Micron - Gravity Feed vs Side Feed

[Kim McCann]

My daily driver over the last 10 years or so has been my Custom Micron CM-C - the gravity feed version of the micron with a 0.18 head setup. I have about a dozen different brushes from different makers, and the Micron is by far my absolute favorite.

However, I've wondered about the side feed for years, seeing as it is the tool of choice for many of my favorite artists.

So with the birthday coming up, I decided to treat myself to a new CM-SB - the side feed Micron.

I just had a chance to take it for a spin to compare it back to back with my old trusty CM-C.

I have got to say, that I am stunned by how much more control I have and how much better it performs. I am wondering if anyone else has found the same. I think it's mostly because it just sips paint and somehow the fact it is side feed makes it atomize smoother or something. It's shocking how much better it seems to perform for small detail than it's gravity feed sister. Also, not having the cup in the way on the top, means that it is a lot more comfortable for my big ogre hands.

Yeah, it was a big chunk of change to drop on a new tool that on paper is the same as a tool I already have, but I have to say, I can feel where every single penny of that price went. I am a convert. This is going to be my new daily driver.

The gravity feed seems to handle thicker paint reductions, so it will still be my secondary, but the side feed I think is going to become my new daily driver.

Wondering if anyone else has moved from gravity to side feed brushes and feels the same?

 

[huskystafford]

thanks for your review. I was waiting for this.

 

[SiRoxx]

My daily driver over the last 10 years or so has been my Custom Micron CM-C - the gravity feed version of the micron with a 0.18 head setup. I have about a dozen different brushes from different makers, and the Micron is by far my absolute favorite.

However, I've wondered about the side feed for years, seeing as it is the tool of choice for many of my favorite artists.

So with the birthday coming up, I decided to treat myself to a new CM-SB - the side feed Micron.

I just had a chance to take it for a spin to compare it back to back with my old trusty CM-C.

I have got to say, that I am stunned by how much more control I have and how much better it performs. I am wondering if anyone else has found the same. I think it's mostly because it just sips paint and somehow the fact it is side feed makes it atomize smoother or something. It's shocking how much better it seems to perform for small detail than it's gravity feed sister. Also, not having the cup in the way on the top, means that it is a lot more comfortable for my big ogre hands.

Yeah, it was a big chunk of change to drop on a new tool that on paper is the same as a tool I already have, but I have to say, I can feel where every single penny of that price went. I am a convert. This is going to be my new daily driver.

The gravity feed seems to handle thicker paint reductions, so it will still be my secondary, but the side feed I think is going to become my new daily driver.

Wondering if anyone else has moved from gravity to side feed brushes and feels the same?

Congrats on the new brush and excellent job treating yourself! They are different beasts, so I think buying a different version is totally valid. Then again, of course we’re going to support the idea of buying another airbrush . Anyhow, I’ll be interested to see if others have similar experience.

 

[jagardn]

My daily driver over the last 10 years or so has been my Custom Micron CM-C - the gravity feed version of the micron with a 0.18 head setup. I have about a dozen different brushes from different makers, and the Micron is by far my absolute favorite.

However, I've wondered about the side feed for years, seeing as it is the tool of choice for many of my favorite artists.

So with the birthday coming up, I decided to treat myself to a new CM-SB - the side feed Micron.

I just had a chance to take it for a spin to compare it back to back with my old trusty CM-C.

I have got to say, that I am stunned by how much more control I have and how much better it performs. I am wondering if anyone else has found the same. I think it's mostly because it just sips paint and somehow the fact it is side feed makes it atomize smoother or something. It's shocking how much better it seems to perform for small detail than it's gravity feed sister. Also, not having the cup in the way on the top, means that it is a lot more comfortable for my big ogre hands.

Yeah, it was a big chunk of change to drop on a new tool that on paper is the same as a tool I already have, but I have to say, I can feel where every single penny of that price went. I am a convert. This is going to be my new daily driver.

The gravity feed seems to handle thicker paint reductions, so it will still be my secondary, but the side feed I think is going to become my new daily driver.

