Your current Airbrush setup...lets see em'
#057
Bayern, Germany
Joined: May 11, 2010
KitMaker: 248 posts
Armorama: 119 posts
Posted: Monday, April 18, 2011 - 08:47 PM UTC
That's a secret
No, I asked Matt how and what kind of paints he sprays with his Micron. The HPA Plus I got has the same small nozzle.
Forget about spraying Acrylics such as Gunze. You'll need special artists acrylics.
Matt manages to spray enamels through it (hope, I remembered that right Matt).
If thou art pained by any external thing, it is not this that disturbs thee, but thy own judgment about it.
Marcus Aurelius
Maryland, United States
Joined: April 18, 2006
KitMaker: 1,794 posts
Armorama: 1,431 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 - 05:36 AM UTC
Quoted Text
That's a secret
No, I asked Matt how and what kind of paints he sprays with his Micron. The HPA Plus I got has the same small nozzle.
Forget about spraying Acrylics such as Gunze. You'll need special artists acrylics.
Matt manages to spray enamels through it (hope, I remembered that right Matt).
Oh, that's strange...I have one of those Osprey modeling books and the author (Robert Oehler, I think) uses, in his demos, an Iwata Custom Micron SB to shoot Tamiya paints. He explains that the paint flows well through it. Perhaps the one Matt has is a different brush altogether.
Anyway, thanks for the head's up!
Rob
California, United States
Joined: April 01, 2002
KitMaker: 4,287 posts
Armorama: 1,867 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 21, 2011 - 01:50 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
That's a secret
No, I asked Matt how and what kind of paints he sprays with his Micron. The HPA Plus I got has the same small nozzle.
Forget about spraying Acrylics such as Gunze. You'll need special artists acrylics.
Matt manages to spray enamels through it (hope, I remembered that right Matt).
Oh, that's strange...I have one of those Osprey modeling books and the author (Robert Oehler, I think) uses, in his demos, an Iwata Custom Micron SB to shoot Tamiya paints. He explains that the paint flows well through it. Perhaps the one Matt has is a different brush altogether.
Anyway, thanks for the head's up! Rob
Howdy Fellers,
I have shot Tamiya paints through mine, BUT...they are cut with lacquer thinner to the point of being more thinner than paint. The Micron has a very fine head on it and paints can and will clog it easily. I found that I have to thin my paint in a separate cup and transfer it into the brush. With my other brushes I can mix the paint directly in the paint cup on the brush (gravity feed) using a pipette with no problems. Don't get me wrong, the Micron is a fabulous brush, it just takes some fore thought when it comes to paint use and selection so as to avoid frustration.
Glad you guys are enjoying the thread. Thanks for keeping it moving. "Q"
"Don't fear the night, fear what hunts at night"
Louisiana, United States
Joined: March 06, 2010
KitMaker: 3,128 posts
Armorama: 2,959 posts
Posted: Monday, April 25, 2011 - 04:49 AM UTC
My "spray set-up"...
How's this for basic and ugly? It's about as cheap and opportunistic as it gets - I'm lucky to have one of those nice down-draft cooking ranges with some strong flood-lamps over it (hey - GOOD lighting is essential to both good modeling AND good cooking, so, it's 2 birds with one stone!).
Cardboard box cut and taped to form a spray-booth with a vent-hole cut in back. I fit a screen over the hole to keep the parts inside the box, and added a flap on the back to improve air-flow and vent suction. The over-range lamps are 30 watt variable floods, and an additional floor-stand halogen brings another lighting angle in. Being able to stand and paint also eases shifting to other work spaces for paint-mixing, AB cleaning, etc. I run both a shop comp in the garage with a hose and manifold to the kitchen, and a small tank comp on the bench right at hand.
Of course one does want to be very careful about turning off all the burners before and during painting...!
Cheers!
Bob
#057
Bayern, Germany
Joined: May 11, 2010
KitMaker: 248 posts
Armorama: 119 posts
Posted: Monday, April 25, 2011 - 10:02 PM UTC
Now that's a smart setup, Bob! Beats buidling a ventilated spraybooth that takes up both money and space!
