Airbrush advice please

[Knightjar]

I think it's finally time to replace my 20 year old Badger 150. There's now a pretty wide choice on the market so I wondered if anyone had any personal recommendations. I use it for spraying everything from lacquers to rubber-based pax paints, but mainly acrylics. I do both wide coverage and fine lining.

Things I like about my Badger -
- Double action
- Comfortable
- Good build quality
- Familiar - I can field-strip and rebuild it blindfold.

Things I don't like -
- Gets clogged quickly
- Fiddly to clean. It is suction feed - is it easier to clean a gravity feed system?
- Trigger mechanism is a pain to reassemble

I remember when I first read about the Aztek brushes I was attracted by the idea of a system that was designed to be quick and easy to clean. However, I've since heard that the build quality and reliability is poor. I don't know if this is still the case with the metal bodied version.

Does anyone have any experience using the trigger-style actuator brushes? They look ergonomic, but do you get the same level of control?

Not too worried about price (within reason) - I don't mind investing a bit in a tool that will serve me well.

Any input, recommendations and personal experiences would be very welcome!

 

[Gigatron]

I've been using Iwatas for the better part of 3 years, now.

Started with an Eclipse BCS (bottom feed), went to a Revolution CR (top feed) and upgraded to an Eclipse CS (top feed with a larger cup).

The Eclipse is like the cadillac of airbrushes - a bit on the pricy side, but runs great and is easy to maintain. I can field strip, clean, oil and rebuild an eclipse in about 2 minutes flat.

The revolution is another great brush and considerably cheaper. Has all the control of the eclipse, but doesn't do fine lines as well as the eclipse does.

And for further reading, see here http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=635


-Fred

 

[Clutch]

Iwata Eclipse. 'Nuff said.

Actually Iwata Eclipse and for the really fine stuff Sotar 20/20 or Iwata Micron.

 

[falcon dude]

if you don't want to spend heap then an Badger Anthem is a good airbrush. Im happy with mine.

 

[hankey01]

if you don't want to spend heap then an Badger Anthem is a good airbrush. Im happy with mine.

Looks like exactlyu what I want..but still too pricey for me.

My cheapo one is useless..clogs with every spray. Maybe diluted acrylics aren't a good idea?

 

[franz bolo]

Iwata's are the best in my opinion. A good workhorse that is less expensive is a Paasche VL.

FB

 

[falcon dude]

Theres one on Ebay for $79 BIN + $9 for shipping. I was lucky I got mine on ebay for $25 plus shipping, dont know why :lol

Looks like exactlyu what I want..but still too pricey for me.

My cheapo one is useless..clogs with every spray. Maybe diluted acrylics aren't a good idea?

 

[hankey01]

Theres one on Ebay for $79 BIN + $9 for shipping. I was lucky I got mine on ebay for $25 plus shipping, dont know why :lol

LUCKY!!!!!

I'll have to watch ebay if I ever get some extra $$. I have to factor in shipping to Canada, exchange rate and darn UPS expediting fees.

 

[stormtrooperguy]

diluted acrylics dry really fast, which is why they clog up. are you thinning with water or something else. if water, i recommend something else, such as:

http://www.dickblick.com/zz020/06i/

or

http://www.dickblick.com/zz020/02d/

and maybe even add a little retarder (slows drying time - haven't tried that myself)

overall, i like suction feed vs. gravity feed, simply because i can hang a large pot of paint off the bottom that way.

i've always used paasche vl or iwata eclipse, but i got a badger anthem a while ago and have been really happy with it.

 

[Robiwon]

Another 150?

I have had mine for about ten years and love it. For bigger jobs I use my 200.

 

[Gigatron]

diluted acrylics dry really fast, which is why they clog up. are you thinning with water or something else. if water, i recommend something else, such as:

http://www.dickblick.com/zz020/06i/

or

http://www.dickblick.com/zz020/02d/

and maybe even add a little retarder (slows drying time - haven't tried that myself)

overall, i like suction feed vs. gravity feed, simply because i can hang a large pot of paint off the bottom that way.

i've always used paasche vl or iwata eclipse, but i got a badger anthem a while ago and have been really happy with it.

Tamiya acrylic thinner (X-20A) has retarder already added. A great product for cleaning out really gunked up acrylic is Gunze Sangyo Mr. Thinner. This stuff eats through acrylic like there's no tomorrow, but doesn't affect the styrene, resin or anything else.

As for gravity vs. bottom, I prefer gravity as it's more versatile. If I'm painting a very large area, a single color, I'll set up the BCS. But most other times, it's the CS as I can go from very wide area to hair-thin lines without changing a thing. But it's just a matter or personal taste.

-Fred

 

[Knightjar]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. I think I'm leaning toward the Eclipse HP-CS. Although the Badger Anthem looks to be around the same price, and it's tempting to stick with a familiar brand.

diluted acrylics dry really fast, which is why they clog up. are you thinning with water or something else. if water, i recommend something else, such as:
http://www.dickblick.com/zz020/06i/

I thin acrylics with Liquitex Airbrush Medium rather than water, I think it's a pretty similar product - you're right, it's a big improvement over water.

 

[zorg]

i use a revell pro airbrush.

how does that rate:unsure?

it does what i need it for and i can strip and rebuild it in the dark

the bottle at the bottom does get in the way sometimes though.

z