Jihocesky Kraj, Czech Republic
Joined: March 31, 2012
KitMaker: 280 posts
Armorama: 274 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 01:24 AM UTC
My trusty stable of very old camel hair and sable brushes..after decades of battle...is showing signs of the end of their respective service lives drawing near..
Before I left for Europe, I visited about every known hobby and craft store I could find and the result was shocking and disappointing. Lots of synthetic brushes of Chinese origin. These do not paint well.
Who has very high quality sable and camel hair brushes, in the rather small sizes one would use for scale models? Website links appreciated..
Massachusetts, United States
Joined: May 05, 2002
KitMaker: 8,074 posts
Armorama: 3,293 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 01:29 AM UTC
Wings & Wheels Modelers-IPMS
"Whatever your hands find to do
You must do with all your heart."
From "Through Your Hands" by John Hiatt
Jihocesky Kraj, Czech Republic
Joined: March 31, 2012
KitMaker: 280 posts
Armorama: 274 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 01:37 AM UTC
That's a start....but any BRAND you have experience with? And anyone use squirrel hair?? Sounds interesting..
South Carolina, United States
Joined: May 07, 2010
KitMaker: 2,238 posts
Armorama: 2,158 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 01:56 AM UTC
Dick Blick sells the Winsor&Newton Series 7 brushes which are the best in my experience.
I use Rounds and Brights (short bristles) for oil and enamel paints and Liners (long bristles) for acrylics.
Blick's prices are very good. Their service is excellent. While you're browsing, check out the Gamblin Artist Dry Pigments. You have to mix your own colors, but the prices are very good compared to proprietary "weathing" pigments.
HTH,
Mike Roof
AMPS #1632
Chapter Contact
AMPS Central SC
Visit us at http://www.ampscentralsouthcarolina.org
United States
Joined: August 30, 2010
KitMaker: 749 posts
Armorama: 521 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 05:35 AM UTC
Quoted Text
My trusty stable of very old camel hair and sable brushes..after decades of battle...is showing signs of the end of their respective service lives drawing near..
Before I left for Europe, I visited about every known hobby and craft store I could find and the result was shocking and disappointing. Lots of synthetic brushes of Chinese origin. These do not paint well.
Who has very high quality sable and camel hair brushes, in the rather small sizes one would use for scale models? Website links appreciated..
. And I just went on e bay to get some of those Chinese brushes to apply pigments and mr surfacer . They were cheap and I figure I would prolong the life of the more expensive brushes . You also try eBay they do have the sable brushes, Winsor and newtons with free shipping.
Jihocesky Kraj, Czech Republic
Joined: March 31, 2012
KitMaker: 280 posts
Armorama: 274 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 05:44 AM UTC
I use the Chinese brushes for dirty work...mud, dirt, grit, gunk and goo..but to paint, i'm spoiled on pure sable..smooth as silk.
Watch the Windsor Newton stuff, I've read some of them are 50/50 mix of sable and synthetic. No good for me..
United States
Joined: August 30, 2010
KitMaker: 749 posts
Armorama: 521 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 05:59 AM UTC
They sell the Winsor and newtons at AC Moore here, price is pretty good but they can not say if they are real or synthetic . I suspect they are synthetic because they start to curl at the tips a lot sooner .
France
Joined: January 14, 2013
KitMaker: 208 posts
Armorama: 208 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 06:09 AM UTC
Raphael 6404, high quality, with the 0 you can paint mostly everything, even eye balls
Texas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2010
KitMaker: 5,854 posts
Armorama: 4,817 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 06:53 AM UTC
I'm not sure if they are made in house or not, but Andrea's Kolinsky sable brushes are pretty good.
http://www.andreadepotusa.com/en/4/complements/404/andrea-brushes.html.html?p=1 South Carolina, United States
Joined: May 07, 2010
KitMaker: 2,238 posts
Armorama: 2,158 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 07:16 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I use the Chinese brushes for dirty work...mud, dirt, grit, gunk and goo..but to paint, i'm spoiled on pure sable..smooth as silk.
