Iwata NEO?

[AeroplaneDriver]

So...as part of my head-first jump back into modeling I bought an Iwata NEO gravity feed airbrush this weekend at Hobby Lobby.  Since I had a 40% off coupon it was under $40 and I thought it would be a good tool for developing my somewhat limited airbrushing skills.  So anyway, tonight I fire that puppy up to do some spraying on the Corsair and what do I get?  Nothing! 

The air valve was not letting any air through whatsoever.  I took it apart as much as possible and wiggled and woggled around with it and finally got it going.  However, after a few minutes of painting the valve wouldn't seal completely, so a small amount of air is constantly flowing. 

Anyone have any experience with this airbrush?  I'll be calling Iwata's customer service tomorrow, and I understand the NEO is a line that is built FOR Iwata no by them, and it a lower quality airbrush, but I expected more than one session before it started going pear shaped. 

Did I get a lemon?

[matrixone]

You got a lemon.

Good news is Iwata should be willing to fix or replace it. Bad news is a few airbrush artists I know bought the NEO and have mixed feelings about it, the negative feelings seem to center around the durability of this airbrush...it wears out rather quickly and that effects how well it sprays. Most people who build plastic scale models should be able to get a fair amount of use out of a NEO but for someone who does a lot of airbrushing artwork the NEO is more of a toy than a tool.

Matrixone

[Aircav]

There's three pages about it on ARC
http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=220212

[AeroplaneDriver]

Thanks fellas....good info there Steve! 

[matrixone]

Aircav,
The thread over on ARC is pretty old and when a new product hits the market it takes a while to see how it holds up under actual use. Recently I have heard from a couple people (non-modelers) that purchased the Neo when it was first introduced and found out it wears out rather quickly compared to their other airbrushes.
Most model builders that buy a NEO should be happy with it because they don't spend much time actually using the airbrush but for airbrush artists that spend a lot of time using their airbrush they don't seem to be very good choice despite the low cost.

Matrixone

[AeroplaneDriver]

OK, so I painted one and a half models with the NEO and out of all that the first coat on the first model was the only one with no mechanical difficulties.  The air valve has all kinds of problems, and in general it just hasnt been a fun airbrush.  So today I bit the bullet, printed out a 40% off coupon for Hobbylobby and went out to pick up a shiny new gravity feed Iwata Eclipse.  Might have to experiment a bit tonight!

[matrixone]

I also have an Eclipse and its an excellent airbrush and you should be happy with it. After I discovered what the Revolution BR can do I am only using my Eclipse as a backup...since Iwatas are very reliable my Eclipse might remain a backup for many years.

Matrixone

[PR19_Kit]

All this talk about different models of airbrush is going straight over my head, says he who's never used one in his life..... 

Having said that I have all the stuff to run one now, and may well start using the technique soon. I also have a couple of books on the art but nowhere does it tell me how to differentiate one model from another. I currently have one called a Kager 2001, which needs a new nozzle thingie on the front, and another called a PremiAir G35.

Are either of those any good, and where could I find such a guide if neither of them are up to snuff?

[matrixone]

Kit, I don't have any experience with the type of airbrushes you listed but maybe someone else here can offer advice on them. In case you can't get yours operating both Iwata and Badger have a number of good choices of airbrushes that work good for painting models, whatever brand you choose go with a gravity feed. The gravity feed airbrushes are very responsive and you can use very low PSI and still get paint to spray through them which is important for spraying fine detail without a lot of unwanted overspray, also gravity feed airbrushes are easier and quicker to clean.

Matrixone

[PR19_Kit]

Matrixone, thanks for replying. Both of the 'brushes I have are gravity fed, the Kager has a plug-in side mounted gravity cup and the PremiAir has a fixed top mounted gravity cup, both being double action guns.

I have a couple of larger 'spray guns' as well, both Binks-Bullows guns, one for serious full size car spraying and the smaller one for more delicate work, but the cup for that is large enough to hold five Humbrol tins all at once! Hardly the thing for our size of models but it works well for my R/C flying aircraft and R/C boats.

[ChrisF]

Kit i too have a Premiair G35 and ive found it just fine... However i have noticed that places that used to sell it now sell the Neo in its place... Even the official UK supplier of PremiAir... Now sell the Neo whenever the G35 is out of stock which gives you a good idea where it sits..

[PR19_Kit]

ChrisF,

Thanks very much for that, at least I know it's not a total dog's dinner of a 'brush. I'll start with it and see how I get on, if the thing wears out I'll get something better.

[ChrisF]

Ive been using mine for about a year now, and its still good... Keep an eye on the needle as thats where the wear seems to appear first