First a bit of background.
I have used several brands of airbrush over the years, a cheap Chinese knock-off, Harder & Steinbeck Evolution and Infinity, GSI Creos PS275, Topnotch and Iwata. Of all of them, I like the H&S brushes most due to their very easy breakdown and easy clean up. They are also precision instruments, but the same can be said for the Iwata, Creos and Topnotch brushes too.
I only moved away (partially, I still have an Infinity in use) from H&S because I found my finger cramping during long sessions and on discovering the Topnotch with a trigger control, I have only bought trigger/pistol grip airbrushes since.
I was aware of the H&S Colani, with its trigger/pistol grip, but always thought it more a spray gun than a precision airbrush, which is exactly what it looks like, and ignored it.
After I over-tightened the nozzle on my trusty PS275 sheering it off, I decided on a new airbrush. I originally thought to get another PS275 but had a look around at what else is available. Consequently I had a look at what H&S had and still their only trigger/pistol grip brush is the Colani and so I decided to take another look.
Immediately I discovered that it comes with a .4 needle, not just the larger .8 plus needles, with the ability to add a .2 needle set as well. For general use a .3 to .4 needle is ideal and is what I am looking for, having my Infinity for finer work. I then had a look at reviews and it is quite clear that this is actually a precision airbrush and not the cruder spray gun that I thought. I liked the large 15ml cup as well, painting large scale aircraft I often have to refill the much smaller 5ml cups that are standard. Being a H&S the larger cup is interchangeable with smaller H&S cups. My only concern is how the trigger is on top rather than below the needle and whether my finger will cramp up. Looking at the unit I decided it would probably be OK and you hold the brush very differently. So, I decided to take the risk and spend around £180 on one, the most expensive airbrush I have bought. With accessories I actually spent just over £200. John not having one of these in the shop I ordered from Everything Airbrush and it was delivered less than 20 hours after ordering it.
Here is the Colani is it’s box
My initial impression is that it’s a lot smaller than it looked in the pictures I have seen. This is probably because of the over sized paint cup.
With the brush there is a tool to adjust the movement of the needle, two rings to hep adjust the grip to better fit larger hands. I also bought a new 5ml cup and lid. I never spray with a lid fitted as I guarantee the paint will splash over the top!
Here she is out of the box.
With the larger cup fitted and the two spacers so, it fits my large hand. By the way, if you are left handed the trigger can be swapped around as well.
You can see how that large cup gives the appearance of a much larger brush.
With the 5ml cup fitted as below, giving it a more compact appearance. I will probably do most of my spraying with this smaller cup only using the larger one when needed.
Below you can see how it fits my hand. One good feature is how the rear part of the handle twists to fit your hand.
I fitted what H&S called a ‘fine pressure control’ others call it a Mac Valve. I usually set my compressor at 15psi and with the fpc wind down the airflow and spray at around the equivalent to 10-12 psi (or sometimes lower), only using the full 15psi to blast cleaner through the unit.
Above you can get a better idea of its small size.
I mentioned how easy these are to break down for a strip clean. Due to the exposed needle this is even easier than the other H&S airbrushes I have used. No tools are needed for this.
Here is it broken down
The cup, obviously, screws off making it very easy to clean the bowl and, as you can see, there is a very small area the paint will touch.
When I attached my hose there was a hiss. After checking it is clear that the hose has a leak around the quick connector, which is not separate but fitted as part of the hose. I was aware that it has a leak but it has got worse so I ordered another hose.
Consequently I will review how the airbrush performs once I receive and fit the new hose. Just for now I tested it by spraying a quarter cup of ipa. I can report that it feels good in the hand and has a very smooth action. I may have to adjust the needle movement to suit me when I get to practise with it and, once I am used to it, I am confident that I will be able to get quite thin and ‘tight’ lines. There are no indications that I will suffer from finger cramps.
So, I will post more once I get the new hose and get to test it properly.
So far I believe that this is a very good buy and even better than expected.