Watch the Windsor Newton stuff, I've read some of them are 50/50 mix of sable and synthetic. No good for me..
Like most brush makers, W&N offers several lines of brushes that vary in quality and price. The Series 7 brushes are pure Kolinski sable.
Mike Roof
AMPS #1632
Chapter Contact
AMPS Central SC
Visit us at http://www.ampscentralsouthcarolina.org
England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: October 15, 2012
KitMaker: 568 posts
Armorama: 561 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 09:12 AM UTC
Personally I like the spring in a decent quality nylon synthetic brush for acrylics/oils
On the bench: Dragon flakvierling with armoured cab + AM Works PE
In the stash: Dragon Jagdpanther + AM Works PE
Dragon Panzer IV Ausf J + voyager jumbo PE
Tamiya B2 Bis - Flammenwerfer mod
ICM Henschel 33D1 + Dragon sFH18
Tamiya Tiger 1
Arkansas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 09:22 AM UTC
I use mainly Windsor and Newton red sable brushes. I keep them looking new by coating them with a drop of oil. Rinse in paint thinner, before every use. After you clean them, coat them with another drop of oil. I have a couple that have undergone continuous used, for two and a half years. They still look and paint like new.
Ideals are peaceful. History is violent.
Texas, United States
Joined: July 05, 2002
KitMaker: 717 posts
Armorama: 621 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 10:31 AM UTC
Matt-
What type of oil do you use for your brushes?
Thanks,
JimF
The impractical we ignore right away, the impossible we bill by the hour...
England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: May 23, 2010
KitMaker: 642 posts
Armorama: 593 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 10:41 AM UTC
Hi Gary,
You could try this company...
http://www.jacksonsart.com/Art_Departments-A-Z_All_Departments-Artist_Brushes/c2129_2128_1083/index.html I have used them a lot and they are reliable. There is a massive range of watercolour brushes at all prices and qualities. I would recommend DaVinci and Escoda, which I use, Winsor and Newton and Raphael are good brands too.
Escoda, good price and an excellent brush, buy some brush soap and these will last ages...
http://www.jacksonsart.com/Art_Departments-A-Z_All_Departments-Artist_Brushes-Watercolour_Brushes-Escoda_Reserva_Kolinsky-Tajmyr_Sable_Series_1212_Round/c2129_2128_1083_1218_34677/index.html DaVinci, Rolls Royce of brushes in my opinion, a bit dearer, you get what you pay for...
http://www.jacksonsart.com/Art_Departments-A-Z_All_Departments-Artist_Brushes-Watercolour_Brushes-Da_Vinci_Maestro_Kolinsky_Sable_Series_35_Round/c2129_2128_1083_1218_29672/index.html Windsor and Newton, good quality, although I have had some where the point split up and were useless for anything after...
http://www.jacksonsart.com/Art_Departments-A-Z_All_Departments-Artist_Brushes-Watercolour_Brushes-Winsor_&_Newton_Series_7_Brushes/c2129_2128_1083_1218_29807/index.html Raphael, very nice brushes, my second choice next to DaVinci, not cheap though...
http://www.jacksonsart.com/Art_Departments-A-Z_All_Departments-Artist_Brushes-Watercolour_Brushes-Raphael_Paris_Series_8404_Kolinsky_Red_Sable/c2129_2128_1083_1218_29757/index.html There are lots of others to check out and I could recommend some more, but I think I have covered those that may be of interest to you. Hope this helps.
All the best,
Paul
United States
Joined: August 30, 2010
KitMaker: 749 posts
Armorama: 521 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 11:05 AM UTC
What would you recommend for the lacquer base paints, brush type ?
