_GOTOBOTTOM
AFV Painting & Weathering
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
Hosted by Darren Baker, Matthew Toms
Best airbrush for the money
pbudzik
Visit this Community
California, United States
Joined: January 12, 2014
KitMaker: 55 posts
Armorama: 47 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 01:54 AM UTC
My post above should have read ... but one thing isn't, and that is that the Paasche H can't compete in finish ...
Pantherfan
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: March 28, 2015
KitMaker: 4 posts
Armorama: 4 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 10:32 AM UTC
WOW!!! thank you all. My brain is going to explode looking through, and researching all of these different kinds of air brushes! I never knew there is so much that is involved with these things.
Erik
bulldawg380
Visit this Community
Georgia, United States
Joined: August 19, 2009
KitMaker: 347 posts
Armorama: 338 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 11:22 AM UTC
All of yall will think I am crazy but just to expirment I bought a master pro series airbrush from TCP Global and compared to the Grex I tried at the AMPS model show in Atlanta last month. Believe it or not as far as the hair thin line I have painted with both I can not tell much difference in the two. The Iwata is not patent protected and the master G48 looks almost identacle to the Iwata HP-B I have not fully tested the G48 out so I could review it but the 52.00 USD compared to 200.00 USD is a huge difference to my wallet and the wife was happier too
tenchu11
Visit this Community
Alaska, United States
Joined: September 25, 2014
KitMaker: 37 posts
Armorama: 20 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 01:52 PM UTC
I'd say Badger 105 patriot
48thscale
Visit this Community
Limburg, Netherlands
Joined: January 31, 2009
KitMaker: 229 posts
Armorama: 109 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 02:58 PM UTC
Enough here for you to get really confused;-)

One thing I miss in these is how they all fit in your hand...
I started out with a H&S Infinity, good brush, didn't like the nozzles with acrylic.

Got a Iwata HP-C, with the watercatcher add-on. Great brush, especially to hold. That watercatcher gives your hand something to hold on to and keep it stable.

Also have a Iwate NEO TN-1, great brush as well. Have a trigger and a grip very easy to work with for longer periods...

Must admit, haven't used my H&S after getting the HP-C...

Paints I use are exclusivley acrylic...better for your health and easier on the smell;-)

pbudzik
Visit this Community
California, United States
Joined: January 12, 2014
KitMaker: 55 posts
Armorama: 47 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2015 - 08:51 PM UTC
Harald, I think you are quite right. How an airbrush fits you is very important. Unfortunately it's very individual and you can't tell until you actually handle it. For myself, If I'm using it for fine details, I don't like a lot of airbrush out front, a mistake I made when I bought my Kustom Micron (an expensive mistake)... the combination of the large paint cup and the MAC valve make for an awkward balance and feel. I should have gone with the CM-B. The HP-C feels much better and I really like feel of the HP-B plus, but there is no lid for the cup, so you can't shake the paint in the cup for mixing.

So I totally agree, ergonomics and functionality are very important.

Paul
denstore
Visit this Community
Skåne, Sweden
Joined: January 05, 2009
KitMaker: 83 posts
Armorama: 69 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2015 - 10:40 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Harald, I think you are quite right. How an airbrush fits you is very important. Unfortunately it's very individual and you can't tell until you actually handle it. For myself, If I'm using it for fine details, I don't like a lot of airbrush out front, a mistake I made when I bought my Kustom Micron (an expensive mistake)... the combination of the large paint cup and the MAC valve make for an awkward balance and feel. I should have gone with the CM-B. The HP-C feels much better and I really like feel of the HP-B plus, but there is no lid for the cup, so you can't shake the paint in the cup for mixing.

So I totally agree, ergonomics and functionality are very important.

Paul


I agree completely. Feel and balance, are quite often overlooked factors. And I made almost the same mistake with my first micron. I bought the CM-C+, only to find out that it felt much to front heavy for my liking. If that had been my only contact with the microns, I would probably never have found out what an excellent tool it can be. Luckily enough, I found a second hand small cup micron at a very reasonable price on e bay. Today a Olympos MP-200A is my preferred micron. It's very short, and almost back heavy.
If you need something as short, but with a lid, the CM-SB is the answer.
panzerbob01
Visit this Community
Louisiana, United States
Joined: March 06, 2010
KitMaker: 3,128 posts
Armorama: 2,959 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2015 - 10:51 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Harald, I think you are quite right. How an airbrush fits you is very important. Unfortunately it's very individual and you can't tell until you actually handle it. For myself, If I'm using it for fine details, I don't like a lot of airbrush out front, a mistake I made when I bought my Kustom Micron (an expensive mistake)... the combination of the large paint cup and the MAC valve make for an awkward balance and feel. I should have gone with the CM-B. The HP-C feels much better and I really like feel of the HP-B plus, but there is no lid for the cup, so you can't shake the paint in the cup for mixing.

So I totally agree, ergonomics and functionality are very important.

Paul


I agree completely. Feel and balance, are quite often overlooked factors. And I made almost the same mistake with my first micron. I bought the CM-C+, only to find out that it felt much to front heavy for my liking. If that had been my only contact with the microns, I would probably never have found out what an excellent tool it can be. Luckily enough, I found a second hand small cup micron at a very reasonable price on e bay. Today a Olympos MP-200A is my preferred micron. It's very short, and almost back heavy.
If you need something as short, but with a lid, the CM-SB is the answer.


