Reaper Vex (Small cup) - off to a dissapointing start

[DaveG]

There was some discussion about a customized Patriot Xtreme Arrow on here a little while back. This bit of conversation got me thinking, so I went in search of alternatives. I've already made pieces and parts to bring my Arrows (and the like) into the realm of custom, and tuned performance. I was curious if I could find something else in the family tree (if you will) that would both fit the price range of a custom Arrow, while also delivering the performance of the same.

What I set my sites on was the Reaper Vex. I chose the small cup version because it suits my personal preferences for both size, and weight in a brush. They list for $199.00 at retail, but I found a reseller offering them up for $175.00 - so, purchased one.

The brush comes in a rather large case. It reminds me of a pistol firearms case. The brush was in a bubble wrap packet inside the case, along with a spare needle (different size) and a faux leather pouch. There is no cut outs in the case foam to hold the brush, or any accessories.



Initial impression was that the brush looks well enough. I like that it has one consistent finish rather than looking like it was cobbled together from various parts bins. If you know anything about the Badger line up from which this brush sprung to life, it is basically a Badger Patriot Arrow with a Sotar handle, minus the micrometer collar on the needle stop at the back of the handle. The needle stop is bored out it the back to allow part of the rear bead to fit into it, as to allow it to work on this brush body. The Sotar needle stop knob just has a through hole for the needle only.





My enjoyment with the brush ended the moment I first put paint in the brush. My first spray test indicated an issue with the spray pattern - which looked like the letter "U" rather than a round dot. Examination of the business end of the brush shows that the nozzle is very off center in the nozzle cap, actually pressing against one side of the opening. I removed the head pieces and tried to reorient the nozzle by turning it, but it kept returning to the same spot once the pieces are snugged up. I also tried different nozzles (I have many of the Super Detail Patriot nozzles - same one used in the Reaper), as well as a couple of different head bases from other Patriot models. Changing the head base parts allowed for an improvement in nozzle centering, but the best spray pattern I could get was only "meh".


I will also mention that if I remove the head base with the air cap in place, the nozzle will be stuck in the assembly. When I remove the air cap, the nozzle will just drop out.

Other items of note after purchasing this $175 brush. I was working on a silicone pad, moving pieces to the photo booth (soft vinyl surface) and spraying the brush on paper. I do wear a ring, but it is made out of silver, with turquoise and coral inserts that are smooth to the touch. I used no tools what-so-ever while working with the brush, yet I still managed to scratch the finish on the head.


The other pet peeves I have with this brush is that when you depress the trigger, I can feel air escaping from the air valve seam with the body. In addition, I find it hard to believe that the way they finish the air valve is the best that can be done on a brush in this price range - I've included a few other dark finished brushes as a comparison. Nice touch on the Hansa to also include the black QC fitting.


I messaged the reseller, and they forward my concerns onto Reaper to deal with. I also messaged Reaper with the information requested on a card I found in the case without actually hearing from them yet. I forwarded the info on to Badger with assurance that they would help when and if it was needed. I will update this post with any potential resolution(s).

As mentioned previously, the Reaper retails at $199.00. The price tag on the Hansa, including a separate .4 head assembly and needle would have it coming in at $205. Guess which purchase I would make again. At $60 on sale, the Badger Patriot would be a good buy, too.

*EDIT*: If you make it further into this thread, you will find that the company the VEX airbrush is made for, Reaper Miniatures stepped up quickly to resolve the issue with this brush. They asked me to send it back for repair or replacement. I chose to keep it instead, knowing I could handle a repair myself - in exchange, they immediately offered a partial credit on the purchase(via an e-card), and are providing a new head base at no charge. Full credit to Reaper Miniatures for quickly moving to resolve any issues. Could not have asked for a better response from them.

 

[DaveG]

OK, just heard back from the reseller who has passed all responsibilities on to Reaper (after themselves hearing from Reaper). I really have no issue with that.

 

[Fran Rioja]

Thanks for the review... another AB on the blacklist. Very poor quality considering the high price.

 

[Kingpin]

I would have one just for the name and the colour but that is some quite shocking QC or lack of!

 

[Drastion]

This is a odd product. Got excited I could do a blackout airbrush. But strangely the replacement parts are not painted black like the stock parts.

I was a bit disappointed my Badger Krome has a farmers tan. They changed their chrome technique so new parts do not match original ones.

 

[DaveG]

This is a odd product. Got excited I could do a blackout airbrush. But strangely the replacement parts are not painted black like the stock parts.

I was a bit disappointed my Badger Krome has a farmers tan. They changed their chrome technique so new parts do not match original ones.

