My $500 Hobby Tool Regret - I Messed Up | Iwata Airbrush, Kimera Paints, + More

[@LylaMev]

Give me your spiciest product opinion

[@spilbobaggins]

The more brands of paint I own the better painter I am. That's how it works, right? Right??? *looks nervously at paint racks*

[@LylaMev]

@@spilbobaggins 100%

[@isaacbenrubi9613]

In my opinion, it's best to find a brand of paint and stick to it. You can make pretty much any color you could want with the right mixing, plus, going between brands can cause issues due to viscosity, glossiness, and other things. Having a ton of tools is fun, but sticking to your best, most comfortable tools will be better in the long run.

[@philurbaniak1811]

My spiciest opinion? Nuln Oil doesn't look good 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@weekendminis]

Spiciest product opinion - “personal massagers” are quieter, easier to use, and take up less desk space than vortex mixers.. might not be KZbinr friendly though

[@andreawille4162]

I have a relatively heavy and very stable desk. And my vortex mixer just makes a quiet humm. No vibrations going through the desk at all. And I wouldn't want to ever miss that particular piece of hobby-equipment ever again. So useful for shaking up my paints, I consider it one of my best hobby investments.

[@gi1dor]

Same for me. I have a different vortex mixer and it's very quiet and compact (no those legs) and I feel that it is worth every penny, unlike my old cheap vortex mixer. It just mixes paints better and faster than I do manually (in both cases use agitators)

[@RedShirtNPC]

Ditto this. My extra paint bottles are right next to my Vortex, and they don’t even move. I’d replace mine immediately if it broke!

[@jamesn2830]

Agreed. It’s a must own for heavily pigmented washes (contrast, speed paint) cause they separate really badly

[@briangray2390]

I know vortexers professionally as a laboratory biologist. There are multiple different brands, and I'm going to guess maybe a half dozen different manufacturers of the motors. Most of the vortexers I've bought for labs, if properly anchored and braced on a solid lab bench, are barely audible. I have come across a few over the years that do make a racket, usually due to an improperly balanced motor or a bad casing. Occasionally you do get a lemon.

[@PFCDickSimmons]

Ditto, I use a lot of S75 paint and its a wrist saver considering how badly those bottles need to be shaked before use

[@thevuntzer]

That thing about the brushes needing to dry bristles up from Windsor Newton only makes sense if you're really thoroughly cleaning your brushes - otherwise paint getting in the ferrule is the biggest issue. If your brushes are completely clean then maybe evaporating 'upwards' helps keep the shape. Most people probably don't clean their brushes enough, though.

[@Gvaz]

I clean mine, usually, after every single paint session. Usually I get the soap in there all sudsy and then wash it off another day.

[@thevuntzer]

@@Gvaz Definitely clean after each session (and don't let your brushes dry out during a session). Wash off the sudsy soap immediately and when your brush is still wet after rinsing, spin it on the soap like you're making a nice tip to paint with. Let it try like that ideally upside down (you can use the little plastic sheath they come with) or if you have to right side up.

[@Gvaz]

@@thevuntzer washing off the sudsy soap immediately is more effort than I have left when I'm done painting and doesn't seem to be doing any harm. Especially when that's another trip downstairs to get to the sink and then spending a minute or two washing the soap off several brushes and then heading back upstairs. might not seem like a lot but it feels like another spoon when I just spent a bunch

[@therauchcolt6573]

Yep,... see it the same way. Different pro-painters (I think it was Vince Venturella and someone else) tell, that if you store your wet brushes tip upside the moist and rest of paint will seep into the ferrule and you ll get pretty fast a split tip. So Leyla no reason to apologise. You are absolutly right ;). Our small brushes will dry in any direction within hours. So I dont see the problem with evaporation.

[@chesca9773]

There is a painters soap we use. That doesn’t damage the hair on the brush. Along with using a cup with a tight coil in it to help with the cleaning process.

[@MacAttack001]

On the topic of air compressors. Air compressors with tanks are pretty nice if you live in a humid location, that tank serves as your first water trap. Speaking of which, please do NOT forget to open up the drain valve on the bottom of the tank to remove any water inside of the tank (just say NO to rusty pressure vessels kids!). I still use an inline water trap just to be extra careful, which has resulted in me not having the dreaded water splatter in my airbrushes over the last 6 years. Great video, I look forward to seeing your videos! :)

[@vindik8or]

A compressor with air tank is good for your ears and longevity of the compressor.

[@LylaMev]

I some times forget I have the compressor on and it will scare the crap out of me when it turns on.

[@ColonelSandersLite]

@@LylaMev If your compressor with a tank is turning on when you're not using it, you have a leak. How much of a difference the tank make depends a bit on setup and use case. If your airbrush setup is right where you brush paint and you just use it for a few seconds at a time to do this or that, it won't make that much of a difference re keeping the compressor cool. If you're more into doing more sustained work, it really helps there a *lot*. Using a tankless compressor also makes it harder to get crisp clean fine lines. Honestly, if you really want your answer to this, take a look at airbrush art outside of mini painting. Notice that you probably won't find even a single person that paints on panels with a tankless compressor. Sure, you may find a guy that has repurposed an old refridgerator motor and a hardware store air tank for the job, but he *does* have a tank. Some of those guys are doing *really* fine work too so it's not just a matter of scale. To be fully honest, for a lot of questions like this, I'm finding that it's a really good idea to look outside the mini painting realm. When you do, you'll start finding out that there's plenty of stupid in this particular bubble.

