I have airbrushes from Iwata, Badger and Pasche. All work equally well. Each is a little different if feel and disassembly for cleaning. I prefer the Iwata because of the balance and feel in my hand.You also want to look at how easy is it to remove the needle for cleaning and how protected is the tip from damage.
The comment about types of paint is important. You need a airbrushed designed for Acrylics if that is what you want to use. Get the largest nozzle opening.
Beginners may want to start with a single action, it is easier to learn how to use. I have both, the dual action is great for weathering, but not necessary. A single action will offer a wider spray and give uniform coverage for buildings and rolling stock bodies, and with proper manual adjustents can do weathering.
And I concur on the need for a compressor. The cans of air freeze up and they are expensive if you plan to use more than one or two. Also the small diaphrame compressors will surge causing paint to spatter and they barely put out enough preassure, a concern with some paints. As someone suggested get one of the small compressors for a nail/brad gun. It will have a tank to prevent surging, it will have a regulator to give you precise preasure, and may cost well under a $100 if found on sale. Make sure to put on a water trap, as compressed air can produce water drops. An oil trap may be needed if you also use the compressor for a nail gun.
If noise is a concern, look for a “silent” compressor sold by airbrush manufactures. I have one and love it. You can also make one out of a refrigerator or dehumidifyer compressor (they are the same thing), just be alert to environmental concerns related to the refrigerant which must be removed.
I also used the 50% off at Michael’s to buy my Badger Crescendo Duel Action Airbrush with deluxe set. But remember that 50% will usually be off the MSRP. Still a good deal.
Doug if you want to make a poor man’s air dryer it’s really simple get yourself a long length of hose and an old air tank if you can find one. The tank isn’t really necessary for an airbrush, as you don’t need that much capacity. The longer the air has to travel before it gets to the gun the more it has to cool down. Hence far less condensation then you get from the hot air that comes straight out of the air compressor it’s self. I employ this exact same principle out in my shop where I do full paint jobs as well as custom work every day. Like every other part of the hobby you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get excellent results. And your comments on Iwata airbrushes are spot on.
I have a Badger, Paasche and a couple of Binks. If this is the first time you should just start out with something easy like a Testors airbrush. Stay away from the cans of air thou! They will trun you off real soon. You can get a cheap air tank from Wally World, Lowes or anyone of the box stores and fill it up at the neighborhood gas station with air. It should last you a while, Thats if ya dont want a compressor right away.
Also when ya are spraying spray into a box or a paint booth cause overspray will go everywhere that you dont want it to. Kevin