There was another member on here that had trouble with poor color matching with replacement parts, I think on a Renegade maybe... If replacement parts don't come in black, I can honestly say it would put this brush squarely into the category of brushes I regret purchasing. That doesn't happen often, but that would do it for this one.

 

[Mitya Ka]

Great review, your narration of this or that brush is as always mesmerizing in the way you present it. Unfortunately your expectations were not met. I wonder how the situation will develop further and how the brush would atomize if it were at its best.

 

[DaveG]

Great review, your narration of this or that brush is as always mesmerizing in the way you present it. Unfortunately your expectations were not met. I wonder how the situation will develop further and how the brush would atomize if it were at its best.

This brush is really just a Patriot Arrow. They (the Patriot) can be had pretty regularly for @$60-$65US(on sale). They tend to be pretty decent, utilitarian brushes. Kind of robust, but not terribly refined in character. They are the same brushes that I have been working on air caps for to help boost performance.

There are a few changes that make the VEX - one is the Sotar rear handle, the 1/8" standard hose connection, and the black finish. The set includes a second needle which is advertised to allow for broader/heavier coverage. It looks to me to simply be a general purpose, or "medium" needle. Grind may be a hair different, but I see a lot of variation within single part numbers from Badger anyway, so hard to say.

At $60 I don't mind having to work a little on a brush to get it to work like I think it should. At almost $200 it is absurd to deliver a product like this.

 

[Mitya Ka]

Was it a $200 impulse buy that made you buy this brush, maybe a black box, . Did you see any changes in the design of the nozzle section that differentiates this brush from the Patriot Arrow? (other than the offset nozzle). It seems to me that nozzles you make yourself would work better!

 

[Drastion]

There was another member on here that had trouble with poor color matching with replacement parts, I think on a Renegade maybe... If replacement parts don't come in black, I can honestly say it would put this brush squarely into the category of brushes I regret purchasing. That doesn't happen often, but that would do it for this one.

The front and back end plus the air valve replacements are painted. But for some reason the trigger and needle tube and nut are normal.

This brush is really just a Patriot Arrow. They (the Patriot) can be had pretty regularly for @$60-$65US(on sale). They tend to be pretty decent, utilitarian brushes. Kind of robust, but not terribly refined in character. They are the same brushes that I have been working on air caps for to help boost performance.

There are a few changes that make the VEX - one is the Sotar rear handle, the 1/8" standard hose connection, and the black finish. The set includes a second needle which is advertised to allow for broader/heavier coverage. It looks to me to simply be a general purpose, or "medium" needle. Grind may be a hair different, but I see a lot of variation within single part numbers from Badger anyway, so hard to say.

At $60 I don't mind having to work a little on a brush to get it to work like I think it should. At almost $200 it is absurd to deliver a product like this.

That is a good bit of info. I thought with the two needle one nozzle thing that it was a repainted omni.

Was really hoping that Badger snuck in a .2 patriot nozzle in one of their rebranded airbrushes so I could put one in my patriot arrow.

Here is hoping they pull all the stops when making the Phantom. But hopes are not very high.

 

[DaveG]

The front and back end plus the air valve replacements are painted. But for some reason the trigger and needle tube and nut are normal.



That is a good bit of info. I thought with the two needle one nozzle thing that it was a repainted omni.

Was really hoping that Badger snuck in a .2 patriot nozzle in one of their rebranded airbrushes so I could put one in my patriot arrow.

Here is hoping they pull all the stops when making the Phantom. But hopes are not very high.

The nozzle, fine needle, along with the air cap are the same as the Patriot super detail pieces. I swapped out several of my patriot heads/nozzles to try to get the brush to work at least acceptably. Best I could get was with the head base from a Patriot Arrow, Super Detail nozzle, provided needle and one of my own nozzle caps. All these replacement parts still worked better on the Patriot body, anyway.

The needle tube is silver with a brass spring adjusting retainer - the chucking screw is black, as is the trigger.

 

[DaveG]

Was it a $200 impulse buy that made you buy this brush, maybe a black box, . Did you see any changes in the design of the nozzle section that differentiates this brush from the Patriot Arrow? (other than the offset nozzle). It seems to me that nozzles you make yourself would work better!

I wanted to see how it would compare to the customized Arrow Xtreme that is being cobbled together elsewhere. It is difficult to comment honestly/accurately without experience. No changes in design, or parts other than I think the recess in the rear needle stop for the bead on the needle may be unique to this brush.

 

[RK Ink and Focus]

It was probably me that had the renegade with mismatched colour parts. Badger changed the renegades to have an easier to clean finish, i got a mix of new light coloured nozzle hold down ring and needle cap, a dark airvalve.

