Hi there:
I have a NSW 44 class ( similar to a PA1) that i have stripped off and want to paint with a airbrush. At the moment I do not have one so I am looking for ideas on what is the best ( and affordable ) compressor and airbrush on the market.
If you can advise brands etc that would be great…thanks
[:)]
If’n ya have a local artist supply store, go talk with the folks there. They should be able to show ya all sorts of different styles of airbrushes and the plusses and minusses of each. My personal favorite airbrush model comes from Paasche, but we all have our likes and dislikes. Airbrushes are a very personal decision and I recommend finding that artist type store and taking some time to handle various airbrush models.
Sometimes a manufacturer will put out a guide to its air brushes. Avoid the $15-20 one at walmart. Spend your money on spray cans instead of that one. They do the same thing…
For light use, don’t buy an air compressor, buy an air tank and fill that up. It takes a while to go from 0 psi to 30 psi or so using a little tire compressor, but it saved me at least $50.
Check out www.ebay.com, I bought a three airbrush guns and a compressor for $169.99 plus 19.50 shipping. Store on Ebay is Airbrushcity.
Go onto Ebay and search for airbrush. Then click on each one til you find airbrushcity, then "View Sellers other auction and look at all he has to offer.
Take care,
Greg
I never liked to use cans, they tend to get expensive quickly. Once I started using the airbrush, it is hard to put it down. A compressor is definately the way to go. I found a Badger Whirlwind II at the craft store for less than $100. The air tank is not a bad idea but if you really want cheap low tech, you can hook the airbru***o the cars tires - 35 psi. 
Later…
Detting… I couldn’t get it to fit! That’s why I got the air tank lol.
I’ve been useing a Paasche VL/VLS for 7 years and haven’t had a problem with it… Rememeber you usually get what you pay for. As far as a compressor you can go to Meijers and get a compressor with regulator moisture trap and small tank for under $100. I got mine for $79 a couple years ago. Remember to practice on junk before attempting a good loco. Also make sure to use a spray booth vented to the outside if you spray solvent based paint inside.
Badger would be choice since I have one .I mostly buy the can of air but thats getting costly going to try the air tank method next.
Air tank and $20 cigarette lighter air compressor to fill it with. Saves trips to the 7 eleven. As to guns, that’s Ford v Chevy territory (or tastes great less filling?). FRED
stick with pasche air brush. have had good results. as for air pressure, get a compressor and build a manifold–do it right, you wont be sorry.
After months of research and using this forum I decided to purchase the Badger Athem model 155. The -9 set comes in a wooden storage box with extra paint bottles and lids, needle, nozzle, and hose. The least expensive I found it on the internet was $115 USD and was dropped shipped directly from Badger. I found that some internet retailers sell this same airbrush (155-9 set) for as much as $180.00.
I also found that a full-size shop air compressor costs about the same, or in some cases less, than the small compressors designed for use with an air brush so I use my 15 gal/3 hp shop compressor and set the hose pressure to 25-30 psi. Using buying a full-size shop compressor has many other uses other than just airbrushing.