Dru Blair Iwata Brushes: have a preference?

*MRC*

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Greetings!
Received an email from the Blair school today advertising for two brushes: the CM - SB* & the CM Takumi. Both items feature an .18 nozzle plus Blair's trigger & spring. Which, if either, might forum folks suggest purchasing and does the Takumi really offer more than 100 clams more of value than the SB?

Cheers!

* Note the SB's 'do not come with a box', much like Iwata recent closeout brushes. 🤔
 

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Its worth remembering these are used airbrushes that Dru uses in his classes.
they will have been cleaned and checked prior to being offered for sale so you can be confident they're a good unit. thats why they have no boxes but Dru would pack them well to avoid damage
any time you see ‘Takumi’ it just indicates its the current version of a brush - it is a little shorter in the front end which i think also gives better atomisation ? Im not that good that i would notice the difference 😆
Do i think its worth the extra $$ ? No, but i have a preference for side feed brushes.
I’m also not a fan of the low triggers, bought one, used it for a few weeks and changed it back to the V2 (square) version which suits me better
 
the takumi side cup is a let down for me as it turns the side feed in a gravity feed I worked with that side cup for about 15 minutes before it went in the "big mistake draw" I would go for the v2 but I am used to low triggers and soft springs
 
Jack,

I'm with you on the side feed!

I was really obsessing over the brush and wanted to know everything before pulling the trigger (I didn't, but might now). I had sent an email about whether Dru's school shipped their brushes new with the box. I also asked if they shipped along with the original pieces that Dru had swapped out.

At the time she said Takumis go out as new in the box. But, in this current ad we see the SB's do not. After reading a number of comments that 'a buyer' swooped in to buy up a bunch of Iwata closeout items I was wondering if Blair's unboxed brushes indicate he may have bought a bunch of 'em - as Iwata offered them on closeout unboxed as well.

Anyway, now I'm obsessing all over again - but this time over two brushes instead of one! 😫:cool::)

Here's Samantha's email:
Screen Shot 2024-01-15 at 9.08.12 AM.png
 
I do not believe any of the brushes Dru is currently selling are used, or classroom samples - he has been distributing new Microns for years. I much prefer the Takumi over the SB, as that gravity feed side cup aids in paint delivery to the system. That said I use the smaller available option, as I don't care for the weight of the 7cc cup. The standard , Ol' side feed cups fit the Takumi without issue - so there is always that option. There are no dimensional, or mechanical differences between the SB and Takumi version of the Micron other than the shorter distance between trigger and tip. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either of them.

On the alterations Dru performs - I like a soft spring in my air valve, but I personally find Dru's to be too soft, as I prefer a bit more feel to the trigger. I make my own. I can use either trigger, the standard flat top or Dru's short one... you will get used to either quick enough, if it is what you are working with.
 
Dave,

I am leaning hard towards the Takumi and would certainly go in for that smaller side cup. I'm waiting to see what the Infinity 2024 has in store before buying anything.
 
I've never gotten comfortable with the Infinity Cr, so would gab a Takumi any day over it - but am open and interested to see what the 2024 version may offer. I Love the new version of the Ultra, and am a waiting list for the next round of Evolution inventory.
 
...That said I use the smaller available option, as I don't care for the weight of the 7cc cup. The standard , Ol' side feed cups fit the Takumi without issue - so there is always that option. There are no dimensional, or mechanical differences between the SB and Takumi version of the Micron other than the shorter distance between trigger and tip. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either of them. ...

I've also ditched the default size cup and fitted the smaller H&S cup. It looks much better and feels more balanced. I think it should be the default cup rather. Imagine how long you would paint with a big cup filled with paint.

@DaveG I have noticed that the Takumi cup does not fit my V1 Micron but my V1 cup fits the Takumi no problem. Have you experienced the same or is my V1 mounting hole worn away?

I've never gotten comfortable with the Infinity Cr, so would gab a Takumi any day over it - but am open and interested to see what the 2024 version may offer. I Love the new version of the Ultra, and am a waiting list for the next round of Evolution inventory.
I like the H&S guns. I don't get the dead spot that others are mentioning on any of them. I think the 2024 design will not be much different than the Geraldez version. Except for the items specified by Giraldez.
 
