I’m in the market for a new airbrush. I’ve used a cheap testors single action external mix for various things but I feel I need a better airbrush now. I have a few simple tasks… TTX well cars and Norfolk Southern diesels… so a single action with the finer spray pattern of internal mix would suit. I also want an airbrush for some other things which controlling paint flow would be nice… overspray, weathering buildings, rusty rails and perhaps a little of my own graffiti. Testors advertises the A470 (I think) as capable of both single and double action. The local Michaels craft store is passing out 50% coupons and carries Badger airbrushes. I’m also using Propel for a while until I need a compressor for other household stuff. Any opinions, complaints, gripes? I know little about these 2 brands.
Well, I have tried over 50 different Airbrushes (more than half of them for magazines), I can tell you this: If you want an Airbrush capable of BOTH single and double-action, I would rather recommend a totally different brand, namely Harder & Steenbeck (Hansa). Their Hansa Topline - controlled double action is excellent because you have the simple handling of an single action with the control and versatility of a double action. I have durability-tried them and I came up with results like: 200 H. without glitches. An even nicer gun is the Colani from the same manufacturer, more pricey but very ergonomic. Good luck with your ventures into airbrushing.
http://www.harder-airbrush.de/english/hansa_top_04.html
By the way, I have tested both Testors 470 and a few different Badgers, and I found the 470 flimsy, unreliable and producing uneven results + the fact that it blew up when I forgot to reduce the air-pressure from my normal level! The Badgers are a different breed, kind of workhorses I think, very robust and easily learned but a bit much on the “agricultural” side [:-,]. The best USA made airbrush if you would like to support your domestic industry is Badgers Sotar´s brand.
I consider my two best hobby investments were an air compressor and a decent airbrush. I would avoid Testors Aztek line, I have two of them and they have never worked, right out of the box. I would give them away, but I don’t want others to go through the frustrations I experienced.
Then I bought an Iwata, and now I love airbrushing. I can’t comment too much on Badger, I had one as a kid, seemed to work fine. 50% off sounds like a good deal.
Check craigslist for good deals on compressors.
HTH, Tom
You may want to consider a Paasche airbrush as well. I use a Paasche H single action. I bought the kit with three different spray nozzles so it will do pretty much any kind of pattern from fine to thick. I have had great results with this airbrush and highly recommend it. You can check it out at
I have an Aztek double-action airbrush and it has never given me any problems. It worked right out of the box too. What I like about it is how easy it is to clean. No swabs or wires, just spray solvent or water through it.
Bad luck, I suppose. Some of my favorite modelers use them with great results. Mine just leaked paint out the tip as soon as I hooked up the airline.
I’ve used a Badger 150 for around 25 years. Once you get the hang of the different tips and how to clean it properly, it is an iron horsel.