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Iwata Hi-Line HP-SB Plus

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Information

Classification: Airbrush
Manufacturer: Iwata
Model: HP-SB Plus
Part Number: H 3001
Suggested Retail Price: $361.25 USD

Specifications

Paint feed System: Side Feed
Trigger Style: Dual Action
Spray Type: Internal Mix
Spray Range: ~0.1 mm to
~0.75 inches
Cup Size: varies depending on the cup or bottle
Air Consumption: ~0.3 cfm
Pressure Tolerance: < 100 psi
Standard Tip Size: 0.2 mm
Optional Tip Size: 0.3 mm

Matching Rules

  1. Great at wide range of applications
  2. Perfect for experienced users who want a side feed airbrush

    It's a step up from the Eclipse SBS.  You should get finer details out of theHP-SB Plus.
  3. Perfect for people who like adaptability.

    Side feed airbrushes are adaptable depending on the attachment.  They can be gravity feed airbrushes to help you get finer details, or siphon feed airbrushes to help you spray a lot of paint.
  4. Very quick standard cleaning.
  5. Most attachments can be soaked and wiped off for cleaning.
  6. You can spray upside down.

Useful Accessories

  • Pistol Grip Moisture Filter
  • Table Top Cleaning Station
  • Crown Cap
  • External Micro Air Control Valve

Features

  • You can spray any amount of paint you want

    Attach a gravity cup and you can spray on a couple drops of paint.  Or you can attach a bottle with a capacity of up to 2 oz  and spray away.
  • Cut-away, pre-set handle

    The cut away lets you clean out your airbrush quicker.  The preset let's you limit the amount of trigger pull you can have.  The preset is quite useful when you have to do the same stroke over and over and over and over.
  • Teflon Needle Packing Set

    This has an upside and a down side.  On the upside Teflon doesn't melt in solvents.  Basically the o-ring lasts and lasts even when you spray automotive urethanes.  On the downside though, Teflon doesn't compress very well.  This means that you don't have a lot of control over how much "grip" the airbrush exerts on the needle as it passes through this o-ring.  Most people don't notice or care, but you can switch over to the older "solvent-resistant" o-rings if you'd like.
  • Lots of attachments

    This is the best feature, though it's also the most expensive.

Notes and Opinions:

  • Workhorse Airbrush

    I don't think an HP-SB Plus will be the best workhorse simply because the nozzle can get a little finicky with paint consistency.  But the various attachments let you have the best of both gravity and siphon feed airbrushes.
  • Intermediate Airbrush

    Everybody looks for beginner and professional airbrushes.  The HP-SB Plus is a perfect intermediate/professional airbrush.  It's certainly a step or two up from the Eclipse SBS in terms of detail and equipment quality.

    In fact, I know artists that make this their detail airbrush.
  • Attachments

    Cups, cups, cups, and a few bottles. I'd recommend having at least one bottle of cleaning solution for a quick clean.  Otherwise the cups vary in size from 1/8 oz to 1/2 oz.  All of the cups allow you to mix the paint on the spot,  inside the cup.  Many of the cups also have lids.

Links

Cleaning Guide Links

These Cleaning Guides links are specifically the ones you need to clean this particular airbrush.

Outstanding/Common Problems

  • Tip Dry


    Unfortunately EVERYBODY has to deal with tip dry if they use airbrushes.  Though one of my favorite methods to eliminate tip dry is to use a slow reducer (the paint won't dry as quickly and therefore won't stick to needle as much.  Otherwise you'll need to check out the How to Remove Tip Dry methods in the cleaning guide section.
  • Bent Needles


    If you take the needle cap off to try and get finer details you WILL bend your needle tip at some point.  I usually suggest a Crown Cap.  Then you can still get the detail but your needle (and possibly the person you're working on) stays safe.

    Try this guide if you end up bending your needle and would like to try repairing it yourself.
  • Clogs


    Clean it!  Paint dislikes being sprayed and will do it's best to punish you for your outrageous actions!  But don't worry, the cleaning guides will help you through these predicaments.
  • Breaking the Nozzle Threads Off Inside the Airbrush


    You are far stronger than the nozzle.  Be gentle when twist it in and out!

    Try going through these instructions to remove the broken threads if you get careless and break it anyways.