IWATA HP-A??

Porkrind

Double Actioner
I've come across an IWATA HP-A and really just don't know much about. I'm very new to all of this but I can afford to make a decent purchase. Does anyone have any information they can share with me regarding this airbrush? Thanks
 
I've come across an IWATA HP-A and really just don't know much about.

It depends on which one you are refering to, HP-A or HP-AP (sometimes written as HP-A+ )

The 'Plus' is the newer version. Parts for the older one are harder to come by, but still available normally via the retailer ordering in, whereas the + series parts / spares will likely be in stock

In case you arent aware the 'A' 'B' 'C' 'SB' etc after the - refers to the Paint cup, A, B, C refers to the size of the cup, A being the smallest and technically doesnt have a cup, just a hole lol The SB is the side brush, the BCS is the siphone feed. This applies right across the range of Iwata brushes

As for what is it like to use, well all of the High Performance series are great to use, without the hefty price tag of the High lines / Microns
I have one that I use more for highlights as it only takes minimal paint
 
Got ya. Thanks for that information. The one I'm looking at is just the HP-A and is in pretty much mint condition. Looking at the markings it's a 2012 model and I'm in the market for something with a small cup I just don't know how small. I'm willing to bet that would work just find as I will only need it for some highlighting small parts.
 
I’d suggest hunting down a nozzle and needle to suit.
IF you damage either you could have some downtime while waiting for them to arrive if you don’t have another brush to use

Be aware that a used brush could already have a damaged needle/nozzle so factor that cost in as well before hitting the ‘buy’ button
 
I hadn’t thought of that so I may just pass it up. Thank you for the perspective.

Definitely pass it up my friend, people selling second hand goods are usually selling them for good reason, these reasons are often a bit sinister, I recently took possession of an Iwata HP-B which is the same as the one you are looking at but with the small cup, even after replacing the needle and nozzle I'm still having problems with it.

I don't know where you are in the world but the best prices I have seen for a new Iwata are at aircraft.net, I would recommend the HP-B+ which is £10 cheaper than the A model, handy should you ever require to use more paint.

When you're starting out it's better to do it with trustworthy tools, once you gain some experience with maintenance of your tools you'll know what to look for in a second hand unit, bear in mind you are entitled to ask the seller why they are selling and ask for more photos, such as photos of the internals, it's easy to polish a brush so it looks new, some sellers will even post a stock/factory photo which doesn't represent the actual unit for sale.


And welcome to the forum:)
 
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Definitely pass it up my friend, people selling second hand goods are usually selling them for good reason, these reasons are often a bit sinister, I recently took possession of an Iwata HP-B which is the same as the one you are looking at but with the small cup, even after replacing the needle and nozzle I'm still having problems with it.)

While I partially agree with Malky's scepticism about second-hand items (and second-hand-item-sellers), I should point out that I bought an old HP-C off ebay and haven't had any problems with it, once I had cleaned the age-old gunk out of it, so, as the saying goes, your mileage may vary. I didn't pay very much moey for my HP-C, so I was pleasantly surprised when I got it to work well; I wouldn't have been too distraught if it had been awful.

Essentially: make sure you don't pay too much.
 
I hadn’t thought of that so I may just pass it up. Thank you for the perspective.
I have not looked where you are located, but will say that nozzles and needles are readily available for these models from most retailers that sell Iwata parts. You just have to be careful to make sure that you are ordering the regular HP parts, and not the HP-Plus parts - the biggest difference is the threading on the nozzle. One will not fit the other. I have several of both series, and they are great brushes. I have been using the HP series brushes since the mid-80's... They are just as dependable, and predictable as they were back then.
iwata hpa1.jpg

Oh, and as far as buying second hand - I have purchased pretty close to 100 brushes in the last 2 years. 2 of them were absolutely not as advertised, but my fault about not being more specific with my questions before purchase. Several have required new needles and nozzles, but the asking price still kept them a reasonable bargain. Virtually all of them needed a good cleaning, and a little attention. I have no problem buying used... as long as the buyer is aware that it is a risk, and the brush may need some attention. If you are not comfortable working on a brush, probably a better idea to buy new.
 