[@MechaTrogd0r]

All the compressors I've used with tanks are MUCH louder than my little masters tankless compressor actually. It's pretty quiet.

[@boredcryptek5513]

​@@ColonelSandersLite I think she means the tank will fill up, she'll airbrush for a couple of minutes, forget it's there and then suddenly the typically louder compressor will burst into life interrupting the previous calm.

[@danielmachaj925]

@@LylaMev i always detach my airbrush from the compressor so there is equal pressure outside and inside the tank. if you forget you have turned it off it will keep going and the noise reminds me to turn it off :) - not sure if it works with quick release i just have the screw in and haven't seen a need for quick release. hope it helps

[@credoimperialis]

WAAAAAAAAAAAT I disagree with the Iwata, you just need to regulate the pressure to be able to glaze with it just but a quick release with a mac valve and practice, and that's it. I can even do it with a .5 needle. Nice video keep it up.

[@TheRedBard]

I think your purchase in airbrush is actually fine. The vast majority of people DO get away with something like the iwata, which can have both the. 35 and. 50 needles. It really isn't the worst to have a second one like the SOTAR 2020 or Krome or such, for fien detail and keep the second one for priming and blasting. In either case I got mine used, but your choice is still probably the right one.

[@lordofhyphens]

I ended up just collecting airbrushes myself, but I agree fully that, if funds allow, to specialize your airbrush loadouts. I keep a cheap pistol grip (still gravity feed) for priming and varnishes. My Krome Renegade and Patriots have different niches, although I think they will be effectively replaced by the Kyiv Infinity I just got. Just don't get something like the Sotar 2020 Slim unless you really want a paint cup that small and frustrating to work with.

[@racerdeth]

Yeah that one seemed weird. I thought a .35mm would have done what Lyla was after. My main brush is a Badger Patriot 105/150(I forget) which has a 0.5mm and I switch to my Harder and Steenbeck Infinity for the detail stuff, which like she says is great for those tiny colour transitions, but I really would have thought somewhere between the two would have been fine. Still, she knows what she wants and if the Iwata isn't doing it for her, then it isn't doing it for her! I still use the Badger for nigh on everything even 5 years after getting the Infinity - it's still the "protect your new trainers!" product 😅

[@mhicks31]

I bought the paint puck partially on your recommendation and I love it. I love having the option to have the brushes held in the water but without touching the bottom. its perfect.

[@joerie.houthuijsen]

Lyla, if you looking for the infinity, I can recommend the lighter al+ as made in the special Kyev model. Also swap the .15 for the .2. The difference in fine detail is so, so small but the .15 clogs so much more, that even h&s changed the default kit to .2 and .4 and made the .15 optional 😉

[@LylaMev]

Thanks for the info!

[@spilbobaggins]

yeah I have a .2 and a .4 and it's all I need.

[@smudge666uk]

I own the infinity (.15 and .2 needle) and the new infinity AG and the differences in this version make it a must own for miniature painting imo, the trigger system has a much better feel to it and the body is shorter to allow you more control over the Airbrush in general, it might only come with 1 needle size but you can pick up bigger or smaller ones for it no problem.

[@Steve_Lorimer]

I’d also recommend the 0.2 needle over the 0.15 for the H&S

[@fraserskomorowski2311]

I've purchased the Kyiv version in the pink color and it is absolutely a game changer. The .2 is the sweet spot for details with the .4 being great to do large surface models like cars/planes.

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

I love my Iwata. Perfect for most applications. Sure, it’s not the pinpoint accuracy of a Harder Steinbeck, but I don’t need that and the price difference wouldn’t be worth it. I love my Kimera’s, but I’m loving the mixing process. There are plenty amazing options, I just enjoy Kimera a lot. And if you’re not going to be mixing the whole set definitely won’t be worth it. I really like the high flows through an airbrush. I only have a few key colors for under painting, but the price per volume isn’t as bad as this makes it sound. (Though the $45 is a bit steep…) The tank makes it so that it overheats less, controls moisture better, and sometimes improves airflow consistency. I wouldn’t go out and buy a new compressor with a tank if I already had one without, but it’s worth the bit extra for me to have the tank.

[@sveeart]

The smaller the nozzle in your airbrush the more problems you'll have with clogs. If you have a .3 nozzle and theres a tiny bit of dried paint in the nozzle its just going to be blasted through no probs but if you've got the .15 nozzle it takes the smallest chunk of dried paint to clog it completely. You can do some really fine stuff with the Iwata, it's just down to paint reduction and airbrush trigger control. I have the H&S infinity (and multiple Iwata's) and I ended up putting a larger nozzle/needle setup onto it because I spent most of the day cleaning out blockages. The infinity is an amazing airbrush but get the 2-in-1 option that comes with 2 different nozzles as you will probably get frustrated having to clean the .15 out constantly.

[@DCAMM720]

I've used a dumb amount of airbrushes, and the HPCS is still my go to whether its base coating or precision stuff. There's really nothing I can't do without it. I also have the Infinity and find the difference so minor most people won't notice. Vortex mixers are silly, just get a cheap vibrator and it works the same way. (Yes I'm serious) In the same vein as the airbrush thing, I have yet to find better brushes than Artis Opus. I may just be lucky but I have had mine for a couple years and they're just as nice as they were new and hold tips better than any other brushes I've used to date.

