RichPen Phoenix 222C, 223C and custom version

Mitya Ka

Mac-Valve Maestro!
Some time ago, thanks to the members of the group, I learnt about the Japanese company Fuso Seiki, which still produces RichPen airbrushes. I was interested in the Apollo and Phoenix line.

I started to study the line of airbrushes that were available for sale and I bought Apollo 112B (I told about it in another post here https://airbrushforum.org/threads/s...-vs-olympos-200b-mod-vs-iwata-cm-sb-v2.25413/ ), at that time Phoenix could be bought only in bulk from 100pcs because they produced them only under a large order, but parts for Phoenix were available for retail purchase and I bought them for tests and experiments.

Just under a year ago I managed to buy a new Phoenix 222C in Japan through a friend.

I recently found out that the Phoenix 222C and 223C brushes are once again available for retail purchase direct from Fuso Seiki. I emailed the manager (they don't have a specialized airbrush shop as they make and sell many other things besides airbrushes) and he sent me the current retail prices for the 222C and 223C. The price for each was less than $150 ! I did not hesitate to order the 222C and 223C as I have not seen such low prices on the market and I don't know how many 222C and 223C they have produced now and how long they will be available from them at that price and decided to invest and buy both. One of the 222C's I decided to customize, I should end up with 3 brushes with different settings.
 

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I am guessing that they stopped selling individual brushes when they made a deal with Mike Learn to import them as the "Mojo". Seems to me both things happened at around the same time, anyway... whether they were related or not. Before they stopped being available individually I purchased a 222C from someone that had imported a few, and I think they were only something like $115 (wasn't all that many years ago, either). They are wonderful brushes, but I do admit I prefer the smaller B cup versions... wish they would bring those back!

Looking forward to seeing where you take them - and the wonderful work I know you will produce with them along the road.
 
Hello, i am curious about the needles of the 222C and the apollo 112A/B.

Are the needle tapers the same?

And if its possible to use the 222C needle to a 112 A/B nozzle / nozzle cap set up

I'm kinda shy to ask richpen if i dont plan to buy from them yet... 😅

Thank you
 
I am guessing that they stopped selling individual brushes when they made a deal with Mike Learn to import them as the "Mojo". Seems to me both things happened at around the same time, anyway... whether they were related or not. Before they stopped being available individually I purchased a 222C from someone that had imported a few, and I think they were only something like $115 (wasn't all that many years ago, either). They are wonderful brushes, but I do admit I prefer the smaller B cup versions... wish they would bring those back!

Looking forward to seeing where you take them - and the wonderful work I know you will produce with them along the road.
If look at the stats over the last 5 years, the yen has weakened against the dolar, I think this is the reason why the 222C and 223C are now selling at this price, as the firm has to maintain production, pay staff salaries etc.
I think if the yen continues to fall further the price of these brushes will rise further.
These are really fantastic brushes, it would be great if they released a batch of Phoenix brushes in A and B cups. I've been using the 222C more and more lately, as well as the CM and 771, and these are great brushes from each brand.

Thanks. I'll be sure to share my paintings created with these brushes.
 
Hello, i am curious about the needles of the 222C and the apollo 112A/B.

Are the needle tapers the same?

And if its possible to use the 222C needle to a 112 A/B nozzle / nozzle cap set up

I'm kinda shy to ask richpen if i dont plan to buy from them yet... 😅

Thank you
Hello, the cones of the 112A/B and 222C needles are different. The 222C cone is longer. I haven't tried swapping them yet, but I'll let you know if I do.
 
Hello, the cones of the 112A/B and 222C needles are different. The 222C cone is longer. I haven't tried swapping them yet, but I'll let you know if I do.
Thank you i hope fusou seiki sells some spare needles! For the 222C for me to practice

Ohh and also can the needle nozzle combo of the 222C fit the apollos /olympos 0.2 as well?

I love the factory discount of richpen needles / nozzle .. erm actually for all its parts! its pretty affordable and works well and i love how they spray...

Im doodling another sketch with the HP-B+ with richpen parts minus the nozzle cap.. and the B+ sprays super fine lines!

I havent found an 0.18 alternative tho for the SP-A..

Bisky
 
And if its possible to use the 222C needle to a 112 A/B nozzle
At your request I tried fitting a 222C needle to the 112B and the results were not bad , but there were more dry tips as the needle was coming out of the nozzle more. I like the way the 112B works better with its standard needle!
Ohh and also can the needle nozzle combo of the 222C fit the apollos /olympos 0.2 as well?
The threads on the nozzles are the same so it can, but how it will work is a matter of customisation.
 
