Iwata | M1 Airbrush

Reviewed by Peter Willstein

Since coming back to the hobby a bit over five years ago, I was immediately introduced to the concept that I needed to upgrade from my old three Badger 200 internal mix, single action airbrushes and join the ranks of the double action, internal mix air brushes crowd, in order to paint well. I bought into the concept, reasoning in the three decades that I absent from the hobby, time and technology had marched on. I first bought my Iwata HP-CS Eclipse and struggled to learn its ways. Soon I was painting away without a care in the world. Then I decided I needed to also have an air brush with a 2.0 tip, all the bells and whistles as well and I found myself the proud owner of an H&S Infinity CR Plus. Both outstanding air brushes, both have their own personality, cleaning at the end of a session is a bit time consuming and they both clog at the tip every so often.

My brother and I have discussed the the air brush problem for years and we decided enough was enough and went out and bought the Iwata M1 and what a air brush it is. Sure it looks different and all I can say it is; hold it in your hand for a about two minutes, paint a bit and you are HOOKED!

Nothing is really different when compared to a double action airbrush: press down on the trigger for air and instead of hunting for the correct amount of paint by pulling the trigger back, just tune it in with the knob on the end. It's precise, absolutely repeatable and it takes a second or two to change the amount of paint.

I quickly found there is absolutely nothing a double action air brush can do that the M1 can't including blowing down the paint with nothing but air. I never have to worry about pulling the trigger back to far or nor enough … perfect every time. Changing colors or cleaning the air brush out after a painting session is so much faster and easier, it's ridiculous.

Since buying the M1, over 95% of my air brush work is now done with it and the Eclipse and Infinity are rarely used at all. My M1 has brought me back to what I remember, the joy of air brushing is back with no more muss or fuss. Why I listened and went with double action air brushes is beyond me. The important aspect of an air brush is being an internal mix and all the baggage about needing a double action air brush is pure fantasy. I now spend all my air brush time painting and have never had a clog since switching. Every ounce of paint of the Viper so far has been with the M1 and I'm never going to look back.

Save yourself a bundle of money and for your next air brush, buy a quality, internal mix, single action beauty … you never will be sorry and will never be happier.

One Happy Camper.

Iwata | M1 Airbrush

Reviewed by Peter Willstein

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