@Rob: The SB is the only sidefeeder in the Micron range which means - I think - it's got an 0.18 or even 0.20 nozzle/needle asy. Which is really fine but maybe manageable with most acrylics.
Matt and me got guns with 0.15 nozzles. That means bigger pigmented paints (like Vallejo, Gunze, etc. ) may clog these easier than the other.
I know what you mean. I got the How-To Book on the T-55 and I wondered how he sprays Tamiya paints, too. Maybe Matt'g got the answer: thin with laquer thinner and be shure to mix thoroughly.
If thou art pained by any external thing, it is not this that disturbs thee, but thy own judgment about it.
Marcus Aurelius
Maryland, United States
Joined: April 18, 2006
KitMaker: 1,794 posts
Armorama: 1,431 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 - 06:31 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Now that's a smart setup, Bob! Beats buidling a ventilated spraybooth that takes up both money and space!
@Rob: The SB is the only sidefeeder in the Micron range which means - I think - it's got an 0.18 or even 0.20 nozzle/needle asy. Which is really fine but maybe manageable with most acrylics.
Matt and me got guns with 0.15 nozzles. That means bigger pigmented paints (like Vallejo, Gunze, etc. ) may clog these easier than the other.
I know what you mean. I got the How-To Book on the T-55 and I wondered how he sprays Tamiya paints, too. Maybe Matt'g got the answer: thin with laquer thinner and be shure to mix thoroughly.
Oh, didn't know the SB had bigger nozzle/needled than the ones you guys own. Perhaps this is the reason he's able to do it. I need something along that range (2mm) so I may give it a try - although Iwata has other cheaper brushes in their line with a 2mm nozzle/needle combo. I've been considering Harder and Steenbeck as well so I guess I'll have to check those out.
Rob
Queensland, Australia
Joined: July 01, 2009
KitMaker: 278 posts
Armorama: 248 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 12:21 AM UTC
Well now that I have cleaned the rubbish out of it, here's my little set up.
It's an old microwave oven which I took off the top and fitted an old kitchen range hood. I also added a shelf and door to hold all my diorama odds and bits. I have no idea the brand of compressor but I got it cheap from the Art Supply shop that I worked at 21 years ago. It was flood damaged so my Boss gave it to me. I recently had to replace the rubber hoses inside as the old ones had perished with age. Thinking of getting a new one because the cooling fan at the back has come loose and flies of after a while, then she overheats and shuts down til its cool again. It has a built in pressure gauge but I have only just started to experiment with different pressures.
My airbrushes are all Badgers. The bottom one is the oldest which I have had for 27 years now. I bought it when I was about 15 and its still going strong. A couple of years ago I bought a heap of spares for the old girl but have used any yet. Back then I just used the canned air then progressed to the tyre tube before getting the compressor. So I have two Badger 200's and a Badger 360. Bought the newer ones of Ebay from the US.
So thats mine now.
Cheers, John
I'm not a Tanker, I'm better than that. I'm Cavalry.
#057
Bayern, Germany
Joined: May 11, 2010
KitMaker: 248 posts
Armorama: 119 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 08:22 PM UTC
Gotta love the far right inspirational sticker on the fan housing!
@Rob: Is there any reason why you want a Kustom Micron? I've used the HP-cri and the HP B+ for many years now, never had ANY issue whatsoever and I still haven't reached the price tag of your dream brush with the both of them.
If considering performance: maybe look at my M4A3E2 Jumbo in the Sherman campaign. Did that with the tapered 0.25 nozzle/needle on my cri (which is the biggest I have) and it doesn't look like I slapped on the paint with a broom methinks.
If thou art pained by any external thing, it is not this that disturbs thee, but thy own judgment about it.
Marcus Aurelius
Maryland, United States
Joined: April 18, 2006
KitMaker: 1,794 posts
Armorama: 1,431 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 28, 2011 - 04:11 PM UTC
Quoted Text
@Rob: Is there any reason why you want a Kustom Micron? I've used the HP-cri and the HP B+ for many years now, never had ANY issue whatsoever and I still haven't reached the price tag of your dream brush with the both of them.
