Alright, I know this is one of those “weekly” posts that everybody hates, but I need some direct advice and I’m tired of searching through old posts to see what little I can find. Sorry.
I need to buy an airbrush for custom painting HO locomotives. I know very little about them, and have almost no experience using them. I will have a compressor for pressure, and I will not be doing any weathering or very fine work with the airbrush. I need a quality but simple unit. Ease of cleaning and use is a very important factor.
What is the difference between a double and single action airbrush? Which would you recommend for me? I have read that the double action is harder to clean and harder to maintain. Is this true? Would I benefit from a double action airbrush? What does it do that a single action doesn’t?
Bottom feed, side feed, or gravity feed?
The one thing I do know is that I want an internal mix brush. What brand would you recommend? Paasche, Badger, Aztek? Which model?
Single-action airbrushes have a trigger that discharges both air and paint when you press it. Double-action airbrushes requires you to first push the trigger to start the airflow, then pull back on the trigger to start getting paint into the spray stream. This gives double-action finer on-the-spot paint control.
Preference for single- or double-action depends on the person. Some people swear by double-action, some people (like me) prefer the simplicity of single action and does fine with it. Some people don’t like airbrushing at all and elect to use spray cans. [:D]
If you know someone with airbrushes, see if you can try them out and see what you like.
I’ve been using a $60 Badger 200 single-action internal-mix since 1988, and I paint locos and weather with it. It’s a tough airbrush that has all metal parts except a teflon washer in the spray tip. I clean it religiously after every use, and it paints just as good as the day I bought it.
I also want a simple to use, internal mix airbrush. I now have a Pasche #2000, single action, internal mix unit. It uses many parts in common with the VL model. I am vvery pleased with it.
It is really Personal Preference. I have both a badger 350 single action and a Passche VL. I never really liked the badger as It didnt do what I wanted it to do when I bought it!! Plus for as much as I spent on it I could have gotten a passche VL. The badger is an excelent brush and most of my frustration comes from having to use proplent cans to power it. I am looking for an adapter to use my compressor hose with it as well I need a couple new tips for it. Finding parts for it hasent been to much fun and I am going to be looking at an iwata double action.
My preference is the double action as I have more control over paint flow. What a lot of people never tell you is that you can be set a Passche VL to act like a single action as there is a little wheel/knob in front of the button that will move it towards the rear to set your paint flow so all you have to do is push the button to flow the paint.
I spray mainly laqures so all metal internals is important to me. but if your going to be using enamels or acrylics a aztek with the plastic internals is fine. I would recomend the aztec if you have never used an Airbrush before. Once you get more comfortable with the brush you may find you will want a different brush that has more features.
Airbrushes are like 1:1 car spray equipment there is junk out there, but there is also some really nice equipment as well. If your going to be buying a brush dont buy the cheapest brush you find. That 12.99 No name special may be ok but wont be the best brush in the world and it will be extremly hard to find parts for it, if it breaks. Keep an eye on ebay as you can find good deals there. In any event find some thing you are comfortable with and run like mad, lol.
I’ve never had this problem, but all my compressors were designed specificaly for air brush use. Is your compressor actually designed for air brushes or is it really for automotive or other use? Look at the bottom of the cap that fits on the top of the air bottles, they often have an alternate threading in them that allows them to screw right onto the compressor. Also, Hobby Lobby used to carry an amazing selection of adapters, but lLooking at their clearance racks in the past few months indicates they are getting out of this business.
A compressor is a compressor is a compressor. Any Compressor can be used for airbrush’s with the proper fittings and dosnt need to be specificly designed for them. Airbrush compressor’s are overpriced imho, and many of them run constantly. Which can after a couple years of frequent use cause need for replacement.
So my current compressor is a 2 gallon Campbell Hausfield that I got for x-mas, Its main function is for household use’s. But I have the correct 1/4" adapters for the Passche hose to run my VL. My problem is that the poly vinyl hose that came with the badger won’t screw on to any of the fittings or adapters I have, and I cant use my Passche hose with it because the part at the airbrush body is different sizing for a supply line between companies.
I dont believe that hobby lobby is going out of bussiness as much as they are changing product lines and certian manufactures dont want to sell through the " Discount stores" anymore. The stores in my area have cut back on the selection that they have, but are carrying Iwata and Passche exclusively.
Unfortunitly I think badger brush’s are way over priced for what you get in quality and ease of use/ c
This is slightly off-topic, but still related. I hope I can be forgiven.
I saw a 2 gal compressor on sale at the local discount store for $49.99. http://weeklyad.target.com/target/listing_detail.asp?listingid=-2094335662 This seems like it is too good to pass up. I don’t really need a compressor yet, I have nothing built as I am just starting to figure out a smaller track-plan to get started on. But eventually I will need a compressor and airbrush. Would this compressor be woth investing in now, or would I be better off using my somewhat limited money for track and lumber to get started and paying a little more for a compressor later? Thanks for your input.
That is a decent compressor and it is at a good price. If you had an air brush I would say get it but since you said you dont have one yet wait. Spend your money on lumber track and other materials. Get the compressor later, There will always be good deals on them.