airbrush which one?

[Edi M]

Hi

Just starting out looking at buying an airbrush - IWATA seems to be the way to go, i think. Looking for advice so many to choose from......any way all advice will be of assistance.

At the moment working on a Sovermenny Class Destroyer in 1/200 see how it goes....been away from the hobby for let see 30 years!

thanks

ed

[Sean Hert]

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.

[Edi M]

Thanks Sean

Great help - I was leaning towards the higher end, one thinking i wouldn't have to up grade later. What would you suggest in the mid range double action?


thanks again

ed

[richter111]

I have a pasche VSR that I absolutely adore. I have had it about 4 years now, with little to no problems.

I think I paid somewhere between 60 and 70 for it on ebay...

[Dave Hill]

Hi Edi,

I'm useing a Badger 200 single action that I've had for more than 20 yrs.( bought new in 1986!!!)...I love it!!!...It's very user friendly...all metal construction...easy to clean...you can still get parts/accessories for it!!! (last summer I bought the X-Fine needle/head assbly)...the only control is the knob on the end that controls the width of spray...5 min. of practice and you'll be ready to spray anything!!!

HTH

[les]

I also use a Badger 200. Great internal mix airbrush for low cost. Parts are readily available at art supplies, hardware stores and hobby shops. I currently have two. One with a paint cup and one that is bottle fed.

[pbudzik]

You can't go wrong with an Iwata. However, you really need to look at what size models your building. If your doing larger subjects you do not want a small brush. You might want to look into the Kustom CS or TR for most of your painting. One option is the TH, with the round conventional nozzle in place, it's one of the best airbrushes I've used, but the fan pattern puts a bit too much air in the mixture for most model paints. Then if you want a brush for fine lines you can look at the Micron line (I use the Kustom Micron, but the Iwata Custom Micron C Plus is about the same and it will save you a few bucks). Just make sure that, whatever model you buy, the packings are solvent proof. I have found that there is no one brush that will do it all.

http://www.dixieart.com/Iwata_Kustom_Series.htm
http://www.dixieart.com/IwataMicrons.html

Another top quality airbush company Harder & Steenbeck
http://www.germanairbrush.com/

But I'm not familiar with what models do what.

Paul

[Edi M]

Thanks guys

All your great information and recommendations have been taken into account - am starting search this morning....let you know what i acquire.

One small note i may use airbrush on armour (can i use this term over on this forum) projects 1/35 no smaller and thinking about 1/700 ships just seem a bit small to me.

thanks again

if it wasnt for this forum i probably wouldn't have got restarted in this hobby!


ed

[Karsten]

I have 3 Badger 100 Gravity feed airbrushes these days. 1 Meduim tip larger cup, 1 fine tips large cup and 1 fine tip small cup which is about right for 1/700 scale and touch up on larger projects.

I prefer the gravity feed over the siphon feed but that is just me.

100G and 100LG

http://www.dixieart.com/Badger100.html

Karsten

[AA Military Research]

I've owned a number and always come back to my 35 year old Paasche H for 99.9% of the work. Tried the VL, didn't like it, Tried two Azteks that both broke within a week, tried and did not like badgers. I do have a second brush, an Iwata HP-B but it's overkill for ships.

[DeadByCheese]

I got a Testors "Baby" compressor for the holidays and I don't know if it can attach any other kinds of brushes (the brush that came with it is HORRIBLE)

[richter111]

I have that compressor. I had to go to Home Depot and purchase a new fitting. The nice thing is that the factory fitting is attached to the plastic hose with a simple compression fitting. So changing it out is easy. Good luck!

Ric

[Edi M]

H paasche it is !!!!!! Just picked it up from a local Hobby Shop (got to support the local hobby shops). Thanks for all the great advice guys......

now I 've got to learn how to use it - looking forward to it.

thanks again guys..

ed

[Jim21680]

Well, this is a perfect old thread to resurrect for my question.

For larger painting projects (like 1/350 ship hulls & superstructures, etc), is a "medium" airbrush most appropriate?
I'm a complete novice with this, and I'm really anxious to get away from rattle cans...mainly to be able to use fast-drying acrylics, indoors during the winter months.

I'm thinking a single-action would do, maybe a Badger 100-4 kit....but I'm not sure how a gravity feed, side feed, and siphon differ.

Lots to learn, and I'm looking forward to getting started on the Big Arizona (and then, the New York, and eventually a larger-than-planned F-14 & B-17 after that).

(and to think, I once thought I'd never let myself accumulate one of these "stacks" that everyone seems to talk about)...