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Best type of relatively cheap airbrushes

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  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: Fremont, California
Best type of relatively cheap airbrushes
Posted by Kevin Ma on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 6:02 PM

Hi all,

My bismarck is going to be my first serious build, with painting and all, so am just wondering the best brand of airbrushes and airbush cleaner...(also has to be relatively cheap, since i'm on a budget....) :(

I did some research and Master's by far looks best.....

any suggestions?

thx

Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

On bench:

Revell 1/350 Bismarck

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 6:05 PM
You can get an iwata NEO on Amazon for about $60. Great airbrush

 

  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: Fremont, California
Posted by Kevin Ma on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 6:06 PM

does it come with the compressor?

thx

Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

On bench:

Revell 1/350 Bismarck

  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: Fremont, California
Posted by Kevin Ma on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 6:11 PM

never mind....searched it up and it doesn't......

Can I have a few suggestions on compressor and cord?

Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

On bench:

Revell 1/350 Bismarck

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 6:15 PM

Go to www.tcpglobal.com. There you can find airbrush combo sets which includes a compressor. Good luck.

  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: Fremont, California
Posted by Kevin Ma on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 6:17 PM

what brand would u recomend?

Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

On bench:

Revell 1/350 Bismarck

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 6:19 PM

One suggestion would be to post in the proper sections,you posted your Bismarck question in the Intro Section instead of the Ships section,and now your airbrush question in the General Section instead of the actual Airbrush Painting Section.

You actually get more play when you do this because more of the right people see your question.

  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: Fremont, California
Posted by Kevin Ma on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 6:21 PM

Ninja Jet - Quiet, Compact & Portable Air Compressor with Air Hose vs NEO Miniature Air Compressor with Air Hose

which is better?

ninja jet:$10

neo minuature iar compressor:$88

Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

On bench:

Revell 1/350 Bismarck

  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: Fremont, California
Posted by Kevin Ma on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 6:22 PM

oops.

srry

 

Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

On bench:

Revell 1/350 Bismarck

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: providence ,r.i.
Posted by templar1099 on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 4:46 AM

OK,wrong forum but at some point I got a Masters' compressor and 3 Masters' airbrushes for less than 200. U.S. After some tweaking all 3 brushes give good service and I still use the compressor. Bought at Global.

"le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile"

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by scapilot on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 5:28 AM

Kevin Ma

Ninja Jet - Quiet, Compact & Portable Air Compressor with Air Hose vs NEO Miniature Air Compressor with Air Hose

which is better?

ninja jet:$10

neo minuature iar compressor:$88

 

 

While I absolutely understand being on a budget, you must understand that if you spend 10 dollars on a compressor, you're going to get a ten dollars compressor that yield ten dollar results.  A lot of these master sets you'll find on eBay and Amazon for 60 that have several airbrushes in the kit are going to be more heartache in the long run.  You're looking at getting Chinese junk when  your order stuff like this.   That's not an insult by any means, but when they start falling apart, good luck getting replacement parts.  Even the neo isn't made by iwata.  Look closer and you'll see it says neo for iwata.  I've bought one, and while it can yield marginal results, in the end its still pretty much Chinese spin off junk compared to better airbrushes.  The lowest I'd recommend shopping for is maybe a badger 100 or 105.  Those are both durable and we'll built, plus they offer customer service and replacement parts are readily available online.  As far as compressors tcp global does make some solid affordable compressors. Check the tc-20 for a cheap option, or the tc-20t, which is essentially just the tc-20 with a tank on it for added pressure stability.  Getting into owning an airbrush isn't cheap, but spend a bit of decent money up front for some decent hardware and you'll be fine.  

