I'm looking into buying an airbrush and I would like some opinions.
Are there any advantages/disadvantages between a gravity feed or a siphon feed? I've heard a lot of people that seem to like the Iwata Eclipse (sp?). I'm not sure if that is gravity or siphon.
Another question is the compressor. Any certain ones that perform better than any others?
Let me just remind anyone that posts that I'm new to the airbrush game, so I would prefer not to spend a small fortune. I know I'm definitely going with a double action airbrush, but after that I'm not too sure of features.
Any suggestions from experience will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Randy
------------------ Randy Graphic Details Fort Edward, NY
Posts: 381 | From: South Glens Falls, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Hey Randy! Well it's kinda like cars. I got a Chevy pickup, runs ok hauls stuff around and it has a radio. Now I have seen BMW's and Cadillac's around and probably do all the stuff I do in the truck and more. plus "hey it's a cadillac". The Cadillac of airbrushes is Iwata, the Chevy pick up is the Paasche, it works good, handles heavy paints well, and is tuff. I would suguest the paacshe VL3 it will set you back about 50 bucks and will take a beating, the Iwata is nice but wait til you learn how to drive before you get the fancy one at twice the price. My only advise on air compressors is, make sure its enough PSI and install a watertrap and regulatorat the hose.
------------------ -------------------------------------------------- "A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?"
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Iwata Eclipse/ bottom feed for starters. At least 1/2 HP compressor w/holding tank and separate regulator /moisture trap combo and you're in biz. Eclipse is well worth the extra $20 or so bucks. Hope this helps, R.T.
------------------ R.T.Thomas,AirDesigns/Sign And Airbrush Studio rtart@earthlink.net 1209B Corinne St. Hattiesburg,MS 39401 Shop 601-584-1000 Home 601-543-0271 Proud supporter of LETTERVILLE! The best site on the net!! "I yam what I yam and dat's all dat I yam"
Posts: 547 | From: Hattiesburg,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Randy...bigest difference in a gravity feed vs siphon is capacity and material transfer. Siphon naturally will hold more,and a gravity feed will transfer more material onto the substrate at less air pressure and requires a little bit different technique,but should give you less overspray(airborne)...i know some people don't like the gravity fed airbrushes b/c they feel the cup gets in their line of site...probably a matter of preference..time for the airbrushers to take over this question
------------------ Gavin Chachere aka Zeeman Miller Supply Co./Ozone Signs & Grafix New Orleans La. www.millersupply.net www.ozonegrafix.com
Posts: 1223 | From: new orleans.la. | Registered: Mar 2000
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Bear Air carries everything you'll need in airbrush equipment with great prices to boot. 800-BEARAIR
If my catalog is current, the Paasche is $51. The Iwata Eclipse is $72. I think you'll be happier with the Eclipse. I feel the siphon feed is more versatile for a beginner.
I use the Thayer & Chandler Omni, $62. I started with the Thayer & Chandler Vega 2000 ($41) which feels just like the Omni but has 3 different sized needles & tips for different bodied paints and spray pattern size. The Omni and Eclipse use one needle, shaped a little different to accomplish the same thing.
The Vega for the money is excellent for a newbie and will have very similar feel if and when you step up to one of ther others. I still use mine for spraying One Shot.
The Eclipse, like many Japanese products, is a direct copy of the American made Omni except for one feature. The Omni has a reversible aircap guard with one end the normal flair and the other a very small flair for getting in really close. Iwata has been very agressive in getting well known sign painters and airbrush artists to back their product, thus the popularity. I tried one and preferred the feel of the Omni because thats what I was used to. You'll prefer the feel of whatever brand you end up getting.
In my opinion, for what its worth, between the compressor and a supply of paint, the difference in cost between the Paasche or Vega low end models, and the Omni and Eclipse is small enough to go right to the best. I'm sure you'll be very happy with the Omni or Eclipse. The Paasche to me feels just too big and clunky.
Don't skimp on the compressor. I know alot of guys that spray at up to 60 psi. Those little $100 units only put out 20 to 30 psi. You can easily get pulsing air with a small unit. If you already have a tank compressor, just get a good moisture trap and use that.
------------------ Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 ICQ: 21604027 sherwood@up.net
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To put it simply, your airbrush choice is just that...a choice. Personally it's been all heartache for me with Badger. I have dozens of VEGA2000's they are cheap and easy, but not a "fine" tool. I love my IWATA's but I don't take them out for the workhorse jobs, they are my choice though if the detail is important.
Siphon feed is usually reccomended for t-shirts, signs, murals, and other applications with thicker media or for large areas.
Gravity feed are usually reccomended for illustration, fingernail painting, and detail work on helmets and etc. Gravity feed brushes often have finer tips and are designed for detail applications with thinner media. One great advantage to gravity feed is that it is very easy to custom mix colors as you go, the bad thing is it's very easy to run out of that color as most gravity feeds handle less than one oz.
Good Luck!
~Rich
------------------ Rich Diltz In Sacramento for now, but who knows where next
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I just bought an Eclipse and so far I like it. when it comes to a compressor, I talked to the people at BearAir and told them that i was looking for an inexpensive compressor that I could spray 1Shot and Auto-Air paints, they recommended the Intruder2000 as a reasonable entry level unit, this thing comes with hoses, regulator water separator and airbrush holder, also has adapters to fit most airbrush threads. Lets just say, for $179.00 I think I got a great deal and would actually buy another one if this one got stolen. Its not too bad in the noise department either. I say its perfect for the price anyway.
Good luck!
------------------ Harris Kohen Lil Herbie Pinstriping and Graphix Plainsboro, NJ "Bought myself a paintbrush now i wanna show the world that even I can learn to strategically place the pigment where its got to go."
Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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