Buying a detail airbrush? Watch this first.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 มิ.ย. 2024
- This video is a review, buyer's guide, and comparison of the most popular detail and fine line airbrushes on the market. This includes the Iwata custom micron (cm-b), the Iwata custom micron takumi, the badger sotar 2020, the GSI Creos Mr. Hobby custom .18 PS771 (originally ps-770), and the Harder and Steenbeck Infinity and Infinity CR PLUS.
I purchased all these airbrushes over the years with my own money. I wanted to keep this video as honest as possible, but please remember that my opinions are just that- opinions. These are my subjective views on four airbrushes. At the end of the day, they are all fantastic tools. I recommend all of them but of course each has their pros and cons. Hope this video is helpful. If you have any questions, please leave them below and I'll get back to you.
My Favorite Soft Jaw Pliers for Airbrushes: amzn.to/3zx7XmV
My Favorite Airbrush Paint: amzn.to/3ENDstP
Second Favorite Paint (non-erasable): amzn.to/3JCKV2w
My Favorite Paint Erasers: amzn.to/3eLaK28 and amzn.to/3eJBGzf
My Large Compressor: amzn.to/3G0BJm4
My Small Compressor: amzn.to/3JyhzCn
Airbrushes:
Badger Sotar 2020- amzn.to/3JAzl81
GSI Creos PS-771- amzn.to/3FTMff1
Harder & Steenbeck Infinity- amzn.to/3pLtCUN
Iwata Micron: www.iwata-airbrush.com/absolu...
Besides the Iwata micron link, these are amazon affiliate links for The Art Workshop. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Using these links helps support my channel. Thank you!
Man, I really dig your video style, straight to the point with no additional BS thrown in. I also love the tone of your voice. It's soothing and a joy to listen to. Your passion for creating and the craftmanship behind these airbrushes shines through every aspect of your content.
i appreciate that. thanks so much!
Late to the party but awesome channel , I put 2 of the nozzle Teflon rings on the back behind the trigger taking away any of the play on the trigger , made it super sensitive and now sprays the paint at the same point everytime........learned that from Dredd FX .........thanks for the videos
Sorry this is on the harder and steenbeck airbrushes.......
thanks! yes, I've heard this works very well.
Thanks for the good review videos. Your comments are very helpful to better understand the device performance. Also noticed your tutorials. Truly amazing work!
thanks so much!
Thank you for the video, it was actually the most informative airbrush video I've watched yet. I just recently got an Iwata medea HP-SB+ (I litterally just had it delivered 40 minutes prior to this comment), I have no intentions of buying any of those brushes but I feel like I now have a better grasp of what to look for with airbrushes.
great choice! The HP-SB plus is a fantastic airbrush. Best of luck to you!
I have the Badger Sotar 2020 and a Badger Patriot. An easy way to get the triggers and trigger levers in are to first screw in the back assembly. Then hold the airbrush in one hand with the front facing you. With that same hand, use your thumb and index finger to pull back on the assembly. Then put the trigger lever in and release the assembly. Next, pull back on the lever and let it sit in either of the notches toward the back which will hold the tension. Then grab your trigger and place it in then slowly release the trigger lever. Hope that helps!
Great review good pace when painting and all the features covered the kind of review I have been looking for👍👍
Thanks!
I"ve watched A LOT of "review" vids, and your's is one of the very very very very few that mentions the difference in how responsive some airbrushes are. I found the EXACT same thing with H&S. I sold mine, once I tried a MICRON. SO much better response time.
Excellent video. For now I have an Eclipse, but I'll be keeping an eye out for an IWATA Custom on the second hand market. They ARE quite expensive when new!
My H&S CR+ was working so well for quite a bit now no matter how much cleaning or thinning/air pressure manipulation I do, it always skips or sprays really inconsistent. I’ve checked the needle and it’s not bent, and the nozzle isn’t damaged in any way. Thinking about picking up the GSI creos or treating myself to a micron lol
08:30 - You need to add some teflon washers in the rear to take the gap that causes the inconsistency in the trigger, there's a few vids on this.