I have noticed that the Takumi cup does not fit my V1 Micron but my V1 cup fits the Takumi no problem. Have you experienced the same or is my V1 mounting hole worn away?
It is difficult to make any real diagnosis based on a single sample. That said, there was a post a couple of weeks ago about new color cups not fitting a brush - so there is the possibility that there is some variation in stem size. It is also possible that with years of use, the side port has worn into the cup you have been using.

I like the H&S guns. I don't get the dead spot that others are mentioning on any of them. I think the 2024 design will not be much different than the Geraldez version. Except for the items specified by Giraldez.
My issue(s) with the Infinity, specifically, isn't so much a "dead spot" or what I have heard described as a "delay", but rather a mushiness with the trigger unit itself. I have just never been able to get the feel that I want out of it. I have had several, with the one I have now being the best of them. I still find I don't use the brush as often as others I have. I do use the Grafo, and Hansa brushes - also being from H&S.

Two additional things I will mention - I think the shortened front end on the infinity will be a welcome change. The length trigger to tip is one of the things that keeps me from reaching for it more often. The other is that I have seen some humorous "fixes" for the trigger "delay" that people swear by - that don't actually do anything but add more pre-load to the needle spring.

I don't think I am crazy about the gate on the new Ultra that forces a user to press down first, before drawing the needle back - but find the actual action of the trigger to be very nice compared to the Infinity (once past the gate). Trigger is perfect to teach a beginner the proper technique, though...
 
That said, there was a post a couple of weeks ago about new color cups not fitting a brush - so there is the possibility that there is some variation in stem size. It is also possible that with years of use, the side port has worn into the cup you have been using.
Oh lord, don't start Husky off!! 😂
 
Alls well that ends well.

Or as I like to say, " If it doesn't kill you, it makes you tired. "
 
Alls well that ends well.

Or as I like to say, " If it doesn't kill you, it makes you tired.
I got my theory what is happening with cups and side feed micron. You guys feed me with all the info about stuff even manufacturing, so I have a feeling. 🕵️‍♂️
 
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It is difficult to make any real diagnosis based on a single sample. That said, there was a post a couple of weeks ago about new color cups not fitting a brush - so there is the possibility that there is some variation in stem size. It is also possible that with years of use, the side port has worn into the cup you have been using.

I measured the feeding tube end of all my cups and not much difference between them. They are between 2.97mm and 2.98mm but the Takumi cup is 2.88mm. Not measured with very scientific equipment, just a digital vernier.
 
Its worth remembering these are used airbrushes that Dru uses in his classes.
they will have been cleaned and checked prior to being offered for sale so you can be confident they're a good unit. thats why they have no boxes but Dru would pack them well to avoid damage
any time you see ‘Takumi’ it just indicates its the current version of a brush - it is a little shorter in the front end which i think also gives better atomisation ? Im not that good that i would notice the difference 😆
Do i think its worth the extra $$ ? No, but i have a preference for side feed brushes.
I’m also not a fan of the low triggers, bought one, used it for a few weeks and changed it back to the V2 (square) version which suits me better
They are not used
 
Greetings!
Received an email from the Blair school today advertising for two brushes: the CM - SB* & the CM Takumi. Both items feature an .18 nozzle plus Blair's trigger & spring. Which, if either, might forum folks suggest purchasing and does the Takumi really offer more than 100 clams more of value than the SB?

Cheers!

* Note the SB's 'do not come with a box', much like Iwata recent closeout brushes. 🤔
I just asked Dru about this. And they are in fact brand new airbrushes.
 
While I have settled on using the small H&S cup on my Takumi I checked out some cups from cheap Neoeco brushes and was surpized to find they fit pefectly. I haven't tried them on my new Evo but assume they will fit that as well. This is an inexpensive way to put a smaller cup on the Takumi and the smallest one has a very similar shape to the H&S cup.
 
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