Purchasing a new airbrush kit

[Guest]

For a beginner, with no experience at all I would go with a cheap airbrush to get a feeling for it.
As for the compressor one with a reservoir is the right choice.


As you gather experience you can change the airbrush to the more expensive ones.


I own an Aztek 470 for about 14 years now, never had any problems with it, but I have some cheap Asian Airbrushes too, and I use them allot with no problems yet and the oldest one (5 years) costed me € 17,00 and still use it.


Cheers Richi

Ugh. No offence mate, but I have had appaling experiences with Aztecs. I find them hard to use, hard to fix and I have had problems with doing free hand camo with those. Maybe for more advanced modellers they at suitable, but definitely not a beginners tool. I know the Australian international modeller Brett Green uses them with excellent results, but definately not for me. It gave a rough gritty finish. The Iwata eclipse, however, can give me very fine lines to very large coverage with a smooth finish. This is why Infeel I should not change the needle set up, nor why it needs a finer needle. The .35 needle is fine for me


Cheers, John

[Guest]

There's a lot of guff on here about airbrushes!


The No. 1 cause of problems ... user error! No different brand of AB will cause spitting, rough finish etc!


And Teflon seals? Where are they in the paint/air mix? Only if there's a seal between the nozzle & body, so if the nozzle screws directly to the airbrush no seals, Teflon or otherwise are needed.


Honestly, while a £100+ AB is great, it's not what a novice should cut their teeth on ... is it?

[Richi72]

but definitely not a beginners tool.

Hi John,


non taken


Maybe it wasn't that clear, I mean to say I got an expensive one (at least it was for me) and a couple of cheap ones and they all preform, but I think it is a question of what am I comfortable with and what do I want to spend, and we are talking about a beginner.


I started with the single action ones from revell and then i bought the Aztec one, and some Asian ones, and maybe I am lucky, but they work for me.


Hope this cleared some points.


Cheers Richi

[john i am]

Airbrushing for beginners arghhhh I remember it well I very testing time for myself personally.Here is my story I hope it aids or assists you Edward .


Exhibit A


After returning to the hobby just over two years ago and being a complete rookie to airbrushing I opted for this set up cost around £80.00 at the time if memory serves correctly.I am sure people have managed to use this set up happily but ooooooo no not me what a miserable time I had anything and everything was going wrong.although I partly blame myself for the lack of experience I still feel this set up wasn't suited to a beginner and feel If I went back to it now after 2 years then I would still have problems with it.


[ATTACH]104665.IPB[/ATTACH]



Exhibit B


Thinking my problems might be down to the two airbrushes supplied in the compressor package I went and purchased these two in gold very blingy and cheap as chips but alas not my saviour still suffering all kinds of problems[ATTACH]104664.IPB[/ATTACH]



Exhibit C


Next up I moved into the premier league of airbrushes as I thought at the time £30.00 from one of those airbrush stands at the Cosford show but horror of all horror on my return home I found that it didn't work and still doesn't to this day after numerous strip downs and investigations omg the frustrations were really building at this point was just about ready to throw in the towel on my return to modelling I mean I was supposed to be relaxing and enjoying myself!!![ATTACH]104663.IPB[/ATTACH]



Exhibit D


Then I saw the light an iwata for £45.00 the dogs dangly bits of airbrushes surely this would be the one to make me into a pro air brusher.............. Wrong after suffering blow back syndrome to many times I care to mention it was sent back from were it came and later returned in perfect working order but by now I had lost all faith in it . So off it went to sit with all the other offending brushes in the cupboard.I have also learned this is not exactly an iwata as stated on the tin/box but just a company (somewhere in china?)given licence to use iwatas name [ATTACH]104662.IPB[/ATTACH]



Exhibit E


I eventually was reduced to the fact that I was never going to be a airbrushing modeller.But because I've never been one to give up on anything I decided one more throw of the dice was required.So I went for something expensive a real iwata airbrush and compressor but they were worth every penny as I was soon to discover as it was only as I can describe as plug and play airbrushing worked 1st time and every time perfectly no issues or problems whatsoever to date.I am sure people have and can make these airbrushes and compressors from china work but my personal opinion put them on the 1st available spaceship and send them into orbit.To all beginners I recommend that you go out and get yourselves a quality branded airbrush and compressor as having the right tool for the job in hand is half the battle ask any professional tradesman.Good luck Edward I hope all goes well for you please remember this is just my story and opinion others are available cheers John [ATTACH]104661.IPB[/ATTACH]

.

