Grex vs Paasche vs Badger

[wump]

which is better for what reasons? i get Grex at cost at my shop but i've heard better things about Paasche but I just found a Badger kit that INCLUDES: One Anthem Model 155 Airbrush with All Purpose Nozzle/Needle
One Wooden Carrying case with a removable clear cover
One 1oz Modelflex light tuscan oxide
One 1oz Modelflex primer grade
One 1oz Modelflex engine black
One 1oz Modelflex cleaner
One glass paint jar with jar adapter
Three addtional jar adapters
One braided hose
Protective Cap
Instruction Manual
for the same price as one Grex XB and it comes with almost the same things as the Paasche VL Kit I was planning to learn on. I should have taken ABing seriously before I got married but oh well...

[wump]

[Diaz Dezine]

I believe this another preference issue Wump and welcome to the forum if I haven't said so yet.
This is always a subject that has been talked about quite a bit and seems to keep coming up no matter what is suggested.
It all depends alot what you can afford, how serious you are in learning and how far you want to take it and also what type of ABing you want to do.
The person holding and controling the AB determines how well the AB performs.
I've used multiple types of AB's including grex and paache's and honestly I get the same desired result. I like iwata because I'm more comfortable with them, but I don't necessarily think they are better than all other AB's.
The more I practiced the better I got at controling the AB and the paint.
If you are not sure how far you are going to take it then I would probably go for what you can afford and work your way up as you start to grow and learn more about which direction you want to go with ABing.
Hope this helps Wump and stay tuned for more suggestions from the forum.
DIAZ

[fontgeek]

For the most part, I agree with DIAZ. You can get some amazing things out of almost any quality airbrush.
As far as the comparisons go, you need to decide what you like, and what you want to do.
The needle an nozzle size on the Grex XB is quite a bit finer than it is on the Paasche or the Badger. While the wooden box is nice, I wouldn't use it for every day storage, anymore than I would the original cardboard or wooden case that may come with the Paasche, or the plastic case that comes with the Grex. The paint is great, as long as it is what you need, and or would use, if it isn't, then it just becomes wasted space in your collection.
If you want to use harsh solvent based paints, then the Paasche will need to be retrofitted with the solvent proof seals or packing, provided you can find them for the model you are thinking of buying. The Badger may or may not have solvent proof seals, it depends on the model and the age of the brush you are looking at.
The size/shape of the brush is very different between the Paasche, the Badger, and the Grex. For some, the larger barrel/body on the Paasche and some Badger models works out well, for others, it is awkward to handle or work with.
When you look at brushes and other equipment, also take into consideration the cost of replacement parts. Things like needles, nozzles, auxillary levers/secondary levers, needle caps. Those things get damaged, worn out, and or lost as a normal part of airbrushing, and they need to be considered when you look at the actual cost of operating your airbrush. It's a nice fantasy to think that you will never damage or lose anything, but it is totally unrealistic if you are actually going to use your airbrush.

If you have all these brands at your workplace, or where you can put your hands on them, then try them in your hands to see how they feel, look at the total cost of buying and using them, and if you can, try them all out.

As far as the quality goes, my Grex brushes have been spectacular in build and performance, and the people at Grex were very nice and extremely responsive to questions and comments. I still have my first Paasche from 1973, and it still works just fine, I have had to replace one or two needles and packing, but that is normal. I have a couple of Badgers (Cressendo's) in my arsenal, shapewise, they are like my Paasche brushes. The quality is okay, but I didn't find the quality difference with the Paasche enough to justify the cost difference in the brushes or the parts.

I think that it is great that you are looking at multiple brands, and I hope that you keep an open mind when it comes to actually buying any brush or tool.
Don't get sold on a brand just because "This is what EVERYBODY uses", if it doesn't work for you, and or the price isn't good, then it's not the tool for you.

Good luck, and take care of whatever you get!