Buying my second AB

[Dag]

Hi guys. I might ask a question thats been answered many times before, but sometimes its hard to sort through the jungle of information.

I have a H&S 2in1 already. This is my first and only so far. The 0,2mm needle is bent a tiny little bit, and I might also need to change some other parts. In any case, Im planning to only use the 0.4 mm needle on this, and use it only for basic work/bigger areas. Im not happy with the precision and control of this AB. This might also be partly because of some wear on it, but thats hard for me to say since Im still a noob. I started out in June (I think), and I would say that I have a lot of the basics down.

I want an airbrush capable of making details, and at the same time have the possibility to use it for an entire painting.

From what I've read, Im thinking of 3 alternatives:
- Iwata HP C plus 0.3mm. Ok paintflow and ok control
- Highline 0.2mm. Less flow and more control
- Micron 0.23mm. The best, as I understand it, for precision work.

I dont care about price. I just want something that gives me great control, and it would also be nice (but maybe not an absolute demand) if I can use only this AB if Im making a portrait for example.

Are there other alternatives I should consider? Which do you recommend for me?

Thanks!

 

[AndreZA]

It all depends on the piece you're doing. If you're doing a mural, you can do it with a spray gun. For my size paintings I use a 0.18 Micron and it can do all.

 

[jagardn]

The CMC Plus has a pretty good range, it is great for fine detail and can spray a wide enough pattern for any illustration work.
Like André said, it really depends on what size your canvas is.

The Infinity is capable of fine detail as well. As far as your performance issues, they are probably related to maintenance problems. The needle can be straightened and polished as well. I have bent needles on damn near every airbrush I own and have been able to repair all of them.

 

[ad fez]

Is it the infinity 2 in 1 that you have? , thought they have 0.15 as small nozzle?, have you got evolution 2 in 1?

 

[crewchief227]

I too was thinking of the HP-C+. I have an HP-CS and Micron CM-C+. I use the eclipse for larger area color lay in or larger graduations and the Micron is my workhorse for the rest. I was thinking if I had the HP-C+ the .3 set up would give me that middle of the road for average blends and whatnot.

 

[Dag]

Thanks for great replies!

Yes, it is the Evolution 2in1 i have, not the infinity. 0.2/0.4 mm

There are some performance issues due to some worn out seals and whatnot. I will of course fix this, and fix/or replace the 0.2 needle. I just dont find the trigger very good. I have changed the spring to one from a pen, and I've even built up the trigger by a couple mms, but its not responsive and consistent enough. At least thats how i feel. I hear a lot of good thing about the Iwatas, and especially about the micron, so Im leaning towards the micron.

My painting size vary. Not murals/huge paintings, maybe typically around A3 size, and with a lot of details in key areas. If there are bigger areas I need to fill in, I could use the H&S.

 

[Bossman]

Thanks for great replies!

Yes, it is the Evolution 2in1 i have, not the infinity. 0.2/0.4 mm

There are some performance issues due to some worn out seals and whatnot. I will of course fix this, and fix/or replace the 0.2 needle. I just dont find the trigger very good. I have changed the spring to one from a pen, and I've even built up the trigger by a couple mms, but its not responsive and consistent enough. At least thats how i feel. I hear a lot of good thing about the Iwatas, and especially about the micron, so Im leaning towards the micron.

My painting size vary. Not murals/huge paintings, maybe typically around A3 size, and with a lot of details in key areas. If there are bigger areas I need to fill in, I could use the H&S.

In my experience, I've had 2 infinity airbrushes. I didn't like them. I knew there was performance missing, and it wasn't till I got my first CM-C+ that I experienced, for me, airbrush perfection. I coulda saved myself a ton of time getting one from the very beginning, but I had to experience the negatives to appreciate just how good that Iwata brush is.
Also, getting the right paint helps A LOT. Once I got E'tac paint, everything was just so much easier.
If you get a CM-C+ and E'tac paint, you will have the best performing combination is existence.

 

[Dag]

In my experience, I've had 2 infinity airbrushes. I didn't like them. I knew there was performance missing, and it wasn't till I got my first CM-C+ that I experienced, for me, airbrush perfection. I coulda saved myself a ton of time getting one from the very beginning, but I had to experience the negatives to appreciate just how good that Iwata brush is.
Also, getting the right paint helps A LOT. Once I got E'tac paint, everything was just so much easier.
If you get a CM-C+ and E'tac paint, you will have the best performing combination is existence.
View attachment 31880

Thanks alot, mate! Yea, this is what Im leaning towards. Its kinda hard for a newbie to know how things are supposed to be when he hasnt tried anything else. There are noone in my city/surroundings doing airbrush, and few in the whole country as far as i know. I have to order everything online.

I've started looking for good deals on the CM-C+ already

 

[Niknooo1]

I started with an infinity 2 in 1, and thought it was quite good prior to buying a Cm-c+, Which I then thought was the dogs, until I used a CM- SB, which I have now also bought. The SB, in my opinion is better balanced, feels lighter, easier to use, the loose cup is easier to clean, and out the way when working very close. Of course It's just my view, but I would say if I new all this at the beginning, I would have gone straight to the CM-SB.