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hey all i have a cheap neo iwata air brush that i have used and i would really like to get into something a bit better. my budget is under $350 and i want a 2 stage gravity feed. I have looked at a bunch of badgers and iwatas. but i really want something for doing detail work. I think the needle on the neo is like .5 or something like that so either .5 or .3 maybe? iunno. just some help pointing in the right direction. and what are the pros and cons of the model you suggest? also I would love to get one i dont have to take the needle out and clean every 10 minutes. thanks!

Well I was gonna make a snide remark about form search and all that stuff, but here this is an amazing airbrush.

http://www.amazon.com/Iwata-Medea-Eclipse-Action-Airbrush-Gravity/dp/B000BQKFAI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378523422&sr=8-1&keywords=iwata+airbrush+cs

I have that brush, the hp cs, and while its a good brush, I would suggest instead the badger krome - which I also have.

The krome offers an even finer needle, and incredibly smooth action. As any very fine tip airbrush it can be quite picky with paint quality (unlike the neo) but it is a very good brush.

http://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-RK-1-Additional-Regulator/dp/B0078MEXX8/ref=sr_1_1?

Again, I have both the iwata hpcs, and the krome (and three others....you just collect them over the years) both are good brushes....but in regards to your question, I would go with the krome.

I used the eclipse for a long time and while it is a fine airbrush, it's not exactly idea for doing miniature work. Vehicles? Sure!, basecoating infantry is good too. Anything finer than that it struggles with.

You might want to look at the Infinity 2 in 1 - http://amzn.to/1cTcyi1

It seems to be a nice multi-purpose airbrush with needle setups for both general spraying and fine detail work.

I also like the Grex TG3 - http://amzn.to/13tpwjU.

Pretty good for detail work and it's a pistol grip brush.

I use the Custom Micron B - http://amzn.to/13tpKHM

Which I think is ideal for miniature work... but may be out of your price range.

Do you already have a compressor, or does the 350$ include that?

Either way I'd suggest either a Badger Krome or if you can catch it on Amazon, a SOTAR 20/20 since they frequently go on sale for around 80$(when they actually have stock). The Krome averages around 130$ last time I checked the price- you'll have to shop around. If you can't find a price close to that PM me and I'll see if I can(if you decide to go that route).

They both run .21 tips (and can get a .3) Badger has been making a serious effort to get into the wargaming community and Ken badger has been attending the major gaming Conventions like Adepticon and Gencon.

I run a Sotar and patriot 105, for my brushes. So a Neo and a detail brush would cover most airbrushing a needs a miniature painter will have.

Iwata and Grex both make very nice brushes, but they also are rather expensive.

 Mistress of minis wrote:



I run a Sotar and patriot 105, for my brushes.

My patriot 105 and my Krome are my go to brushes as well. I find that between them I don't use any of my others brushes at all and have become very happy with them both.

I am very curious to see if there are any practical differences between the krome and the sotar....

[quote=davethepak

I am very curious to see if there are any practical differences between the krome and the sotar....

 Mistress of minis wrote:
[quote=davethepak

I am very curious to see if there are any practical differences between the krome and the sotar....

Mechancally- not really, the tip and needles are the same sizes. The SOTAR is just a predecessor and the KROME is a more refined design that has better internals- its basically taken the best of the SOTAR, renegades and Patriot and got it all in one brush.

But- there is a difference in ergonomics. The SOTAR is more 'dainty', and the Krome is 'Beefier'. The problem I have with a Krome is the same I have with my Patriot- being that with long fingernails that large paint cup- my manicure causes problems. Whereas the SOTARs paint cup is alot lower, so the top of my finger on the trigger actually goes over the paint cup. Since I dont use my Patriot for lengthy spray sessions(just quick base coats and priming its not an issue likee it would be for extneded detail spraying. But the SOTAR also seems to balance better in my hand since its a bit lighter.

On the flip side of that I know some fellows with large hands that dislike the SOTAR for the same reasons- it feels too small for them. So, its just a matter of preference.

If you want a small needle, H&S Infinity with a 0.15mm needle is pretty much the smaller I have seen.

Easy to clean and dismantle. German engineering at it's finest.

I have the 2-in-1 with a 0.15mm and a 0.3mm needle.