Iwata HP-CS or something else?

[Andy123]

I have spent some time learning airbrushing this year on very cheap airbrushes because at the time I wanted to at least try before I spent a lot of money.  I am now ready to upgrade to one that will give me better results (finer, less splatter, better atomising etc) and current thoughts are to get an Iwata HP-CS.   However, I thought I would see whether there are alternatives I should consider in the similar price range please.  I have a reasonable compressor, will mainly continue to spray acrylics and will be on scale modelling as well as warhammer miniatures and some drawing.

Thoughts please.

Thanks

[Procopius]

I have a Gunze GSI Creos Mr. Airbrush Custom 0.18mm that I'm quite taken with, but if I were entirely honest for you, it mostly sits and looks pretty while I use my clunky Badger 105.

[Navy Bird]

9 minutes ago, Procopius said:

I have a Gunze GSI Creos Mr. Airbrush Custom 0.18mm that I'm quite taken with, but if I were entirely honest for you, it mostly sits and looks pretty while I use my clunky Badger 105.

 

Funny how that works, isn't it? I have an absolutely incredible Harder & Steenbeck Infinity X-CR with 0.2mm and 0.4mm needles, yet I do 99.9% of my airbrushing with a Paasche Model H with the #3 tip that I bought back in 1980.

 

Cheers,

Bill

[Procopius]

1 minute ago, Navy Bird said:

 

Funny how that works, isn't it? I have an absolutely incredible Harder & Steenbeck Infinity X-CR with 0.2mm and 0.4mm needles, yet I do 99.9% of my airbrushing with a Paasche Model H with the #3 tip that I bought back in 1980.

 

I actually bought one of the latter myself, to see if it was just the tools that enabled you to obtain your results. 

 

No.

 

No it is not just the tools. 

[Ngantek]

I certainly like mine a lot; as you probably know, it is something of a jack of all trades (at least for modelling work); you can go pretty fine, and do some reasonable larger coverage. It is, I believe, a really nice, easy and reliable airbrush given that.  

 

The downside might be that it's not designed for really good even coverage of larger areas (frankly as all of these types of airbrushes are, due to the diffuse edge of their spray pattern), and maybe just a tad shy of finer airbrushes on the detail work (but still good enough imo). So the consideration might be, if you one day may get two or three brushes to cover specific uses, that it's not so well specialised.

 

But everyday all purpose stuff that's well designed and build, cleans easily, sprays well, yes I think it's a very good option.

 

Andy

 

EDIT: obviously, the usual feature comparison is worth considering, depending on your specific taste. It doesn't have a build in mac valve, and a needle limit stop requires a separate rear cover, so if those are things you want, you might also look at different airbrushes.

[Navy Bird]

16 minutes ago, Procopius said:

 

I actually bought one of the latter myself, to see if it was just the tools that enabled you to obtain your results. 

 

No.

 

No it is not just the tools. 

 

Well, I did buy the Paasche from the Devil at the Crossroads at midnight...

 

Cheers,

Bill

[Andy123]

Thanks all for responses.  Ngantek, I think you have helped, just for mentioning it cleans easy. 

[Mike]

I've got two Gunze airbrushes, the PS770 which is 0.18 and equivalent to the top-line Iwata brush, and a lot cheaper to buy and get spares for, and a PS270 with a 0.20 needle that's great for general airbrushing.  My two H&S Infinities get used occasionally, but my Gunze brushes are the best and most reliable, as well as being cheaper.

[Ngantek]

Yep good point Mike, my answer is really only from using the Eclipse, not so much as a comparison (unless you include a cheap siphon feed knock off, which was terrible). I suspect there's a certain amount of 'premium cost' in the Iwata name; and airbrushes being what they are, most have a pretty similar design and part assembly; as long as the parts are well made, smooth and there aren't any glaring design errors, I suspect most of the commonly heard 'recommended' brushes will clean up much the same; all will require care and maintenance.

[Andy123]

From what I see the Mr Hobby / Gunze airbrushes have what I call a traditional nozzle arrangement rather than the Iwata floating design.  Does that make a difference to anything?

Thanks

[BlueNosers352nd]

I've used Iwatas for many many years.  I used one that basically looks like the HP-BCS Eclipse with cups from the Paasche VL I had (which I hated).   Still have it, but I think the port where the cup slides in is worn out as the cup will no longer stay in.  After that I switched to an H&S Evolution 2 in 1.   Didn't take long and I sold it as I could never make it work like my Iwata.   Then I purchased a HP-C+ and never regretted it.   Ran circles around the H&S right outta the box.   But I guess it is a case of what you are use to.  Many people use H&S on here and that's why I tried it.  For me it never worked as well as my Iwatas.  I would get another Iwata in a heartbeat if needed.

 

 I did pick up GSI Creos PS 771 0.18mm, but I have since started another phase of the house remodel which includes the model room.   Crossing fingers on that one.  The GSI Creos line seems to be well liked and at a cheaper cost.

[Ngantek]

The 'floating nozzle' does work well as far as dissembly is concerned. Essentially the needle cover and front cap come off easily and are finger tight. The next part covers the nozzle and has the air mix holes, and is tightened against an o ring with a small spanner. When this is removed, the nozzle is 'free'. Again I don't have comparisons in terms of performance, but this system works very well to ensure nothing gets overtightened, and the right screw thread comes loose in the right order. 

[Mike]

2 hours ago, Andy123 said:

From what I see the Mr Hobby / Gunze airbrushes have what I call a traditional nozzle arrangement rather than the Iwata floating design.  Does that make a difference to anything?

Thanks

Many Iwata and Gunze airbrushes are surprisingly identical similar in design, which may tell you something

[Saul Enderby]

I've been wondering about something along these lines myself. I've been considering buying an Iwata because I've heard that they're the top of the line and cannot be beaten in quality. Specifically I've been thinking about buying an Iwata HP-TH.

 

However, Iwata are massively expensive, the HP-TH costs about £250, and I noticed that Mr Hobby's PS290 is basically the exact same brush except that it doesn't have a MAC valve and it costs like £100 less.

 

So I was wondering if there really is any functional difference between the Iwata and Mr Hobby lines? They both seem made from the same materials to similar standard. I was wondering if anyone who has both could tell what, if anything, justifies Iwata's higher price point?

Edited November 17, 2022 by Saul Enderby

[Andy123]

So I ended up buying an HP-CS so will see what it’s like and if I notice a difference to the cheaper models I currently have.   Got it for £140 so I felt it compared quite favourably compared to others at that price. 

[Watto]

I tend to think that whatever brand of airbrush you choose, if it works well for you, you will be singing its praises whenever the question of which one to buy comes up. I am a massive fan of the HP-CS, it's nice to use and very easy to clean. I'm sure you'll be very happy with your choice.

 

I wish you many happy hours of spraying and look forward to seeing the results.

Watto.