Exhibit F [ATTACH]104660.IPB[/ATTACH]

[aaron]

Airbrushing for beginners arghhhh I remember it well I very testing time for myself personally.Here is my story I hope it aids or assists you Edward .
Exhibit A


After returning to the hobby just over two years ago and being a complete rookie to airbrushing I opted for this set up cost around £80.00 at the time if memory serves correctly.I am sure people have managed to use this set up happily but ooooooo no not me what a miserable time I had anything and everything was going wrong.although I partly blame myself for the lack of experience I still feel this set up wasn't suited to a beginner and feel If I went back to it now after 2 years then I would still have problems with it.


[ATTACH]114908[/ATTACH]


Exhibit B


Thinking my problems might be down to the two airbrushes supplied in the compressor package I went and purchased these two in gold very blingy and cheap as chips but alas not my saviour still suffering all kinds of problems[ATTACH]114907[/ATTACH]


Exhibit C


Next up I moved into the premier league of airbrushes as I thought at the time £30.00 from one of those airbrush stands at the Cosford show but horror of all horror on my return home I found that it didn't work and still doesn't to this day after numerous strip downs and investigations omg the frustrations were really building at this point was just about ready to throw in the towel on my return to modelling I mean I was supposed to be relaxing and enjoying myself!!![ATTACH]114906[/ATTACH]


Exhibit D


Then I saw the light an iwata for £45.00 the dogs dangly bits of airbrushes surely this would be the one to make me into a pro air brusher.............. Wrong after suffering blow back syndrome to many times I care to mention it was sent back from were it came and later returned in perfect working order but by now I had lost all faith in it . So off it went to sit with all the other offending brushes in the cupboard.I have also learned this is not exactly an iwata as stated on the tin/box but just a company (somewhere in china?)given licence to use iwatas name [ATTACH]114905[/ATTACH]


Exhibit E


I eventually was reduced to the fact that I was never going to be a airbrushing modeller.But because I've never been one to give up on anything I decided one more throw of the dice was required.So I went for something expensive a real iwata airbrush and compressor but they were worth every penny as I was soon to discover as it was only as I can describe as plug and play airbrushing worked 1st time and every time perfectly no issues or problems whatsoever to date.I am sure people have and can make these airbrushes and compressors from china work but my personal opinion put them on the 1st available spaceship and send them into orbit.To all beginners I recommend that you go out and get yourselves a quality branded airbrush and compressor as having the right tool for the job in hand is half the battle ask any professional tradesman.Good luck Edward I hope all goes well for you please remember this is just my story and opinion others are available cheers John [ATTACH]114904[/ATTACH].


Exhibit F [ATTACH]114903[/ATTACH]

Wow dude...I got my first ab for £13 plugged it into my garages 2.5 Ltr compressor and away I went. That cheap asian ab lasted me 2 yrs and would still be used today If I didn't over tighten the little nozzle . Epic story none the less and a good read.

[john i am]

Yeah cheers Aaron it's amazing how some people just simply pick things up (or just get lucky)and others have to battle their way through something.Just making a point to others and mainly beginners that if I'd have gone and got myself a quality airbrush and compressor initially then my journey would have been a whole lot easier and not so frustrating plus I wouldn't have wasted my money on some cheap crap that didn't work.The Chinese rubbish didn't work for me but it's evident that it might work for others but not all.Like I said just my story and opinion.But all this talk as now got me thinking could I after 2 years experience of using something quality engineered that actually works 1st time every time without a problem whatsoever could I now make a return to the Chinese set up and make that work equally as well mmmmmmmmmmm I'm not so sure but you know what I'm going to give it a bash and see how I get on report back later cheers John

[Guest]

Exhibit F
[ATTACH]104699.IPB[/ATTACH]

Actually John not an Iwata it is produced by Sparmax and badged for Iwata. The same company do this for a number of companies. Not my deduction it was info from the chap whose company sells and repairs compressors.