[@HacksawsHobbyBunker]

It is most excellent that Mochi has regained a proper amount of sass! I did buy an Iwata, but I'm happy with it - I lack anything near the level of talent required to be able to make use of something better. Maybe someday I will get that far in my airbrushing journey. Cheers!

[@drbell26]

Brand new to painting and your channel. I really respect how you don't have issues with apologizing for past comments instead of trying to put a positive spin on them.

[@ericrussell2378]

The major benefit to a compressor with a tank is a more steady stream of air vs. the buffering you can get with a tankless, and when the air is compressed it heats up then condenses when it expands and cools, your tank can act as a first expansion chamber to reduce this effect and combined with a water trap can give you an increased run time for sessions with no worries about moisture ruining your work. My first set up was a tankless one and I could only get around 45 minutes before my moisture trap was overwhelmed and there would be water in the hose. Can' remember the last time I was as frustrated as I was when I saw that giant drop of water come out of the brush and completely ruin almost an hours worth of work.

[@Darognarr]

Your cat interventions are part of what makes your videos so enjoyable :) Also, thanks a bunch for the tips!

[@LylaMev]

I'm glad! People used to tell me they hated them and wouldn't watch my video because of them.

[@derekgarcia3069]

​@@LylaMev clearly they are people of weak character!

[@PrydeAidan]

​@@LylaMev Having the pleasure of having a much to curious kitty. I can say the added difficulty of painting with cats is severely underrated.

[@LylaMev]

They are so perfect

[@guioni87]

I definitely find them endearing too! Mochi is best boi

[@shanebrookes]

The main thing a air tank compressor is used used for is 3 things none a really to improve your hobby more quality of life, less noise (as it's not on all the time), the other is less electricity usage for the same reason finally they tend not to burn out as easily. Air brush wise I bought 2 £25 (around $40 maybe less!) Air brushes off Amazon 1 a 0.3 needle the other 0.15 & a spare tip that's a 0.5 with a quick release valve to change them quickly if needed, been using this setup for about 2 years now & don't think I will ever go back to an expensive airbrush had an iwata eclipse that broke after about 6 months. Hope this helps. Love your colour choices & palette. Keep working on those creamy blends & cracking paint jobs :)

[@patrickquillen4975]

I’m a Badger guy, have been for years. Although their needle sizes are a bit weird, super fine, fine, medium and large. They breakdown as .2, .3, .5 and .7mm. Easy to change needles and can spray as low as 8psi. I have 3 models, Sotar 20/20, Patriot 105 and a workhorse siphon feed Crescendo 175. High quality at nearly 1/2 the cost

[@x3mperformace]

Hey Lyla. A 'Pro' tip from modeller to modeller. Drop the Harder & Steenbeck Infinity and get a Silverline Evolution 2 in 1. You get a 0,15 needle and nozzle, + a 0,3 needle and nozzle set and an additional paint cup extra, for the same money as a basic Infinity. Belive me, i got both, and both in 2 in 1 sets. It's a joy to use the Silverline, it's a real workhorse, easy to maintain, seconds to disasemble and clean.

[@RadikalKit]

In regards to Kimera paints, I think Expansion set 1 has some excellent colors. Alizarian crimson and Cobalt Blue Green are real stand outs for me and I also frequently use the brown oxides

[@ieatstheinternet]

Pretty sure water evaporates fine when the brush is suspended point downward. Windsor probably just says upwards because most people don't have a practical way to hang brushes downwards and its terrible if the bristles might get bent ie people following the advice poorly and balancing it against something or ick point down in a cup. The problem with point upwards is if the cleaning job wasn't perfect paint can get stuck in or close to the ferule over time ruining the point. And lets be honest many of us are not as through in our cleaning as we should be. I think the truth might be theres really not much difference in either drying method as long as its been cleaned and treated well.

[@JakeDogg-RIP]

Mochi ❤ glad he’s doing well! Hope the donations helped 🥰🍻

[@LylaMev]

Yes thank you!!!

[@svdarren]

I've researched compressors for a range of uses, including woodworking tools, HVLP sprayers, and sandblasting. The biggest benefit of a tank for airbrushing is the lower temperature, which helps keep moisture levels down and reduces wear on the motor. You can also keep moisture out with a cheap in-line filter. If your air pressure isn't fluctuating during airbrushing then you're not pressing it hard enough to matter. This is a bigger issue with multiple painters at once. For me, it's all about the noise levels. I built an entire machine closet just to quiet down my big stationary compressor.

[@mkuhnactual]

At this point it sounds like you're set with your setup, but there are affordable quiet compressors now. I was very surprised by a buddies' lowes' compressor. I wasn't expecting it to be as quiet as it was and the price is quite reasonable. I don't think lowes is the only one though, I think quiet compressors have just become more available and affordable.

[@drsofaking]

Hi Lyla - set your vortex on a piece of dense foam. The foam will absorb 99% of the vibration. You might fall in love with it..

[@br42]

I painted with a tankless compressor for a long time and I never noticed anything. However, when the compressor got old, I noticed a pulsating that would occur when it was running.

[@lucasvyner1502]

To fix the paint mixer issue, go down to your hardware store and grab washing machine vibration feet (looks like a square of rubber noodle/gym mat). will make night and day difference (i use them with 3d printers). That said, i use an impact massage gun with a ball end instead for paint mixing.

