Badger SOTAR 20/20 Review
Introduction:
Badger SOTAR 20/20 review:
The badger SOTAR 20/20 is a dual action, internal mix, gravity feed airbrush.
SOTAR stands for State Of The Art Results and I think that Badger is not far off with this airbrush. The SOTAR 20/20-2F airbrush comes with its .21 needle and will allow you to paint very fine details work. It is capable to provide professional illustrator the ultimate fine line detail.
Originally released in the mid 90’s to compete with the great Custom Micron series airbrush from IWATA, the Badger SOTAR 20/20 offers one big advantage over the IWATA airbrush: the price! For those who don’t necessary have the funds to buy a rather expensive IWATA hairbrush, this Badger SOTAR 20/20 airbrush comes as a blessing as this airbrush is very well price for a product able to achieve such great details work.
There is 3 needles available for the SOTAR, and they are colour coded as follow:
- The fine head .21 mm has a black plastic knob at the back of it.
- The medium head .45 mm has a white plastic knob at the back of it.
- The heavy head .70 mm has a clear plastic knob at the back of it.
The 3 different model of the SOTAR are:
Badger Air-Brush Co. Sotar 2020-2F Large Gravity Feed Fine Airbrush, Black
- The Model 2020-2F Kit includes SOTAR 2020-2F in black box with Instructions. The fine (black) needle / nozzle will spray a "Hair” line to 3/4-inch (19 millimeter) spray pattern
- The Sotar the 2020-2, designed with the a 1/12 ounce color cup allows for extended use before having to add color, is perfect for intricate detail work; the ideal airbrush for fine and commercial artists
Free shipping
Badger Air-Brush Co. Sotar 2020-2M Large Gravity Feed Medium Airbrush
- The Model 2020-2M Kit includes SOTAR 2020-2M in acrylic black plastic case with Instructions. The medium (white) needle / nozzle will spray a "pen” line to 1-inch (25 millimeter) spray pattern
- The Sotar the 2020-2, designed with the a 1/12 ounce color cup allows for extended use before having to add color, is perfect for intricate detail work; the ideal airbrush for fine and commercial artists
Badger Air-Brush Co. Sotar 2020-2H Large Gravity Feed Airbrush with Heavy Head
- The Model 2020-2H Kit includes SOTAR 2020-2H with an extra heavy needle; The heavy (clear) needle / nozzle will spray a "pencil” line to 1 1/4-inch(31 millimeter) spray pattern
- The Sotar the 2020-2, designed with the a 1/12 ounce color cup allows for extended use before having to add color, is perfect for intricate detail work; the ideal airbrush for fine and commercial artists
You can use the different needle size on the same body at the condition that you are using the corresponding paint tip and spray regulator.
Top Features for Badger SOTAR 2020-2F:
- The Model 2020-2F Kit includes SOTAR 2020-2F in black box with Instructions. The fine (black) needle / nozzle will spray a "Hair” line to 3/4-inch (19 millimeter) spray pattern
- The Sotar the 2020-2, designed with the a 1/12 ounce color cup allows for extended use before having to add color, is perfect for intricate detail work; the ideal airbrush for fine and commercial artists
- The SOTAR 20/20 airbrushes can spray finely pigmented, properly reduced paints, water colors, inks, dyes, and low viscosity acrylics
- Gravity feed, dual action, internal mix airbrush; The SOTAR was designed by an elite team of professional artists and illustrators. Micrometer setting allows user to preset desired spray pattern; Multi patented design including rear needle release. Badger Airbrushes are American Made. One year on mfg. defects with a lifetime on the PTFE needle bearing and any factory labor repairs
- Paint source: Gravity feed 2ml cup
First impression:
The Badger SOTAR 20/20 has a nice black finish. Users will be happy to know thought that the inside of the cup is not black but silver, making it easier to clean the residual paint. The badger SOTAR 20/20 is a little be lighter that the Badger Patriot 105 and also feel a bit different in hands probably because it has a shorter nose than the Patriot or the Krome Airbrush. But because of its shorter nose, it makes it easier for you to view where you are spraying, making the SOTAR 20/20 even more suited for those users that are working on very fine details Overall, I got used to it pretty quickly.
The Badger SOTAR 20/20-2 comes with a 1/12 ounce cup as oppose to the original SOTAR 2020/-1 that came with a much smaller paint cup. The SOTAR 20/20-2 comes also with a spare needle. Note that it is shipped with a needle guard now, which offers a little extra needle protection always welcome when using such a thin needle.
It is equipped with the same black plastic finger rest as the Badger Renegade Krome , feature that, I feel give that extra bit of comfort when spraying.
Trigger tension adjustable AND paint flow adjustable:
The Badger SOTAR 20/20’handle has a cut away design, so untightening the needle chuck at the back will allow you to remove the needle, without having to remove the handle. You can adjust the trigger tension from medium to light using the retaining spring screw.
You can also adjust the paint flow using the paint adjusting flow screw. Basically, if you move that screw forward, you can reduce the trigger movement little by little until any trigger movement impossible.
For a maximum paint flow, loosen the paint adjusting screw so that it touches the black plastic knob at the end of the needle.
This unique feature from the Badger SOTAR 20/20, the control on the paint flow, make it easier for you to control the thickness of the lines you are spraying.
This make it the perfect airbrush for highlighting, shading or weathering for modellers.
Badger SOTAR 20/20 very good detailed brush at a reasonable price:
At that stage you have probably understood that the Badger SOTAR 20/20 is really a great brush for those who want to be able spray really fine lines.
Of course, to achieve good result in spraying fine details, you will always need to make sure the paint you are using has been properly thinned before using it on the Badger SOTAR 20/20.
Another crucial factor is the air pressure. Make sure that you air pressure is low enough (approximately 20 PSI or even lower then that) to be able to control the flow of paint Failure do to this could result to spidering defects.
All of that can sound a bit complicated for a beginner but with a little practice, you will be able to get the right paint consistency and find the right air pressure for the type of work you want to do.
I wouldn’t recommend though the Badger SOTAR 20/20 for any priming and solid colour jobs. Keep the SOTAR for fine details jobs and maybe use an alternate airbrush for job that need larger coverage.
Conclusion
The SOTAR 20/20 is another really good brush from Badger. The SOTAR is a great brush for fine work. It wouldn’t necessary be an airbrush aimed at beginners but maybe more suitable for more experienced users that want to take it to a step higher.
The price of the SOTAR 20/20 is also a high point.The SOTAR 20/20 is sold at a very competitive price compared to competitor airbrushes that can do similar kind of fine detailed work. So if you can’t afford a IWATA Custom Micron airbrush, then I would go for the SOTAR 20/20.
Overall, I can only highly recommend this airbrush and I give it another 5 stars!
Graco Magnum X7 review – Pros and Cons
Decent review, but wrong on one point. Adjusting the paint flow is NOT unique to the SOTAR. My 40 year old and brand new Paasche brushes (2 different models) have that ability. The older VL also has the ability to to limit how far forward the trigger can go. You can adjust the flow enough to even make it act like a single action if you felt like it. Which I have done when priming larger objects.
The trigger tension adjustment though, is a great idea. If you came from another brand, it sounds like you can make the trigger feel more like what you are used to with the brush you’ve been using.