In the sense that the paint dried on the needle and had to be cleaned more often.
My HP-B+ arrived a week ago sadly both needle and nozzle are brokne. I haven't made a post on it yet but i made a freehand sketch using richpen 112b/a nozzle and needle on the B plus and its sprays so beautiful

1000006085.jpg
(Pls dont mind the extra eyes on top originally was trying to copy some eye works, to completing the whole face)

Making finer lines with minimal effort!

The needle was protruding longer but it wasn't a problem using inks! I will email fusuo seiki on monday to order hopefully they sell 222c needle nozzle parts

I broke my 0.18 sp-A needle/nozzle so i only have one set left.. :(

I am happy that richpen continues to sell these products at an affordablen consumer friendly price!

Bisky
 
Hello, i am curious about the needles of the 222C and the apollo 112A/B.

Are the needle tapers the same?

And if its possible to use the 222C needle to a 112 A/B nozzle / nozzle cap set up

I'm kinda shy to ask richpen if i dont plan to buy from them yet... 😅

Thank you
Apollo is 1,4 mm neddle diameter and phoenix os 1,2 mm of diameter ...
 
Looks like it can work! However with a small diameter than the apollo, there may be a longer delay before the paint sprays
 
As you can see in the photo, the distance from the trigger to the needle tip of the 222C is greater than that of the CM, but less than that of the 771.

Now, I use the 222C as well as I do the 771 and the CM. I think they are the flagship models of each company and have a nozzle cup with micron characteristics (is sharp and is limited by the narrow airflow tube, unlike HP type brushes)

I have noticed that the 222C needle tip is less prone to drying out than the 771 and CM V2. I think this is due to the greater airflow needed to push the paint. The diameter of the 222C nozzle outlet is much smaller than in the 771 and CM V2, and for detailed work it is better to use professional fine rubbed liquid paint, in this case the 222C reveals its maximum potential.

The 222C has the same needle tension mechanism as the 771 and CM. The 222C has an Air volume adjuster to adjust the airflow like the 771 and for some this may be convenient.

The paint tank holds approximately 6ml of paint. The brush is well balanced and comfortable to hold. The trigger is close to the paint canister, but even so my index finger does not touch the paint canister while working.

The quality of finishing of the body and parts of the 222C (sanding, polishing of parts and chrome plating) is very high, like modern Iwata and Creos and this is not surprising as these brushes are produced in the same factory.

My conclusion is that the 222C can be put on a par with the CM V2 and 771 and they are really high quality flagship models of each company, which are still made in Japan.

P.S. I'm waiting for the parcel with the 222 and 223C so I can customise one of the 222C and compare all 3 Phoenix's with each other.
 

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At your request I tried fitting a 222C needle to the 112B and the results were not bad , but there were more dry tips as the needle was coming out of the nozzle more. I like the way the 112B works better with its standard needle!

The threads on the nozzles are the same so it can, but how it will work is a matter of customisation.
I'd like to have one more request please, can a 222c richpen needle be fitted onto a micron CM-B as a substitute for the iwata micron? If its possible?

I'm really trying to cheap out on some expensive micron needles it would really help before ordering a batch from richpen..

Hoping for best results!

Bisky
 
I'd like to have one more request please, can a 222c richpen needle be fitted onto a micron CM-B as a substitute for the iwata micron? If its possible?

I'm really trying to cheap out on some expensive micron needles it would really help before ordering a batch from richpen..

Hoping for best results!

Bisky
that isn't a change I would make, but your mileage may vary. The needle tapers are very different - the Richpen being much longer.
 
that isn't a change I would make, but your mileage may vary. The needle tapers are very different - the Richpen being much longer.
Thank you!

Then...

Would investing in sharpenair a viable next choice for me? With less resources for micron needle replacements the next best thing would be the 771/770 needles or a brand new micron needle.. or repair my chipped needles...

My next question is: can the sharpenair maintains the existing needle taper?

I agree with you sir,.Having the wrong needle set up messes with my trigger control and the paint lag is very felt (quite irritating)...
I tried to put the 112a/b or was it the neoeco...on the sp-A, and i am experiencing some trigger delays due to the needle protruding longer

Thank you
Bisky
 
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