[@kenandbarbie-b6c]

Iwata does sell .5mm needle & the matching nozzle separately, although swapping between airbrushes is less of an interruption of work. Last time I went to a Hobby Lobby in Phoenix AZ, the .35 mm Iwata eclipse set was a $125! The larger needle & nozzle was also displayed, but both add to $30 total. That is a lot less than what I paid. It could be the result of a declined Yen.

[@isisnmagic1812]

Never liked artis opus , your just paying for the name not a quality product. Loved the video and the boss wanting his hugging time lol

[@LylaMev]

He is very demanding

[@JakeDogg-RIP]

*airbrush tank only means that the compressor isn’t running the whole time u use it… it will stop and start and if u stop to have a coffee for example and leave the compressor turned on, it won’t be running in the background 😉 supposedly if there are power flutters then the possibility of air pressure consistency can be saved by the tank being there, but I don’t think it’s enough to make a problem for most ppl, maybe a golden demon award winning painter could potentially have a problem, but if they are that good I’m sure they will be able to fix any minor issues as they happen anyway 😉👊🥰

[@jessewest1545]

Air compressor with a tank is for prolonged spray time (ie: large models, canvas, etc) I paint RC lexan bodies which can be quite large, so a tank is essential.

[@theronhatfield8854]

Getting a tank on the compressor generally means that the compressor can provide constant, consistent flow of air without pulsing, as well as being able to store air in the tank so that the compressor doesn't have to come on as often to keep the pressure up. So it's mainly about ease of use and noise reduction, at least for me. It's possible to work from a tankless compressor just fine, but to get a good tankless one is generally more expensive, and having a tank is cheap insurance. I have a dual piston model from Master Airbrush (The TC-96T) I picked up from Amazon a few years ago that's working pretty well. I did have to replace the regulator recently, but that was my fault, not the compressor's fault. They also make a quad piston one now for about the same money (~$240 or so).

[@dan8402]

Mochie didn't get the memo about the time change, so I don't blame her. Glad she is feeling better! The Iwata, S&H, and Badger / Paasche brands are all well engineered. Here I am happy I got a Master Airbrush for $40! lol I think as you improve or do it as a business, you want that reliability, and engineering that go into the expensive ones. With my master G233 I can get good atomization at 20 PSI and fine lines with the .3 needle. My Paasche VL is a siphon feed likes around 30 PSI unless I really thin it down. Getting a tank compressor tends to help as it isn't running all the time. They tend to not hear up as much and thus last longer. I have a Makita 3 gallon, and a Dewalt 1 gallon. I don't think for modelers it is a huge deal, but for people airbrushing clothing, and art, or cars, they basically sit there with the air pressed down for a long time. The tank helps provide even air flow, and save the compressor from overheating. I stick with model and craft paints. Usually Vellejo, or Tamiya acrylics. AK and MIG are also good in the pigment department. I know there are others, many are really expensive. I can see spending on it for say a specialty chrome paint, or say House of Kolor for their candies or color changing paint. Those of course are specific application paints. One thing you didn't mention which I think might help new folks like me, is a color wheel. Yeah it seems silly, but say you are trying to get a specific shade and you aren't quite sure how to get it. A color wheel give you a big head start. Then you can make minor adjustments to get it just right.

[@acebongboy]

The air compressor tank won't improve your painting, but it cuts down on sound because once the tank fills, the motor shuts off -- and that's why I bought mine. It also extends the life of the compressor because it's not running nonstop because you're drawing air from the tank.

[@modelmanjohn]

Love how Mochi (?) just looks up at you while you talk, listening.

[@JT-eo5zj]

I bought a used Vortex Genie 2 off ebay years ago. It was a game changer in how much better the paint could be mixed. I have paints from 15 years ago that work just fine after mixing the hell out of them with the vortex. Tips for the vibrations, is a solid desk and thick rubber feet on the vortex. Mine is pretty quite under those conditions. :)

[@3Xero3]

I get carpal tunnel so my vortex mixer is wonderful for me. I was very happy with my purchase but I can understand why others may not need it.

[@l0b0t59]

Golden Heavy Body Acrylics are cheaper in the long run as you can thin them out to your desired consistency. Also, you can build a compressor for pennies by pulling one from an old refrigerator and capping it off. Although, I use a CO2 tank and just take it the beverage wholesaler or gas supply shop and have it refilled a couple times per year.

[@oculusangelicus8978]

I have an expensive Lab quality vortexer and although it was expensive, the thing is uber quiet, and I love it, and I also use mixer balls in conjunction with the vortexer because I use Vallejo paints and when they sit for an extended amount of time, they are a real pain to mix when they have sat for a while but with a mixer ball and a vortexer on my desk, they turn into ready to use in no time! However, if your paints don't turn into concrete when they sit for a month, then I wouldn't recommend a vortexer. Vallejo paints are a very pigment intense paint, and many of their colors have a very strong tendency to settle and become increasingly harder to mix over time, so with them, I strongly recommend mixer balls, at the very least. As for airbrushes, yeah, you're going to spend a great deal of money on a Name Brand airbrush that comes with various needle sizes so you can airbrush tiny lines with it, I bought myself a kit that comes from China, and, for a Chinese airbrush it was very expensive at $37.00 but it came with three additional needles and tips that you can change out as well as an assortment of bottles and stainless steel cups, it also came in a case with cutout foam insert for all the pieces, and, as long as you take the time to smooth out the needles with so 1000 git diamond sandpaper, the thing will perform as well as much more expensive airbrushes by big name brands, so I'm thinking that the airbrush I bought was a clone of a name-brand model but it works great for me, not a single complaint, well, almost not a single complaint. with Chinese airbrushes, go out and buy an O-ring replacement kit from your local harbor freight store, because Chinese O-rings last until you try to clean them with a paint thinner or other similar solvent, they tend to dissolve with the oil base paint you are cleaning up, also, invest in quick disconnect connectors for your airbrushes, especially if you have more than one, and only have one compressor, like me; you'll thank me later for the advice, because those little wrenches get lost real quick, unless you go out and buy a mechanic's magnetic parts tray for your tiny tools , then you'll be fine.