Good balanced review of some great airbrushes - thanks👍😊 I loved the Bob Rossesque miniature landscape, lovely guy Bob Ross, you're very talented👍😊
Thanks so much!
I'm happy to have seen your videos on the Sotar 20/20 - and that the prices on it have come back down to a level where I was able to pick one up a new one for less than $100 USD. I'm looking forward to its arrival.
im very happy to see the price on them drop as well. It's an awesome airbrush- one of my all time favorites!
Excellent review. I too have had similar issues with the inconsistent trigger with my H&S Evolution CR+, even with the updated V2 needles. Tried different paints, thinning ratios, and air pressure. I paint freehand camouflage patterns on model aircraft/armor and have since ordered a GSI PS771.
Thanks! Seems to be pretty common issue. I've been getting a lot of similar comments. Best of luck with the GSI. I love that airbrush!
If you want to save money go and get the GSI ps 270 instead. It's a 0.2, but the result is awesome! I make scale models as well, mostly in 1/48 scale and freehand painting a german mottled camo is no problem with it. I could hardly achieve the same result with my H&S evo. Cleaning is a little more effort but its easy to get used to it.
@@pauka13 Funny you should say that, I liked the 771 so much I ordered the PS289 0.3 and it too is awesome. Iwata quality at a good price. I may pick up the 0.2mm needle/nozzle set for it to compare.
Excellant video! A lot of people bash the Badger brand but honestly I have no complaints with a Badger(Thayer and Chandler in my case)
Thank you! It's not built as great as the others, but it sprays so well. Badger and T&C airbrushes are the best value for the price imo.
Thank you for the guide, you have gained a new subscriber!
Glad it helped. Thanks!
One of, if not the best review, I have seen anywhere on You Tube. You give every quirk of the brushes, do a real spraying review with a common well known High Quality brand water based Createx airbrush paint, not just water or ink. I have 4 Badger 20/20s, 1 Slim, 2 standard and the new one with the huge cup. I also have 1 Krome, 1 Spirit and 1 Velocity from Badgers Renegade series and the 1 H&S Infinity 2.0 w/0.15 setup and the mini cup. I upgraded an old Badger 100 SF with the 20/20 head, 0.2 needle, trigger guts, and handle, and it works much better now.... Looks Cool too. Wish I had the money to snag up a couple Creo 771s and Iwata Custom Micron brushes, after watching your review. But I don't want to end up being an AB collector lol.
thanks man! In time you'll eventually get the ps-771 and a micron. A nice reward or goal for yourself to set. You've got a great collection though! But yeah you'll end up like me, an addicted airbrush collector lol
@@theartworkshop You're welcome ! I like to give credit where it is due. I also forgot to mention the nice fine line display you gave, writing the AB name and info under your nice, ( I think ) 1"x1" test art. Oh BTW, I fibbed a little bit. I forgot to count all my Badger 105s, a Paasche Talon, 1 Master and an older 0.2 mm Tamiya, 1 Badger Anthem bottom feed, 2 150s. Total count is 17 ABs, so I think I am already a collector...lmao
Regarding the MAC valve, you might want to consider not everyone works alone. Plenty of people work in a production environment, the compressor is set at 32 PSI and you either use a MAC valve or buy a regular for every port in the shop. It's a very useful feature and costs you nothing to have on the gun.
that is a very good point!
I've commented on several videos that I've found no triggering issues with the Infinity. Now that I am moving from solvent to water based paints, it is unusable. I just ordered a Creos PS 771. I may just sell the infinity.
Unintentional ASMR
Great reviews thanks for all your help
Helpful video about these airbrushes
Thanks!
Wonderful detailed look by a real working artist so we really respect your opinions. Do you give zoom classes? or live classes? I am a portrait artist so this medium has great appeal for me, so i will now watch some of your portrait videos. So many to choose from it’s bamboozling ! Is there a print out of today;s list with name, price, size, . It seems like you get what you pay for ? 🙏 Thanks. 🇨🇦👍🏻
Very helpful. Now time to order the takumi lol. Thanks!
haha Thank you. I wish it wasn't that expensive, but it's nearly perfect.
