Hello everyone,
I would like to begin modelling with an airbrush but I haven’t got the first clue about airbrushes. I am just a beginner so I don’t want to invest too much money right now. I have seen some airbrush sets sell for under $20 on ebay. They’re supposed to have a range of 3/4 to 2 inches and that just seems too broad for painting small panels and fine detail. I was wondering if it’s possible to simply buy fine nozzles for these inexpensive airbrushes or must the mechanism(?) within the airbrush be capable of fine airbrushing? I’d appreciate any help.
Thanks,
James
Those brushes are indeed for low detail work. An airbrush is one area where quality really pays off. Thats not to say that you have to spend a ton of money, just do your homework and know what you’re getting.
This might be a good place to start learning;
Check out the links down the side of the page.
After you decide and get your airbrush, do the lessons that are on the web Phillip pointed out. You would be surprised (maybe not) at what really looks simple takes some practice … even just painting dots and straight lines.
I ended up buying, on the net, a Passche H. The design of this airbrush has been around and unchanged for many years. Single action and easy to clean. The kit comes with 3 needles from #1 (fine) to a #5, some mixing bottles etc. Expect to spend about $45-$55. Next, you will either need to use canned air or purchase a compressor. I went the compressor route and got mine, including the dryer, from Walmart; 135 PSI max and 2 gal tank. About $80-$100.
Also, do a search on the forum for airbrush. Lot’s of tips on how others have gone about this.
Have fun.
james here some more useful airbrush information
http://2guyzandsumtrains.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=1274.html
hope this helps
tom
Paasche H single action for a semi low priced airbrush. (get the kit with all 3 tip sizes)
Spend $50 on an air compressor with a 1 gallon air tank.(or more if you can afford it)
I wouldn’t buy a brush off E-Bay if it was used. (new, maybe, but not used)
I really appreciate all the help, guys. Thanks for setting me on the right direction. I would have really regretted buying that inexpensive airbrush. I guess if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it right… or at least have the tools to do it right (still a newbie to be). I have access to an air compressor so I’ll go with an air tank as a propellent for now. I was also wondering if anyone has any experience using refillable aerosol cans.
Thanks again,
James
James, on the refillable question. One of the modelers at the LHS during an airbrushing clinic said that he knows some modelers who have used those big tall skinny tanks (look like a torpedoe standing up) for oxygen. Somewhere in our local area you can buy these (minue the oxygen of course), have them filled with plain old air, hook up a regulator and air dryer. Supposedly one tank cost about $50 to fill and has lasted up to a year. Don’t know what the tank initially costs.
And, it is really quite [:)]
There is a good article on the basics of airbrushing in the April issue of the MR.
Cheers,
Cliff
Cliff, I really like the rapids you have running under the arched bridge. How did you create that effect.
Jecorbett,
I use acrylic gloss/matte medium to do water scenics. I use a small bru***o twirl & move it whilst it is still in a semi liquid state to create small waves etc.
Cheers,
Cliff
practice, practice and then more practice. I have mine bout 2 weeks now, easier than it looks. the “howtoairbrush.com” site that Pcarrell mentioned is nice, I joined their forum and people are doing neat work. just built an easel for $20 worth of material from home depot today. I got my Badger 150 from Dixieart.com for $89 includes shipping, darn good price, good luck