[@cookbookforcannibals]

airbrush tank is only needed for more consistent higher pressure usage, without a tank you'll be able to get a consistent 2 bar pressure without one. Only other benefit really is that the motor will get less hot so depends how much airbrushing you do, I'm largely only priming/base colouring and blends on larger models at the moment as i'm not particularly good with it yet

[@DanakarEndeel]

For the Vortex mixer, you could try putting some rubber or neoprene pads on the underside and see how much that dampens the vibrations. I had similar issues with a tiny oxygen pump for my pond that was ridiculously loud due to vibrating against the wall it was mounted to ... until I simply put some small rubber pads on the backside. Now you barely hear it. 🙂

[@MeleagaQ]

I have more than 300 pots of paints, and nowadays i only used 4 boxes of KIMERA. I admit they are hard to master but...oh boi once you are there is satisfaying.

[@R.D.G.C.]

Well... That vortex paint mixer, you can buy a cheap lab equipment one for about $20+shipping. It won't be pretty, but mine does the job, and I gave it a quick spray paint over the housing.

[@gutssubz8232]

Fortunately, I was given the advice that it's very easy to break an airbrush (it's actually not but does have fiddly bits). I got a green stuff world £25 one with a good compressor (as I knew I would be airbrushing in the future). Used it. Messed around with it. Saw all the benefits of airbrushing and then went for the cult of paint H&S infinity. Great airbrush. Expensive but at least you see where your money goes. I have a cheaper one for general terrain/primers etc, although not technically needed.

[@RelaxStudio88]

This is specific to her needs. It doesn't mean the tools aren't worth the money or buying. Iwata is one of the best airbrush in the market to include minature work applications. The vortex is also an amazing product. She's just afraid of her desk falling apart and probably scares the cat. The Kimera paints are designed so you can mix predictable colors, this is how they are marketed, and if you succeed at creating the desired hues, then you won't find any better paints. If you're not willing to learn and just want a quick recipe, then yes, just get your pre-mixes. I'm not sure why your artis opus brushes came out like that. Have you tried reaching out to the company? You may have received a bad batch.

[@gregharker1600]

I have been using an airbrush for well over 40 years. I recently acquired the H&S Giraldez Infinity, and it is amazing. This airbrush is designed for figure painters. If you are looking to get an Infinity, this is the one to get.

[@noquedaniuno]

2 things: You can use your vortex mixer before sitting on your table(use it on a sturdy table or even the floor), if you know what paints are you gonna use in advance, get them "pre mixed" before sitting and you can avoid mixing by hand by a lot. And, the idea of having an air compressor with a tank its all about not turning the motor on for long periods of time, normally the motor its small and made in china so it can not handle a lot of working time in a row. So, having a tank makes it so that the motor only works in small burst of a few minutes instead of staying on while you use your gun. At least that's in principle 'cause the tank on those compressors are so small that it does not takes much to empty them and the motor keeps turning on anyways... Great video and amazing content... Keep at it! Best wishes from Mexico :D

[@jeffreylay-harker6910]

You could prop up the vortex mixer, I know I have mine over some rubber which helps with sound, and vibration, plus kind of gives my wrist a nice soft landing spot.

[@lokiwartooth1138]

Get the harder and steenbeck infinity angel giraldez model. It is everything you could want in an airbrush for minis or biggies. I got it about a month ago and it is capable of far finer detail then most of mine other than my badger sotar but the ease of disassembly. I can def recommend this model. Well worth the money!!! It does it all THE work.

[@maxxammax0]

The infinity cr+ is a great airbrush but clogs REALLY fast with the small needle setup. Probably user error on my part but be warned you need to really take care of it. And don't drop parts down the sink like I did, as they are not cheap to replace. Vortex mixer is great for people who don't paint daily, or you know people who like tesseract glow(citadel technical). On the air compressor; the tank only serves that you don't have the compressor itself running 24/7, saving some noise, and that the pressure it can deliver will be more consistent.

[@Goblin-Berzerker]

I own a couple of the products you showcase. I would say that everything is subjective. Painter's preference if you will. I absolutely love my vortex mixer. And I like my paint puck. I own the H&S Infinity CR Plus. I haven't gone crazy with it yet but is my go to. Brush wise, I love the response of the W&N but am currently using Raphael 8404s. Conpressor wise, I own a similar model to the one you recently purchased. I also own a tankless model. The tank just helps cut down on how often the compressor kicks on. The addition of the regulator does make it nice to see how much pressure you have going out but I set it and fiddle with valves on the hose and or airbrush itself to adjust pressure. If the compressor was not tucked under a desk, or out of arms reach, I could see folks using the regulator rather often.