@@theartworkshop I picked up the CM takumi at £391,other day. but i already have the CM SB V2, and i collect airbrushes as a hobby so the CM takumi will pride among them.
@@theartworkshop just wondering if the infirnity tail piece will work on iwata? Lol. I like the quick fix on the infinity especially im a noob
@@myko.lektion880 It does not. The infinity's rear-handle thread is very different from the other brands. It only fits harder and steenbeck.
Excellent review! I’m glad that buying iwata custom micron in Hong Kong only costs 350 usd :D
Thanks! 350 usd is an amazing price. All the microns are fantastic. For that price, you have to pick one up.
Someone has solved the issue with the infinity's response
Using tbe 771 today for the first time - have 2 sotars. Using black ink on less absorbant marker paper. Spraying thin lines the 771 is flawless with no visible grain and both sotars give grainy lines.
Only seeing the difference on this paper.
can u please make a tutorial on who to airbrush the mini painting . itsso cool
I agree with you on the Iwata Micron--I've got a CM-C and never use it anymore since I got my first Olympos MP200-C Micron six years ago for a measly $179!. I immediately bought another, and last year I bought an MP200-B (.18mm). These are now the only airbrushes I use, plus one old Iwata HP-C+ for larger areas and an even older Paasche VL for pearls & metallics. And one Creos PS771 that I just received and have yet to try out.
that Olympus is great! it's the original micron. fantastic price at $179!!
picked up a 771 thanks!
one of the best airbrushes ever made!
thank you! great video!
thank you!
Thanks so much for all of the information! The Sotar prices have gone through the roof! $280-$350...
wow that is crazy! hope the come back down to more reasonable prices
@DiscosDead - You may be aware, but you can get a Sotar 20/20 2F that's shipped from and sold by Amazon (not a 3rd party seller) for about $93 as of May 28, 2024
i knew nothing. now i know a little bit more. learning is good. thx
I have the same experience with my H&S evolution CR plus .2. I've spent days and days for practicing various paints thin ratios but still couldn't feel that I have 100 percent control over the paint flow. Switched to a GSI Ps 270 and never looked back since...
I'm using an H&S Ultra and I've recently bought a H&S Infinity which I haven't tried out yet; I'm starting to regret buying the Infinity because I've read several comments around the internet from people complaining of the same issue of erratic flow. Perhaps it's caused by an air gap between the body of the airbrush and the paint cup?
@@herculeholmes504 I don't know honestly. What I've found out is that there is a certain point during the trigger pull when the paint flow starts to increase significantly and it is really hard to control the flow around this point. This is a drawback during fine detail work. I still use my evo for basic paintjobs, bot for very fine detail the ps 270 is the winner for me.
I just discovered your channel and have subscribed. Have you ever had the opportunity to use a Paasche AB Turbo in your travels? Though I really like my Iwata and Olympus brushes, I have to say, My AB Turbo is the flagship of my fleet. I've done many paintings over the years and really enjoy that detail, and if I don't hear a whine while I'm painting I feel like I'm missing something. Beautiful work and I am really enjoying your videos, keep them coming.
that's funny that you mentioned the turbo because it's always been a bucket list airbrush for me. I love the concept of it, the over engineering, and heard a lot of great things. I will pick it up someday for sure. The prices of them are just always so high. thanks for the sub and the kind words man.
@@theartworkshop I actually own five of them, Ebay has some pretty good prices if you want to check them out, less than the Iwata brushes actually. Looking forward to watching some more of your videos, you have quite a few. Nice to have someone on TH-cam that actually discusses the brushes and their proper use, as well as doing great art.
To me the custom micron is the best airbrush in the world I hear all these other people bragging on their airbrushes but I've owned these airbrushes and I tell you what they are the faster is
I think the Sotar painting is the best
For the Steenbeck are you using the new V2 needles? Have you tried polishing the needles?