Same with the Neo. produced by a Chinese Company for Iwata. But at least you have some hope that Iwata will have taken some trouble to ensure that the production standard is maintained. Even then there are more problems written about Neo than any of the True Iwatas or H ans S.


Not so critical on the compressors. I have been unlucky and had a near handful of failures with the Chinese types but many have not depends on your luck. But if you buy a Sparmax you pay near 3 times the price of a Chinese. Also it just simply sits there and provides oil free air job done. An airbrush is a tool and is much more complex and its worth depends on its multi capabilities. Face it an airbrush may be expensive at £100 but over 20 years that is a fiver a year for quality. A few seals replacements over that time and provided you are careful your needle/nozzle will last that long.


My Father a Carpenter and Joiner plugged into me buy quality. You can then never blame your tools and your tools will do the best they can for your capabilities.


Laurie

[Guest]

Neo is from Taiwan, so the quality is supposed to be better than generic Chinese airbrushes.

[john i am]

[ATTACH]104719.IPB[/ATTACH]

Actually John not an Iwata it is produced by Sparmax and badged for Iwata. The same company do this for a number of companies. Not my deduction it was info from the chap whose company sells and repairs compressors.
Same with the Neo. produced by a Chinese Company for Iwata. But at least you have some hope that Iwata will have taken some trouble to ensure that the production standard is maintained. Even then there are more problems written about Neo than any of the True Iwatas or H ans S.


Not so critical on the compressors. I have been unlucky and had a near handful of failures with the Chinese types but many have not depends on your luck. But if you buy a Sparmax you pay near 3 times the price of a Chinese. Also it just simply sits there and provides oil free air job done. An airbrush is a tool and is much more complex and its worth depends on its multi capabilities. Face it an airbrush may be expensive at £100 but over 20 years that is a fiver a year for quality. A few seals replacements over that time and provided you are careful your needle/nozzle will last that long.


My Father a Carpenter and Joiner plugged into me buy quality. You can then never blame your tools and your tools will do the best they can for your capabilities.


Laurie

My iwata (sparmax) compressor as you point out was 3 times the price of the Chinese ones but I have only ever brought one iwata compressor how many Chinese ones have you brought as you report you've had a few failures.My iwata works quietly away on my bench delivering constant air pressure to my brush without sounding like I have a pneumatic drill in the room which doesn't overheat after 5mins of use like the cheapo Chinese one does.As I posted this was just my story and opinion on airbrushing everyone's experience will be different but to put it more simply


£80.00 spent on Chinese Airbush and Compressor (For Me) EPIC FAIL complete waste of money and my time (very frustrating)


£400.00-£500.00 spent on iwata products (For Me) A 1st class result worked from the 1st time everytime and still does not one problem or hiccup in 2years of usage.SO IN MY OPINION MONEY WELL SPENT


Just my experience to date of airbrushing so my advice if you are a beginner try avoiding the cheap stuff as this as a high percentage of giving many of you a frustrating time with bad results.Try and go the extra mile money wise and buy something well engineered by one of the repeatable suppliers as in my experience will give many of you the best start.Remember just my story and experience of airbrushing others are available from other members

[Guest]

To put it in perspective I have had "4 chinese" compressor failures. But 3 in guarantee. So cost £140 so far and the new one is going fine and has 6 months to go on guarantee. So that is about about £20 year. Not forgetting I have been it seems unlucky on average.


Sparmax cost £150. Still only a year gurantee


Iwata cost £250. still only a year gurantee


But the real point was a good airbrush first at the expense of a cheaper compressor. A cheap or expensive compressor produces the same air required.


Laurie

[john i am]

To put it in perspective I have had "4 chinese" compressor failures. But 3 in guarantee. So cost £140 so far and the new one is going fine and has 6 months to go on guarantee. So that is about about £20 year. Not forgetting I have been it seems unlucky on average.
Sparmax cost £150. Still only a year gurantee


Iwata cost £250. still only a year gurantee


But the real point was a good airbrush first at the expense of a cheaper compressor. A cheap or expensive compressor produces the same air required.


