T
tecdes
Guest
Apologies Ian not got a clue where to put this.
My family, to shut me up talking about it, bought me an Iwata Eclipse HP CS. I have used an H & S Evolution for 3 years.Thought it may be a help for any in two minds as to which brush to go for. Both are popular for model making.
As from all the talk around the Harder & Steenbeck and the Iwata are top if not the best available I have produced a comparison. Some of this is fact based some are based on my thoughts & using the Iwata for a very short time. I will up date with any further thoughts & please chip in any thoughts you may have including any which contradict my experience etc. Just as it is for information it would be best to qualify why you like one or the other rather than state H & S is best or you cannot beat an Iwata (you not wot I mean Arry).
View attachment 71754
View attachment 71755
Iwata Left H & S Right..........H & S top Iwata bottom
HARDER & STEENBECK EVOLUTION....................... IWATA ECLIPSE
Gravity fed ................................................................Gravity fed
Two Stage..................................................................Two Stage
Needle/nozzle mm .15 .2, .4 .6...................................Needle nozzle mm standard .35
Cups 2 sizes 5ML & 2 ML...........................................Fixed cup 9ml
Cup lids to each optional extra...................................Cup comes with lid
Spares for every part of brush...................................Spares for most parts not the body
Paint volume limitation adjustment.............................Option Paint volume limitation
Extra Paint restrictor memory adjustment...................5 Needle/Nozzle is available
The Iwata is certainly a bigger object than the H & S. Handling the Iwata seems heavier than the H & S but there is hardly any difference in weight. The impression is given as the H & S is better balanced while the Iwata bowl is much larger giving a front heavy feel. The Iwata HP BS exactly the same build but has a small bowl 1.5ml. Probably better balanced but a very small bowl & it does not have a cap.
The Iwata is a more complicated brush with more parts than the H & S. Where as the H & S can be dismantled quickly for washing the Iwata is more time consuming but not difficult. But the Iwata does wash out better in one piece. The paint way in the Iwata is smooth the H & S is a little rugged. Not surprising that Iwata users do not strip & wash every time as it is more complicated. That puzzled me until now.
The H & S tends to get paint creeping back up towards the rear of the needle in the needle housing. Not so far had that with the Iwata. Pity the Iwata does not have a removable cup with alternative sizes although this model also comes as variants with side cup, mini cup & bottom feed.
The H & S trigger action is not as positive as the Iwata. The H & S starts to release paint immediately the trigger is pulled. The Iwata trigger has to be moved back more to release paint. I found there was more precise control with the Iwata volume of paint. The nozzle on the Iwata seems to be longer then the H & S. It appears that the needle has a longer distance to travel giving more control of the incremental advance in the volume of paint.
The trigger spring on the Iwata is very strong compared to the H & S which needs only a light touch. May be tiring for long jobs.
The H & S comes with a paint volume control. One is available as an extra option for the Iwata. The H & S also has an extra option for a memory adjustment control ie it remembers & allows return to that point by pressing the end.
H & S spares are cheaper. Needle/nozzle H & S approx £22 Iwata £30.
Both are nice to use and I found there is not much between them. Both sprayed to give samples which for me were identical. The Iwata was much easier to control when used close to the subject producing better blobs etc & for German WW11 camouflage, for instance, performed better than the H & S. The H & S was easier to handle as it is better balanced than the Iwata. Otherwise both equal in all other modes.
SHORT SUMMING UP
Iwata more complicated to strip down. H & S simple
H & S nice to hold. Iwata front heavy.
Iwata large bowl. H & S interchangeable bowls.
Iwata better paint volume control
Iwata better for really close up work
H & S easier to handle, easier for small sessions to get into nooks & crannies (due to the big cup on the Iwata).
The above “better than this not so good as that” is very minor as all in all very little to choose between the two. Having tried both I am pleased I now have both & can revert as I please. Having to choose between the two, if I could only have one, would be difficult. Which ever is chosen will not disappoint as they are both superb airbrushes. It is the old conundrum faced in a shoe shop with 2 pairs of shoes amalgamate the two & you have perfection.
Last note. The Iwata has cutouts on the body to get at the needle holding screw. Not found out yet why ie it is supposed to assist with blockages. Also used Vallejo Model Paint for my comparison.