If considering performance: maybe look at my M4A3E2 Jumbo in the Sherman campaign. Did that with the tapered 0.25 nozzle/needle on my cri (which is the biggest I have) and it doesn't look like I slapped on the paint with a broom methinks.
It's not necessarily that I 'dream' about getting a Custom Micron as it is so much that I need an airbrush with a smaller nozzle/needle combo. My HP-CH has a 3mm nozzle/needle and, since I also build lots of aircraft, I'm finding that I need tighter paint patterns for camos and the such. I wanted something in the range of around 1.8 to 2mm size so I thought of the Micron. I did find one Iwata (HP-SB Plus) a/b with side color cup and the 2mm size I've been looking for so I may give it shot.
Thanks,
Rob
#073
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 05, 2002
KitMaker: 2,659 posts
Armorama: 1,512 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 01:23 AM UTC
howdy
added a new one to my collection
the Master G444 set with the .2 .3 and .5mm needles
its an iwata custom clone, I used it once yesterday when I got it and it sprayed very well.
Master G444 set specs Just Your Everyday Average Model Builder
#057
Bayern, Germany
Joined: May 11, 2010
KitMaker: 248 posts
Armorama: 119 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 08:30 PM UTC
Well, Rob, for these purposes get an Iwata HP-B Plus. Can't recomend it enough. Got an 0.2 nozzle/needle assy. But takes a lot of practise thinning paints.
One thing you most definitely got to take into account: the Kustom Micron needs a whole head assembly when the nozzle is damaged, which equals the price of a new Eclipse say.
With all others it's just the nozzle for a few quid.
Also maybe think of not buying a side feeder. They do not react as precisely to pressure adjustments as gravity feeders do.
If thou art pained by any external thing, it is not this that disturbs thee, but thy own judgment about it.
Marcus Aurelius
Maryland, United States
Joined: April 18, 2006
KitMaker: 1,794 posts
Armorama: 1,431 posts
Posted: Monday, May 02, 2011 - 06:33 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Well, Rob, for these purposes get an Iwata HP-B Plus. Can't recomend it enough. Got an 0.2 nozzle/needle assy. But takes a lot of practise thinning paints.
One thing you most definitely got to take into account: the Kustom Micron needs a whole head assembly when the nozzle is damaged, which equals the price of a new Eclipse say.
With all others it's just the nozzle for a few quid.
Also maybe think of not buying a side feeder. They do not react as precisely to pressure adjustments as gravity feeders do.
Great tip. Leo! Didn't even think of that with the side-feed cups.
Rob
California, United States
Joined: April 01, 2002
KitMaker: 4,287 posts
Armorama: 1,867 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 - 06:46 AM UTC
Sorry I'm late to the party guys, been a bit busy here lately. Rob, I understand you want to paint tight camo patterns for a/c. I use an HP-CH for that and can get them down extremely tight. Tight enough for work on 1/144 scale stuff. It's all in the paint. It has to be extremely well mixed to do it, but it can be done. Also make sure your brushes are reallllly clean before doing these tight patterns. Every time I have had issues where I was having splatter or otherwise, I immediately tore my brush all the way down and cleaned it thoroughly. I rarely if ever use my Micron unless I need something that can't be done with the HP-CH or other brushes. As Leo pointed out, fixing those damn things aint cheap....hence the limited use. I might have missed something in all the other posts, but what exactly are you looking for in the brush and what do you look to do with it? My buddy is an Iwata distributor and I can always pick his brain. He know's them inside and out...and he is also a modeler. "Q"
ps. Ditto about the side feeds. Gravity is the way to go....
"Don't fear the night, fear what hunts at night"
#439
Washington, United States
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
Armorama: 289 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 - 07:38 AM UTC
@ Bob, How ever did you convince Mrs. Bob to let you use HER stove top that way.