Laurie

Iwata airbrushes and compressors come with a 10 year guarantee Laurie I know I have the paperwork to prove it.I disagree that a cheap compressor will perform equally as well as an iwata one as I have used both and there is a massive difference.I mean what's the point of having a top of the range airbrush if the air being supplied is hot and intermittent due to the compressor being hot which will have a big effect on paints etc.4 failures you say that's a lot and on your fifth that's a story in itself.I strongly recommend when your 5th compressor finally gives out may I suggest an iwata which will be a lot safer and easier to use with better performance.Just my advice and opinion others are available

[Guest]

Iwata airbrushes and compressors come with a 10 year guarantee Laurie I know I have the paperwork to prove it.I disagree that a cheap compressor will perform equally as well as an iwata one as I have used both and there is a massive difference.I mean what's the point of having a top of the range airbrush if the air being supplied is hot and intermittent due to the compressor being hot which will have a big effect on paints etc.4 failures you say that's a lot and on your fifth that's a story in itself.I strongly recommend when your 5th compressor finally gives out may I suggest an iwata which will be a lot safer and easier to use with better performance.Just my advice and opinion others are available

John you have been jolly lucky this is from the Iwata site.


Compressors


All Iwata air compressors are warranted against all manufacturing defects of material and manufacture or workmanship for a period of ONE year from date of purchase. Any part or material that is or becomes defective so as not to be usable within this period will be repaired or replaced. This warranty does not cover damage caused by negligence or units that have been altered or abused in any way.


Iwata Warranty


Airbrushes


An unprecedented five-year warranty backs all Iwata airbrushes. All Iwata airbrushes are warranted against all manufacturing defects of material and manufacture or workmanship for a period of FIVE years from date of purchase. Any part or material that is or becomes defective so as not to be usable within this period will be repaired or replaced. This warranty does not cover damage caused by negligence or units that have been altered or abused in any way.


*Needles and Nozzles need to be replaced from time to time due to ordinary wear and are not covered by the above warranty.


From the heat point of view it is a scientific fact that all compressors will churn out air at a higher temperature than the ingoing air. The act of compressing air heats the resulted compressed air. This is as in a heat pump for heating or a reverse action for a refirigerator.


If you touch the actual holding tank it should be normally cool. This is the reason for draining the holding tank as the air in coming from the compressor it condenses into water in the tank. I have my compressor in a noise reduction enclosure and worried about the heat even though vents were installed. During running for the first time the compressor was as cool as a cucumber after running for 15 minutes. If the compressor is running hot then it has a fault it should be warm not hot. If you are having a lot of water condensing in the inline hose water filter then there is a problem with the compressor. Very rare that I even have one drop of water.


On 10 year guarantees John at 77 not sure who or which will win.


Laurie

[john i am]

[ATTACH]104724.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]104725.IPB[/ATTACH]

Laurie I didn't really want to get into a debate about compressors and airbrushing I just posted my own personal experience of them to help other newbies make informed choices for themselves.I think everyone on the forum knows that something made by iwata or one of the other leading brands will out perform and outlast something made in china.10 year guarantee as shown above 5 years from iwata and the suppliers are that confident they give you another 5 years on top making a total of 10.

[Guest]

I'm not sure that £80 vs £400-500 is "going the extra mile " John! More like the extra many miles :P


Each to their own, I certainly couldn't recommend spending that much to someone looking for their 1st airbrush.

[Guest]

[ATTACH]114969[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]114970[/ATTACH] Laurie I didn't really want to get into a debate about compressors and airbrushing I just posted my own personal experience of them to help other newbies make informed choices for themselves.I think everyone on the forum knows that something made by iwata or one of the other leading brands will out perform and outlast something made in china.10 year guarantee as shown above 5 years from iwata and the suppliers are that confident they give you another 5 years on top making a total of 10.

Quite right John I like your comments on this forum and we certainly do not want to fall out over a compressor. ie " no compressed hot air ".


Also I purchased an Iwata from the same people and just looked it up. You are right I to got 10 years grantee ie an Iwata 5 and a seller plus 5. I had not realised as I had not read the gurantee. Have to say though, in my defence, that I did not understand that you had added another 5 years from the seller as not all retailers if any give that extra 5. Also you can now buy cheaper elsewhere the same product but with just a 5 year gurantee.


Laurie