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 6:09 AM

scapilot

 

 
Kevin Ma

Ninja Jet - Quiet, Compact & Portable Air Compressor with Air Hose vs NEO Miniature Air Compressor with Air Hose

which is better?

ninja jet:$10

neo minuature iar compressor:$88

 

 

 

 

While I absolutely understand being on a budget, you must understand that if you spend 10 dollars on a compressor, you're going to get a ten dollars compressor that yield ten dollar results.  A lot of these master sets you'll find on eBay and Amazon for 60 that have several airbrushes in the kit are going to be more heartache in the long run.  You're looking at getting Chinese junk when  your order stuff like this.   That's not an insult by any means, but when they start falling apart, good luck getting replacement parts.  Even the neo isn't made by iwata.  Look closer and you'll see it says neo for iwata.  I've bought one, and while it can yield marginal results, in the end its still pretty much Chinese spin off junk compared to better airbrushes.  The lowest I'd recommend shopping for is maybe a badger 100 or 105.  Those are both durable and we'll built, plus they offer customer service and replacement parts are readily available online.  As far as compressors tcp global does make some solid affordable compressors. Check the tc-20 for a cheap option, or the tc-20t, which is essentially just the tc-20 with a tank on it for added pressure stability.  Getting into owning an airbrush isn't cheap, but spend a bit of decent money up front for some decent hardware and you'll be fine.  

 

I absolutely, positively, 100% could not agree more. You'd be far wiser to withhold your next three model purchases and save a little money for a decent compressor and airbrush combo that will last for a good while. Nothing is more frustrating than buying something and then having it crap out during a project and then your project gets shelved because it takes you that much longer to save up even more money to buy....another crappy combo that will only give you the same result. "Cheap" is NOT the way to go with airbrush/compressor combos. You should plan on spending about $250-300 to get something that will last and give decent results. 

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Canada
Posted by JTRACING on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 7:50 AM

You can buy high quality Badger airbrush with a 50% off coupon at Michaels or hobby lobby,  or a nice Paasche off amazon for under 80 bucks.  Way better than those cheapos. These brands have Teflon seals in them 

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 8:28 AM

40% coupon at Hobby Lobby, not 50%.

While I understand your desire to be on a budget, keep in mind one thing - you pay for what you get even on the cheap stuff. They don't last. Save up and invest in a decent quality airbrush and compressor. Like I've already mentioned, look into tcpglobal website. You will find a decent combo set for the money.

For what it's worth, these aren't too bad for the budget minded like yourself to start off with for now:

http://www.tcpglobal.com/Precision-Detail-Control-Series-Systems/

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by Wood on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 8:44 AM
I bought a Neo for Iwata air brush that cost me $58.15 w/40% coupon discount at Hobby Lobby. I also bought a Porter/Cable air compressor I found on sale at Lowes for $199. After taxes on the compressor I paid roughly $275 for both. The compressor isn't quiet though if that's a concern.
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 10:06 AM

Wood

I bought a Neo for Iwata air brush that cost me $58.15 w/40% coupon discount at Hobby Lobby.  

 

I paid $48 with a 40% coupon at Hobby Lobby for my Neo. Wonder why you paid more since HL's prices are even across all stores.

You can also get a small pancake compressor from Harbor Freight for under $50. They also have the regulator and moisture trap for about $10 or so for each. You can use this compressor for many things like inflating tires, running air tool, blowing away debris, etc. I have a Campbell Hausefeld 10 gallon compressor and have tons of use for it around the house besides air brushing.

EDIT:

I missed scapilot's post and agree with him. I do have to say that the Neo has been doing good for now and have been getting good results so far. But Badgers are the way to go. My Badger 150 was purchased in 1978 and still works like the first day I got it. With that said, quality and reliability is foremost. You can't beat Badger's customer service and warantee.

A while back Michael's was having an AB sale and I picket up a Badger Patriot for $25!

 

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: Fremont, California
Posted by Kevin Ma on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 6:08 PM

rlly?

would u recommend masters or Iwata?

Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

On bench:

Revell 1/350 Bismarck

  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: Fremont, California
Posted by Kevin Ma on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 6:10 PM

forgive me.....meant to write $100 :P

oh.....neo is not made by Iwata? that's kinda disappointing...

okay. I try to get an badger or master....

thx

Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

On bench:

Revell 1/350 Bismarck

  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: Fremont, California
Posted by Kevin Ma on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 6:12 PM

hi blacksheeptwoOneFour 

   

which one is better?

thx

 

Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

On bench:

Revell 1/350 Bismarck

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 8:42 PM

That is something you have to figure out for yourself. If anything that can help make your decisions easier, go to Don's Airbrush Tips website:

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home

Read the reviews and think about which one best fits your needs for your budget. 

 

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