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As some of you may know I am building a 5 x 9 layout in a basement. As it stands now there is no way I could possibly get it out in the event that we move. I have a plywood base screwed to a large wooden table, about 3 inches of foam and my track has been tacked and glued down. I was thinking about getting a really tiny saw or something, splitting the track and then saw down the centre of the layout. Is there a better way?
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I figured while I already had a post instead of wasting space I put this in…what is, in your opinion, the best airbrush for the price. I have never used one before but am just astounded by the quality. Im looking to spend about $150 cndn. Is a compressor a worthwhile investment, or those spray cans?
Could you seperate it from the tabel?
If you have to cut; first attach splice plates, then remove them, then cut. This is to help everything go back together like it is currently.
You may also want to remove the track near the cut before cutting then replace it when you set the layout up again.
Jim Six and others like the Badger 220. The spray cans are worthless… A cheap compressor, with a tank is fine. You also need a filter, water and oil trap and regulator. It is also a good idea to locate the compressor away from where you are working…
Don’t forget your paint booth, resperator and eye protection. Particle of water based paint are not good for your lungs or eyes…
Platypus:
Have a look at Harbor Freight as a vendor. I have one of their $20 “el cheapo” dual action brushes which easily exceeds my skill level. Also they have a Paasche VL set for about $60 US. Note, for orders over $50 THEY pay shipping. ( www.harborfreight.com )
Good Luck
Randy
Note - remarks below refer to Badger products only because they’re all I’ve ever used.
I hear great things about the Badger 200-20 (not “220”) “Detail Airbrush”. It has a new head designed specifically for acrylic paints, and costs around $CAD 90. Don’t let the “detail” part of the name fool you - it comes highly recommended for general model painting.
Being a cheapskate, I got a “regular” Badger 200 for $CAD 37 used (wotta bargoon!). It’s more clog-prone with acrylic paints than the 200-20 is, but quite servicable. New, it’s only about $CAD 5 cheaper, so I’d go with the 200-20 if buying new.
Another option is the Badger 350. It’s a simpler airbru***o operate and maintain, being external mix instead of internal. I used one for almost fifteen years before I upgraded to my 200, and it’s fine for general paint work. For weathering or doing complex multicolour paint schemes, however, the 200 is a much better choice, and not much more difficult to live with. I find I spend about an extra two minutes cleaning per session since getting my 200 - no big deal.
For a compressor, watch the Canadian Tire flyer. They have small pancake-tank compressors (2HP or so) for $CAD 100 or less every month or so. You also might watch for a medical-grade diaphragm compressor. I’ve used a 1/8 HP model for years, and it works fine, although a tank would be nice to eliminate pressure fluctuations in the air supply.
Princess Auto also sells compressors of all shapes and sizes and for good prices as well. One of those stores that I’m only allowed to go into with a responsible adult. In other words it’s a treasure trove for MR’ng types!
$100 CAD every month? thats crazy I was thinking about buying one, what are the differences between the ones that fill up tires and one I would need…prices?
Platypus:
What I thought was meant was that the compressors come on sale for about $100 every month or so. I’ve been watching those prices, and haven’t seen what I like for the price I want to pay, yet. But I think Princess Auto, or Canadian Tire are the sorts of places where I’m going to find the replacement for the clunky compressor and adapted auto tire that have served me well so far. (Cheapskates Unite, you have nothing to lose but your pride! 
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Umm…that’s a 2HP shop compressor available for a purchase price of $100, and the sale is on every month or so.
That’s a 2HP compressor with a tank (also useful to run small air tools or inflate tires) for less than half what you’d pay for a decent 1/8 HP hobby or medical compressor without a tank.
If I were buying a compressor, I’d go with one from CT or PA. Get more, pay less. As it is, I have a 1/8 HP medical compressor that was free, so I can’t complain [:)]
On the subject of air supply, look around and see if you can locate a small oxygen tank. You can fill it at a service station. Add a pressure regulator, a mositure trap and you are in business. You thus avoid the pressure surges you get with single stage compressors.
Randy
When I first started using an airbrush, my air supply was a Chapin sprayer tank and pump. This is the type you purchase and the lawn and garden shop to spray for bugs and so forth. The hand pump will give you around 40 psi in the tank, and you can spray at least two freight cars with a single tank of air. I did not come up with this system. It was constructed/assembled from an article in MR many years ago. The article was very complete and left nothing to your imagination. I use a small pancake compressor with tank now, but I still have and use the homemade rig for some applications.
Check it out. You can get a photocopy of the article from MR if you have an interest.
Tom
It’s hard to go wrong with a BADGER 200 airbrush! I’ve seen them at work and they are nice airbrushes!
I own a Paasche’ VL which performed well for a number of years.
Both are decent airbrushes but they would be useless if not cleaned properly.
Guys, I learned the hard way that the extra time taken to clean out an airbrush is more than worth it! In addition to flushing out the airbrush it is important that the needle and aircap be removed and cleaned with a cloth soaked with alcohol (for Acrylics) or Lacquer Thinner (for Solvent Based paint).
For those of you that have not tried it yet, once you pick up that airbrush you’ll be in for some fun!
Do not try to fill an oxygen or any other kind of tank with plain air! If you must go this way, get a tank for compressed air only. Better to be safe than sorry.
As mentioned, here in Canada Canadian Tire has compressors with tanks on sale pretty regularly, in fact last week they had one for $79.95. Hobby ones like those made by Badger can cost over $250.00.
Bob Boudreau
You can use hotdog or pancake compressors for airbrushes, although they do have one significant drawback. They are designed for workshop/jobsite use, and as a result they are usually NOISY. Not noisy, but NOISY. The hobby compressors are quieter, and the medical compressors are the quietest.
Note that the cheapie compressors sold by CT, Harbor Freight, Pep Boys, etc are made overseas.
I’ve had a Badger 200 for years - I’ve shot a whole lotta paint through it, and I really like it, although I’m thinking of upgrading to the 200-20 because I hear it has better spray control.
For an air source, I wouldn’t waste time with anything other than a good compressor, and I’d strongly recommend one with a tank…something like a Campbell-Hausfeld can be had for less than $100 USD.
The hobby-type compressors cost almost as much and are very cheaply made, plus they are much, MUCH louder in my experience.