Badger Anthem Question

[GrossApproximator]

Hi all. I'm looking at buying a Badger Model 155 Anthem from Hobbylinc, but I want to know if anyone has any opinions about that particular airbrush. Is it good, bad, or ugly?

[stantonjtroy]

It's good for hobby use.

[GrossApproximator]

The advertisement says that it will spray anything from "pencil lines" to 3 inch spray patterns--what exactly does that mean?

[SteveF]

you can make a line as thin as drawn with a pencil to a line/swath/path 3" wide - making pencil thin lines takes a bit of practice but for just laying down a coat of paint you use go wide and takes far less practice to just spray paint

[FatBoy]

I have had mine for a few years and have no complaints at all (other than trying to get super-fine lines, but that may also just be because I suck at airbrushing). Maybe some day I will upgrade to an expensive model, but I'm not there yet and the 155 is perfect for rockets. I can also get replacement parts for the 155 at any local Michaels store.

[GrossApproximator]

I have had mine for a few years and have no complaints at all (other than trying to get super-fine lines, but that may also just be because I suck at airbrushing). Maybe some day I will upgrade to an expensive model, but I'm not there yet and the 155 is perfect for rockets. I can also get replacement parts for the 155 at any local Michaels store.

Cool. How thin have you gotten your lines--I don't think I need "pencil line" thin, but I would like to do some real detail work on my rockets.

[sooner.boomer]

Cool. How thin have you gotten your lines--I don't think I need "pencil line" thin, but I would like to do some real detail work on my rockets.

Typically, you'll want to mask (tape, frisket, stencil, whatever) to do fine lines, unless you're shading.

[FatBoy]

Typically, you'll want to mask (tape, frisket, stencil, whatever) to do fine lines, unless you're shading.

Exactly. A pencil-thin line would work on a t-shirt or something similar that can absorb the paint. If you tried a pencil-thin line on a surface like a rocket without masking you will probably get runs (and a crooked line). Masking is the way to go.

[sodmeister]

And when they tell to spray @ 20-39 PSI.....walk away and get better intel.

I myself spray at 8-12 PSI at most ,using enamels mixed 50/50 with lacquer thinner.

A good AB can do a lot of things ,but a piece of crap won`t do what you want.

I really don`t see a need for an AB as it pertains to painting rockets ,unless they are smaller ,or unless you are doing some detyail work.

Otherwise ,rattle cans are the way to go ,a subject on to it`s own, (although ,I really don`t know why)

I really do not know why folks F^%$ up on thier paint jobs....

Primer.....spray....2-3 coats ( you buy cheap crap...you pay)Use a good filler primer ,not that 1.99 crap.....you`ll see cheap scape!


Sand with 220/329 SP

Break out the Enamel ,Lacquer or whatever and do some nice light coats and build the finish,

I don`t say I`m the Jesus of paint ,but i`ve never had the problems I read about on these forums.....with the craclkes ,and the lifting and the crazzing and crap.

Am I lucky ? Am I the paint Messiah....perhaps........

Peace


Paul T

OBTW...Anthem 155

[o1d_dude]

Nice work, Paul.

As usual.

[trippkid]

It must be that Canadian air, Paul. I only have problems when I try to hurry the job.
Matt

[Pat_B]

The Anthem is a nice overall AB. It has a tip and needle that allow for thin lines, up to thick lines, without needing to change the tip or needle like their other airbrushes.

I like that some parts are available at Michaels and I always keep spare parts on hand because they are inexpensive.

I agree with the other posters in that the really fine lines are hard to do. If I were to do a lot of that work then I'd get a dedicated airbrush that's designed mostly for fine lines, like one of the models designed for photo retouching.