[@emanuelparedes9187]

I believe you can buy a smaller nozzle and needle for the iwata. The advantage of the tank is that it makes your compressor not run continuously. If you have long paint sessions the compressor will overheat and you will start to shoot water through the airbrush, that's the advantage of the tank

[@Eazfb]

Compressor with tank helps as it gives a steady flow + also it won't overheat like one that turns on as soon as you press the trigger if you airbrush for longer sessions (as it only turns on when it fills the tank, so even when airbrushing for hours on end it won't run for long periods of time) - no it won't up your game by any means, but it's a good thing to have if you airbrush for longer sessions. And of course as it only uses a pre-filled tank, the airflow is steady as it doesn't rely on the engine running smoothly/getting good airflow/no blockage in sucking in air. In relation to not buying Kimera sets - I agree but not only for Kimera paints. Buying huge paint sets in general is a waste of money in my opinion. Buy the paints you need - no ta big set of paints that you'll never use. I see it all the time people buying the latest and greatest sets of paint as they are released (speed paints, two thin coats, xpress paints to name a few) and it's pure stupidity. Edit: I see it mainly with newer painters who may watch certain content creators and they think the reason they can't paint at the same level as the person they are watching is because they don't own exactly the same paint as the content creator uses, so they buy the set (probably third set they buy) and still blame the products when they aren't instantly upping their game to pro level after spending money. People want instant gratification, not to put down time and learn.

[@TheRedBard]

As an owner of both a compressor with and without a tank, the high PSI tank air compressors have always been much quite, less issues with flow, and less issues with moisture. The iwata ninja one I have is almost unusable.

[@jonc8561]

I love my vortex mixer but I have a stable working space so it's not too loud. Good video!

[@JackCarnes]

I also started out with the Iwata HP-CS Eclipse (3.5 needle). Like you, after my airbrushing skills had improved I wanted a brush with a smaller needle for doing detail work. So I understand where you're coming from however I think you missed the huge upside of the Eclipse: it is extremely user friendly for beginners. Not only that it's a quality airbrush that I will continue to use on every army I have. It doesn't clog easily and is easy to maintain. For base coating vehicles, terrain or large #s of miniatures at once, it is my absolute go-to. My second and only other brush, is the Iwata HP-BH High Line (2.0 needle). This brush takes care of any and all fine detail work I ask from it. It's more ergonomic and really built for long periods of detail work without having to adjust your grip. There is something to be said for buying an airbrush with multiple needle sizes. Still, if a beginner asks me what airbrush they should start with I'll recommend the Eclipse. I've known several people who started to learn how to airbrush, but we're quickly put off because of the maintenance. You don't get as much of that with the Eclipse and again, it's not only a good place to start, it's a tool you'll never stop using no matter how many airbrushes you have. Quality and reliability are it's best attributes.

[@djangofett4879]

If you want that level of precision, the GSI creos Platinum 0.18 is also a good choice for an airbrush. extreme precision and an excellent price. the quality is 98% as good as Iwata or H&S.

[@Vertrucio]

So, those cheap compressors with a tank, I've had two over the years and the pressure regulators they come with have poor quality control. The first one I got regulated the pressure perfectly, but after that one shook itself off a table, the second one I got clearly did not regulate the air coming out of it, so even when using the tank's air pressure it wasn't coming out at the correct pressure. At this point, I've budgeted enough money to get a really nice silentaire airbrush compressor for around $500, which is a lot, but the things are incredibly quiet and have quality parts.

[@andreacook7431]

The few colours of SoFlat I've gotten I really like. However, they don't have much in the way of purples, so I only own like three colours. Culture Hustle makes some neat stuff. Black 2.0 and White 2.0 are VERY opaque. The white is flower-scented though, and it gets annoying quickly. I ADORE their Lit pigments though. I got the pack of all the colours a couple years ago. It was $65 for all four; which was pricy, but I use the ALL THE TIME. I paint a lot of undead and magic effects. It even glows in abient light, so I got the radio dial on a Fallout mini to look like it was turned on. You also can't tell I've used any. I use a tiny spoon that's meant for resin additives.

[@h8uall66]

To anyone watching this, don’t use a vortex mixer like that. Place the paint pot on the mixer and hold it in place with your index finger on top with the rest of your fingers and thumb resting on the base of the mixer. Apply a little pressure with your index finger to get the motor spinning. 2 to 3 seconds is enough when used this way. Firmly gripping the paint pot prevents a vortex from forming in the pot. Holding it lightly makes it happen immediately. You’ll know it worked when you open the pot and see the swirl.

[@kombatunit66]

I went from a grex tankless to a paasche tank compressor. Elimination the often low pressure/spitting of the grex.

[@Irich1961]

I bought the vortex mixer after seeing on you video and use it all the time....love it, though I do have a solid table so it does not make much noise. Also I got the paint puck water cup to see if it would help preserve my brushes... It did, well I think it did as they seem to be lasting me a lot longer. . Thank you.

[@LylaMev]

I'm glad!!!

[@antoinea3660]

I bought a Infinty CR+ last month, with .2 and .4 needles. I do not regret my chinese airbrush one bit :)

[@DFDragoon]

Oh! And for the vortex mixer, I was running into a similar problem, and what I ended up doing was putting some sound insulation foam like what's used for walls or under studio monitors and put that under mine to dampen the vibrations. Anti-vibratory protection goes a long way, and it definitely lessens the noise and external shakes ime. Ymmv for your set up if you try it, and it depends on the kind of foam, thickness, etc as well. Thought it might be worth sharing!

