First time airbrush user

What are good, quality beginner models?

If you are a beginner I would suggest that you pick up a single action airbrush to cut your teeth on. The learning curve is a lot shorter and seeing as you are posting in the armour forum I can asume this is what you build, you can achieve some pretty good camo results with just a single action.

As far as kits go, I always suggest Tamiya for the beginner. They are probably the best overall for engineering so they go together quite well. Dragon kits are great kits but if you attempt to do individual track links for your first kit it might just drive you to build aircraft. Try the Tamiya M4 Shermans, Panzer II's or III's, T-34's. They are all great kits to start with.

I have a Badger Double Action and Single Action Airbrush and the single action is far more easier to control when you first start out. I recommend an Aztek single action. As for kits, I suggest any of the newer Tamiya kits, they are well made, with very little cleanup, and you can put one of them together straight out of the box in a matter of a few hours or so.

I have two Badgers and both single action. I use my Raven for almost everything since it comes with three tip sizes. I also have an Aztec double action that I use. I prefer the Raven or the Badger 150 simply because I'm not as proficient with the double action "yet". Iv'e got some pretty good camo results on 1:72 aircraft with a single action.

I can't give you much help with the airbrush. I got a Testor's airbrush kit as a gift a few years ago and haven't used it yet. I'm a brush and spray can guy myself.

For a first attempt kit, I'd recommend trying one that may not have the quality of a high end kit, such as Tamiya, but will look just as good when finished. That way if it doesn't turn out the way you want it, you won't feel the pain so badly in the wallet. I've got a couple of Academy kits (M151A1MUTT and JU-87 Stuka) and I believe the quality is as good as Tamiya, but the cost was lower.

Rick

The difference between dual action and single action is this: dual action- the trigger controls both the amount of air and the amount of paint coming out. Pushing down on the trigger increases the airflow through the gun, pulling back on the trigger pulls the needle back and increases paint flow through the gun. Single action- the airflow is constant and the trigger only controls paint flow.

I have never used a single action air brush so I can only speak to the use of a dual action, so here goes. I would reccommend buying a dual action to begin with because:

1. If you buy a single action you will probably want a dual action eventually, and since airbrushes are expensive this can save you some cash.

2. If the only airbrush you ever have (like me) is a dual action, you wont know how much harder it is to learn how to use than a single action.

Learning to use a dual action isn't that hard. Just get some large pieces of cardboard and practice for a few hours and you will get the general hang of it. Practice painting general paterns with your airbrush. Thick lines, thin lines, dots that gradually get larger, ect. Also buy some cheap kits and practice your techniques on them. You will pick it up fairly quickly.

I generally like to use acrylic paints in my air brush because of the ease of cleaning, buy you can paint with anything you wish. I have even used fingernail polish (properly thinned) to paint cars with.

I use a Badger 150 model and I am very pleased with it, but it is the only airbrush I have ever owned, so I am unable to compare it to others.

The best all around general purpose airbrush is the Paashe H. Its inexpensive, easy to clean, easy to adjust and use, lasts forever and does nearly everything you need an airbrush to do.

I went through the same questions. As a compromise I bought a Paasche VL. One of it's features is that, even though it is double action, you can screw down the trigger and convert it into a single action model. That way you can use both versions as needed.