Looking for first Airbrush

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the FSM forums.

The 200 series is a good solid brush, though I'm more familiar with the old model and haven't used the "NH" series.

I believe that of the numbers you have listed, they are all exatly the same brush, with different "inclusions" in the kit.

From the Badger website:

200-1: Set contains 200NHTM airbrush with general purpose nozzle/needle and attachable jar,protective cap, additional jar with cover,wrench for head,and instruction manual. 200-3: Set contains 200NHTM airbrush with general purpose needle/nozzle and attachable jar, protective cap,vinyl air hose,PropelTM regulator,PropelTM can,additional jar with cover,head wrench and instruction manual. 200-5: Set contains 200NHTM airbrush with general purpose nozzle/needle and attachable jar, protectivecap,vinyl air hose,PropelTM regulator,wrench for head,and instruction manual.

Hi Mike,

Wlecome to the forums here.  Phil pretty much explained the different model numbers.

I do have a Badger 200NH, and it is a really good airbrush.  One cool thing is that you can go from a quite narrow pattern i.e. free hand camo on a 1/72 Tiger tank to a very broad pattern i.e. base coating a 1/32 airplane, without changing the needle.

As far as which one to buy, go for the lowest price.  You don't need a can of Propel, of more precisely, you'll want to get yourself a compressor.  You don't need a lot of extra paint bottles either; you'll want to buy a color-cup, becuase you'll usually be painting smaller amounts paint, and with a color cup, you can thin only as much paint as you need and not have a lot left over.

For purchasing, check out DixieArt.  Good prices and good selection.

Andy

If you are just wanting to try airbrushing I would suggest a kit from harbor Freight.
I did a review of the Airbrush compressor combo here on my site.
http://www.happinessismandatory.com/misc/Tools/Compressor.htm

For about 100$ you can get a compressor and airbrush.  Harbor freight is a lower quaility tool I know, but I have used this for about year or so and have had no problems.  I just (2 weeks ago) purchased an Iwata HP-CS and I can now say that the Iwata is a better brush, but for 15 bucks for a dual action that will do most everything I want it to isn't bad. I have painted abotu 5-6 kits with it and the compressor runs like a champ.  The Harbor fright brush is better for base coating though, the Iwata is seems to want to just paint fine lines (which isn't bad).  I plan to use the harbor firght AB to base coat some stuff.  The cup holds a lot more paint then the Iwata cup.  You could also pick just a compressor for about 75 bucks.  They are quite enoguh I can paint in the house while everyone is asleep.  It might be worth looking into. 

Hi!

Hi Mike!

I was where you are a couple of years ago. I now use the Harder and Steenbeck but I would not reccommend it to start out with. Down the road it is the way to go. I started with the Paasche "H" airbruh. The set has fine, med, and large spray tips, can be bottom or top fed, easy to clean, built tough and has performed flawlessly for mr for several years. Look for the set, not the carded airbush. You can find deals on ebay too for this set.

Good luck and take your time to find this, you will be using it a long time.

Abarne,

 Is a color cup something that can be used on a siphon-feed brush like the 200?  Or, does the brush have to be a gravity feed?

MikeS71 wrote:

Abarne,  Is a color cup something that can be used on a siphon-feed brush like the 200?  Or, does the brush have to be a gravity feed?

The Badger 200G airbrush in discussion here IS a gravity feed AB.

Yes, a 1/4 oz. color cup (Badger parts #50-0482) can be used with the other siphon feed 200 series airbrushs as well as the 150,155 or 175 Badger.

I prefer the gravity feed with the built-in cup. It is easier to clean by back-flush.

I've never spilled paint out of my gravity-feed.

Another great advantage of a GF is that you can go as far as mixing as little as a drop or two of paint and use it effectively (and you would be surprised how far two drops of paint can go). You wouldn't be able to even pick up that little an amount with a siphon-feed, even if you use a color cup. You'd lose more than that just cleaning a siphon-feed.

Phil_H wrote:

I've never spilled paint out of my gravity-feed.

Then you're much better than I am! (not that there was any question! ).

The very first time I used my 100LG I spilled paint out of the top merely by painting as I was used to with my 150. But then I spilled paint the first time I used the color cup on the 150. Open containers of paint and I don't get along very well!

Phil_H wrote:

Another great advantage of a GF is that you can go as far as mixing as little as a drop or two of paint and use it effectively (and you would be surprised how far two drops of paint can go). You wouldn't be able to even pick up that little an amount with a siphon-feed, even if you use a color cup. You'd lose more than that just cleaning a siphon-feed.

I'll second this. Gravity fed brushes are much easier to clean and maintain, and you'll use much less paint overall.

Bgrigg wrote:

Phil_H wrote: I've never spilled paint out of my gravity-feed. Then you're much better than I am! (not that there was any question! ).

LOL Bill,

I'm  no airbrushmeister

I did say "my gravity feed", though along the way, I have used Badger's 350 and 200 series with a color cup. I may have had a case or two of "paint fingers" with those. You learn not to do it again pretty quickly. Haven't had a spill since switching to my current brush, which even comes with a clip-on cup cover, which I've never used.

Now that I've said that, it's an absolute guarantee that I'll spill next time I fill the cup...

Bgrigg wrote:

The very first time I used my 100LG I spilled paint out of the top merely by painting as I was used to with my 150. But then I spilled paint the first time I used the color cup on the 150. Open containers of paint and I don't get along very well!

I have spilled paint myself once or twice in the past. The trick is to not fill the color cup too much. I only fill it about 1/2 way to 3/4 at the absolute most.