Which Airbrush, Better Detail

[Clem]

Stang, you have mentioned a few times that you use a badger 155 for kids and boobs. Stencil work the way I am thinking. You are using other airbrushes for other applications. I am curious why.

I am using a badger 155, the only one I have. I am not getting what I want out of attempts at anything detail. I know that I am in the learning process but I am also wondering if part of it may be the airbrush. General background and large area coverage is ok but nothing close.

Asking for your reasoning on choice you use.

Clem

[Clem]

It doesn't have to be just Stang to respond to this. As stated I know he is using what I have. Any information, knowledge, thoughts or response is welcome.

Clem

[Stang]

I use the Badger 155 on the children cause the paint I use is thicker and and gums up at the needle tip a lot. With the Iwata's, they have a finer tip and are better for detail work. I use automotive paint with my Iwata's and automtive is reduced a lot more. With the tattoo paint ya can't reduce that with out problems. I use Iwata eclipes on the children and they do work but they clog up quicker then the badgers.

[blinddog 99]

Hi Clem, just my $ .02 worth, but the tool is a big part of the job. I don't know the badger 155, but I always thought badger made a fairly good quality tool. What is the needle size? I am just a relative beginner myself, but if I had to choose a starter, it would probably be an Iwata HP-C plus. Of course myh Micron is amazing, I can draw fine pencil lines with automotive white paint!

Years ago, I played golf with a used set of clubs. One year for my birthday, my wife bought me a set of $ 900 King Cobras. First time out (and ever after) it knocked an average of 9 strokes off my game. Equipment is everything. Nuff said.........

[Clem]

I guess what I am asking is if there is that much difference trying detail with the Badger vs Iwata.

This is the first airbrush I have ever used and I know I need to learn a lot more on control. My question is can you get the same lines with both. I think I am trying to use the wrong airbrush but I am not sure if it is me or not.

Blinddog, I have no idea what size the needle is. It was basically advertised as a one size fits all. I know that is rarely true but when you are a first time buyer and don't know it is all guess work.


Clem

[Clem]

This kind of input I can use. I know I am asking age old questions when I do this and I am not the best at verbal detail. When I try anything 3/16" or less it is a real fight. I am not trying to put veins in an eye or anything like that but I want to put a color next to another without having a 1/4 " blend.

The aggravation is being new to this and trying to figure if it is me (totally or in part ) or the airbrush (totally or in part ).

Wrong time of year for me to go wild with a bunch of money but I believe after Christmas I will be investing in a few different items.

I don't mean to be distracting or repetitive but I do appreciate the information and assistance.

Thanks

Clem

[Skids]

Thanks Steven, i've been researching the Iwadders and your no-nonsense pro evaluation was right on time. I'll be looking for me a HP-BH it looks like! (and maybe even replace my venerable old VL's with Eclipse CS's?)

[Whit]

Most of my paintwork is with createx,,,
that said,,, I have an assortment of
airbrushes and makes/models !!!
I'm picky about what I spray thru my
Iwadders so the first impulse is grab
a VL,,, I've got a couple of Eclipse siph
and SB plus some HP's (C's/SB's) even
a CMSB,,, but for AA and Createx it's VL !!!
For some reason it seems more comfy !!!
Other paints on more detailed situations
I'll grab my HP's,,, in a flash !!!
Also in my cupbard are a couple of Omni's,,
siph and C (T/C Badger) and they're good
as well,,, actually a better spray than VL
but just don't feel tha same !!!
It's whatever you're comfy with !!!

[Skids]

I think what Clem is needing here is someone who has experience with both the equipment he's now using and other models as well. I've never used a badger 155, so i can't compare it to what i now use so i'm no help at all!

[Clem]

About any kind of subject input is useful as I have not really done any serious painting to know. Maybe I am thinking more of myself but I think I should have improved more than I have in this amount of time.

A while back I sprayed some pearl on a gate I made. Like Stang said, the badger sprays thick stuff with no problem. The trouble is for small spots or lines.

In just general reading of the posts I see that most folks use more than one airbrush for different things done. I really can understand this. Different hammer for different size metal and shape.

To be truthful, at the moment I am thinking about maybe being foolish and doing what has been posted here. Pickup a VL and Eclipse. What ever I decide it will be after Christmas like I stated earlier. I do not believe things should be harder than they have to be. I have no reason not to believe what most folks post here about the tools they use.

Thanks to all for the responses and I am hoping to see more on this subject. I have no problem learning what I don't know.