@ Matt, Agree on gravity, but learned a tough lesson the other day. Bought the cheep Harbor Freight double action brush. It has a cheep gravity cup where the siphon tube is cut off flush with the inside of the cup. Takes a LOT of paint to cover the hole, or you'll never get paint out. Badger cup works WAY better.
Hanger Queens in Waiting:
Monogram 1/72 F8F-1
Corsair the Sky Pirate - 1/72 Ace A-7D
Century Series - Airfix 1/72 F-105G
Anti Shipping - Academy 1/72 PBJ-1D
Academy 1/72 F-84E
California, United States
Joined: April 01, 2002
KitMaker: 4,287 posts
Armorama: 1,867 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 05, 2011 - 12:48 AM UTC
"Don't fear the night, fear what hunts at night"
#073
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 05, 2002
KitMaker: 2,659 posts
Armorama: 1,512 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 05, 2011 - 08:37 AM UTC
Matthew
I think he is talking about one of these...
this one is a badger metal paint cup for a siphon feed...
the tube on the side of the badger one continues down into the bottom of the cup..
and on the cheapo harbor freight version of this item that comes with their "delux airbrush" ... the tube just stops inside the metal cup at the side instead of continueing down into the bottom
so on the badger one you can spray with just a bit of paint into the bottom so that the tube is covered, but in the harbor freight one it looks like you need at least half a cup full of paint in order just to cover up the siphon that enters the wall just in order to start spraying...
i've never really found much use for the metal cups myself.. afraid i'll drop em or spill the paint out of em.... lol
Just Your Everyday Average Model Builder
barkingdigger
Associate Editor#013
England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: June 20, 2008
KitMaker: 3,981 posts
Armorama: 3,403 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 08, 2011 - 09:07 AM UTC
Seein' as others are posting pics, here is some more "airbrush porn" for your enjoyment! I've got a nice little portable set-up based on an Expo spray booth, a no-brand 1/8hp compressor with valve & water trap, and an Airbrush Co G35 double-action brush. The whole lot gets put away so the folding table can serve as a work desk.
The two most important parts of the whole thing are the Sparmax cleaning pot (a real godsend...) and the foam-lined cardboard "warhammer" box that holds my Tamiya paints!
I only shoot acrylics (Tamiya and Pollyscale, with some Micro-gloss too), and find that most of the time the guage is set around 15psi.
Tom
"Glue, or Glue Not - there is no Dry-Fit" - Yoda (original script from Return of the Jedi...)
Removed by original poster on 05/13/11 - 17:40:09 (GMT).
Washington, United States
Joined: September 21, 2010
KitMaker: 1,846 posts
Armorama: 1,509 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - 05:02 PM UTC
Here you go gentlemen, its not pretty but it works. I am currently using a Paasche H model that I have had since I was 16. It is a work horse and does well for what I have tasked it to over the years. I recently purchased a Paasche VL double action but ahve yet to bust it out. I also have an Iwata knock off on the way and hopefully it will fill the fine detail role. Cheers.
The "ghetto spray booth" (soon to be upgraded)
And the beast that drives it all. The really nice part is the roll out spring up shelf that it rests on. ANd it all sits neatly behind a cabinet door on the desk. . . .
On the workbench:
Trumpeter Faun SLT 56
Tamiya A- 10 1/48
Academy 1/700 USS KITTY HAWK
Queensland, Australia
Joined: July 01, 2009
KitMaker: 278 posts
Armorama: 248 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 22, 2011 - 04:04 PM UTC
Wow Damon. The shelf makes up for the "ghetto spray booth". That is so cool. Did it come with the desk or did you make it? I wish I had something like that. It would make servicing my compressor so much easier.
One question for everyone. I have seen the airbrush cleaning pots but I don't know exactly what they are for? Do you spray your waste cleaning fluid into it? And if so can you reuse it again?
I have been tempted to buy one but because I don't know much about them I have refraind.
John
I'm not a Tanker, I'm better than that. I'm Cavalry.
