I am relatively new to airbrushing and am trying to decide which airbru***o buy. I now have an inexpensive external mix airbrush, but it is not adaptable for detail use. I want to get an internal mix airbrush for detailing and weathering of HO locos, cars, and structures.
Question–Should my new internal-mix airbrush be single-action or a double-action?
Any advice from fellow modelers will be appreciated.
Fred
You cannot go wrong by geting a double action airbrush, even if it will take a bit more time to get used to. Much better for finer work such as weathering. Everyone wil tell you their chioce is the best, so pick whichever one fits in your budget. Keep in mind you get what you pay for.
Bob Boudreau
I had never used an airbrush before and got one of the Aztec brushes. I have been very happy with it, especially the ease of clean up. Micromark is currently doing a great deal on the set.
Bob is on the mark!
A double action airbrush is easy to use AND you could always adjust it to perform as a “Single Action” unit. It’s “win-win”.
Badger, Iwata, and Paasche are quite popular, tough and durable. I have a Paasche VL double action that I’ve owned for about 16 years. Been a great little unit. Had some minor problems recently, but she’s spraying well again.
One thing about these high quality airbrushes is that THEY MUST be kept clean and DO NOT DROP THEM on a hard surface! Those tiny, precise, “thousands of an inch”, orifices (hole openings) on the more expensive airbrushes can become easily distorted as the metal is soft. This is why some modelers may “cringe” when someone wants to borrow their “high end” air brush.
I’ve read posts regarding modelers complaining about airbrush cleaning but …it’s so easy! When finished painting, flush properly. Then remove and wipe the needle and aircap with alcohol or thinner…and you’re done.
Peace and have fun!
The Testors airbrushes are simple, cheap and work fine. The one I have did a very good job on my Bowser A-5 0-4-0. And it’s adjustable. You can find them easily at your local Wal-Mart.
Thanks to all you guys. The advise was very helpful. I have just ordered a Badger 155 Anthem airbrush. Now I need to practice and learn how to use it. Should be fun.
Fred
Remember to always do thin, even coats of paint for a good finish. If you do one big heavy coat, the paint will build up around details and not look very good.
fgoddard,
Your last post is the key to airbrushing - “Now I need to practice and learn how to use it.”
do you need an air compressor to use an airbrush? is there a cheaper way?
never mind, I saw the Co2 canisters or propellant, whatever ya wanna call it
While the propellant works, I think you’ll find that they can get rather expensive. A compressor will pay for itself after a dozen or so box cars or structures. When I used the propellant they always seemed to run out about 80 percent into a project!
Yes. Go to Home Depot/Lowes/Sears, etc and get one with a tank and a regulator…you should be able to find one for right around $100. Don’t waste your time with the little Badger hobby-type compressors, they’re junk.
I was advised that a single action airbrush is much easier to clean and maintain. Frank, our local model railroad guru, says he got rid of his double action airbrush and bought a single action one. This is just for simple painting. He told me that the double action brushes have to be kept perfectly clean on the inside. With a single action airbrush, the parts to be cleaned are on the outside. I had and still have a Testors double action airbrush many years old and I have used it many times. Well, I guess I haven’t been able to get/keep it clean enough so it is clogged. My painting is fairly simple. The single action Badger airbrush Frank sold me is much simpler. It has an adjustment to regulate the amount of paint delivered, however, unlike the double action airbrush, this has to be adjusted before spraying. If it is simpler to use and easier to maintain and will do what I want to do, then I should come out ahead. It was less than $20 so it is not a huge investment. I am looking forward to trying it out. I don’t need and will not use the capabilities of a double action airbrush. So if you are just starting out, it may pay you to get a simple single action airbrush and see if it meets your needs. Obviously, if you are going to be a “master of the airbrush” and do sophisticated things with it, a double action airbrush will be better. Back in the early 1990s my Testors double action airbrush set cost in the $75 range. If you are going to use your airbrush regularly, a compressor will quickly pay for itself. Besides cost,one other MAJOR disadvantage to using the aerosol cans is that you can not regulate the air pressure. When those cans get low, the pressure drops and so does the quality and nature of your paint spray.
fgoddard: Excellent choice in brushes. After many years of frustration with both a Testors DA brush and a Badger 150 SA brush, I picked up an Anthem 155. What a piece of cake to use and clean.
I recommend the forum site below for any and all questions related to airbushing. This is MR’s sister mag, Finescale Modeler’s forum. Great Info.
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=18
Good luck with the new AB!
When I was airbrushing years ago, I couldn’t afford a compressor so I bought an adapter and used a automobile tire for an air source. It was amazing how fast that volume of air ran out!
rockey the goat: What was the price on the Anthem 155? If I don’t like the Badger then I may get one of those. I really like the part about the airbrush being a piece of cake to use and clean. That is what I want.
My dad bought one of those about 10 years ago. it has never been used, and I might need to use it soon. Would be propellant included with it be any good still? Thanks.
One guy who works at the LHS bought one of those high pressure nitrogen tanks used by welders (the 4’ metal type) and just gets it refilled at a welding shop whenever he needs more air. He seems to think it’s about as economical as it gets, and he doesn’t have to worry about water or oil in his air supply.
Paschae is a good airbrush
WVHagan: I paid $80.00 for mine from an internet airbrush place and I’ll be darned if I can remember who it was. If you go to the website forum I posted above at Finescale Modeler, there are quite enough posts there where guys talk about places to get AB’s.
My initial post on the airbrush site was why I hate to airbrush and was quite a rant, especially as it applied to cleaning the stupid thing. The guys there were very helpful and after reading around a bit, I decided on the Anthem 155. Was a great purchase and has made painting a step I don’t dread anymore. So, hopefully I can get my backlog of kits caught up!!![;)]