I then finished the old body off when i snapped the airvalve boss off when trying to pin point an air leak, i assume it was the reason i got it dirt cheap secondhand, it generally was in poor condition, i turned off the front like Dave's SOTARSs to neaten the scars on on the front. Anyway, not to be put off that lead me to buy a new body because it actually sprayed really nice with the old non airtight body. The new body, that came the pale colour but with horrendous milling marks.

I wont bore you with the rest of the story but badger gifted me a velocity which is all pale with machine marks. So although the brush looks a bit of a turd it sprays nice and badgers heart was in the right place when they gave me a velocity.

If your vex replacements are from badger and they are just badger stock that happens to fit the vex i would imagine you will get any colour that gets picked from the parts shelf if they are not stocking vex specific parts.

 

[DaveG]

It was probably me that had the renegade with mismatched colour parts. Badger changed the renegades to have an easier to clean finish, i got a mix of new light coloured nozzle hold down ring and needle cap, a dark airvalve.

I then finished the old body off when i snapped the airvalve boss off when trying to pin point an air leak, i assume it was the reason i got it dirt cheap secondhand, it generally was in poor condition, i turned off the front like Dave's SOTARSs to neaten the scars on on the front. Anyway, not to be put off that lead me to buy a new body because it actually sprayed really nice with the old non airtight body. The new body, that came the pale colour but with horrendous milling marks.

I wont bore you with the rest of the story but badger gifted me a velocity which is all pale with machine marks. So although the brush looks a bit of a turd it sprays nice and badgers heart was in the right place when they gave me a velocity.

If your vex replacements are from badger and they are just badger stock that happens to fit the vex i would imagine you will get any colour that gets picked from the parts shelf if they are not stocking vex specific parts.

I am waiting to hear from Reaper, as they are the ones that are supposed to handle this. I am curious to see how long it will take, and what the resolution may be. My gut tells me that I will not be keeping this brush long.

 

[Mitya Ka]

«Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get»

 

[RK Ink and Focus]

Sorry to hear that Dave. Nice to see the sotar copy still floating around!

I think what I was explaining about the velocity airvalve boss is exactly what you are talking about with air escaping where the boss fits in the body.

 

[DaveG]

«Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get»

True, that! But, when you bite into one you don't like - you don't stop there. You try another one to get the taste out of your mouth - I figure new F1 and F2's should do the job (especially seeing how together they only cost me a little over half of what this last box of chocolates did).

Nice to see the sotar copy still floating around!

I actually did comparison spray tests with VEX and the Chinesium, but felt that showing how much better the sub-$20 brush really was would be a bit harsh.

Yeah, the air leak at the valve - I have a Renegade Spirit that has done that same thing since day 1. That one sprays OK, but I find that feeling to be distracting enough that I never use the brush.

 

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

Sad to see this, especially when it hurts somebody's wallet.
With cameras and stereo viewers I have learned that when "customs" and "rebranded" are only cosmetic changes, better stay with the original.
I see this is a possible similar case.
Different to Tim's offering, which I see as a tuning service with some added cosmetic flair.
Before knowing about this airbrush a few months ago, I've never heard of Reaper. In fact, I have no idea what else they do. Probably tools.
There is an arrest warrant against Sotarette Chinesium for embarrassing far more expensive offerings.

Thanks,
Ismael

 

[DaveG]

Hello,

Sad to see this, especially when it hurts somebody's wallet.
With cameras and stereo viewers I have learned that when "customs" and "rebranded" are only cosmetic changes, better stay with the original.
I see this is a possible similar case.
Different to Tim's offering, which I see as a tuning service with some added cosmetic flair.
Before knowing about this airbrush a few months ago, I've never heard of Reaper. In fact, I have no idea what else they do. Probably tools.
There is an arrest warrant against Sotarette Chinesium for embarrassing far more expensive offerings.

Thanks,
Ismael

Reaper is a minature/model creator/supplier. The brush was made and branded for them. For sure, I would advise sticking with the Patriot Arrow ( I just glanced at Amazon and found them easy to find @$63.00 delivered). Add a super detail conversion set and you get the business setup of the VEX.

 

[Mitya Ka]

True, that! But, when you bite into one you don't like - you don't stop there. You try another one to get the taste out of your mouth - I figure new F1 and F2's should do the job (especially seeing how together they only cost me a little over half of what this last box of chocolates did).

I've had my eye on these strangers of the land of the rising sun for a long time. I especially like the look of the F2. I wonder how convenient it will be to wash them!? Fran Rioja recently shared how he sprays the F1 and I was pleased with the result. I hope the cherry candy will be seedless this time around