Okay we all know that the Chinese airbrush copies are very cheap but simply don't match the quality and performance of the originals.

But what is the opinion here of less critical parts like

Quick Release Connectors
Quick Release Tails
External MAC Valves
Quick Release Connectors with built-in air control valves

These are typically 20-25% the price of what you will pay from an airbrush store.

In fact if look at the airbrush stores, the components they sell are still usually unbranded but at 4 times the price.

Cheers,

Nigel

Completely off topic (sorry Nigel, this is a bit of a pet peeve of mine, nothing personal), but another relevant question would be: Are absolutely all Chinese airbrushes actually copies? Why is the word "copy" so often in the same sentence as "Chinese"?

It is certainly an assumption that gets thrown around a lot that Chinese products = copies, much more often than : perhaps they actually developed a product at a cheaper price without actually copying anyone.

Airbrush parts look pretty much the same when you pull them apart (choice of material is usually what distinguishes the good from the bad). Does that mean that all manufacturers have copied eachother?

Sure, a lot pf products are plagiarized in China, and in many other countries for that matter. It does not mean that everything they develop is a copy.

I guess it depends on what you're happy with. In my experience, stuff from China is not finished as well, tolerances are sloppier, wall thickness is thinner, and with material quality issues and on and on. Does it work, probably ... but it's seldom anything that I'm proud to own. Just my 2p.

Paul

I would agree with Paul, I purchased a .2mm Chinese made no name Airbrush for like $40 and and it simply doesn't have the quality of my Iwata .30mm AB. However, I must say compared to my Paasche Velocity AB the Chinese AB is hands down the winner in spray quality and material finish. Perhaps it's because they cognized the design from the Iwata equivalent or Sparmax not sure. This cheapo Chinese AB sprays very nicely and to be honest doesn't clog i.e. back flow paint, as bad as the Paasche and is only marginally worse than the Iwata. I just have the opinion that you don't need to spend $200-300 on a Harder and Steenbeck AB to get great results.

As for accessories, my experience has been hit and miss. I purchased a Chinese made quick disconnect and it leaked air like a sieve. The second one I got with my Cheapo AB and she works like a charm.

@Sven - I'd be happy to stand by the word copy when it comes to airbrushes. Not that every component has been copied but that the exterior has clearly been designed to look like famous branded ABs. I appreciate that it would be difficult to design an AB that doesn't look like an AB but I think most of the chinese ABs go the extra distance to look like a famous brand.

@Paul - it not so much that I don't want to spend the money. But let's take a quick release connector with air control. I can get one of eBay for £3 or £4 delivered. If I mail order from an airbrush centre it will cost me nearer £20. That would be fine if that were an Iwata, but it isn't, they are still unbranded parts, probably from China and and just sold loose or in a unmarked plastic bag. So I'm wondering whether they are any different to what I could buy on eBay for a few quid.

Cheers,

Nigel

Nigel, not sure what to say. I order from Coast Airbrush here in the US. An Iwata diconnect set (disconnect and male connector) ... individually packed in Iwata Packaging (Iwata Hologram on package) $11 US. Doesn't make much sense to save $5 for something that I'll probably have forever. So I obviously don't know UK availability and cost, but if it is genuine Iwata, it doesn't come bulk in a plastic bag.

Now there is no magic about Iwata parts, but there probably is a better consistency of manufacture. Finally, how many of these accessories are you going to be buying and how often do they need to be replaced. I still use hoses, disconnects, regulators etc that I've had for 30 years. My old Passche F is nearly 50 years old (not that I've used it for a loonnng time), but I think it is worth considering when you really analyze the "economy" of purchasing proper tools. Especially compare the cost of many modern kits and all the aftermarket junk that so many modelers go gaga for.

Paul