Hi,
I’m looking to step up my game so I’m looking for a dual action airbrush/compressor combo. I’ll be trying my hand at weathering freight cars, loco’s and structures. I’m not looking to break the bank, but I do know that quality tools do better work and last longer VS cheap junk so I guess it’s a “better bang for my buck” situation. Gravity fed most likely, and probably acrylic paints due to indoor (garage) usage. Also looking for instructional DVD’s.
TIA…
-Ed
you are going to get a lot of opinions on this one. i have used a Paasche model VL double action airbrush for decades and have had no reason to consider anything else.
once you get used to it, it will do anything you want,
can’t say about the little compressors that come with the set. i built my own from a truck air tank, a york a/c compressor, and a washing machine motor. main things are to keep the air clean and dry and i like having a reservoir so you don’t get the surging and constant run time.
type of paint you use will determine what pressure you need to push it. that is what regulators are for…
charlie
I also have a Paasche VL, and it’s been very reliable for almost 35 years. Easy to use, easy to clean, does just about anything I could want an airbrush to do.
Any reason why you’d want to limit yourself with a gravity-feed brush? With the VL, I can use many manufacturers’ bottles, as they fit the VL’s siphon cap. These include Floquil, PollyScale, Polly S, Testors Model Masters, and Accupaint. When a colour is used-up, simply clean the bottle and you have a spare for colours which you mix, and if you’re planning on weathering, you’ll be mixing lots of colours. [swg]
For weathering jobs, it’s often not necessary to clean the airbrush at all between colour changes, and with bottles, it’s easy to switch back and forth from colour to colour as you work. I generally use 6-10 different colours for weathering, with no brush cleaning between colours. And when you’ve finished painting, simply re-cap those bottles and you’ll have paint ready-to-use next session.
For regular airbrush painting of structures, rolling stock, or locomotives, careful planning of the order of application of colours will minimise or eliminate cleaning between colour changes, too.
Wayne
Ed,
I would also recommend,a Paasche VL,single action,a double action will take considerable skill in learning how to use it,if you have never air brushed before,you can always get one later,should you so choose…As far as a compressor,in my opinion,i would rather have what I use,a Craftsman,2hp,4gal,pancake 150psi,air gauge,regulator air gauge,for a lot cheaper and heavier duty,then some of the air brush compressor’s…Other’s will have their own choices,but this is my choice…
Cheers,
Frank
Frank, the VL is a double action brush, and I didn’t find it at all difficult to learn how to use it, even though I’d never owned an airbrush before. [swg]
Wayne
I have a Badger Universal 360. It works well, but the color cup is too small. I also prefer a gravity feed AB for model painting. But I also have a VL for painting scenery.
Wayne,
Sorry,should have left off the L…It’s a V-H Model,and the double action is a VL Internal Mix,with changeable needles…You may have a different type,double action,than I have,they make many brush’s and the one I have,is three times more in cost,than the single action…Once you gain experience with it,you can paint a straight line 1/16 inch wide and smaller if you choose…I would still recommend,a V,.Model single action,for a beginner though,almost instant use,without,too much practice…
Cheers,
Frank
This is what I use:
http://www.harborfreight.com/deluxe-airbrush-kit-95810.html
with a compressor like this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-6-hp-40-psi-oilless-airbrush-compressor-93657.html
For the price of both, I felt I could afford to take a chance. It’s my first dual-action airbrush, and so far I love it. I’ve only used it to weather some track and to paint a couple of 1/72 model airplanes I just finished up, so I think it should be fine for any weathering job.
However, I didn’t like the way the tube on the metal paint cup seats in the bottom of the airbrush - I don’t think I ever tested it, but it just didn’t seem like a good leakproof fit to me. (I suppose with some judicious filing/sanding around the outside of the tube it would fit in the airbrush better.) I tried the one from my Badger single action airbrush, and it’s snug fit and works fine, so that’s what I use now.
I have used the compressor for a little longer with other brand airbrushes, and it has worked like a champ. The best thing is it’s quiet so I don’t disturb the neighbors or the little family members sleeping upstairs.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions.
-Ed