[@LylaMev]

Thank you!

[@Cairo5555]

The tank on your compressor, can help to overcome overheating issues with the compressor itself.

[@-Ravenscroft-]

Air tanks on compressors are mostly just to increase working time between activations; less noise, less electricity usage, etc.

[@Mavericktravo]

Wouldn't a compressor tank just be so that you can use the compressor without it running constantly? Save on power, save on noise?

[@sprocket5526]

If you are considering the HS infinity CR plus, then you should look in to the HS grafo T1. It's a 0.15 needle gun. it has an "cup" opening that's more friendly to small amounts of paint and quick color swaps. It not a classic dual action, and its not a single action either. It functions like a trigger airbrush.

[@matthewgagnon9426]

I sometimes go weeks without painting so I'm super happy with my vortex mixer.

[@LylaMev]

That makes sense!

[@dlh567]

I wonder if the vortex mixer you bought was stronger than it needs to be. I love mine, but it's a smaller version. I also find it very helpful to put a small ball of blue tac in the cup of the vortex mixer then press the bottle down on that so I don't need to hold it in place with my whole hand, just a finger will do.

[@jonnytenebrous1113]

I've got the smaller version of the "Four E's" vortex mixer, too. Works great, isn't too loud, and seems quite stable on heavy, solid wood shelves (where I keep my hobby supplies). Been a big upgrade for me - no regrets! Thanks for the blue tac tip - will try that.

[@JayAdan]

It's funny. I clicked on the video because I wanted to see how you could possibly regret buying an Iwata airbrush but in seeing why that's.. fair. I don't know if you can really know in advance what you'll want out of your airbrush as you improve so maybe it's not possible to make the decision you made later.. but in advance. Also, the HPCS is about.. half the price of the Harder Steenbeck you settled on? Not everybody knows that they're going to be willing to make that kind of investment up front. The HPCS wasn't my first airbrush but it was the airbrush that I used a LOT. I used it with my hobby, I used it professionally, and I've owned several of them over the years. It essentially helped me as I learned how to airbrush. Now I use an Iwata CM-B (which is REALLY expensive) and swap out to other brushes on the rare occasion that I'm shooting something large enough that I can't get enough coverage with the CM-B. the CM-B is an amazing brush but I never recommend it to people just starting out because I find that the dropout rate for people using airbrushes is kind of high and why try to convince them to spend that much more money on something that they may not choose to stick with over the long term. The HP-CS is a much better choice for starting airbrushers.

[@jaymaxwell8645]

3:23 same issue. Ended up putting it on the floor but I also paint in a basement.

[@CGSudio]

Just so you know Vince Venturella said the 0.15mm H&S needle is much more prone to clogging up than the 0.2 so he reccomends the H&S Infinity CRplus 2 in 1 #2.

[@DatTeilchen]

oh, and about the Infinity: it depends on version which needles it comes with, there is also the 0.2 mm version. Tough you can always order the other needle sizes as spare parts.

[@LylaMev]

I'll keep a look out for that!

[@infomidgard5704]

(You scared the crap out of me for a sec. . .I have that same air compressor) I think the biggest difference you should notice between air compressor without vs with tank is just that it doesn't run all the time

[@Scidad23archery]

Air compressor with a tank will help with pulsing and give you a more consistent airflow. Also make sure you drain your tank once in a while if you live in a humid climate or you’ll end up with rust in your air tank. Not good.

[@Chef_PC]

I bought the cheap vortex mixer from China and it is considerably quiet considering it’s just a cheap motor with an offset weight and a rubber cap. Worked for about a year until the internal vibration desoldered the motor from the switch. Not a hard fix but I still haven’t fixed it.

[@sneakyfildy]

From my casual experience a tank on a compressor should be really big to actually give your more silence. From the other hand when compressor is not working constantly maybe it's better for its mechanics. Thanks for a video!

[@kayosiiii]

With paint you want to look at the amount of pigment and the pigments being used rather than volume to figure out the value proposition. I don't know anything specifically about the golden paints but artists paint easily gets into that price range for series 3/4 pigments. With the Kimera colors, I think the base set is an excellent value proposition used in conjunction with different acrylic mediums. Almost as if you are treating it as paint concentrate. I do all my mini painting with it and a handful of scale 75 artist colours. I guess it's less useful if you already have a collection of miniature paints.

[@SteveSearle]

I got the paint puck after seeing you using it. £18 of our beautiful British pounds on that site named after the Brazilian river. Storing brushes point down means gravity does the drying.

[@subversive1219]

I got hosed on the Artis Opus brushes as well. Lesson learned.

[@acrylicchemist1432]

Airbrush compressor with a tank mostly improves the lifetime of a compressor, as the pumps aren't (as) constantly cycling as you airbrush. Thanks for the great content! :D

[@JakeStaines]

I'm really curious where this advice about storing brushes tip-up on the W&N site is? I don't find it, and I'm... skeptical, to say the least. I don't think evaporation cares very much which direction it happens in, it's about relative moisture levels, it's not like the water is rising directly upwards out of the brush. And it's possibly worth bearing in mind that W&N think the Series7 is a watercolour brush; the binder in watercolour paints is water-soluble and re-activatable, they're not necessarily expecting people to be using them with acrylic resin that may set irrevocably solid deep in the bristles. Certainly anecdotally, when I stopped storing my miniature-painting brushes tip-up they started lasting longer. The Paint Puck is still pretty expensive, though, and for that matter three out of the last four Series7 brushes I bought were complete crap straight out of the tube...! I know they're mentioned elsewhere in the comments but I've found Rosemary & Co brushes a pretty good trade-off - much more consistent quality, and while they're not quite as good as a good S7, they're also a quarter the price and only marginally worse.