Louisiana, United States
Joined: March 06, 2010
KitMaker: 3,128 posts
Armorama: 2,959 posts
Posted: Monday, May 23, 2011 - 03:52 AM UTC
@Mark D.;
[quote]@ Bob, How ever did you convince Mrs. Bob to let you use HER stove top that way.
[quote]
"A guy does what a guy has to do!" Which can be FUN!
Ever hear the song "I believe in Miracles" done by Hot Chocolate? Go to YouTube... There's this video featuring a mouse...!
My Mrs is rather saintly and tolerant and my "ghetto booth" is really portable... it comes out only when the Mrs is out of the kitchen, and goes away without any fuss whenever she wants to hit the range. And I make darned sure that there is NO PAINT left anywhere! The blow-back from a fox-paws like THAT would make Mr. Bessemer feel humbled!
Squeak!
Bob
#439
Washington, United States
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
Armorama: 289 posts
Posted: Monday, May 23, 2011 - 04:20 PM UTC
It's been a while. Here's the two paint cups. The copper colored interior belongs to the Chinese version. You can see hoe the opening is much higher and larger than in the Badger cup.
Here's the brush itself. Used it last night for the first time. Had the needle pulled too far out so that paint flowed whenever the trigger was pushed down, pulling it back didn't have much effect.
The cups are more siphon than gravity feed. It's just easier to keep the tube covered with paint than in a regular siphon bottle.
One other issue, as sold, they have a 3/16" thread and only have a hose barb for the supply line. Harbor Freight also carries a 6' supply line that includes a 3/16 to 1/4" adapter so it'll connect to my compressor.
Hanger Queens in Waiting:
Monogram 1/72 F8F-1
Corsair the Sky Pirate - 1/72 Ace A-7D
Century Series - Airfix 1/72 F-105G
Anti Shipping - Academy 1/72 PBJ-1D
Academy 1/72 F-84E
barkingdigger
Associate Editor #013
England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: June 20, 2008
KitMaker: 3,981 posts
Armorama: 3,403 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 - 07:16 AM UTC
Quoted Text
One question for everyone. I have seen the airbrush cleaning pots but I don't know exactly what they are for? Do you spray your waste cleaning fluid into it? And if so can you reuse it again?
John,
You don't want to recycle cleaning fluid! Think of all the paint-gunk it has in it...
The pot lets me fill the cup with cleaner and shoot it through with no spatter, fumes, or mess. It also helps when I load up the brush and want to get the paint flowing before I spray - I can shoot paint into the pot rather than at a bit of cardboard. Finally, it's a great place to park the brush when I need two hands - like when filling the cup.
When I'm done I take the pot away and tip it out before rinsing with soapy water.
Tom
"Glue, or Glue Not - there is no Dry-Fit" - Yoda (original script from Return of the Jedi...)
Washington, United States
Joined: September 21, 2010
KitMaker: 1,846 posts
Armorama: 1,509 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 - 08:50 AM UTC
John, the desk came with the roll out/pop up shelf. It is an old secretary desk and I imagine that it was a typewriter shelf. It is pretty cool and very useful.
Here are some pics of the new spray booth and I just scored a blower (new) for it on ebay (for $28!).
The new booth
The lid is hinged to allow better access and there are handles on the side to allow it to be moved easily.
The booth today, I am getting ready to spray a few items
The original Paasche H that I have had since I was 16, the newwer VL that I bought around the holidays(ebay) and the Iwata CMC+ clone that I just bought and going to shoot with today.
Cheers.
On the workbench:
Trumpeter Faun SLT 56
Tamiya A- 10 1/48
Academy 1/700 USS KITTY HAWK
#439
Washington, United States
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
Armorama: 289 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 - 09:10 AM UTC
I've seen older wooden desks with the pop up typewriter tray, but never a steel one.
Hanger Queens in Waiting:
Monogram 1/72 F8F-1
Corsair the Sky Pirate - 1/72 Ace A-7D
Century Series - Airfix 1/72 F-105G
Anti Shipping - Academy 1/72 PBJ-1D
Academy 1/72 F-84E