England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: May 23, 2010
KitMaker: 642 posts
Armorama: 593 posts
Posted: Friday, August 09, 2013 - 12:33 AM UTC
Hi Edmund,
If you mean lacquer as in car type paints then I would definitely NOT use sable, acrylic paint destroys them unless you wash them with brush soap so lacquer based paints will certainly make a mess of them. Have a look at the Prolene and synthetics in the ranges, I am sure you will find something that will suit.
All the best,
Paul
Arkansas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Friday, August 09, 2013 - 08:13 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Matt-
What type of oil do you use for your brushes?
Thanks,
JimF
I have used honing oil and ab needle oil. Really, any kind of oil is acceptable. However, I would not recommend using the stuff you cook with.
Ideals are peaceful. History is violent.
Maine, United States
Joined: February 11, 2011
KitMaker: 1,654 posts
Armorama: 1,565 posts
Posted: Friday, August 09, 2013 - 08:25 AM UTC
The Winsor and Newton Sceptre Gold II brushes are a sable/synthetic mix. They work O.K. for me, BUT I don't have any 100% sable brushes to compare them to. Jeff T.
The building lamp is lit.Build'em if you got'em.
United States
Joined: August 30, 2010
KitMaker: 749 posts
Armorama: 521 posts
Posted: Friday, August 09, 2013 - 08:33 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Edmund,
If you mean lacquer as in car type paints then I would definitely NOT use sable, acrylic paint destroys them unless you wash them with brush soap so lacquer based paints will certainly make a mess of them. Have a look at the Prolene and synthetics in the ranges, I am sure you will find something that will suit.
All the best,
Paul
. I mean the Tamiya and the Mr Hobby / Mr Color lacquers . I thin the tamiya acrylics with the lacquer and after a while the tips of the brushes starts to curl , this the sable brushes, I tried synthetics and they did not last at all.
Jihocesky Kraj, Czech Republic
Joined: March 31, 2012
KitMaker: 280 posts
Armorama: 274 posts
Posted: Friday, August 09, 2013 - 08:46 AM UTC
I use Testors pretty much exclusively, the old school Testors Enamel and Testors Model Master Enamel. I know in Europe, I run into a LOT of miscommunication because they just don't call paints or thinners by the same names. In the US, if it's Enamel, it's a petroleum based hard finish paint that reduces or thins with mineral spirits, that you can paint onto about anything. An Acrylic Enamel is water based, flexible/soft finish and thins with water, but needs primers for plastics and metals. A Laquer is a petroleum base hard finish also, needs primers, and thins with laquer thinner/acetone base. Over here in Europe I find the Enamels labeled as "Synthetic" and the thinners require a minor degree in chemistry to understand, so I've been in the learning curve since moving to Czech. Point is, my brushes live in that environment...enamel, mineral spirits. Camel hair was once the ideal brush material, but not apparently in fashion anymore. Sable works well for me, if pure sable. Price is no object, I'll pay to get the very best without hesitation.
England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: May 23, 2010
KitMaker: 642 posts
Armorama: 593 posts
Posted: Friday, August 09, 2013 - 09:38 AM UTC
Hi Gary,
Go for the DaVinci, you won't be disappointed.
All the best,
Paul
Maine, United States
Joined: February 11, 2011
KitMaker: 1,654 posts
Armorama: 1,565 posts
Posted: Friday, August 09, 2013 - 10:31 PM UTC
Does anyone have any experience with Floquil brushes?
The building lamp is lit.Build'em if you got'em.
Skåne, Sweden
Joined: January 05, 2009
KitMaker: 83 posts
Armorama: 69 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 11:48 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Gary,
Go for the DaVinci, you won't be disappointed.
All the best,
Paul
I'll second that. Great brushes. IMHO better than W&N Series 7, which used to be my weapon of choice.
European Union
Joined: October 10, 2012
KitMaker: 45 posts
Armorama: 36 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 12:59 PM UTC
After wasting some money for many useless brushes, i only buy now from :
Rosemary and Co in the UK.
They're quite cheap and very good for all your paints. Highly recommended