I know mine the V2 needles they claimed suffer far less tip dry, but I've gotten to the point I'll use metal polish on needles now due to exact reasons you've mentioned, same with Iwata.
the PS770/771 aircap parts were interchangeable with the Custom Micron(not sure about the takumi), it's equivalent to the Creos. Both are made in Japan, most likely made in same factory. Should be identical to the Creos. The Iwata needle will fit in the Creos as it's shorter
Not yet, but I will try the v2 needle. They were out of stock last time I placed an order.
I wouldn't be surprised if micron and ps771 were made in the same factory. Who knows though. Both are excellent.
Very well done and informative video. A comment on the Harder & Steenbeck Infinity though - I can tell from when you removed the handle that the needle is the older version which did tend to spit. A couple years ago H&S revised the needle design to eliminate that tendency. I updated my Infinity with Version 2 needles and can testify that they work much better. You can easily tell the V2 needles as the back end has several little knobs, the number of which indicates the needle size.
Very interesting! I heard about these and just never got around to trying them out. I will order a few new ones ASAP to try them out. Thanks so much! If I notice a difference, maybe I'll make a video comparing the two needles.
@@theartworkshop That would be cool! I usually use my H&S with the 0.40mm needle as I have a Sotar 20/20 and Olympos Micron MP-200C for detail work. I totally agree with you on the Sotar too. It sure won't win any airbrush beauty contests but I fell in love with it the first time I used it. I use my brushes for painting scale models (mostly aircraft) but am also a bit of an airbrush junkie. I have 7 so far and am very tempted to try one of those Creos PS771s.
@@ericlarson6897 I have way too many airbrushes. It's a problem lol This video was just my micro/detail airbrushes. But I agree with you that they are great for modeling. The Ps771 is outstanding. You'll love it. Thanks for the comments!
@@theartworkshop do you have the PS-770 too? I was wondering about selling my Infinity and getting that instead. I'm an armour modeller btw. Some camo schemes need very precise spraying with as little overspray as possible.
@@xRepoUKx No, I just have the PS-771. As far as I know, they are the exact same airbrush. The Ps-771 has a chrome coating, while the 770 has a matte finish. Just aesthetic changes. I think you'll be very happy with the GSI creos. It's a less expensive custom micron in my opinion.
hey what shades of colour you used ?
Great video. With the H&S i had similr issues with the start moving. What I found is they are very sensitive to build up in the nozzle and it needs cleaning religiously. I use it for miniatures and acrylics, enamels and laquers.
I have a badger arrow to, they feel like the internals are polished with 300 grit sand paper compared to the h n s action. How smooth is the sotair?
haha yeah the badgers are not known for their fine finish like H&S. Build quality isn't amazing, but to me the sotar feels very smooth to spray and is incredibly responsive. It doesn't spray as sharp or as small as the infinity, but the control is better.
+1. Other one here that has similar problems with the H&S. You'll never know when it begins to paint exactly. And no need to be an engineer, the problem it is the noozle's design. Yes, it is a awesome airbrush, but you can't do detail with it for more than a few seconds without having problems
You have the best airbrush reviews on the internet. Looking for a detail brush, how does the Iwata HP-B Plus compare to these brushes (such as the Sotar 2020)? There’s no way I’m paying for a Micron, but should I just pay the difference for a PS771 instead?Thanks
thanks! The ps771 is an incredible airbrush. worth every penny and sprays just like a micron, to me anyway.
I feel the infinty is the best airbrush. Gives more detail and is $200 cheaper then the micron. I own the micron sotar and infinty. The micron is the least used one I use. I’m just not a big fan of iwata. I feel you pay for the name. It doesn’t ever just makes me happy. I put the long trigger on my sotar and it makes it even more responsive. If it had a bigger cup it’d be the only brush I use. My infinity is always with my .15 which gives the best detail once you get used to it.