Clem

[Whit]

Clem,,,
We do quite a bit of wall work here,,,
the VL is one of the less expensive
airbrushes on the market,, so if any
misshaps (10/20 ft up) like dropping
or otherwise (forgetting to clean) it's
easily replaced,,, in reality,, for about
half what the eclipse goes for !!!
They're both good brushes,,, and both
are workhorses,, tight lines and all !!!
You can really get quite a bit of detail
with either,, as well as other brushes
in this catagory,,, so it's really your
call on which !!!
Other people's reccomendations are
what they prefer or use and may or
may not work in the situations you are
wanting it for !!
I started with a Badger 150 set and
it was a great brush as well but the
internals on the VL made for simpler all
around maintenence and cleaning plus
the inexpensive replacements of needles
and tips (only probs I've ever had) so the
VL is what I reccomend to any beginner
if for no other reason,,, it's less $$$ to get
into,,, and,,, stay into !!!
After you learn your brush,,, you know pretty
much what you want,,, and what you don't want
and at that time you're able to make a decission
as to what you're after in performance !!!
Did'nt mean to create a paragraph here !!!

[blinddog 99]

I totally agree with Whit on this. I bought my last VL on Ebay, with 3 needles, nozzles, jars and cups, a nice set, new for $ 57. I use it almost daily, easy to use, maintain, and rock solid. It will draw very nice lines, and I have an old one I use just for intercoating. It cleans up great!

[Skids]

you know i'm a VL hound so toss me in there too, really an amazing bang for the buck.

[TheArteest3]

man all the verterans at work...i use a VL and i think wit was right on the less expensive part....i bought a set and a set of createx paint for about 70 bux..... and idk ive never used iwata but i here it often..very often when i get more money i might buy one but VL seems to be a very good airbrush to me...but idk im just a newbie lil kid making things that i love "ART"....

[jerseycrazee]

i also have a badger 155 and this thread is very informitive as i too have been habing forty fits laying down a line (thin that is ) and i too was wondering if it was the equipment or user error...lol
as i too have a couple of months in....a buddy at work showed me his iwatas ...eclipse and hp ...he told me the elipse is the wat to go ..it simple cleaning and that DAMEN clip is attached..man i hate that thing for reassemble after a real good cleaning....so gl to ya and lmk if you master the badger 155 ..then i will know if its me or not
god bless
ron

[Skids]

hey hey! right up my alley!

[Clem]

Had a VL delivered yesterday. (Ya wouldn't believe the story behind it.) Messed around with it some today. Difference is day and night. More like what I am looking for as far as finer line.

I did some playing around and tried a few different things. Noticed that the VL doesn't like pearl. Glad I have the 155 for that and large areas. I know I will make use or (abuse) both of them. All I have to do now is learn how to really use them. (may still take a while)

Still thinking of picking up a Iwatta after a while.

Thanks for all the input folks. None of it was wasted and all was very helpful.

Clem

[Whit]

Is it after Christmas already ???
My alarm clock must be on tha blitz again !!!
(I know Clem,,, new toys are hard to wait for)
Good Luck with it:partyalone:

[Clem]

Significant other asked me for $100. over a week ago. I gave her the money and she asked if I was going to order it or was she going to a shop and pay more for it. OK, so I'm EZy. She handed the money back after I ordered.

She informed me it wasn't Christmas.

Clem

[Whit]

Ho Ho Ho,,, Merry Christmas !!!
I'm thinkin with that #5 needle,,,
you can flock a Christmas Tree !!!
(joke,,, that was a joke,, jus kiddin)
Hope you enjoy your toy !!!
I jus love new toys:partyalone:

[Skids]

that's Fantastic news Clem! Glad to hear the VL put you a little closer to where you wanna be! ( i think we all kinda knew you'd be happy once you took the plunge!!) anyway...i'm tickled for ya!!

p.s. ....did you clean it up good and wrap it back up and put it back exactly where it was in the top of the closet??

[blinddog 99]

Clem, that's awesome! Enjoy your new brush! Actually, you can buy 3 sizes of needles & tips so you have three brushes. You can easily use pearls in the #3 size......

[Clem]

Dog, it is the box set so all three needles are there. I don't know that I'll use the #5 due to the Badger being able to handle that. Not sure what I will do to try the #1 but I'll come up with something. It is handy with the two and I kinda figured I would head that way after see how most folks do use different one for convenience if nothing else.

To tell the truth it feels better in the hand due to being thicker I guess.

Whit, Skids, and Dog, you folks were right. To me a good deal for the money.

Thanks again for all the responses and assistance.

Clem