Laurie
My family, to shut me up talking about it, bought me an Iwata Eclipse HP CS. I have used an H & S Evolution for 3 years.Thought it may be a help for any in two minds as to which brush to go for. Both are popular for model making.
As from all the talk around the Harder & Steenbeck and the Iwata are top if not the best available I have produced a comparison. Some of this is fact based some are based on my thoughts & using the Iwata for a very short time. I will up date with any further thoughts & please chip in any thoughts you may have including any which contradict my experience etc. Just as it is for information it would be best to qualify why you like one or the other rather than state H & S is best or you cannot beat an Iwata (you not wot I mean Arry).
View attachment 71754
View attachment 71755
Iwata Left H & S Right..........H & S top Iwata bottom
HARDER & STEENBECK EVOLUTION....................... IWATA ECLIPSE
Gravity fed ................................................................Gravity fed
Two Stage..................................................................Two Stage
Needle/nozzle mm .15 .2, .4 .6...................................Needle nozzle mm standard .35
Cups 2 sizes 5ML & 2 ML...........................................Fixed cup 9ml
Cup lids to each optional extra...................................Cup comes with lid
Spares for every part of brush...................................Spares for most parts not the body
Paint volume limitation adjustment.............................Option Paint volume limitation
Extra Paint restrictor memory adjustment...................5 Needle/Nozzle is available
The Iwata is certainly a bigger object than the H & S. Handling the Iwata seems heavier than the H & S but there is hardly any difference in weight. The impression is given as the H & S is better balanced while the Iwata bowl is much larger giving a front heavy feel. The Iwata HP BS exactly the same build but has a small bowl 1.5ml. Probably better balanced but a very small bowl & it does not have a cap.
The Iwata is a more complicated brush with more parts than the H & S. Where as the H & S can be dismantled quickly for washing the Iwata is more time consuming but not difficult. But the Iwata does wash out better in one piece. The paint way in the Iwata is smooth the H & S is a little rugged. Not surprising that Iwata users do not strip & wash every time as it is more complicated. That puzzled me until now.
The H & S tends to get paint creeping back up towards the rear of the needle in the needle housing. Not so far had that with the Iwata. Pity the Iwata does not have a removable cup with alternative sizes although this model also comes as variants with side cup, mini cup & bottom feed.
The H & S trigger action is not as positive as the Iwata. The H & S starts to release paint immediately the trigger is pulled. The Iwata trigger has to be moved back more to release paint. I found there was more precise control with the Iwata volume of paint. The nozzle on the Iwata seems to be longer then the H & S. It appears that the needle has a longer distance to travel giving more control of the incremental advance in the volume of paint.
The trigger spring on the Iwata is very strong compared to the H & S which needs only a light touch. May be tiring for long jobs.
The H & S comes with a paint volume control. One is available as an extra option for the Iwata. The H & S also has an extra option for a memory adjustment control ie it remembers & allows return to that point by pressing the end.
H & S spares are cheaper. Needle/nozzle H & S approx £22 Iwata £30.
Both are nice to use and I found there is not much between them. Both sprayed to give samples which for me were identical. The Iwata was much easier to control when used close to the subject producing better blobs etc & for German WW11 camouflage, for instance, performed better than the H & S. The H & S was easier to handle as it is better balanced than the Iwata. Otherwise both equal in all other modes.
SHORT SUMMING UP
Iwata more complicated to strip down. H & S simple
H & S nice to hold. Iwata front heavy.
Iwata large bowl. H & S interchangeable bowls.
Iwata better paint volume control
Iwata better for really close up work
H & S easier to handle, easier for small sessions to get into nooks & crannies (due to the big cup on the Iwata).
The above “better than this not so good as that” is very minor as all in all very little to choose between the two. Having tried both I am pleased I now have both & can revert as I please. Having to choose between the two, if I could only have one, would be difficult. Which ever is chosen will not disappoint as they are both superb airbrushes. It is the old conundrum faced in a shoe shop with 2 pairs of shoes amalgamate the two & you have perfection.
Last note. The Iwata has cutouts on the body to get at the needle holding screw. Not found out yet why ie it is supposed to assist with blockages. Also used Vallejo Model Paint for my comparison.
Laurie
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