I am planning to get an airbrush for painting my undecorated models, and was wondering about brands. My questions are, 1) What brand would you recommend, 2) and what are the price ranges? Thanks for the help.
This has been asked around here a lot lately. Prices can run from $20 up. Most good entry level double action airbrushes start around $60. I’d recomend an Iwata Revolution. They go for around $100, but you may never need another airbrush.
You’ll also need color cups, unless you get a gravity feed airbrush. If you buy a full airbrush kit, it’ll probably have a few color cups with it.
Iwata, Badger, and Paasche are the names you want to remember for quakity airbrushes. I’d stayas far away as possible from the Azteks, some people here like them.
You’ll need an aircompressor. Propleelant cans just don’t cut it. If noise isn’t an issue, go to your local hardware/home improvement store and pick up a general purpose compressor. If you want something quiet, you’ll need a hobby compressor. The Silentaire compressor are quiet, and good. Whatever compressor you get, you’ll want an in line water trap, and a pressure regulator. General purpose compressor can probably be had for around $60, but expect to pay closer to $200 for a hobby compressor.
Thanks. Been busy, so have not seen the links yet.
I have two badgers–150 and 175. The 150 is single action and VERY easy to use. The 175 is double action. It took me a little more practice to get the hang of, but I use it for almost everything now.
My compressors are cheapies from department stores around here. Got my latest for $50.00. It works great.
Oops, I see I forgot to put prices on my Badgers. 150 was about $30 on ebay. 175 was about $50, again on ebay.
I have 2 Badgers & aztek , Aztek is easiest to clean, also can be used as single or double action. Just make sure the nozzel is screwed in tightly or you will get spatters.
Uh - the Badger 150 is a double-action airbrush. For a full list see:
http://www.badgerairbrush.com/airbrush.htm
The 200 is Badger’s staple single-action internal-mix brush, and the 350 is their single-action external-mix unit. I used a 350 for many years. It gave me great service until I upgraded a couple of years ago to a 200 for the finer coat of paint internal mix allows. I love my 200 - it’s not a lot more complicated than the 350 was to maintain and clean, and gives much better results.
The 100 and 150 are both good double-action brushes - I used a 100 for a couple of years and it worked fine, but I didn’t really take to the feel of double action.
Eventually I’ll probably uprade from my standard 200 (with the newer acrylic-friendly head) to the 200-20 “detail airbrush”, which has a few more refinements. I’m a big fan of Badger airbrushes, which have served me well for nearly twenty years with amazing product support the whole way. Every Badger airbrush I have had is still servicable, including the “beginner” 250 I bought in 1986!
I have the badger 200 and an aztec. I’d give away the aztec but don’t touch my Badger. I got a 1/2 HP compressor with tank at Lowes for about $100 and have been very happy with it. Prior to that I had several “hobby” compressors in the same price range and always had problems with water condensation even after adding 2 water traps. I live in very humid central Florida.
I had a Badger and really liked it… before a puppy ate it. Now I have a Paasche and really like it. I don’t see much difference in how they work, and would recommend one to anyone looking to do some model painting.
PS - I have only used a single action with success. I borrowed a buddy’s double action once but I couldn’t seem to get a feel for it. You results may vary. I have all the artistic ability of the average fence post.
Another happy Badger 200 owner here…
Had mine since 1988, never had any problems. As long as you keep it meticulously clean (so the innards don’t get clogged up) and use adequate air pressure, it should give you many years of great service.
I’m brand new to airbrushing but I love my Airbrushcity airbrushes. I got a single action siphon feed for $24 and a dual action gravity feed for $50. Thye single action is so easy to use. I haven’t got the hang of the dual action yet, still working on it (only had it a week)
So far I have painted all my track railroad tie brown, and messed around with painting trees, faces, lines, circles and shading. I suck so far but I’m having fun.
I’ve gotten some good recommendations on airbrushcity so I got mine there. They seem to be well made but inexpensive. I think they are online only but the service I got was fast and friendly.