Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey Folks,

I'm basically trying to determine between two setups for my airbrushing needs. Either getting:

Setup 1 - 2 Airbrushes
GSI Creos - PS-270 which is a dual action 0.2mm airbrush and a GSI Creos PS-290 which is a trigger style 0.5mm airbrush

Setup 2 - 1 Airbrush
H&S Infinity w/ 0.2mm

For either setup, I'm going to get a dedicated airbrush specific compressor with a 3L tank.

I intend to paint both models and terrain/scenery with the airbrush. It should also meet my priming needs. The largest reason I'm stuck in this decision is clearly the infinity is a higher quality brush; but it is a higher point for a single brush with a single size. Will the 0.2mm be able to also prime my larger models as well as my terrain? I've gone through a million airbrush videos and comparisons and reviews; and none of the million videos/reviews I've watched seemed to actually call this part out including information about the specific size which was installed on the brush as they used it.

Big Considerations for Me
1. Id rather buy once and not have to buy again later. Long term the more expensive one might be cheaper. If it can generally meet most of my needs well enough and I can expand later; then I'll probably go that route.
2. It needs to be easy to maintain and deal with. I saw a few things where you have to get screw drivers out and fiddle with things in a complex manner; thats just going to lead to me hating it.

Anything anybody else wants to add to this; please do.

Thanks!

Can you not get an airbrush with different sized needles/ nozzels?

My ancient deVilbis has a 0.12 and 0.65

It would save you getting 2 brushes

Yeah; totally do-able. The Infinity as a particular example can get an additional needle size; its just extra money.

So the combo of the Creos adds up to approximately the same as the infinity by itself.

I was looking at this kit in particular for the infinity: https://spraygunner.com/spikey-bits-infinity/ If I don't get that kit, I'll still get that compressor; but a different brush set.

You could use what ever size needle and airbrush you want really. Smaller needles would make the job take longer. I have a .3 needle in my airbrush and a adjustable valve inline with my hose for air. I can adjust the pressure so I don't have to change needles and nozzles. Here's a link to the video I got the info from. It's an airbrush rant but very informative. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyHaZG7UacM&t=668s

I would recommend investing in the H&R. I run the Infinity CR Plus that comes with the 2 different needle sizes (you just swap tip, nozzle, and needle). I usually go 0.4 mm for large surfaces and priming, and 0.2 mm for everything else. I have the 0.15 mm needle for the H&R as well, but even with the re-design, it has clogging issues so I never use it.

Cool, I think from the sounds of it, the better choice is the H&S Infinity w/ 0.2mm kit and to expand to the 0.6mm later as that brush will likely last a life time.

My 2 cents: assuming you are working with acryclic medium based paints as usual for our hobby, you will be in for a world of pain if you go for 0.15 or 0.2mm needle/nozzle size, in particular with low pressure, since that will lead to many clogs and a harder time to clean up, even with proper cleaning tools.

The simple truth is, that no matter how much or what liquid your thin your paint with, the pigments themselves do have a size. That combined with the hole the material has to go through determines how likely you are to see clogs. Time spent cleaning needlessly, is time not spent painting.

I have an H&S evolution and infinity, with 0.15, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6mm needle nozzle sets. I find that I'm using the 0.4mm almost exclusively. That makes almost no difference in application - due to the good control the H&S places on the trigger - but a huge difference in clogs.

I bought that infinity kit already; If the 0.2mm ends up being too much trouble, I can always get the 0.4mm for it. I'll make sure I post some info on how it does regarding my concerns and also attempt to address clogging a bit.