RSEA,<div></div><div>I own that exact same airbrush and I love it. But....that airbrush is typically used as a secondary airbrush among the twenty something I own. It's design is more common for graphic illustration,pin-striping, and high detail which is why the color cup can be positioned either left or right of the airbrush....you can make lines as thin as hair with very little spatter depending on the viscosity of your paint and it's well balanced. The needle size isn't something that would be considered as a well rounded option as it's very specific to detail work...meaning, if you're considering to base or top coat....may as well spit on it one section at a time. lol</div><div></div><div>The needle size that's most well rounded, at least for our 1/16 tanks would be .3-.4-.5......with .1- .2, you should have very little difficulty detailing 1/16-1/35 figures as long as you can steady your hands, that is. But, no matter how design specific an airbrush is, as long as there are options.....it becomes apreferenceof body style. So if you did get the SB82...I would strongly consider getting the
<span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 255); ">.3</span>and
<span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 255); ">.5</span>needle/nozzle kit. Obviously...with a .5 needle, you'll get a base/top coat done in no time.</div><div></div><div>In regards to side feeding, versus gravity feed, or suction. Side feed and gravity feed are similar in regards to paint usage which allows you to use down to the last drop, where as suction leaves waste and gets annoying when you try to use the last little bit out of the jar which requires holding it at a specific angle....but, perfect for base/top coating as bottom feeding air brushes are more common for holding large quantities of paint. But honestly, it's all a matter of preference and luxuries we can do with out. While a large gravity fed color cup could possibly obstruct the view, it's not likely that you'll be looking directly behind your hand and above the airbrush as that position would serve to be quiteawkward.</div><div></div><div>Now fixed cups aren't necessarily better....but in fact, they are a bit easier to clean...whereas a removable side feed color cup can be the biggest pain in the butt for acrylics. Why so? Well, side feed cups havetubes that insert into the body of the airbrush which paint issiphoned through andtend to get clogged (depending on the medium and how long it's been before cleaned.) Fixed color cups have a direct and usually large opening visible in the body of the airbrush....making color changes easy. Simply dunk half of the airbrush in a jar of clean water andintermittentlyspray while submerged and you're ready to rock. There are alsochangeable cupgravity fed airbrushes as well
<span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 255); ">G46</span>or G33. Much morepractical which I also own. <<< This would be more of a well rounded andversatileairbrush and too has .2 or .5 needle options available.</div><div></div><div>Now what airbrush/color cup size would be able to do a complete base coat with out having to refill on a 1/16 Tiger....?</div><div>There are a couple of factors beyond the size of the cup to consider. Airflow should be around 15-30psi with a .3-.5 needle. Too high and you'll get more paint flowing out at a rapid rate also with .3 needle, it's likely paint will begin to dry in the air before touching the surface of the tank causing a sandpaper like surface on your tank if you're trying to base coat at 30-60+psi.....distance from the surface you're painting should also be taken into consideration as well which too can result in this effect. (Enamel or oil based paints do not share this effect.) Then the rate in which you move is also to be considered.</div><div>With keeping all that in mind....you should be able to complete a "light" base coat with a 1/2oz cup....but you may still need a secondary coat.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div>