anybody have a favorite? I’m mulling my options but would love any feedback.
I use a Testor’s Aztec eternal mix airbrush. I have a fancier one tucked away in a box somewhere. I could never make it work properly because of the nerve damage I have because of diabetes. My advice is to start out with something that’s easy to use and learning what can be done with it before moving on to a more expensive model rather than trying to use a complex one and being disappointed.
Hey Jeff does that mean that you don’t ever have to refill it? Sorry, I just couldn’t pass it up [:)].
I have a Paasche VL airbrush. While it was a little more expensive and took a little getting used to, it has been an excellent tool.
Joe
I’m sure I’ll get flamed for this, but take a look at the airbrushes from Harbor Freight Tools. They offer both single action ($9.99) and dual action ($19.99) units. Both appear to be clones of Badger units and might even be made by the same manufacturer. Both go on sale fairly often. I own one of each. I use the single action for all of my general purpose painting and the dual action for details and weathering. Both have given me quite pleasing results. As with all airbrushes, it is very important to keep them clean. The best thing about either HFT unit is that you can get your feet wet in airbrushing while spending very little money. Even better, if you should mess one up or break it, it doesn’t cost much to replace. My own results have been so good that I can’t imagine that a name brand unit could paint much better. Surely not enough of a difference to justify the hefty price difference.
I use a 10 gallon portable air tank charged from my garage compressor for my air source. An inline regulator is fitted between the tank and the airbrush hose. This air source is nearly silent (a slight hissing comes from the tank when the airbrush is triggered) and provides between 15 and 20 minutes of continuous painting time depending on whether I’m using the single action (more time) or the dual action (less time). I shoot mainly acrylic paints thinned with water and alcohol. Air pressures typically range from 10 to 25 psi depending on the paint and thinning ratio. Painting with a single action airbrush is a bit easier than with a dual action as the trigger is basically on or off. The amount of paint flow is controlled by twisting the tip in or out prior to use. The dual action takes some practice as pressing down on the trigger produces only air flow. You have to pull back on the trigger while still pressing down to start the paint flow. This takes a littl
problem with “entry level” anything is that you will eventually spend more money again later. it is not like buying a steinway and then discovering you don’t like playing the piano.
you asked for opinions so here is mine. go with the paasche vl and learn to use it. it comes with instructions and a bunch of sample practice exercises for you to try.
if you are like me, it will be the only one you will ever buy and you will learn to do decent work with it and will be pleased with the results.
grizlump
I see no logical reason for you to be flamed for giving good advice. I use a single action external mix airbrush myself an dI like it. It’s easy to use and is very easy to clean. Many of the more expensive models can be just as easy to use and clean. If you don’t have much experience with one it’s best to start with one that’s easy to use and clean. From there what you do is up to you. I know several very good modelers who decided to stick with the simple models if for no other reason there are few parts to get lost. I easily modified mine for use with thinned filtered latex house paints by simply adding a larger diameter feed tube.
I picked up a nice (and easy to use) airbrush and compressor from Airbrush City
which did you choose?
I started 45 years ago with a Badger Model 200 and still use one today. It’s probably not an official Badger unit because I think it came with the compressor and tank I got a Lowes. Save a lot of hassle down the road and get a good compressor with a storage tank so it only runs about a minute for every 45 minutes of use.
P.S. I have at one time or another had just about every other type except an Iwata
I just looked at the offerings from Airbrush City. The Harbor Freight Tools single action airbrush kit is virtually identical to the Airbrush City Model #1404 kit less the propellant can adapter. These airbrushes are clones of the Badger 350. Note that the Airbrush City sale price is $14.99 compared to the regular HFT list price of $9.99. HFT frequently reduces this price to around $5.99.
The HFT dual action kit looks very similar to the Airbrush City Model #1104 kit less the braided hose and the extra needle. Again compare the Airbrush City sale price of $37.99 to the regular HFT price of $19.99. HFT frequently reduces this price to $14.99. They offer the braided hose separately. The HFT dual action airbrush is quite nice with a chrome plated solid brass body and an anodized aluminum tail housing. It is easy to disassemble for cleaning, too. My only gripe is that the glass of the paint jar is a bit thick and heavy and throws off the balance of the airbrush when used. However, since I generally use my dual action for details and weathering, I usually attach the color cup.
Here’s the one I bought from “Harbor Freight”. It was $75.00. I don’t know if you have one near you thou. I also have bought a few from air-brush city, and I wasn’t to happy with them.
I’ve had this kit over a year now. Still going strong.
how big an issue is the compressor’s PSI? Is 30 enough?
A word of caution on the HFT airbrushes - they may look identical, but they are not identical. I bought a cheap one there for a non-modeling project, one that if I ruined it I didn’t really care. It looked like a 350, but the paint cup holder with the siphon from my other real 350 would not fit the HFT one. It was just a bit bigger diameter and would not fit. So they may look identical, but its the small differences that can lead to bigger problems when you need to replace a part.
A compressor is only part of the equation. You need a regulator and a vapor trap. All it takes is one drop of water to make it through the line and a paint job is ruined.
If you buy a really good one now you won’t be buying a better one later.
30 PSI is more than enough for most air brushes.
Here are a few threads from the past to guide you on the path to airbursh enlightenment:
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/112558/1294765.aspx#1294765
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/110259/1271445.aspx#1271445
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/72424/878337.aspx#878337
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/158242/1745135.aspx#1745135
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/49872.aspx?PageIndex=1
I haven’t taken the plunge yet but plan to soon. From everything I’ve read here and elsewhere, Badger and Paache are the mainstays, and dual action is the way to go. I suspect you probably get what you pay for if you go for the off brand route.
thanks all for the helpful responses - and thanks Left Coast for the links. Just ordered a “blemished” Badger 150 from their garage sale area (who cares if it has a scratch? I just saved $100) and will get the 30 PSI compressor from the HFT link provided earlier …thanks again, all!
I have one of the harbor freight specials. It was on sale for $6.99 with a set of paint jars. I also bought a $10 pressure regulator to run it directly off a small, shop size compressor. I have only painted a couple of tenders with it, but the results were good the first time. Definately a different animal than a spray can!
I selected the 1404BA airbrush, and the 144AC compressor. I chose a single action airbrush, because:
- Since I was a beginner, I wanted the ease of a single action airbrush. It also uses bottles (siphon action) as opposed to a paint cup. It’s hard enough to pay attention to what I’m spraying without having to think about tipping the brush as I paint and spilling paint on a project.
- The compressor is pressure adjustable and comes with a moisture filter.
For an entry level airbrush system? That’s a good question. There’s really no clear-cut system that is “entry-level friendly”, as based on my experiance. Interestingly enough, I have had very little luck with single action airbrushes. However, I have a dual-action airbrush I got about 1 year ago from Harbor Freaght Tool Co., and I’m a natural(at least more of a natural) with it. Probably the best bet for anyone, new to airbrushing or so talented that they don’t even need masking tape to get multi-color schemes, is to get an aircompressor. I personally have a cheep, $60.00 1/4HP compressor without a tank, and my only complant is that I really can’t dial-in on the pressure (mabe that’s because of my misplacing the directions before I read them.) But still, it’s cheeper to splurge on a compressor now insted of spending a lot on compressed-air cans over time.