I agree with everything you said. Everyone is going to find one that is best for them. The infinity is an amazing airbrush. That's why I bought a second one! I love it but I'm more comfortable with Iwatas.
Do you not get any of the inconsistencies mentioned? I certainly do and its annoying.
The trigger on the Iwatas are great. Also to note there custom triggers you can buy that are even better that will turn your Iwata Micron into somethin unparalleled with anything else. H&S are great, but not quite there.
The renegade krome shares the same nozzle with the sotar. That’s my work horse when making miniature. They perform pretty much the same other than the trigger is more straight up and less leaning forward like the sotar
@kylerkill
I saw that the Sotar is available in a version with a bigger cup. Looking into that or the infinity
For detail, NOTHING beats an in tune PAASCHE AB airbrush hooked up to a cylinder full of nitrogen ( Been doin' it for over 40 years! ) Been an Iwata user, also, for over 25 years - and I love it!
I've heard about this- That airbrush is crazy! You sold me on it. I'll have to pick one up. Thanks!
OH ok dude. Use your airbrush nobody anywhere uses with a method of air nobody uses. Why do you even bother replying? Ridiculous
@@superkillr Now that I have your permission, I feel so much better! I was having a hard time sleeping at night knowing that I have been using a obscure airbrush. Do you think I should, also, call all the people and businesses I have sold designs to over the years and confess my nonconformity? Now I feel bad for all the people ( thousands? millions? ) who have drank the beer with the label that I did the airbrushing on. Thanks for setting me straight Homeboy!
@@superkillrHahaha Take your meds Karen
Serious question why the nitrogen?
Sotar's price you say its cause of you're in America we're they are made from, here in Europe it costs like near 200€. Im thinking about to buy some detail airbrush and I've finally found a channel who talks of this in a empirical way. In Europe prices, Infinity CR plus and Sotar 2020 cost same similar, I'm begginer/medium lvl with airbrush, what one will you think that I may choose between that 2?
My actual airbrush it's an HS ultra and it's giving me problems with the trigger and with the paint's deposit, but it's easy clean, now It is time to climb up lvl. If I take Sotar or Infinity I will only use evolution for first coates cause im starting to hate it.
Thank you and you have earn a subscriber tonight!!
I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Both the sotar the the infinity are incredible airbrushes. Sotar 20/20's build is okay, but the control is amazing. The infinity's build is amazing, but the control is just okay. The infinity also sprays a much tighter spray pattern. Both are great though.
I’m extremely torn on what airbrush to purchase. I mostly paint 1/48 model aircraft’s and som miniature figures. Price for me is the least of my worries, however not one airbrush seems to be a strong first pick. My intentions were to go for the iwata micron or is there something better or just as great?
Please help this would be my first airbrush gun in a while…. Thanks
if price isn't an issue, a micron would be my choice.
I was all about the Infinity until you dropped the price. Welp.. I’ll continue to shop around. Great video btw.
haha I know what you mean. An airbrush will last a lifetime with care, so go with one you like.
@@theartworkshop Yeah. I’m new to airbrushing and I’m using it for models. I’m thinking of a Iwata Revolution. I heard it’s a great airbrush for the beginner. Thoughts?
@@DarksouIjah The Revolution is fantastic. Another great one is the NEO for Iwata. It is less expensive but amazing. I still use mine to this day. You cannot go wrong with either. Revolution has a better build quality, but both spray the same imo.
@@theartworkshop Thank you sir. I'll look at both and then determine. I might go with the better build quality so I can use it for awhile and then treat my self to the Infinity...some day. You got a new subscriber by the way. So thank you.
mr.hobby creos platinum brushes are great and affordable. they have great detail and feel really good. i like them better than my iwatas.
It's a shame the Harder and Steenbeck has the trigger issues. I love the rest of the design and how modular it is for it's breakdown. Oh well, I think I'll stick with my my Sotar. I use my brushes for models and the sotar is plenty detailed enough for my purposes.