Wondering if anyone else has moved from gravity to side feed brushes and feels the same?

I don't have a CM-SB, but do have an Eclipse SBS and Olympos HP100-SB.
I can say I prefer the side feeds mostly because nothing is in the way of my trigger finger and the easy paint changing with multiple cups.
The only ones I can compare side by side are the Eclipse SBS and CS. No difference in performance that I can tell.
I'd have to guess that since you have two Microns with the same needle/nozzle setup that your CMC must have some slight obstruction or bad seal. In theory, the gravity feed should be more efficient since the side feeds has to pull paint to oppose gravity, where the gravity feed would not. [emoji2369]

Sent from my HD1905 using Tapatalk

 

[DaveG]

There are a few reasons that the CM-SB may feel different/better than the CM-C(+) - trigger is much closer to the head, placing ones hand closer to the work surface. Internal paint path is shorter in the SB. It is a lighter, shorter brush - and in this case it is new, new, new .

I have a group shot of some of the Microns I have been testing. I tried to include all of them, including brushes that are billed as being "Micron like". I have found some differences between brands. Also, some variation between the sizes - .18 vs. .23, as well as between v1 and v2. Differences are most often very subtle, and not as broad as one may expect. They all work well, with any real differences getting down to splitting hairs. The biggest differences occur between brands, and even those are subject to personal preferences.

My personal fav in the line of Microns is an Olympos MP200A, but I use a mix of Iwata and GSI parts up front (Iwata head, GSI nozzle and needle). I prefer the brushes small size, light weight, and clear view of my work. I do like the small lip of a color cup as it allows just enough capacity without blocking the view.

Bottom line, they are great brushes, and the one that fits your style the best will be a fantastic addition to the arsenal. Congrats on the acquisition.

 

[jord001]

I mainly use my hp-b but love my SB, i also have a few 'a' models i use. I have some 'c' models and yep they work fine I just dont use them much.

Lee

 

[Electric Cat Dude]

My daily driver over the last 10 years or so has been my Custom Micron CM-C - the gravity feed version of the micron with a 0.18 head setup. I have about a dozen different brushes from different makers, and the Micron is by far my absolute favorite.

However, I've wondered about the side feed for years, seeing as it is the tool of choice for many of my favorite artists.

So with the birthday coming up, I decided to treat myself to a new CM-SB - the side feed Micron.

I just had a chance to take it for a spin to compare it back to back with my old trusty CM-C.

I have got to say, that I am stunned by how much more control I have and how much better it performs. I am wondering if anyone else has found the same. I think it's mostly because it just sips paint and somehow the fact it is side feed makes it atomize smoother or something. It's shocking how much better it seems to perform for small detail than it's gravity feed sister. Also, not having the cup in the way on the top, means that it is a lot more comfortable for my big ogre hands.

Yeah, it was a big chunk of change to drop on a new tool that on paper is the same as a tool I already have, but I have to say, I can feel where every single penny of that price went. I am a convert. This is going to be my new daily driver.

The gravity feed seems to handle thicker paint reductions, so it will still be my secondary, but the side feed I think is going to become my new daily driver.

Wondering if anyone else has moved from gravity to side feed brushes and feels the same?

I owned both the Gen 1 CM-B and CM-SB. To be honest, I never really noted any difference in performance between the two; I guess it just comes down to a personal preference. The CM-SB offers an unobstructed view of the workpiece without the color cup in the way. On the other hand the detachable color cups are another piece of equipment that you have to clean out at the end of the day. Never owned the CM-C, though I’d guess for fine detail that it would feel more cumbersome and awkward with the larger cup. Then again I used a HP-C as my fine art workhorse and never had such a complaint with it. I’d probably agree with DaveG that the Olympos MP100A was the king of fine detail for the Japanese Guns. But the CM-SB is a great little brush, too.

 

[basepaint]

If you want to see even more improvements add a soft spring and one of Marrissa needle sets

 

[jord001]

I got some springs off Marissa when I did the class and I also got some from Andre' @AndreZA A while back as he had a load made to get his own so sold the rest off. Not sure if he still has any left.

Lee