by Sean Hert » Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:41 am
Iwata's are a great airbrush- they can do most anything (I have 2). Unfortunately, they are expensive, and can be challenging for the first-time user to learn and maintain.
If you are primarily building ships, I'd consider a good, inexpensive single-action, external mix airbrush like a Paasche H or Badger 350. They are very easy to clean, and have a very short learning curve; meaning, they are easy to use. This type of airbrush gives a very consistent, reliable spray pattern every time. They are great for shooting a single color, when you don't need to change your spray pattern on the fly- also great for shooting gloss coats for model cars, primer and clear coats.
If you want a dual or double-action, internal mix brush, there are many choices out there- the Iwata being one. When selling airbrushes in my store, I tend to guide a new airbrush user away from the Iwata- it's a great airbrush to upgrade to, IMHO. I usually recommend an Aztek as a "gateway" airbrush. Aztek airbrushes tend to have their detractors, usually modelers who are experienced with a different type of airbrush. Aztek's aren't perfect; they cannot do the same things a high-end airbrush can (extreme fine line detail for one). But they are versatile, easy to clean and easy to learn.
Badger also has many good double-action, internal mix airbrushes. Paasche? Well, while I love their H model, I've NEVER been able to get a VL (their standard double-action, internal mix) to work properly. Obviously, others have had some success with them, as the VL has been around forever.
I always try to get a modeler into an airbrush that will do what they need, and allow some room for growth. I've seen many a modeler get discouraged trying to puzzle out an airbrush that is much more than they need. I'd say get something basic that allows you to learn the basics, i.e. how to thin paint for spraying, what distance to spray/what pressure/what aperature to spray works for you. Airbrushing is an art, not a science, and no 2 people do it the same way. Some spray at higher pressures, different thinner ratios, etc. Practicing with your airbrush is the best way to get comfortable with it. I say practice on an old plastic soda bottle. It is a curved surface, and will act more like a model will while being painted, than a block of wood or paper would. I still keep a 2-liter bottle in my paint booth- I always test my spray on it first. You never know how the temperature, humidity or planetary alignments (
) will effect how your paints lays down.
And there you have Sean's Airbrush Lecture, the annotated version 1.01.
Iwata's are a great airbrush- they can do most anything (I have 2). Unfortunately, they are expensive, and can be challenging for the first-time user to learn and maintain.
If you are primarily building ships, I'd consider a good, inexpensive single-action, external mix airbrush like a Paasche H or Badger 350. They are very easy to clean, and have a very short learning curve; meaning, they are easy to use. This type of airbrush gives a very consistent, reliable spray pattern every time. They are great for shooting a single color, when you don't need to change your spray pattern on the fly- also great for shooting gloss coats for model cars, primer and clear coats.
If you want a dual or double-action, internal mix brush, there are many choices out there- the Iwata being one. When selling airbrushes in my store, I tend to guide a new airbrush user away from the Iwata- it's a great airbrush to upgrade to, IMHO. I usually recommend an Aztek as a "gateway" airbrush. Aztek airbrushes tend to have their detractors, usually modelers who are experienced with a different type of airbrush. Aztek's aren't perfect; they cannot do the same things a high-end airbrush can (extreme fine line detail for one). But they are versatile, easy to clean and easy to learn.
Badger also has many good double-action, internal mix airbrushes. Paasche? Well, while I love their H model, I've NEVER been able to get a VL (their standard double-action, internal mix) to work properly. Obviously, others have had some success with them, as the VL has been around forever.
I always try to get a modeler into an airbrush that will do what they need, and allow some room for growth. I've seen many a modeler get discouraged trying to puzzle out an airbrush that is much more than they need. I'd say get something basic that allows you to learn the basics, i.e. how to thin paint for spraying, what distance to spray/what pressure/what aperature to spray works for you. Airbrushing is an art, not a science, and no 2 people do it the same way. Some spray at higher pressures, different thinner ratios, etc. Practicing with your airbrush is the best way to get comfortable with it. I say practice on an old plastic soda bottle. It is a curved surface, and will act more like a model will while being painted, than a block of wood or paper would. I still keep a 2-liter bottle in my paint booth- I always test my spray on it first. You never know how the temperature, humidity or planetary alignments ( :big_grin: ) will effect how your paints lays down.
And there you have Sean's Airbrush Lecture, the annotated version 1.01.