Grex Airbrush Grip Set Review

By Michael Benolkin

Review

Not long before the iHobbyExpo 2008 show, a few friends had asked me if I had heard of an airbrush company called Grex. While I hadn't, a quick trip through Google brought me to their list of products and Grex is more than just airbrushes, they produce a wide range of power tools. The airbrush line seemed to be a new direction and the tools they produced looked very similar to the Iwata line that I enjoy using on my own bench.

When I found the Grex booth at iHobbyExpo, I found that they indeed had a nice array of precision airbrushes ideal for the modeler as well as some of the parallel markets (finger nails, auto pin-striping, etc.). One of the novel aspects of their products were these bright 'Hulk' green handles that made these airbrushes more comfortable to hold and easier to control with precision.

Lo and behold, as I looked at their rack of accessories, I found that very same green handle as a separate accessory. Since many of the single and double-action airbrushes on the market have the same basic design, this handle is adaptable to other brands of airbrush besides Grex. I put two on order and waited for them to arrive. What comes in the package are three parts (first image) - composite handle, metal air line extension, and handle retainer nut. Time to see how this really worked.

I grabbed one of my trusty Iwata double-action airbrushes (second image) and simply screwed on the air line extension (third image). The green handle slides over the air line extension and snuggles up under the airbrush. The retaining nut goes up the threads at the bottom of the extension to hold the handle in place. Since I use quick disconnects with my air hoses, I simply added that back on the bottom and installation was complete (fourth image).

Instead of cradling the metal airbrush instrument directly in my hand, now I have a more natural handle which ergonomically locks into my hand without effort and still leaves my index finger free to manipulate the airbrush trigger.

I installed the other one on my Skybow airbrush with no problems. I would image other brands of single and double action airbrushes that do not have the small-diameter (Badger) air hose and adaptor would also work. I'm not sure about Pasche airbrushes and I am sure that Azteks are not going to work with this system. Here is a video look at this conversion:

While I was impressed with the concept before, I am very pleased with the results now that these handles have been used on my airbrushes for over four years. If you have problems with arthritis or simply holding a small instrument like an airbrush for any period of time, you'll really want to consider this handle adaptor (as long as you have a compatible airbrush, that is). While I don't have problems holding or using airbrushes for extended periods, I do find this handle to be the best ergonomic way to use your airbrush with less fatigue.