I am looking at getting a first airbrush, and was wanting to go with an all around, good one. I'm looking at the Badger 360 Universal and the Badger 155 Anthem. Any suggestions or comments? Also there are different kits available, it makes sense to get the -7 one, doesn't it?

I use the Badger Anthem, I am very pleased with it! I have only used Badger airbrushes for the past 25 years, I have taught with them, worked with them both professionally and for my personal use... I find them easily maintained, and good quality for the price.

I've only been airbrushing for about 6 years and the 360 is my 2nd badger.. and I love it..

Using the Badger 360 I get the consistant results I want when I paint. I can't recommend this airbush enough.

Its also very easy to clean and maintain, and I've never had a problem with it.

The lowest price for both of the airbrushes (Universal / Anthem) that I could find was at Tower Hobbies. Actually Dixie Art had them cheaper. Does anyone know about the credibility of these sites?

I bought a Iwata HP-C Hi-Line from Dixieart. Best price I found and great service too. Haven't been able to use it yet but that's my fault not theirs and I will definately buy from them again. I 've also made a purchase from Tower Hobiies and found them to be very good as well.

I have the Anthem and have been pleased. I abuse my airbrush and I have found this one pretty easy to take apart and clean. That is the biggest thing with me. Airbrushes always get clogged and need constant cleaning. The ease of cleaning is a very BIG thing with me.

I dunno, the 360 Universal looks like a better choice because it is either gravity or siphon fed, but does it actually make a difference? I mean, is it worth paying up to have the dual intake types?

I perfer the 360 because it gives you a few more options for painting.. the only difference between the 155 and the 360 is the color cup that rotates on the 360.

I use siphon feed for most stuff such as basecoating. but If I have just 1 or two small parts to paint or just a small touch up I use the gravity feed color cup as less paint is reqired. Also Gravity feed can use lower pressure which they tell me allows you to airbrush finer lines and do better detail work.. though I must admit my skill at fine lines is still a bit under par.(I'm working on the skill). bus thats the user not the airbrush...

so you would typically use the siphon for larger/less fine areas?

And the color cup on the universal rotates? I'll have to look into that.

oh I see, it rotates around so you could hook it up to either siphon or gravity. The gravity isn't a built in cup is it?

Also, how easy is it to clean the universal?

Are the sets worth buying with it?

what do you use to clean an airbrush? Is it included?

Thanks

Dee

Yes the gavity cup is built in, kinda small, and also hasn't got a lid.. that may be the one grip that people may have with the brush..

As for the sets thahttp://www.badgerairbrush.com/360sets.htmt depends on how much you wan't to spend and what you feel you need with it.

If its your first badger airbursh you would prob want to go with the -7 set as it comes with a hose with fittings to hook to a aircompressor and the -1 and -2 don't come with the hose.

I spend prob about 5 minutes tops cleaning my airbrush after using enamals.. maybe a few minutes more when I use acrylics...



Basicly when done..(using enamal paint in this example) I remove the siphon feed or pour the paint out of the cup if there is any left.. spray the airbrush till the paint is all gone.. turn the airbursh to gravity feed..put a dropper full of thinner in the paint cup.. spray it through..repeat as neccssory then remove the needle. clean it with a paper towel or a q-tip.. reassemble and put away.. for acrylics I might spray a bit more thinner through or if for some reason I let the paint dry in the brush I might disassemble the tip for a more through cleaning.

I clean my airbrush with mineral spirits for enamal paints. and acrylic thinners and alcohol or windex for acrylic paints.

I use my airbrush with Testors Model master enamals, Tamiya acrylics and polyscale acrylics all with excellent results.

also the 155/360 airbrush only has 1 needle/tip combination so you dont' have to worry if you have the right needle in.. I keep an extra needle on hand just in case but in the 3 years or so I've been using this airbrush I havn't had to replace it yet.

Really! no lid? that means that the paint can just sloshing out? is there a way to attach a bottle or lid in any way? That doesn't make sense.

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Hi Dee,

I have both of the badger airbrushes. I LOVE both of these 2 AB. I have no problem with either one. The 360, seems easier to clean because you have no cup to clean as if you would use the anthem. And the paint does not come "sloshing out", as long as you dont overfill it. But that's true with anything you know.

Both give me great control with the paint schemes so, really, your not going to lose with either.