I have a Harder & Steenbeck brush and the trigger is the issue I have with mine. It may be more of a skill problem on MY end though. I have trouble letting off of the paint first before the air which is important with any air brush to prevent paint clogs. You can't spray with an airbrush like it's a rattle can and it's amazing to me that I see TH-camr channel painting wrong with their airbrushes just like I described. Not this channel though!! I'm thinking of going with a Badger, specifically the Reaper Vex that Badger makes for Reaper paints. A Sotar is on my radar as well.
Which airbrush is a good start for airbrushing miniatures/models?
neo for iwata is a great place to start.
I find it hilarious that you talk about painting Bob Ross style landscapes while using a Bob Ross style tone of voice. 😂
Good informative video tho.
Wow, I think you just nailed the issues I've been having with my H&S airbrush. Perhaps the needle grinds are inconsistent. My brand new needle/nozzle seems to require that I force it into the nozzle and has quite a bit of resistance when seating the needle into the nozzle all the way. I'm sort of regretting my purchase as I have the Chameleon. The inconsistent painting behaviour you describe is exactly what I'm experiencing. I may give the creos a try. Are they made by Iwata?
The infinity is a great airbrush, but I have issues with that controllability. No, the gsi creos is its own brand and not made by Iwata.
i baught infinity but after watching this vedio i think i have wasted my money cause that the same problem that i was getting with cheap generic airbrush the trigger response was really bad.In australia it costs nearly 400 .what can i do now as micron is too expersive n not the fan of that small nozzle. should i have got 770 ?
i am waiting for your reply mate
How was the trigger reponse bad? Did you try using some lubrication oil?
@@greychief yes mate all of my airbrushes are properly lubricated. The one i was talking about in the upper comments is a cheap generic one that i baught from SCA(SUPER CHEAP AUTO).
You definately know that one cuz its the most common brush that comes with extra .25 and .50 mm needles and .35 mm already installed.
This video proves I need to get better with my Iwata CM-SB (side feed). Their website is now showing this as “retired” - is there a new version available?
Edit: oooooh ok - so that’s what you meant by the “Takumi” … now I need to find a detailed comparison of these two!
Seems the response issues I’m having with the CM-SB is due to the side feed cup not being a gravity well. The Takumi uses a gravity well for better paintflow.
Olympos Micron❤
Was it really only $100 for the Sotar 20/20 last year? It’s $225 now!
It's usually around $100. No idea why it's that high now. Badger usually runs a sale on their website in the summer where you can buy any airbrush (including the sotar20/20) for like $80 or so.
I get the best results with the infinity. I own a ps771 and it’s good. But not worth the price might as well buy a infinty for a little more.
Rumor is Creos and Iwata are made in same factory and parts are interchangeable
That wouldn't surprise me since they spray paint pretty much the same to me. I've used a PS771 .18 needle in micron. Worked fine!
Interesting you didn't like harder steenbeck...
It's commonly stated that iwata and h&s are the two kings when it comes to best air brushes.
I may have missed your reasoning for h&s being so relatively poorly rated, but I was curious if you could elaborate on why a hundred dollar brush beats a two hundred dollar brush, I'd love to know since the sotar is half the price of a h&s.
H&S Grafo has entered the chat.
Not sure if you have noticed this already, but maybe this could be something to try and fix the inconsistency in the CR Plus?
th-cam.com/video/gCdRdai3r1M/w-d-xo.html
Show
Take them airbrushes and try painting gaming miniatures',and see if you draw the same conclusion. I have the Infinity the Sotar 20/20, and the Iwata CM SB V2. and i have the Airtex Selphy, my most used airbrush for miniature painting is the selphy followed by the 20/20.
who gives a crap about miniatures. do that with a spraycan
Lots of people care about miniature.
People don't just use air brush to base coat-people also use air brush to paint details.
👍👍🎈🎈😁😁😄😇
Never pull the needle out of the back.
Harder and steenbeck is the best airbrush in the world No competitor.
Harder & steenback is a nightmare, no consistency with the trigger control. Bought 2, sold 2.