Airbrush buying advice

[Ryno]

Finally replaced the battery compressor of my cheapo Amazon airbrush with a proper one, and man what a difference that makes. Actually able to fully coat a model without a battery dying... With that said, though, a mildly longer session (I'm talking like 3 different colours on like 5 models here, not a long session by any stretch) really did have my hand complaining, so my next major hobby purchase will be a new, decent, trigger style model.

Hopefully this is an appropriate place to ask; what are your opinions on top vs side gravity feeders? The Badger I used as a kid had a side feed that was just off to the side enough that the hopper didn't obscure your view down the centerline of the airbrush, but not way out to the side so it didn't really have a longer path for the paint to travel, which I liked. I'm having a look at the Grex line of trigger airbrushes, and their side feeders seem way further out to the side. Do you guys have any opinions on top vs side? How necessary is a side feed for our hobby? I doubt I'll ever have the dexterity or eyesight to use an airbrush for finer details, so I'm wondering if I should just go with the Monument Hobbies version as it appears a decent bit cheaper than what I'm finding for Grex proper, despite being a top feed.


[EDIT] Ok, just found this: https://www.midwestairbrush.com/products/grtrdoacpist2 It's like 40% cheaper than anywhere else. I might just bite the bullet and order it now... $180 instead of $330... Hard to turn that down.

Edited November 19 by Ryno

[Firedrake Cordova]

The general rule is people tend to prefer the gravity-fed airbrushes (Badger give a good explanation). The side-fed airbrushes require a bit more air pressure to function, it's possible the side-cup can restrict where the airbrush will fit, and whilst having the option for a greater capacity cup may seem like it's great for painting a large model (or batch of models), the reality is that the acrylic paint will likely be getting cloggy and benefit from being cleaned out. 

 

I have a Harder & Steenbeck Evolution, and don't find the cups get in the way. I do have the micro-cup which I got when I got the airbrush due to concerns about the larger cups obstructing sight, and find I use it when I'm not going to be using much paint. I also have the suction kit which I basically don't use.

 

I suppose the TL;DR is get whatever you feel happiest with. Angel Giraldez gets ridiculous results from his Infinity, and other artists get wonderful results from side-fed airbrushes - the most important thing is it feels comfortable and makes you want to use it.

[tychobi]

I use both with no issues. Side fed jams slightly less but is annoying to clean. I get great use out of pistol style air brushes but still get hand cramps with prolonged use. Start switching up trigger fingers and go with the biggest brush you can for long jobs. I paint with very high pressure with all my brushes but it's pretty brush+paint dependant. 40-50psi for me. 

[Bung]

There is the combinations of Iwata with side fed Gravity Cup

 

The Eclipse Takumi and the Custom Micron Takumi.

I own both the Gravity Side Fed is a great engineering solution that can be adapted for left and right handed users without Tools.

 

On the other side you pay Iwata prices.

The Eclipse Takumi ist depending on your location slightly more expansive than a H&S Infinity.

From my go to Store ( sorry its German)

https://www.airbrush4you.de/pistolen-kompressoren/airbrush-pistole/airbrush-double-action/3027/takumi-eclipse-iwata-airbrushpistole

 

For the Custom Micron, i advice against buying that gun if you dont have much experience.

The Custom Micron Series is the top of the line Airbrush with the matching price.

(You can get 2 H&S Infinitys and one Evolution for the price of one CM Takumi)

 

That said, the Eclipse Takumi ist my go to airbrush for nearly everything after 10+ years with a H&S Evolution and Infinity.

 

 

 

[Ryno]

Thanks for the input, everyone! (And thanks to the mod who split this out to its own thread :))

I was able to find the Grex Tritium.TS3s for a pretty good price, so I've just put in that order while I can. In the meantime, I'll get back to the cheapo I've got now to see if I can get my thinning a bit more consistent. Looking forward to the trigger grip in the future, for sure!

[Firedrake Cordova]

Hope it arrives quickly, and you have fun with it!