Handling, or more specifically, ease and comfort of handling for my older, stiffer hands, is why I bought a GREX! That and those interchangeable cups have lids...

The Iwata HP series are also great in most hands, and I love mine - balance, feel, smooth and sure operation all count!

A test-drive - even if only to hold and dance around with the thing without any paint in it, is everything! Unless you are impatient, waiting to see a display at a show, get some fellow modelers (your club, if you are in one?) to let you fiddle with their "precious", or going into some of the art stores where some of these are sold (I know, maybe not easy to get to one, but if you can... ) before you plunk down serious hard-earned WILL PAY OFF in helping find one that you like to hold. And that's the key to doing well with it - you'll do better if the AB fits the hand and "moves" the way YOU like or want it to, regardless of any of its other features and quality.

Bob
Chrisk-K
Visit this Community
Maryland, United States
Joined: January 09, 2012
KitMaker: 310 posts
Armorama: 294 posts
Posted: Monday, April 06, 2015 - 05:46 AM UTC
I won the following ABs (highest price to lowest)
-Iwata HP B Plus
-H&S Evolution
-Iwata HP-CS
-Iwata HP-CR
-Paasche H

I'd say the HP-CS is the best overall AB. It is arguably the most widely used AB among airbrush artists. If I have to choose only one AB, it'll be the HP-CS.
orangelion03
Visit this Community
California, United States
Joined: March 09, 2013
KitMaker: 176 posts
Armorama: 148 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 - 12:53 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I would recommend going with the cheapest gravity fed, double action brush you can find. You can practice with it until you know what type of spray pattern you want. edit


I have to respectfully disagree. The cheapest gravity feed dbl-action you can find will likely be a troublesome and inconsistent tool that could turn someone off airbrushing for life. They may not be the absolute cheapest around, but some of the lower cost options from the major mfgs will be a better choice for a starter.
orangelion03
Visit this Community
California, United States
Joined: March 09, 2013
KitMaker: 176 posts
Armorama: 148 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 - 12:57 AM UTC
I am a recent convert to a Grex Tritium TG pistol grip and I really like the feel and control I get with a pistol grip device. Iwata now offers a pistol grip in the Neo line, the TRN 1

http://www.amazon.com/Iwata-Medea-NEO-TRN-Trigger-Airbrush/dp/B00HJ777W6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1429127795&sr=8-5&keywords=neo+airbrush
TopSmith
Visit this Community
Washington, United States
Joined: August 09, 2002
KitMaker: 1,742 posts
Armorama: 1,658 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 23, 2015 - 07:06 AM UTC
1. Get an airbrush with several different nozzle and needle sizes.
2. Don't go cheap or overboard on cost. Iwata HP-CS is one of the ones I like for models.
3. Reliability is critical to your sanity.
4. It is with practice at mixing ratios of paint to thinner that solves many of your airbrush performance issues.
5. Learn how air pressure effects your patterns.
6. water/oil filters are a must.
ivanhoe6
Visit this Community
Wisconsin, United States
Joined: April 05, 2007
KitMaker: 2,023 posts
Armorama: 1,234 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 23, 2015 - 11:03 AM UTC
Last week I attended an Airbrush Seminar sponsored by Grex.
I had never used an airbrush before but after a few hours I came home with a nice looking little Spitfire. I was so impressed that I bought the whole set up that Grex has. Compressor, Tritium TG3 AB, multiple cups, regulator with moisture trap, the hose has an adjustable valve to control air pressure on the fly, a how to DVD and a few other items.
About the only thing it didn't give me was the time to use it
Seriously, I know there will be lots of hiccups along the way that can only be overcome thru practice and more practice. But the ease of control on the Grex was like a double action AB with just squeezing a trigger. The only bad thing I can say about the Grex is that the pistol grip seemed small in my hand. But that was such a minor thing.
I bought it direct from the LHS that sponsored the class. I know you can find it cheaper thru Grex and I THINK, Amazon.
All I am going to do is Practice, practice and practice some more. But what ever route you take get a moisture trap!
Good Luck !
Tom
plasticman17
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 12, 2013
KitMaker: 78 posts
Armorama: 52 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 - 02:24 AM UTC
I have a few Masters airbrushes, but they quit on me. Just to get them to shoot paint is almost impossible

I purchased a Iwata Neo and love it, the airbrush is marketed to beginners so I didnt know what to expect, since ive been building models for over 15 years. Neo is perfect for beginners and advanced modelers. And you'll love the price. I'll be sticking with Iwata for now on
Biggles2
Visit this Community
Quebec, Canada
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Monday, May 04, 2015 - 03:41 AM UTC
Why isn't anyone recommending Aztec?? Oh, yeah! Because they're totally overpriced crap!! I've had 3 different Badgers, then an Aztec , now I've got an Iwata Revolution gravity feed. Best all-around airbrush for the bucks. You can go from a pencil-thin line to wide coverage without changing needles. Cleaning and stripping is easy. I swore at my Aztec; now I swear by my Iwata.
spitfire303
Visit this Community
Vendee, France
Joined: December 22, 2006
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
Armorama: 1,406 posts
Posted: Friday, May 08, 2015 - 02:05 AM UTC
Since more than 10 years I use only Sparmax airbrushes (DH102 - 0.2 and DH103 -0.3mm). Very good quality and great value for money.

spit
 _GOTOTOP