To buy or not to buy? That is the question!

[Ian M]

I am considering getting a new airbrush.
The local pushers here are Iwata or H&S.
I want one that can fine line and cover large areas, either with the same or changeable needles and or nozzles.
I'm not after the most expensive either, just something that will last, is easy to stripdown and clean.

What say the mob?
Mini reviews are more than welcome.

 

[AlanG]

I have an Iwata Revolution CR but i personally think it's a total pain to clean. Sprays very nicely and is great for fine detailing like Luftwaffe mottling. For a much more cover of large areas i have a cheap Chinese 0.5mm airbrush.

I've read that the H&S airbrushes are far easier to clean.

 

[scottie3158]

I have an Iawata eclipse and a H&S both have 0.3 needle and I find they are both good enough for my needs with good coverage and with the needle shroud removed capable of fine lines.

 

[Jim R]

I have an Iwata Revolution BR and a top of the range H&S Infinity CR+ 2 in 1. The Iwata was much cheaper but in my opinion is the better of the two. The H&S is easier to take apart but the Iwata is no problem either. The Iwata seems better made. The Iwata has a 0.3 nozzle and the H&S has a 0.2 and a 0.4. I have had the Iwata for close to 15 years and it has never let me down and it has had everything through it - acrylics, enamels and lacquers. Original needle, nozzle and seals. The H&S is about 5 years old and is also as bought although it has had far less use.
Just my experiences.
Jim

 

[Gern]

I find my H&S Ultra is a doddle to clean and swap needles no tools needed. Phil Flory does a nice review here showing how easy it is:

He tests the spray and gets both thin lines and area coverage.

 

[stillp]

H & S Infinity here too. Very easy to strip - easier than the Chinese cheapos as you don't need a tool for the nozzle.
Pete

 

[Tim Marlow]

I have an Iwatta eclipse side feed. It is a great brush and can be stripped and cleaned in minutes. 0.35 nozz goes as fine as you like, but can cover wider areas when required. I hot rodded mine as described here..

Hot rod Iwatta airbrush

The recent talk of airbrushes led me to thinking about mine. I have had it for a number of years and actually forgot i had modded it….it is an Iwatta Eclipse SBS because I personally don’t like top feed brushes, they are too clumsy for me…..but….. I replaced the tail that came with it with...

www.scale-models.co.uk

It is robust and has no tiny o rings to lose. Hot rodded as it is I can draw the needle straight out the back by simply turning the locking nut.

 

[adt70hk]

Not an expert as am still learning but I have a Sparmax Max 0.4 if you can get them, well under £100 here plus parts are very cheap compared to Iwata.....I recently spent £25 on a 0.3 needle and nozzle for flexibility. I can get surprisingly fine lines even with a 0.4. they also go down to 0.2.

However, I know Tim Marlow swears by his Iwata Eclipse SBS, it's a 0.3mm side load and I think can you buy additional/larger cups for quick paint changes, plus it doesn't have one of those delicate nozzles to break easily. See below.

ATB.

Andrew

Thread 'Hot rod Iwatta airbrush' https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/hot-rod-iwatta-airbrush.37841/

 

[adt70hk]

I have an Iwatta eclipse side feed. It is a great brush and can be stripped and cleaned in minutes. 0.35 nozz goes as fine as you like, but can cover wider areas when required. I hot rodded mine as described here..

Hot rod Iwatta airbrush

The recent talk of airbrushes led me to thinking about mine. I have had it for a number of years and actually forgot i had modded it….it is an Iwatta Eclipse SBS because I personally don’t like top feed brushes, they are too clumsy for me…..but….. I replaced the tail that came with it with...

www.scale-models.co.uk

It is robust and has no tiny o rings to lose. Hot rodded as it is I can draw the needle straight out the back by simply turning the locking nut.

You just beat me to it!!!

 

[Tim Marlow]

Snap…LOL….

 

[Jack L]

I have a H&S (Evolution I think?) and have zero complaints. Easy to use, easy to strip and clean, easy to change between 0.4 and 0.2.

