Hey Guys:
I need a new airbrush, which is better? BADGER CRESCENDO 175, Badger 150, PAASCHE VL,,Iwata Revolution BCR,
I know this is a tough question , but a little input from users would help alot.




Thanks
Slug

While I don't have experience with the particular airbrushes you mention, I must say that I love both of my Iwata airbrushes (HP-B and Eclipse CS). I have used a Paasche VSR90+, and it was in no way a match for either of my Iwatas. However, the Badger airbrushes and the VL are industry standards, and have legions of devotees. I doubt you could go wrong with any of the airbrushes you list.
Perhaps more important than the brand is the choice between bottle fed as opposed to gravity feed. The only advantage the bottle feed airbrushes have is their ability to do quick color changes by swapping paint bottles. The downsides are they are more difficult to clean, use more paint, and are not as efficient when using low pressure. Once I started using gravity feed, I knew I would never go back to siphon feed.

For ease of Cleaning...... Go with a Gravity feed.... Most

I've used: Paasche H,

Paasche VL and a Iwata HP-C (the current one)

The Paashe's take a bit longer to clean (because of the bottles)

Thanks Alot guys:
Youve made my decision as clear as XF-63 :-)
Actually I think Ive decided on a Iwata HP-CR, seems to be a good all around good brush. (Tell me now if this is no good, cause I'm using a "buy now" this evening)

Cheers and happy spraying

Slug

well, ive only had an aztek and a badger, but can only say good about my 150!

Frank

I do Love my Iwata HP-C.........

I would personally go with a gravity feed brush as well, I have an older Aztec 4709 that I have had for about a year, and I am just starting to get the hang of it, the more I use it, the more I love it.

I would love to get my hands on a Badger 360 to give it a whirl to see if I liked it....it can be switched from gravity feed to siphon feed just by turning the head of the AB. Not sure how well it works.

Buddy of mine just picked up an Iwata HP??? The one that sprays the really, really, really fine lines. Used, but like new for like $60.....CANADIAN!!!! What a steal!!

Changed my mine again,( this is worse than buying a new car).
I bought a new IWATA HP-C $94US . Now for the big WAIT. I 've got a schwimmwagen waiting for paint, and I'm not risking it to the old cheap one I have.

Thanks for your input guys, it tweaked my decision alot.

Cheers
Bruce

You made a wise decision. The other Iwata airbrush you were considering has a .5mm nozzle/needle, while the HP-C has a .3mm combination. That makes quite a difference in terms of how fine the airbrush will spray. The HP-C is a very versatile instrument, enjoy!

I use both an Aztec 470 and an Iwata HP-C. The Aztec is by far the workhorse - and easier to clean, but when precision is needed nothing compares to the HP-C.

I've never met an airbrush I didn't like.... except aztec's..... :-) :-) :-) ....... As for easy cleaning.... you can't get easier than a top feeder..... any brand.....
I use the following, and are my honest opinions of each.
Iwata HP-B.... excellent for fine spraying.... .2 tip, don't think they get any smaller than that, but I certainly don't expect it to do anything other than very fine work. Easy to clean. Parts are expensive, and usually not found at your average hobby shop. Tips run about 30 bucks, needles around 12. Has excellent balance and feel to it.

Paasche VSR90.... a good general all round top feeder, works good with all mediums, and has two size tips, fine and large, and two size cups, small and large..... fairly easy to clean.... Parts are cheap, and available most places. Tips and needles average around 5 bucks each. Has good balance and heffty feel, and can feel heavy if you are doing a prolonged spraying session. Also the changeable top cup sizes have a habit of coming lose if not poperly seated.

Badger 150..... the old standard.... first airbrush I ever bought, used the original for 30 years, never had a problem or major repair. Passed it on to a fellow modeller when I bought a new one this year, and the only reason I bought a new one, was an unbelievable price at a store closing. Comes with three head sizes, and once you learn which size to use for the needed job, will cover most modelling needs. Newer models come with the crown end piece allowing closer working distance. (use to be a separate part to buy). Parts are readly available, and affordable, tips are around 5 bucks, needles about 5 bucks, and a complete new head assembly about 15 bucks. Being a bottom feeder, they are a little harder to clean, but once you master the cleaning, they take only a few minutes to clean. Has a good balance and feel, and can order a brass (heavier rear barrel for better balance) Can be set for single action by simply adjusting small screw on top by trigger. Can use color cups and larger bottles. Both need to be properly seated for tight seal, and so the don't leak or fall out.

My personal favorite......
My badger 100G...... just about anythng I can do with my Iwata HP-B I can do with this brush, PLUS change the head and needle in the middle of a spraying session from a fine to a medium, or a medium to a fine (Of course I have to dump the color cup first)
Uses the same heads, tips, needles as my 150, so cost wise and spare parts are well covered. Super easy to clean, well balance.

hey dave, is the 100 more expensive than the 150? around how much in the states? Since i need new needles and tips for my 150 and they use the same ones id make a good buy! :-) i see on the site that the have the hg and ss and this other one i think, whats the diiference? they have 3 kinds of 100!!!

Frank

What didn't you like about the Aztec? I love mine, and wouldn't give it up for anything. I have used Badgers, Pasche, Aztec and the Iwata. By far the Aztec was the best bang for the buck, but not great for superfine work with acrylics.

OK... Frank.....
If you look you see they are the same, except for the size of the top cup, except for the 100SF, which mounts the color cup on the side. I use a 100G since the size of the color cup (built in on top) suits my needs. The larger cup is too large and wasteful for my needs, and the smaller color cup is too small for my needs. OH you don't need the "Bakery Model" Price wise shop around on line, and compare, and remember to check to see what you are getting exactly in the package... are both heads included with the 100G, or only the fine or medium??? Are all three heads included with the 150 or only 1 or 2????? The cheaper packages usually only contain one head.

As for my disliking Aztecs.... :-) :-) :-) Had two, gave both away...... didn't serve my purposes for airbrushing. Some people love them, others hate them..... I fall inbetween..... too light, for me to get a feel for them, and I'm not going to pay all that money for a metal one, when I can buy a better airbrush, for the same price. I don't think I'll be running out to buy a third Aztec in the near future..... :-) :-) :-) :-) OH the two guys I gave them to.... one gave it away also, one still uses his.........

Hi, all,
I've just ordered an Iwata HP-C at a good Canadian price, though not as good as Scott's friend.. Thanks for everyone's input on this topic, I think that I'm getting a versatile, easy to clean, dual action, gravity feed airbrush whose parts are expensive to replace. This is replacing my trusty Aztec that met it's demise underfoot a large fellow building a model! Time to upgrade, says the large fellow, and soon I can paint again. Cheers!
Mike

I had an Aztek the plastic one in the wooden box that thing drove me crazy for six months clogged all the time was to light and when i bought it i paid about $129, now its in the garbage, that was 3 years ago i now have 3 iwata aibrushes love them all HB-BCS .5 needle good for larger work, HB-SB side feed .2 needle good for detail work and my favorite Custom micron B .18 for super fine detail work.