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I'm currently using an Iwata Eclipse but am having problems getting spares for it, its not an officially imported model in the UK and my supplier is having problems getting the bits from the US, not his fault though,(six weeks so far). I have been thinking of buying a Pasche (sp?) VL as the bits are easy to get hold off, anyone any experience with this model or Pasche in general? Thanks
-------------------- Steve Broughton Alpha Grafix Signs Lowfields Road Benington, Boston Lincolnshire, England Posts: 315 | From: Boston, Lincolnshire, England | Registered: Aug 2001
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I own and use four Of the paashe VL. It is not the Rolls Royce of air brushes. More like the sherman tank. Simple to use, simple to clean. I have used others and gone back to my VL. A good all around brush im my opinion.
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
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I'm with Rob on this one,...have owned about half a dozen or more of them from time to time,got 3 right now with a fourth for parts. They can be very versatile with the many tip/head/needle combinations.If parts are readily available then this is the way to go for you. I prefer my iwatta tho personally finding it a much finer gun.
-------------------- fly low...timi/NC is, Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 2224 | From: Winston-Salem,NC,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I too agree with Rob about the Sherman tank comparison. I've been using Paasche VL's for 25 years. I still use one I've had since the 70's. (there's probably 15-20 of them laying around here in some state of repair) I also have an eclipse and a custom micron from Iwata. I like them all, but they do different things. I reach for the micron when I want to drive a fancy little convertible. But when I need a truck, I grab the VL. The VL3 is a great all-around airbrush. You can get some really fine detail from the VL1 that rivals the eclipse. But as far as detail, the only thing from Paasche that can compete with the custom micron is the AB model, but it's a nightmare to maintain. Bottom line is, if you are used to an eclipse, test drive a VL1. They are so close in overall performance that it really gets down to just who's driving.
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I've owned Paasche VL's for 15 years, thought I would never change. Last year I bought a Paasche Millenium, same as a VL, only thinner and a little lighter. Its hard to belive but they took a great airbrush and made it better. My hand dosen't seem to cramp at all with this thinner brush. I picked up one of my VL's the other day and the thing felt like a clumsy brick compared to the millenium.
-------------------- "B0LT" on the chat room thing.
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I've been looking at the Millenium Steve mentioned. They have them at www.dixieart.com for $49.95 and the Millenium set for $59.95 free shipping. Don't know if they deal is the same for the UK.
[ April 25, 2002, 09:15 AM: Message edited by: Amy Brown ]
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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Ditto on the Paasche VL, got my first one in '86, it was a limited edition series in a wooden box... It is the best tool I have ever owned. I have 10 vl's (t-shirt setup) Aztech, Binks Raven, a couple of Iwatas... all great tools, but the VL is my favorite.
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1736 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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I have a few Eclipses and a Iwata Custom Micron, if you are having trouble getting parts in the UK order direct from www.bearair.com they have very fast turnaraound, stuff gets here to Sweden within a week, especially if its things like seals and needles, so try them before giving up on them....6 weeks...sounds like a joke to me.
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I also use the VL.. I have 3 of em and really like them, although I've only used other airbrushes very sporatically and not enough to get used to them.
I like the heavy feel and I like the thick body the VL has.. gives me something to hold on to.
The VL's can also handle any kind of paint. There arent any seals or other parts in them that are affected by solvents. The only non-metal parts are a washer inside the body which is a plastic that isnt affected by anything, and a rubber seal that's in the air valve and doesnt ever see paints or solvents.
Cleaning a VL basically involves pulling the needle out and wiping it clean. I occassionally run a pipe cleaner through the gun if there's something real stubborn stuck in there but it rarely ever needs complete disassembly.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I have a couple of VL's and 2 Vega 2000's. I haven't used the VL's since purchasing the Vegas. They are workhorses with a good array of spray sizes (fineline to wide)and, they are just a little wider in grip than a pencil, very comfortable. I use them for auto (basecoat/clearcoat), t-shirts, illustration. I also have an Eclipse for finer illustration using dyes. The Paache's are too bulky. I didn't know about the millienum though. I'm gonna have to check that out. It sounds alot like the Vega.
-------------------- John Cordova Gitano Design Studio Albuquerque, NM Posts: 268 | From: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I used VL's for years doing t-shirts, and they can't be beat for that type of work. They are cheap, dependable, and parts are easy to find. I tried out and enjoyed a Vega 2000 awhile back; the slimmer design was more comfortable for my stubby hands. On the advice of Dave Monnig at Coast Airbrush, I just bought an Iwata HPCS. I am limiting my airbrushing to custom car/bike work, and using only urethane paints, and this was the brush recommended to me for this purpose. I haven't yet had a chance to use it, as I am in the process of moving, but when I get it hooked up I will let you know how it feels. To add to what some others have posted; I have placed orders with both Bear Air and Coast Airbrush, and they are both good people to do business with.
-------------------- Ben Sherr Street Metal Custom Auto Art 3006 River Rd Hopewell, Va 23860 (804)452-1540 Bjay65@msn.com Posts: 77 | From: Hopewell, Virginia | Registered: Mar 2002
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Hello Letterheads,Do any of you kind people have any extra parts for a vl, I am lookin for the tip pieces,aircap,aircap body,tip and the locknut to hold the needle.also any needles that aren't bent let me know what u want for em. THANX Steve
-------------------- "I can draw anything but unemployment" Steve Spiry Madd Artist Murals&Signs Brandon,Mb. Canada Posts: 66 | From: Brandon,Mb. Canada | Registered: Jul 2001
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I have switched back and forth between the VL and the eclipse, rescently I have been using the millenium, the best thing about the Pasche's are that I can take one apart clean it and put it back together in about 10 minutes, the Iwatas are good but have some delicate parts.
-------------------- Ken McTague, Concept Signs 57 Bridge St. (route 107) Salem MA 01970 1-978-745-5800 conceptsign@yahoo.com http://www.pinheadlounge.com/CaptainKen
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"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?" Posts: 2425 | From: Salem, MA | Registered: Apr 1999
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The way I understand it is that the VL is ready to shoot urethane paints right out the box and the Itwata need to have some seals changed first. I don't want to take for granted that the Eclipe HPCS, I won as a door prize in Jan. has had the seals changed. I don't want to disassemble unnecessarly so how can I tell. I have checked the packaged paperwork and box.
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