Saving up for a ...

skraaal

skraaal

New member
Hey guys n gals.

Righto, so I'm slowly saving up to buy my first airbrush. I've done a fair bit of research into which brush to get and I've whittled it down to two brushes. The two I'm considering buying are;

* Badger Renegade Series - "Krome" Gravity Feed Airbrush Ref: BA-RK1 Top Brush on the page.

or

* Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Silverline Two In One Ref: HS-126003 Third one from the top.

Out of personal experience, if anyone has used both - which did you personally prefer and more importantly why? Also can anyone see any negative points to either? Would you advise against one or the other and if so why? It's a fair bit of money to shell out, so any comments on either of these brushes from people that use them in our line of painting, would be nice!

Also would Createx Airbrush Cleaner Ref: SM-5618 be fine to clean the brush with? It won't damage any seals will it?

Thanks again for any responses.

Axel.
 
gohkm

gohkm

Active member
I think you need to be mindful that different airbrushes handle differently, and that varies from person to person - so there's only the best airbrush for you. The smaller the needle and nozzle, the faster it seems to clog. So, while a H&S may give you a razor thin line of paint with some practice, its 0.15mm nozzle may make you clean the airbrush once every 5 minutes, instead of every 20 mins if you'd used a 0.3mm nozzle.

The Badger is a popular choice, and I've been lucky enough to get to grips with one at a mate's, but I find the trigger assembly a bit sensitive - but I didn't play around with it long enough to learn some control with it. I've settled in with my Sparmax DH-108, and it's decent, although the trigger is a bit heavy compared with the Badger.

If at all possible, I'd suggest you head out to a shop that carries the two models you're after, and see if the shopkeep will let you play around with them, using just water. The most important thing is the sensitivity of the trigger - see how much pressure you need to let loose with a decent spray of paint, how much effort it takes to maintain that, etc.

But, as with painting miniatures, it takes an awful lot of practice.
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
What are you going to be using it for?

At similar price points, I'd take the H&S over the Badger.

Both look like very fine detail guns. Very apt for flesh on large models (75mm plus).

Neither are required to prime, base or clear 32mm minis.
 
gohkm

gohkm

Active member
They're all fine for basecoating. Difference is time spent un-gumming the blasted needle assembly :).
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
skraaal said:
Would the 0.3 and 0.4 nozzles / needles not be fine for base coating?
Click to expand...

For a prime/basecoat/clear you can use an industrial sprayer.
A finer needle & smaller gun just means you'll be shooting a smaller area with more control.

I tend to prime by lining up 10-20 minis on my white patio table - shake the rattle can of white Krylon primer - shoot a pass, turn all guys 90 degrees, repeat 3 more times with a final pass across the top. Takes less time than setting up the compressor. And no cleanup.

The guns you linked will be great for illistration, GW tanks, dragons, etc.

Look into Iwata Eclipse, Badger Crecendo, Vega 2000, Aztec if you are just using it for basecoating and armor cammo.
 
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montka

New member
I agree that an airbrush is not necessary for 32mm work; it is a lot of money to pay for the time saved base coating. Which is then lost again cleaning it!
 
ChemicalFencer

ChemicalFencer

Lost in the desert
I have the H&S one you mentioned. Its a very nice airbrush. The larger up is useful if you're doing something like a tank or a unit.

I bought mine initially for priming. It's too hot and humid in Qatar for spray primers, and there is also a lack of places to get them from, ordering from abroad is practically impossible, as is popping one in your suitcase when you're flying over etc etc etc.

My excuse to the wife for getting that one was 'priming' and 'learning how to use it and become a great aitist'. I played with it a lot and was working it out then had to move and everything was packed away and sent back to the UK.

Cleaning can be a headache. I personally think its worth it - but that's because of where I am.

Also Everything Airbrush are extremely nice - Tim Murrell gave me some great advice when I was sorting out my order.

CF
 
skraaal

skraaal

New member
Hmm thanks for all the responses guys. I'm mainly going to be using it for 32 / 54 mm models, but I think it will come into it's own on vehicles which I've always stayed away from due to the awkward brush work over large surfaces. I am leaning towards the H & S but the badger still looks good, so still undecided - sucks lol
 
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