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Iwata HP-CS Airbrush
(http://www.iwata-medea.com)
After purchasing my startup kit from Harbor Freight I Learn I found I really enjoy using an airbrush. I Know that my current airbrush was a 15 dollar airbrush so there must be better ones out there. So I started reading about gravity feed, siphon feed, side feed and all the other odds and ends. I then read about the different techniques and what was required to do them. After reading all of this I settled on gravity feed so I could paint at a much lower PSI. So then I started looking at brands, Iwata, Badger, Aztec and knock off brands, I read reviews and articles. Seem the Japanese modelers like Iwata and most Americans like badger. Then the most important decision was how much I wanted to spend. I found the best bang for the buck on most brands about 100-120 dollar range. So then I compared the different brushes in that range and picked a few I thought would work. Then the second most important decision what can I buy locally vs. mail order. I found out Hobby lobby carries Iwata brand airbrushes and also one that I liked but it was 200$. So I started saving. I try to spend very little on my hobbies due to family expenses are more important. But I socked away a few bucks a week, 10 here and 10 there and throw in come Christmas/birthday money and after 8 months to year I have about 140$ still not enough, but then I remembered the glorious 40% coupon at hobby lobby, with that I had enough money so to the store I went. Picked it up for about 120$. One a side note I was very happy with my purchase and after a few weeks I went back to hobby lobby to get some paint, then I notice they had the exact same airbrush, but it came with some paint, moister trap and it was 175 instead of 200. Arggh, I thought that only happened with computers. After contemplating returning it I decided not so because I knew this one worked will and there is that whole ethics/moral thing, so I sucked it up and enjoyed what I had. Now on to what I got with my purchase
Pretty much just the Airbrush. It comes with a set of instructions, a wrench for disassembly, a tube of super lube, and couple of stickers. The instructions are ok, nothing special I wish it had instructions on now to clean the brush and disassembly it. But basically it just states point at object press button for air and pull back to paint. I figure if you buy this model of brush you know what you are doing. But still a disassemble order would be nice. The wrench is useful when you need it. The stickers are just that. Might stick them on my spray booth (once I build it).
Here are some Specs from the Iwata Website.
| Paint Reservoir |
Nozzle |
Trigger Action |
Spray Pattern |
| 1/3 oz. (9 ml) Gravity-Feed Cup |
0.35-mm Drop-In Self-Centering Nozzle |
Dual-Action |
Hairline to 2 in. (50-mm) Round |
| Features |
Optional Features |
Product Name |
Item No. |
· Single Cut-Away Handle
· Adjustable Main Lever Tension |
· 0.5-mm Nozzle
· Pre-Set Handle
· Pre-Set Cut-Away Handle
· Solid Ergonomic Handle
· Crown Cap |
· Iwata Eclipse HP-CS
· Iwata Airbrush Deluxe Set |
ECL 4500
IW 200 |
| HP-CS |
Tip Size |
Nozzle |
Nozzle Cap |
Needle |
O-Ring |
| Standard |
.35mm |
I 604 2 |
I 603 2 |
I 617 2 |
N/A |
I really like using this airbrush over my siphon feed. I am able to paint a much lower pressure of 10psi over the 15-20psi need for the siphon feed. This allows me get closer to the model and also uses much less paint. I am really surprised at how much this saves me on paint. I have much less over spray. I am able to much smaller lines now. The only thing I had to get used was not being able to spraying a large pattern. So when I do large area like when I do my base coating I have to use be more careful and check that I am covering all the area.
The action on the trigger seems a lot smoother than my older brush. The cup is larger enough to hold all the paint I have every used. But if I need to add more paint it should not be hard to do.
I have cleaned the brush but not had reason to completely disassemble the brush yet. For me the cleaning is easy, I wipe the cup clean with paper towels and then flush cleaner thought it (Windex) then I press my finger over the tip and press the trigger to force the clean backwards to the cup and flush it out that way. Then flush with clean water to rinse out any left over Windex.
My only complaint with the brush is that no carry case was provided. Most all Aztec brushes come with a case even my cheap 15$ harbor freight does as well. So I just modified my plastic case from harbor freight to work with my Iwata.
I have just started working with the brush as I find out more I will let you know.
Contact me at josborn@happinessismandatory.com
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