargamer and im taking a dive into Airbrushing models, so i have a few questions and hope you can guide me.
First the simple question, which Airbrush would you recommend? i have a few options (all in the same price range) that i could get and im am interested in your opinion as to which one i should get.
My options are:
Badger Renegade Velocity Airbrush
Badger Patriot 105 Airbrush
Thayer & Chandler Omni 4000 Airbrush
They are all in the same price range (that i can afford), and i would be interested in your opinion as to which should i get. I am specially interested in knowing if all this are full metal (for more durability and easier cleaning).
Now on to compressors.
1- First and simple question, how much more noise do Diaphragm ones do VS Piston ones?. Because the price difference is hefty.
2- Second, i read somewhere that Pistons ones, not sure about Diaphragm ones, can only be used for about 30 minutes, is this correct? does the “Auto Off” thingy that some come with help with this at all?.
3- I have a few models in mind that i could get:
Diaphragm based:
a- Fengda AS-06 (Chinese but i get local warranty so it braking is less of an issue than its functionality).
Piston based.
b- SparMax TC-501 G.
c- SparMax TC-501 AUT. (this one is like a “local model”, its basically the same as above with auto shut off at 60psi or something like that)
d- Iwata Smart Jet.
Now, where is the catch? this set up is going to eat about 1 month of salary so the first Compressor costs about half the last one. Now i do live in an appartment building, so noise and working time ARE factors as well as money.
So if you could advice me guys, i would really appreciate it.
As I have never used either of those airbrushes, I can not comment on them. I personally use a Paasche VL, which cost me about $99 CDN. I really like the airbrush, works great. I have heard and am considering buying a new one, and have read alot of people saying that the Iwata Eclipse is one of the better ones. I am looking at the Eclipse CS, gravity fed, for about $150 CDN.
As for compressor, I am using a Aztek oil-less with tank. It is a great compressor, has a regulator and maintains constant pressure, and is quiet. I paid about $250 CDN.
I have had no issues with my current set up, works great.
First off [snWcm] , second, I have the Passche H and can’t say a bad thing about it (plus it cost $60 some odd). As far as compressors, was using my nail gun pancake unit but the low end psi adjustment wasn’t cutting it, not to mention the LOUD noise. Not sure where you live but there is no beating the Harbor Freight 1/8 hp oil-less compressor, quiet and cheap.
The price difference is NOT between diaphragm vs. piston compressors. It is the difference between a cheaper brand (Fengda) vs. the quality brands (Sparmax and Iwata).
From the compressor models you quote, you may not be in the US. By all means, pick a piston driven compressor with auto-on/off. Buy the quality brand if you can afford it. My favorite is the Sparmax TC-2000 twin piston at $200 in the US.
May I recommend the July 2008 FSM article “Tools: Finding the right air compressor” by Mark Hembree? (Based on the findings, I bought a Bearair “Polar Bear” Model 1000 and got a Fengda CD-130 double-action gravity-feed included.)
I have the Velocity…among others and I have to say that I really like it. Easy to use and easy to clean and the needle is pretty sturdy. As far as the compressors, get one with a tank and it won’t run as much. You can get by with a industrial unit but the sound will drive you crazy if it is close to your desk.
Can’t give too accurate a review yet - I’ve only had the Patriot and Velocity for > two weeks and haven’t done enough work with either to form a really solid perspective on them.
Off the cuff, though, I really like the Renegade Velocity. It’s a fine brush, feels great in the hand, and I’ve found it very easy to see the spray coming out of the brush, which isn’t always the case.
I’m a bit less sold on the Patriot - I’m pretty sure I like it better than either of my Iwatas, but it’s having to fight with my almost-as-new Harder & Steenbeck Evolution, and so far I LOVE that brush (though, full disclosure, I’ve only used the 0.4mm needle so far).
Regarding compressors…I have one with a tank and love it. It sits on the far side of the garage and only cycles once every half hour or so (it’d cycle less if I got to the bottom of a small leak in a hose juncture, but I’m lazy that way). The really nice thing with a tank compressor, I can turn around and run air tools or air up tires and other inflatable things with it.
Personally I’ll vouch for the Badger Patriot 105. I’ve had it for almost a year now, and used it for three separate projects. It is great for a first airbrush, IMO, as its capability will far exceed your beginner talent, and will last you for years, allowing you to hone your skills.
Having said that, I think along with the airbrush, you really do need a quality compressor. Personally, I would go for a twin-piston one. Take a look at the link below from BearAir. This particular one seems to be available all over the place, albeit branded differently.
I also live and airbrush in an apartment, and the noise level is just fine.
well, i do have a Iwata brush and it’s the Neo. i find the neo real easy to clean compared to the talon. the neo is more for fine detailed work and not to spray over large areas witch i do with the talon. talon kit i got came with the hose and extra needle N tip. i forgot what size it was.
Your comment comparing the Talon to the Neo for Iwata is very interesting. The Talon set kit comes with “Needles, Tips, and Head Caps in all three sizes! (.25mm, .38mm and .66mm)”. The 0.38mm one should be the one installed.
The Neo for Iwata has only one nozzle/needle size at 0.35mm which is not much different from the Talon standard N/N.
I have the Neo, but not the Talon. The Neo works very well and is easy to clean for a under $40 airbrush. My first impresson was that it atomizes quite well, but I have yet to test it more thoroughly. But it is NO Iwata. I am really surprised that you found it to be a more detailed airbrush than the Talon. Did you try the Talon with its 0.25mm N/N yet? Keep us posted.
The Talon has a pre-set handle and smaller nozzle and the Neo does not. Therefore, I would expect the Talon to be much easier to airbrush fine lines using the pre-set. But, again, I do not have a Talon.
theres honestly nothing special about the talon IMO. i had to give the Neo a try before saying anything about since everyone was talking smack about it and they never even tried it. i want to go after the HP-CR for large area coverage and a HP-CS for detailed work.
My copy of the Neo worked pretty good so far in causal testing. But Iwata seems to have some quality control problem with the Neo according to people who purchased and used it. I am not surprised of the mixed results based on my impression of the needle of the Neo.
The HP-CS comes with a 0.35mm nozzle/needle as standard. You can add the 0.5mm nozzle/needle/crown set for under $18. There is no good reason to get the HP-CR if you already have the HP-CS. Neither of them with 0.5mm nozzle are particularly good for large area coverage. The spray are still fair tight with little overspray.
For large area coverage, you may want to consider a Patriot with standard 0.75mm nozzle. Even with the 0.5mm fine nozzle/needle set, the Patriot will cover larger area than the Iwatas due to its relatively large linear flow angle of the needle.
I see that you are getting quite a collection of airbrushes.
im going to sell the talon. it didn’t hit the spot for me. not looking to have a collection, just a back up if one craps out on me witch shouldn’t happens if it’s maintained but you never know. i wanna give Badger a try. i’ll proble go after the 105 or renegade.
I am new to it as well. I got an Anthem 155 by Badger. It’s great…! If you check out the dealers listed on the badger site, you can find it really cheap online.
I have used a Talon and a Velocity and I can say that anything I wata produces is better mad, better functioning and less prone to problems. Harder and steenbeck are also in Iwata’s class.
Airbrushes are very subjective…I just sold my Grex Tritium. Fantastic airbrush performance-wise, but I just couldn’t cope with the trigger grip/action.