While I partially agree with Malky's scepticism about second-hand items (and second-hand-item-sellers), I should point out that I bought an old HP-C off ebay and haven't had any problems with it, once I had cleaned the age-old gunk out of it, so, as the saying goes, your mileage may vary. I didn't pay very much moey for my HP-C, so I was pleasantly surprised when I got it to work well; I wouldn't have been too distraught if it had been awful.

Essentially: make sure you don't pay too much.

You've been very lucky, if you know how to maintain a brush youre far less likely to get burned, or at least in a position to fix whatever needs fixed if you do buy second hand, would be a fool to say every seller is going to rip you off but it's hard to separate the ones that wont from the ones that will so my advice to anyone who has never owned a brush and is buying one for the very first time is to buy a new one and don't risk second hand units, if anything is wrong with a new brush there is always the warranty that comes with it, it can be a pain trying to get reimbursed for a faulty secimond hand brush.

I have plenty of time seeing as this is a hobby so I’m not going to rush into a purchase.

To do what you say you want to do with your brush you necessarily need to go Iwata, you can also look at Badger, Harder & Steenbeck, Paasche and one or two others, when you're ready to make a purchase, post a link to it here for advice before you part with your cash.

Now and again members post up brushes and other equipment for sale here on the forum, in that case you're more likely to get a decent tool, although I personally wouldn't buy from a member who logs on with the soul purpose of selling their unwanted items, either way, you but at your own risk.
 
You've been very lucky, if you know how to maintain a brush youre far less likely to get burned, or at least in a position to fix whatever needs fixed if you do buy second hand, would be a fool to say every seller is going to rip you off but it's hard to separate the ones that wont from the ones that will so my advice to anyone who has never owned a brush and is buying one for the very first time is to buy a new one and don't risk second hand units, if anything is wrong with a new brush there is always the warranty that comes with it, it can be a pain trying to get reimbursed for a faulty secimond hand brush.



To do what you say you want to do with your brush you necessarily need to go Iwata, you can also look at Badger, Harder & Steenbeck, Paasche and one or two others, when you're ready to make a purchase, post a link to it here for advice before you part with your cash.

Now and again members post up brushes and other equipment for sale here on the forum, in that case you're more likely to get a decent tool, although I personally wouldn't buy from a member who logs on with the soul purpose of selling their unwanted items, either way, you but at your own risk.
Well I actually made my first purchase a couple days ago and went with a Grex Genesis XB. It’s brand new and should be delivered early this next week. I decided on it as I believe it to be on the upper half of middle of the road models. Not top end but more likely right close to the middle. As for buying used I really don’t mind and if the brush does have problems I’m confident I can make it work and bring it back to life. I maintenenance, repair, and restore precision small components often so this is the area I feel most confident in when it comes to using an airbrush. I personally feel that buying a used model that is in less than mint condition will allow me to get my hands dirty, make my mind work, all while coming out ahead from learning. That may be an odd perspective but that’s how I like to learn new things. There are some many things to learn with this it’s really exciting. I have ADD so anything to keep me thinking and focused on one thing is as exciting as it gets. ADD has it’s downfalls buy hyperfocussing isn’t one of them. LOL
 
Well I actually made my first purchase a couple days ago and went with a Grex Genesis XB. It’s brand new and should be delivered early this next week. I decided on it as I believe it to be on the upper half of middle of the road models. Not top end but more likely right close to the middle. As for buying used I really don’t mind and if the brush does have problems I’m confident I can make it work and bring it back to life. I maintenenance, repair, and restore precision small components often so this is the area I feel most confident in when it comes to using an airbrush. I personally feel that buying a used model that is in less than mint condition will allow me to get my hands dirty, make my mind work, all while coming out ahead from learning. That may be an odd perspective but that’s how I like to learn new things. There are some many things to learn with this it’s really exciting. I have ADD so anything to keep me thinking and focused on one thing is as exciting as it gets. ADD has it’s downfalls buy hyperfocussing isn’t one of them. LOL

