[jano11]

Originally Posted by stevenoble

I think the Iwata warranty and spare parts availability is a real plus point. Luckily I've never needed to get any spare parts for my Tamiya HG but I dare say they would be tricky to get hold of in a hurry...?? You can't argue with the 5 year warranty offered by Iwata. I don't fully understand your thinking with regard to the side mounted cup..??? I don't see what advantage, if any, it offers over the top mounted cup on the Tamiya HG, which can almost be tipped upside down without spillage as the lid seals to the cup very securely. Maybe you can swop the cup from one side to the other to cater for left or right handed people..?? If I was buying another airbrush though I would probably plump for the Iwata as well. Reason being the 5 year warranty and the spare parts and service back up, not because the Tamiya under performs in any way, because it is a very good brush in it's own right.
The Iwata TR is an excellent brush and very comfortable as well. I think you could probably purchase the smaller needle and tip/nozzle assembly and swop between the 0.3 and 0.5 sizes to suit most applications and have the 'best of both worlds'
If I was very rich I would have one airbrush for clear coat only, one for metallics only, one purely for white paint only and one for all the 'other' colours, it would be nice if only I could afford them all....
Hope you enjoy your new brush whichever you end up getting, but I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the 3 you have shortlisted as they are all 'worthy' brushes in their own right.

Same problem here, I can't afford to buy to many of them at the same time!

I'll probably get the Iwata TR2 + the TR1 nozzle and needle and see if it fits, + maybe a smaller cup for detail work even if it isn't really a must.

Originally Posted by Twowheelsrule

Jano, I saw that you are from Vienna so this may not be much help but, here is where I have purchased 2 of my airbrushes and have received good customer service. They sell all the major brands of airbrushes
http://www.dixieart.com they are from New Orleans, LA.

I have bought paint from this one but, have never called them before... http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot

At least it can help you see what is available,
TW

Thanks for the links. It would be great if I lived in a country without import taxes but sadly even if I buy the airbrush in Japan from HLJ for 120 Euros + Shipping, once the import taxes are added it costs as much as when I buy it in the UK, so no use to import it.

Originally Posted by imr.dirtcars

I use an Iwata Eclipse Siphon Feed airbrush and love it. (so i vote for the Iwata)

One other little tid-bit that may come in handy if you want more coverage..

On my Iwata.. when i want extra paint moved.. i loosen the holder screw that keeps the needle in-place.. and move the needle back just a little bit.. and tighten it back up.

It makes the airbrush move more paint then when it's in its standard position.

Think about a siphon feed airbrush for a moment before making your decision.. you won't have to worry at all about the orientation of the airbrush while you paint.. and no spills as a result.

Thanks for your help. Siphon feed wouldn't be bad if it had a gun like trigger, but alas I didn't see any.

Originally Posted by nakadds

Between the three, I would also get the Iwata. Not that I don't like tamiya or Gunze stuff. I have 5 iwata airbrushes and never had any problems. I've only had to replace a needle once and it was my fault not the manufacturer's. Not sure I would get the TR as my only airbrush. But you what, just get the TR and enjoy it. And then later on you can get another one for small detail...then one for clearcoats...etc...etc. It won't be the last one so don't lose sleep trying to decide which one. I'm not sure about the prices in Europe, but in the US for the price of a TR you can get 3 revolution CR which mean you can have one for metallic paint, one for regular paint and one for clearcoats.

In Europe I would only buy 2 CR airbrushes for the TR2 price.

Thanks again to all of you for your valuable input.