[@wargamingsorceress]

I don't think there are any products I thave truely regretted purchasing. The closet is probably the Two thin coats paint. They are not bad by any means but they don't really add much to my currently collection of paints. The metallics are really good so might pick up some more of those but not the standard paints.

[@thomaslewis5817]

thanks very much for the video we've all done it was all stuff that we shouldn't really buy because the hype and some how this will improve our painting so good job on the video to make people aware

[@CreativeKristenTaylor]

Can confirm: Infinity CR+ is an awesome brush. And so easy to dissemble and clean

[@TomNicholson77]

I'm glad someone else feels the same about Artis Opus... I was not impressed and went back to my Rosemary & Co

[@simonleach6632]

You won't notice a difference to the quality of your airbrushing if you use a compressor with a tank, the big difference will be noise (it doesn't have to run all the time) and the fact that you can keep on airbrushing for longer periods of time without the compressor getting red hot, which will in turn make your compressor last longer

[@michaelentwistle7464]

I find the compressor with tank just means a longer work time before the compressor overheats. Before tank, I could get 20 minutes of work. With a tank, I did a 24 hour event. Biiig difference, but not in painting performance

[@24fretsoffury]

The mini holder, I’ve seen before some have that extrusion on the side that hangs over the mini, wtf is that for? I bought the basic blue spinny handle which I’m happy with, but I can never imagine what those hangers are for?

[@yohendryy]

The air compressor with tank, does improve the lifetime of the compressor if you use heavely your airbrush

[@bobbuilt7268]

Lulz, I knew you were going to say you wished you had gotten an H&S Infinity. I love mine. I get a lot done using no name $30 airbrushes too

The CR+ is supper picky about the paint dilution and trigger technic. Even the 0.4 needle/nozzle will get clogged fast if the paint is too thick or dry top if I'm not spraying on short pulses. It is a beautiful piece of kit, but my cheap Chinese airbrushes are way easier to use an have ridiculously cheap spare parts.

[@n3r0n3]

I have both an Iwata and an infinity and simply because of how much easier it is to clean and disassemble H&S airbrushes I would go H&S anytime. Once u go H&S u'll see what I mean: u can unmount the nozzle by hand and the process of cleaning it is effortless. In terms of precision u can go down to 0,15 but the smaller the nozzle the easier it is to clog it so it's a matter of balance I guess. Also going 0.15 means pressure needs to be constantly adjusted otherwise u get a splatter effect. So for beginners Chinese airbrushes or IWATA (I am convinced they are the same stuff just rebranded) are probably easier to handle. I would maybe not spend 200 bucks, 25 bucks generic airbrush is more than ok.. I have both and they are identical.

[@n3r0n3]

ps. I believe there are 13 or 14 Kimera sets in reality ;) ...I know I just found out myself at Monte San Savino.

[@steveclarke6257]

Re: changing needles- Change needles is a gimmick and its inferior to 2 separate airbrushes The answer is two fold, firstly you are wearing out precision parts doing this and you risk damaging your nozzle and needle each time you dismantle the airbrush. Secondly, airflow through the nozzle is optimized for a particular needle size, so having it do this for different needle sizes is a compromised- it's like the difference between a set of accurate ring spanners for a nuts over a single adjustable wrench....which is better the better solution for undoing bolts in your workshop? It is far better to have two precision tools than one compromised one in my opinion.

[@HuntingHeresy]

Just get a nice pancake compressor from the hardware store. I have a Makita that runs great. Best of all, you can take it outside and air up your vehicle's tires when necessary. The price of the tiny airbrushing compressors is ridiculous. If they were absolutely silent, it might make sense.

[@GhenghisPanda]

Ngl, I still really like the paint puck. But god damn... putting anything more than a few brushes on that sucker becomes straight up madness. Cool idea to have it ringed with brushes, but not super practical if you actually do it... I think there's definitely something to be said about "gear" in just about any hobby. Some people find something about them that they really like, and others try it and find out it didn't quite solve the "issue", and it's all right to admit it. 😂

[@mr.pontifex7595]

Okay... I used to come here for the painting advice... Now I'm staying for the Whole Mini witch - Pissed off familiar dynamic we got going here!

[@LylaMev]

Whatever works!

[@richardbradley2335]

HI....At 0.50...What's the big plastic C shape for on the left side of the painting handle ? It looks like it would get in the way !

[@EthanThomas1988]

What were those mini's you were painting in the video - they looked like some badass undead!

[@stefans.2834]

For me it’s actually the other way around :D. I bought the Infinity CR after years of being very happy with the H&S Hansa Series (which nowadays has QS issues unfortunately). But I find the trigger of the Infinity too wobbly and the nozzle too inconvenient to disassemble. So I bought the Iwata HP-CS (for larger models) and I am so happy with it I will probably by a finer Iwata model in the future!

[@LylaMev]

Glad you found one that worked!