Congrats on the acquisition of the new Grex, we would love to see some photos when it comes:)

If you're capable of working with small components I doubt you would a have a problem restoring an old brush, but not everyone starting out has the knowledge or necessary tools to be able to this, I have the knowledge but am armed only with the basic tools required for standard maintainance of my brush, the first owner of my brush had no knowledge at all of how to keep the brush in working order so they chose to set about cleaning the cup and the paint channel with sharp metal tools, they caused damage are the base of the cup and in the channel, this causingvpsint to dry instantly on the damaged areas so the brush clogs within minutes of use, I still use the brush despite this but the same problem would cause nightmares for a begginer who starts with no basic knowledge of how the brush should work, while you are lucky enough to able to fix a priblem like this, advice is general and applies to any starter who happens to come across this thread, if it saves just one newby from a headache, I'm happy :)
 
Malky, I agree 100% and can guarantee you that I maybe able to fix/repair most issues with a brush but knowing what needs to be fixed is a whole different beast. That’s where all the advice from everyone here comes in and that makes it exciting and less discouraging. I only joined the site like two or three days ago but I’ve had a lot of welcomes and greetings. Seems likely that I’ll be hanging around a lot which is cool!
 
Malky, I agree 100% and can guarantee you that I maybe able to fix/repair most issues with a brush but knowing what needs to be fixed is a whole different beast. That’s where all the advice from everyone here comes in and that makes it exciting and less discouraging. I only joined the site like two or three days ago but I’ve had a lot of welcomes and greetings. Seems likely that I’ll be hanging around a lot which is cool!
We like it when people decide to stick around, it helps make our brains trust even better :)
 
I think everything has been covered about buying a secondhand airbrush , my first airbrush was second hand but it wasnt really used and only missed 1 little part but it worked like a charm and I didnt know there should be a little plastic disk in the side cup of the HP SB+ till I saw it in a micron cup ( same cup as on a HP SB )
and like all other who commented I would advice the Iwata HP series
 
Yeah I’m absolutely leaning towards the Iwata for the gravity feed. What are he feelings around here for the Olympos and Richpens? Pro’s vs. Cons? I personally am not to concerned with weight and I’m a big man with very large hands with less than average dexterity in them I’d say. I’m an ex-American football player who played offensive line so these hands aren’t pretty. I’d say I’m less than steady with my hands as well but I’m confident that if I can learn the proper technique of holding and steady handling of the brush I’ll be okay. Again, thanks everyone for all the input!:thumbsup:
 
This is gonna sound a bit funny, but... they are all made in the same factory ;) Olympos, Richpen, Iwata, Creos, and several other Japanese brands originate off the same manufacturing line. They are not identical, as each is finished to the company spec, and things like nozzle angle, or needle taper may vary between them - but, in terms of quality, they are all about the same. Quite a few parts are common between them, and many are interchangeable.

That being said, my least favorite out of the bunch is probably the Olympos - even though it was my first Micron, and a very early love of mine! I am not a huge fan of the long taper, and very delicate needle design. Olympos stopped production in the mid to late 80's, and the lack of development in the parts shows it. The others have undergone small changes here and there that add up to performance. On most of my Olympos brushes, I have gone to using Iwata replacement parts... I find the Richpen, Iwata, and Creos to all be very, very similar performers.

Keep in mind, this is my personal take, as there are also plenty that would prefer the Olympos right out of the box over the others.
 
Malky, I agree 100% and can guarantee you that I maybe able to fix/repair most issues with a brush but knowing what needs to be fixed is a whole different beast. That’s where all the advice from everyone here comes in and that makes it exciting and less discouraging. I only joined the site like two or three days ago but I’ve had a lot of welcomes and greetings. Seems likely that I’ll be hanging around a lot which is cool!
Exactly where it is handy to have the experience of at least one new brush. Just so you know how they are supposed to perform. Some problems wouldnt even trigger someone whos never used one to think there is a real issue at all.
 
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