discussion Quick review of Iwata TRN 1 trigger airbrush

[BattleshipBob]

I found recently that trying to use my trusty Iwata HP - CS caused a lot of pain, nothing to do with the airbrush but to do with me having ME, a lump on my wrist and pain from my fingers caused when pushing the air button down and the paint flow backwards so

Bought the Iwata TRN 1 trigger type airbrush



Just to see I weighed them both and the TRN is about 50% heavier, used for the first time today and found the pistol grip was excellent, very comfortable



Very easy to use, as you pull the trigger backwards to allow air out you feel a slight resistance and this is when the paint arrives, the more you pull back the more paint, simples

Carried out some practice with the airbrush, small to large spots, thick to thin lines, wrote my name ( spelt it right as well ) etc and felt at ease with it very quickly. after a hour or so's work NO pain or discomfort :thumb2::thumb2::thumb2::thumb2::thumb2:

So tried some Mr Surfacer primer and it sprayed very well onto 3 models, very pleased with it, one concern is getting a stand for it, I had to stand it up laying against the booth wall, if it tipped over and the lid was not tight you could have a paint flood disaster :sad:

Very easy to clean and remove the needle etc, same as the other Iwata, only moan no oil, considering it was a shade over £150, that's mean Iwata :anguished:

However, when I finished I noticed some orange paint marks on my hand and its come from the handle?? Do not think I got any lacquer thinner on my hand and therefore the handle, will contact the supplier



I know Barry has bought one so interested to hear his opinions and if he also gets orange paint off the handle as well, may well have been me, but this in no one effects my opinion that's its a very good airbrush but of course this is my opinion

Short and sweet, hope this is of use, I am no expert but consider myself to be good at airbrushing, so hopefully capable of a good test report?

bob

 

[Jim R]

Thanks for that Bob. It is useful. I have both Iwata and H&S airbrushes. Both are excellent but I do prefer the Iwata. £150 isn't an exorbitant price for a quality AB.
Jim

 

[adt70hk]

Thanks Andy for the review, so if I've understood it right it's a single action in terms of pulling the trigger back but it is actually action brush in terms of airflow and paint flow?

ATB.

Andrew

 

[BattleshipBob]

Thanks for that Bob. It is useful. I have both Iwata and H&S airbrushes. Both are excellent but I do prefer the Iwata. £150 isn't an exorbitant price for a quality AB.
Jim

Hi Jim, some shops are asking £180 plus, Bartsharp had them for £116 but out of stock, when i asked about new stock they said that Iwata had put up the prices a fair bit so when they have new stock it will be a fair bit more expensive

Thanks Andy for the review, so if I've understood it right it's a single action in terms of pulling the trigger back but it is actually action brush in terms of airflow and paint flow?

ATB.

Andrew

Yes, you pull the trigger back air escapes, pull further back more air then you feel resistance, go through the resistance and the paint flows, pull back more and more paint, for me so easy to use

 

[stona]

Yes, you pull the trigger back air escapes, pull further back more air then you feel resistance, go through the resistance and the paint flows, pull back more and more paint, for me so easy to use

It makes sense. I was taught not to attempt to use the plunger/trigger thingy*/air valve to control the air on my airbrushes, meaning air on at whatever pressure it is set on the compressor or MAC valve (by fully depressing the trigger), followed by easing back to introduce the paint.

It sounds like this brush has a mechanism to start the air before the increasing pull on the trigger begins to introduce the paint, so effectively doing exactly the same thing.

*I'm not sure that's the correct technical term, but you get what I mean

 

[Guest]

one concern is getting a stand for it, I had to stand it up laying against the booth wall, if it tipped over and the lid was not tight you could have a paint flood disaster :sad:

Dunno if it helps Bob, but I use one of the "tube" type holders for my trigger brushes, just be careful of the needle when putting it back in it's holster! At the side of my spray area I have one of those super cheap holders that usually come packaged with bargain airbrushes. Also works a treat.

View attachment 416109

View attachment 416111

 

[Jim R]

I was taught not to attempt to use the plunger/trigger thingy*/air valve to control the air on my airbrushes, meaning air on at whatever pressure it is set on the compressor or MAC valve (by fully depressing the trigger), followed by easing back to introduce the paint.