I have used several brands of airbrush over the years, a cheap Chinese knock-off, Harder & Steinbeck Evolution and Infinity, GSI Creos PS275, Topnotch and Iwata. Of all of them, I like the H&S brushes most due to their very easy breakdown and easy clean up. They are also precision instruments, but the same can be said for the Iwata, Creos and Topnotch brushes too.
I only moved away (partially, I still have an Infinity in use) from H&S because I found my finger cramping during long sessions and on discovering the Topnotch with a trigger control, I have only bought trigger/pistol grip airbrushes since.
I was aware of the H&S Colani, with its trigger/pistol grip, but always thought it more a spray gun than a precision airbrush, which is exactly what it looks like, and ignored it.
After I over-tightened the nozzle on my trusty PS275 sheering it off, I decided on a new airbrush. I originally thought to get another PS275 but had a look around at what else is available. Consequently I had a look at what H&S had and still their only trigger/pistol grip brush is the Colani and so I decided to take another look.
Immediately I discovered that it comes with a .4 needle, not just the larger .8 plus needles, with the ability to add a .2 needle set as well. For general use a .3 to .4 needle is ideal and is what I am looking for, having my Infinity for finer work. I then had a look at reviews and it is quite clear that this is actually a precision airbrush and not the cruder spray gun that I thought. I liked the large 15ml cup as well, painting large scale aircraft I often have to refill the much smaller 5ml cups that are standard. Being a H&S the larger cup is interchangeable with smaller H&S cups. My only concern is how the trigger is on top rather than below the needle and whether my finger will cramp up. Looking at the unit I decided it would probably be OK and you hold the brush very differently. So, I decided to take the risk and spend around £180 on one, the most expensive airbrush I have bought. With accessories I actually spent just over £200. John not having one of these in the shop I ordered from Everything Airbrush and it was delivered less than 20 hours after ordering it.
Here is the Colani is it’s box
My initial impression is that it’s a lot smaller than it looked in the pictures I have seen. This is probably because of the over sized paint cup.
With the brush there is a tool to adjust the movement of the needle, two rings to hep adjust the grip to better fit larger hands. I also bought a new 5ml cup and lid. I never spray with a lid fitted as I guarantee the paint will splash over the top!
Here she is out of the box.
With the larger cup fitted and the two spacers so, it fits my large hand. By the way, if you are left handed the trigger can be swapped around as well.
You can see how that large cup gives the appearance of a much larger brush.
With the 5ml cup fitted as below, giving it a more compact appearance. I will probably do most of my spraying with this smaller cup only using the larger one when needed.
Below you can see how it fits my hand. One good feature is how the rear part of the handle twists to fit your hand.
I fitted what H&S called a ‘fine pressure control’ others call it a Mac Valve. I usually set my compressor at 15psi and with the fpc wind down the airflow and spray at around the equivalent to 10-12 psi (or sometimes lower), only using the full 15psi to blast cleaner through the unit.
Above you can get a better idea of its small size.
I mentioned how easy these are to break down for a strip clean. Due to the exposed needle this is even easier than the other H&S airbrushes I have used. No tools are needed for this.
Here is it broken down
The cup, obviously, screws off making it very easy to clean the bowl and, as you can see, there is a very small area the paint will touch.
When I attached my hose there was a hiss. After checking it is clear that the hose has a leak around the quick connector, which is not separate but fitted as part of the hose. I was aware that it has a leak but it has got worse so I ordered another hose.
Consequently I will review how the airbrush performs once I receive and fit the new hose. Just for now I tested it by spraying a quarter cup of ipa. I can report that it feels good in the hand and has a very smooth action. I may have to adjust the needle movement to suit me when I get to practise with it and, once I am used to it, I am confident that I will be able to get quite thin and ‘tight’ lines. There are no indications that I will suffer from finger cramps.
So, I will post more once I get the new hose and get to test it properly.
So far I believe that this is a very good buy and even better than expected.
