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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)

Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)

Finally got this in the mail from HobbyLink Japan. Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush with 0.3mm Needle, its selling for 6650 yen at HobbyLink Japan. I chose this as my first double action airbrush because of the price (30% off) and the unique features of this version that is being sold by HobbyLink Japan. According to the product page at HobbyLink Japan this airbrush was customized for them by Airtex.

So what are these unique features? Well first off, compared to the regular Beauti 4 that comes with the 0.3 mm needle this comes with Teflon o-rings that will allow you to use lacquer based paints that are otherwise corrosive to regular o-rings found in airbrushes. I probably won't have to worry about this because I'll be using Tamiya water based acrylic paint but just incase the chance comes that I'll be able to use a solvent based paint I won't have to worry about wearing out my o-rings right away.

Then of course because of the larger paint cup that comes with this kit, the regular version of the Beauti 4 w/ 0.3 mm needle only has a 7 cc (cubic centimeters) paint cup while the HobbyLink Japan version comes with a 15 cc paint cup. Quite a steal really if you ask me.

Another thing that attracted me to the Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action was because it was a gravity fed airbrush. Meaning that the paint flows down from the cup to the airbrush instead of just relying on evaporation for the air to pick up the paint and mix it with. While researching online for an airbrush, I found out that a lot of users recommend a gravity fed airbrush, so it also helped convince me to get this type.

Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)

This airbrush will need an air compressor to supply air as well as a 1/8 threaded air hose to supply the air from the compressor. All this is also available at HobbyLink Japan. You can check out the other line of Airtex Airbrushes offered by HLJ here as well as Airtex other accessories.

Back of the box gives you some info of the Beauti 4 line of Airtex Airbrushes and their features.
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The airbrush is housed in a glossy coated box but inside the airbrush is placed in a slide-locked plastic container with clear plastic top. I recommend that you always check that the box is locked. Although the foam base holds the airbrush securely in place it helps to have added insurance of a lock to prevent the delicate airbrush from spilling out in the event that you knock it over.
Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)

This what's inside the box, the airbrush and a wrench to help you with disassembly. The metal ruler doesn't come with the airbrush, I just put it there for perspective.

Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)

Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)

Along with the contents is a piece of paper that shows you a blow-up view of the airbrush which will come in useful when you disassemble it for cleaning or upgrading. There is also a manual but its in Japanese, not much really since you can refer to this great tutorial on double-action airbrush usage to get you oriented easily.
Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)

Then just some close up shots of the Airtex Beauti 4 HLJ edition.

Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)

This is the 15 cc gravity fed paint cup attached to the airbrush.

Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)

Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)
Here's a close up of the trigger of the airbrush. Where pushing down and pulling back controls both air and paint flow. Hence, why its called a double action airbrush.
Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)
And just to show you what's on the other side *snicker*
Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)
Then here's the business end of th 0.3 mm needle
Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)
When I was canvassing for an airbrush I was actually curious as to what was inside the paint cup... I hope this shot will help answer that question to some other readers... hehehe
Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)
I actually thought that the paint cup cover was threaded, turns out that its not. Its quite tight also to put on and take off.
Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)
And here's a shot of the paint cup removed from the airbrush. It screws on to the airbrush.
Airtex Beauti 4 Double Action Airbrush (0.3mm Needle)