The movement required to press down the trigger for air is so small that I don't see how air can be controlled with that. I'm like Steve - press down fully and then ease back for paint. I rely on a MAC valve for air.
Bob's new brush sounds tempting - just that my birthday and Christmas is a long way off. But then the wife's birthday is soon and I bet she'd like one :rolling:
Jim

 

[BattleshipBob]

I just see her face Jim, oh you should not have, then the rolling pin on the old bonce l

 

[stillp]

You're a brave man Jim!
Pete

 

[Guest]

For me I go for the airbrushes which have a very low profile cup. The Iwata HP BS.

Light smaller in length not front heavy with large cups. Good seeing over the cup & easy to get into intricate parts. Almost just like a pencil.

Laurie

 

[BattleshipBob]

Hi Laurie

It does come with a smaller cup as well

 

[Guest]

Hi Laurie

It does come with a smaller cup as well

Wow Iwata have caught on removable cups. makes cleaning so much easier. My reseravtion is that I like the Iwata models with the cup recessed into the stem which gives superb seeing/viewing whilst airbrushing.

Like all things in life depends on our wants & fancies. Like wives really. Except with an airbrush you get a choice. :tongue-out3:

Laurie

 

[stona]

The movement required to press down the trigger for air is so small that I don't see how air can be controlled with that.

It can't Jim, but that doesn't stop people trying!

 

[Guest]

It can't Jim, but that doesn't stop people trying!

Very funny. :hungry:

Laurie

 

[Tim Marlow]

Laurie, my Iwatta eclipse HP SBS has removable cups and I’ve had it for about ten years....it’s a side feed that is also really easy to clean and can be fitted with a range of different size cups. I just don’t understand what makes inflexible top feed brushes so popular?

 

[BarryW]

I know Barry has bought one so interested to hear his opinions and if he also gets orange paint off the handle as well, may well have been me, but this in no one effects my opinion that's its a very good airbrush but of course this is my opinion

bob

Hi Bob
I dont get any issues regarding the orange paint. I do agree that it is an excellent airbrush and very comfortable to use. designed as it is for low air pressure I find it great for MRP. I would recommend the Iwata Mac valve, I have my compressor set to 15psi and can reduce it much more easily when I need to and raise it again for a blast through. I find the Iwata Mac to be better than both the H&S and Gunze that I have on other airbrushes.

 

[Guest]

Laurie, my Iwatta eclipse HP SBS has removable cups and I’ve had it for about ten years....it’s a side feed that is also really easy to clean and can be fitted with a range of different size cups. I just don’t understand what makes inflexible top feed brushes so popular?

Well look at this beauty Tim. The cup is moulded into the stem. Light as a feather just 5.5" long. Manipulate it into any dark corner. Superb trigger action. Minimum of protrudences.

Laurie

Bob apologies for the intrusion & digression.

 

[stona]

I use an Iwata BR for small models and doing stuff like interiors. It looks a lot like the HP-BS in Laurie's picture. It's at least 20 years old so may just be the old version of the one in the picture.

I waste a lot less paint with it than with airbrushes with bigger cups, detachable or not. Being a tight b*stard, this is definitely a win

It's definitely handy for getting accurately into harder to reach areas too.

I suppose everyone finds what works best for them.

 

[BattleshipBob]

Hi Bob
I dont get any issues regarding the orange paint. I do agree that it is an excellent airbrush and very comfortable to use. designed as it is for low air pressure I find it great for MRP. I would recommend the Iwata Mac valve, I have my compressor set to 15psi and can reduce it much more easily when I need to and raise it again for a blast through. I find the Iwata Mac to be better than both the H&S and Gunze that I have on other airbrushes.

Thanks Barry

Never used a Mac valve so will have to some reading!

I must have got some lacquer thinner on the handle

 

[Tim Marlow]

Bit strange that something that will almost certainly be used for lacquer paint is not finished in lacquer proof paint though Bob.
Another option to a MAC valve is a pressure reducing valve (PRV) fitted to the airbrush stand so you can adjust the air pressure easily. I have this type of set up. I run the compressor at about 50 psi using the compressor PRV, and then adjust the PRV on the brush stand to the required spray pressure. It means I can easily adjust the air pressure without putting down the airbrush or leaving my seat. A MAC valve operates slightly differently though. It reduces air flow without reducing air pressure. You may prefer this.