My Badger 350 is pretty much worn out and needs replaced. It's over 25 years old, and its my second one.

I like the simplicity of the single action and external mix but I am getting tired of the graininess when you try to spray different colors abd such. I hear the internal mix airbrushes have a better spray pattern in that regard. Which Badger is better, the Patriot, or the Anthem? And with these types of airbrushes would I still be able to spray Tamiya paints unthinned as I can in my 350?

I may just get another Badger 350 if these internal mix airbrushes are more picky/finicky paintwise.

Any input would be appreciated, Thanks

I would really suggest you try an internal mix double action. While it may be a little bit of a learning curve, the results will be impressive in terms of what you can do. The Iwata Neo is relatively cheap, and would be a good learning airbrush if you were wanting to take the step.

This particular airbrush, if I read the website right I would need to change my compressor hose and also use a special fluid to clean?

My only advice would be to get an Iwata. I got a Revolution CR with a 0.5 nozzle to do general base coats, and it made a world of difference for me. I also plan on getting an HP-CP with a 0.3 nozzle for detail work. You can't go wrong with an Iwata.. for the price.

Hisham

I use the For Iwata Neo Trn.1. It's the pistol grip version, and I love it. I clean it with whatever solvent my paint requires. Lacquer thinner, turpentine, isopropyl, windex, and water have all been put through the brush. I bought a 9-foot hose that hooks up to any shop compressor. The hose end of the airbrush is just threaded, so there's no special linkage system. There are some reviews of the brush on Youtube.

Best wishes,

Gary

I would suggest a gravity feed internal mix double action airbrush.

You simply will never look back no matter which model you chose from any of the well known brands (Badger, Iwata, Harder and Steenbeck), it will be a significant leap in capability.

Personally my original airbrush was a syphon feed Badger 150, which I used for about 15 years before I replaced it with an Iwata HP-C plus. I now also have a HP-C and a harder and Steenbeck Silverline 2 in 1. All are much better than the syphon feed in terms of controllability and spray quality.

You might need a new hose, depending on whether yours is threaded for Badger. Iwata, Badger and Aztek (the only three manufacturers of which I have experience) all have different airbrush/hose interfaces. However, you can obtain quick release couplings which allow you to use an adaptor on each airbrush to plug into a common fitting on the hose. However, braided air hoses are pretty inexpensive; I think the new one I bought this year from Amazon was under GBP10.

I can't see why an internal mix would require different cleaning fluid as it is the paint that it needs to clean rather than the hardware.

Hi, I agree with Gary. Neo TR-1 pistol grip airbrush it's excellent. Also buy a replacement tip and needle, just in case.
Regards from the south
Ho ho ho

Alvaro

If you want to stick with Badger, the Renegade Krome gets very good reviews, including here on Armorama, I think. It's a gravity-feed, double action brush and I think it might be less expensive than the Iwatas, at least at some sellers. I bought mine from Chicago Airbrush Supply on sale for $105.

Go gravity-feed!

many great and well-reviewed brushes to choose from - no one brush is perfect for everyone. Every new brush wants some specific new fixtures, doo-dads, etc. - and maintenance actions - to be really happy. Just jump in and get the right hoses, quick-connect fittings, regulators and moisture-traps, and appropriate spare needles and nose-pieces, and a good, reliable compressor, and you will be happily off to the gravity races!

My personal satisfaction has come from using a Patriot AB, several Iwata (mostly HC- versions in 0.3 and 0.5mm needle sets) and a GreX T-3 (0.3mm) with swap-in 0.5 needle set. They all do good things and none is absolutely perfect!

Bob

I use to have a Badger 200 for a million years and was happy with it and I could go back and still do OK paint jobs. I have no ill will towards the 200 and it served me well as I learned to model and paint.
I now have an Iwata Revolution with a .5 mm tip and a Hiline C plus with a .3 mm tip and I think I can do anything I see in the armor model magazines. I have picked up 2 Best of Shows using those airbrushes.

I have an Iwata too. It's perfect. If you go to ebay and look for nail art airbrushes, you will find dual action brushes from China for $20 or so. I bought one..it was perfect. I bought four more and they are all perfect. Hard to believe but you don't NEED to spend lots of money for an airbrush anymore. I keep one for clear coats, one for white, one for metallic paints, etc. Buy one and see for yourself. Thank me later

I guess this would depend in how much you'd want to spend on your next airbrush. The 350 is a solid airbrush and pretty cheap. I don't think you'll be able to get an iwata for the same price.

I have to admit, I've been using the 350 FAR more than my iwatas and GSI airbrushes recently. I use it for primer, base coats, and top coats (which is often done for AFV's). It's stupid simple to use and easy to clean which makes it perfect. All the detail work, I go for my other airbrushes.

With regards to spraying tamiya unthinned, it would be possible on internal mix depending on your nozzle size and working pressure (most likely larger nozzle and higher pressure) although it would work better thinned. The 350 is a siphon fed airbrush and usually runs at high pressures and the nozzle included is pretty wide, which is why you can easily spray tamiya without thinning.

The double action internal mix brush that will come closest to handling material like you are used to would probably be an Iwata Hi-Line TH ...



They can be had direct from Japan off ebay for $132 from this seller

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANEST-IWATA-HP-TH-AirBrush-0-5mm-Hi-Line-From-Japan-/181872482849?hash=item2a5871da21:g:rE0AAOSwirZTw8zs

I just bought a pair of them as well as other Iwatas from this seller and always good service ... I have no connection with him

Having said all that, you should not be spraying Tamiya paint directly from the bottle, especially if you want a smooth finish. For one thing, not every bottle has the same viscosity. Different colors have different pigments, meaning different sized particles that make up the pigment, meaning different thinning.

You might find my short airbrush videos helpful...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2_YEoGunu0&list=PLRK4diRzRX1dR1mLnD9HGKdCtl2CxIiy6

Good luck,
Paul