I stand by both, even though I have an Iwata, I still use the badger over it.

so the fact that the universal has an open "cup" isn't anything to worry about. It isn't an issue?

Why would someone have two or more airbrushes? I suppose I have two or three of other items, but wouldn't the universal cause you not to need an anthem? I mean, the universal is basically the same thing. Just a bit better, right?

I don't know, I suppose that either one would be good enough for what I could/would do, but it would be a tendency for me to get the higher quality, more functional one. Only issue is, they aren't very cheap.

Hiya again Dee...

I too have never had a problem with spilling paint out of the cup but i'm also fairly careful and don't overfill it.

If your new to aribrushing the choices out there can be a bit daunting. I myself went through a seris of airbrushs untill I found the one I liked the best.. I started out with a series of single and double action azteks I think I had 4 of them. I didn't like them and gave them away.. I upgraded to a Badger 175 which is a nice airbrush which I still have and use for some applications but when I upgraded to the 360, I felt I had found the airbrush that worked best for me.. since i was still fairly new at using them at that time..



and I agree they are not cheap in fact my airbrush and quiet air compressor setup was prob the most expensive thing i've bought for modeling. But to me it was money well spent as an airbrush is an item that with practice can take your hobby to the next level of detail and enjoyment.

Dee,
You will find out, either personally or from others, that quite a few of us have more than 1 airbrush, personally I have 7 AB. One of them is the single stroke badger most of us all start or have used at one time. Another is a cheap AB that I use for applications that would otherwise ruin my more nicer/expensive one's. But I tend to use the anthem & 360 more. Its like collecting kits, except these are more expensive, cause if they were cheaper, we would probably have as many airbrushes as we do kits. :-)

So, lets get down to it. Which one do I go for, and why?

EDIT: I don't mean to sound harsh. Hope I didn't.

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Choice is left up to you, far as im concerned, you wont lose with either choice. Enjoy

Choice is left up to you, far as im concerned, you wont lose with either choice. Enjoy

i'll probably go with the universal ultimately.

Hello again Dee.

I'm assuming this is going to be your first airbrush. In that case I think your on the right track, getting a good airbrush right off. I first started out with walmart cheapies and almost gave up before I saw the light and switched to my Badgers.

In this hobby the phrase "You get what you pay for" is esp true of airbrushs. Airbrushs also have a bit of a learning curve and require a bit of practice in order to get the most out of them. But once you learn you will wonder how you ever did without it.

The Badger 155 Anthiem and the 360 Universal are almost the same airbrush so I don't think you could go wrong with either airbrush. In Siphon Feed their performance will be the same. If you go with the 360 then as you learn to use the airbrush you will be glad of the gravity feed capability. Also to me the built in color cup makes it easier to clean.

Now I will give you the best advise I ever got for airbrushing...

1. For airbrushing a good starting point is to thin your paint out to the consistancy to milk.

2. Invest in a good airsource with a regulator.

Hobby compressors can be very expensive which is why many people buy small automotive style compressors.. Just make sure you have a good regulator to adjust the airflow. I started out with air cans with no regulator and my results were hit and miss. the more control you have over the variables, the better and more consisant the results. Also if you live near a harbor frieght tools they sell small hobby type compressors and regulators at very reasonable prices.

my initial investment in my airbrush compressor setup wasn't cheap, but once you've made the investment it pays for itself.. my compressor and airbrushs have already givin me about 4 years of use and will prob last for many more.

btw if your set doesn't come with an extra needle you can find them at most hobby and craft stores such as Michaels, Dick Blicks, A.C. Moore, Hobby Town USA and others, so I'd suggest buying an extra to have on hand if for some reason you bend the tip while using it. I've had my backup on hand but so far I've never needed to use it... but its there... just in case... and they are inexpesive...

oh, btw, I bought the Universal on ebay, should be shipping soon, can't wait to get it!

I just ordered the anthem from Dixieart, the entire kit was under $70! I also ordered this compressor from thetuulshed, seemed like the best deal for a tank compressor after spending hours sweating over all the choices online:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8283076445&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

I guess I will do some sort of review on it after I use it for a bit, as it seems almost impossible to get decent reviews on compressors for airbrushing.

I may also get a simple 350 for base and overcoats, theyr'e only 20 bucks.