 

[JR]

I've had both Ian an Iawata Neo and H&S ultra and the Infinity .

H&S easy to clean and with the Infinity came the choice of needle and nozzle .The new needles and nozzles are marked so as to save mixing . Something that caused me no end of trouble before they were clearly identifiable.

Iawata Neo cheaper but the nozzle is so small and needs a spanner to change.

 

[AlanG]

Iawata Neo cheaper but the nozzle is so small and needs a spanner to change.

My nozzle on my Iwata Revolution CR needs a spanner to remove/replace/change it too. I think that is the way that Iwata went with all their airbrushes.

If i'm honest, i'm thinking of saving up for a H&S Infinity. It would cover all the bases for my spraying with one brush.

 

[adt70hk]

I've had both Ian an Iawata Neo and H&S ultra and the Infinity .

H&S easy to clean and with the Infinity came the choice of needle and nozzle .The new needles and nozzles are marked so as to save mixing . Something that caused me no end of trouble before they were clearly identifiable.

Iawata Neo cheaper but the nozzle is so small and needs a spanner to change.

My nozzle on my Iwata Revolution CR needs a spanner to remove/replace/change it too. I think that is the way that Iwata went with all their airbrushes.

If i'm honest, i'm thinking of saving up for a H&S Infinity. It would cover all the bases for my spraying with one brush.

I have a Tamiya SuperFine but the main components are all Iwata and have the same small nozzle.... Overcooked it in the early days and so had to by a replacement.

Tim's Eclipse from what I have seen seems to be the only Iwata that doesn't use that system. My Sparmax uses the same system as Iwata.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Mine does come with a spanner to undo the nozzle nut Alan, but I find it works perfectly OK if just hand tightened. It has a sealing O ring which helps. The nozzle itself is tapered and self centering. The big advantage of mine over others I looked at is the easy access you have to the paint path. It really is exceptionally easy to clean.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Ian
Lots of replies but although I'm sure you're a bit wiser I reckon it's still down to "You pays your money and takes your choice."
Jim

 

[Ian M]

At the moment I am leaning toward the H&S 2in1 jobby.
I Have a couple of Badger airbrushes, both good but the seals are knackered and Nowhere here to replace them. (not a DIY job it seems).
I also have a couple of Sparmax. which I am using at the moment.
Hate the fact that I need tools to clean it. Also both the nozzles are past service life. One of them leaks as well. evident by the compressor starting up when not being used and the bubble foam in the crown while and after cleaning.
So I might just have no way around it.

 

[adt70hk]

At the moment I am leaning toward the H&S 2in1 jobby.

I also have a couple of Sparmax. which I am using at the moment.
Hate the fact that I need tools to clean it. Also both the nozzles are past service life. One of them leaks as well. evident by the compressor starting up when not being used and the bubble foam in the crown while and after cleaning.

Ian

I get that bubbling too sometimes with my Sparmax I get round it with a bit of PTFE tape or bees wax. Not ideal though but didn't want to fork out a huge about of money on something when I first got an AB.

Will be very interested to hear how you go if you go down the H&S route.

The video Dave shared shows it does seem easier clean, in fact Tim's Iwata uses a similar nozzle system to H&S.

Good luck with your hunt.

ATB.

Andrew

 

[Bugatti Fan]

Ian you can get Badger spares in the UK. Try Badger UK and this should find the distributor.
Have you thought about Badger themselves in Franklyn Illinois USA for your spares? They are still going strong!
I was looking on their own website only last week for parts for my 100XF airbrush dating back to the seventies. And had what I wanted for it.
They have a comprehensive list of spares on their site

 

[Ian M]

Ian you can get Badger spares in the UK. Try Badger UK and this should find the distributor.
Have you thought about Badger themselves in Franklyn Illinois USA for your spares? They are still going strong!
I was looking on their own website only last week for parts for my 100XF airbrush dating back to the seventies. And had what I wanted for it.
They have a comprehensive list of spares on their site

All the places I found say 'the unit must be sent to an authorised repair centre ' to have the seals changed. Sending it to the US or the UK for that matter ain't going to happen.