Novice airbrush questions please!

MikeV

 

brickshooter:

 

I know that a lot of folks require a tank with their compressor because they dislike pulsation.  But honestly, this is my 2nd non-tank compressor and I've never notice any pulsation while spraying.  

 

 

It is not the compressor with no air tank that causes the pulsation problem, it is the type of compressor.

Piston compressors do not pulsate much but diaphragm compressor do!

Concern about compressor pulsation is mostly a thing of the past due to improvement in technology. However, you can still find 1/20-Horsepower, diaphram compressor in many LHS and Michaels. The low power motor and short piston stroke (limiting diaphram stretch) are the main source of pulsation when painting in longer continuous stroke. These old compressor cannot sustain reasonable flow rate at any length of time. They are expensive too.

Modern precision machining and newer materials allows manufacturer to make longer stroke piston compressor with higher power motor. They are even quiet enough for indoor use and are relatively pulsation free. Shop smart and stay with name brand like brickshooter did. You are likely to get a good compressor. Even some of the cheaper imitation work well when new. But many inflat their spec (motor power and sustained flow rate) and the long term durability is unknow.

I have a Paasche DA400 compressor for airbrushing. Its noise level is acceptable to my family. I also have a One-horsepower Sears compressor with tank for other household works. The Sears can provide enough air flow for 10 airbrushs, but is so noisy that I will never imagine bringing it inside at nights. I once tried to get a Dewalt D55141 oilless compressor to do the job of both. As it turned out, the Dewalt was too noisy for AB and not enough air for larger nail guns.

brickshooter

I know that a lot of folks require a tank with their compressor because they dislike pulsation.  But honestly, this is my 2nd non-tank compressor and I've never notice any pulsation while spraying.  

It is not the compressor with no air tank that causes the pulsation problem, it is the type of compressor.

Piston compressors do not pulsate much but diaphragm compressor do!

johnnyrockets

Hey everybody, thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge with me!

Okay, here are several questions from a serious novice.

1)  I'm painting my first model with a brush to get some good practice with it.  But I kind of anticipate moving up to some form of spray finishing.  I would like to bypass spray cans altogether and go right to airbrushing.  Is this a bad idea?

2)  What airbrush would you recommend for under $100?  Or are there any?

3)  Does anyone who is actually serious about modeling stay with brush painting?  Or is it just a given that someone just "graduates" up to some form of spray delivery?

 

* Again thank you so much for your expertise!

In my opiion

Youir on the right track

Dr

I coughed up $100 for a Badger Renegade Velocity, and $90 for a used Iwata Smart Jet off of Ebay.  And I love both.   The Iwata Smart Jet came with both an air-regulator and air-filter. 

I know that a lot of folks require a tank with their compressor because they dislike pulsation.  But honestly, this is my 2nd non-tank compressor and I've never notice any pulsation while spraying.  

For cleaning and care of the airbrush, refer to Youtube.  They have great and free videos of airbrush care.  The best videos come from professional makeup artists.  Those guys (and girls) really know their airbrush.  

Actually i am looking for a similar airbrush and noticed the price on the badger patriot here http://www.tcgraphicsandpaint.com/badger-patriot.html is only $72.50 with free shipping.

I agree with New Hampshire - the service at Tc Graphics is amazing - I have ordered from Dixie art in the past and have had lousy service. I also find some products on their site misleading - I ordered a Badger from them and they didn't specify that it didn't come with the plastic carrying case and the tool to take the brush apart.

As Bgrigg says, good airbrushes can easily be had for under $100, but the compressor will also be an extra financial factor.  I use a cheap Wal Mart brand compressor that I think I paid about $75 for.  It is loud, but since it has a tank on it it is not running all the time.  And also as he mentioned, two important things that need to go with that compressor is a moisture trap and a good air regulator (the more precise the better).  The Wal Mart brand compressor I have has a regulator built in.....and I don't trust it.  I was thankfully able to get my hands on a very nice one from work for free, though I don't think you will be quite that lucky .

Since I only own two airbrushes (one so brand new I have yet to shoot paint through it), both Badgers, I can't really be of very much help other than to say of the two I own one is siphon feed (Badger 175 Cresendo) and one is Gravity fed (Badger Renegade Velocity) and even though I have yet to use the latter I can already see the benifits of the gravity over siphon.  Both brushes are double action, and having never used a single action I would still say go with one of those.  There is supposedly a longer learning curve to double action brushes, but when mastered they are a big benifit.  In fact, some double action designs even have the ability to preform in a "faux" single action sort of way by using a needle stop built into the back cap.

Take this for what it is though.  I am by no means an airbrush maestro, and am just over a year removed from the position you were in (i.e. looking into options for my first air brush purchase.)  But I think the above is a good start.  I do want to make one more last suggestion.  Give this company a looking over:

http://www.tcgraphicsandpaint.com/

I just made a purchase through them and not only is the prices respectable, the service and shipping was by far some of the best I have had yet!  For more info see my thread of recent about this company just below here in this topic forum.

Brian

You can easily bypass rattle can, which are nothing more than badly designed airbrushes if you think about it.

Not knowing your location makes it difficult to advise on airbrushes, but Dixie Art is a good place to buy from and I can recommend the Badger 100LG ($72 delivered in the US) and their 105 Patriot ($73.50 delivered). Iwata and Paasche also make brushes in the same price point.

I recommend gravity fed airbrushes, as they are slightly easier to clean, and allow for greater control for fine lines.

You'll spend more on a compressor than an airbrush, $120 - $200 is a good price range. If you can handle the noise, garage style compressors also work, and are multi-taskers. I use one with a 3 gallon tank (which I wish was larger) and pipe the air into my man cave. You'll need a pressure regulator and a good moisture trap as well, and the price range I quoted above should include both.

Every bit as important is a spray booth and respirator. Paints are fairly hazardous materials, and if you have children around, it is especially important to contain the hazards and vent it properly. At the very least, breathing in teeny-tiny bits of dried paint is not recommended. Expect to spend $200 and up for a good booth. You can build one yourself, and there are many threads about that if you search for them. I have a homemade booth and I can attest to both the ease of construction and the difficulty of proper design. I've spent around $150 building the booth, and find that it is less than perfect. I expect to rebuild it this spring and I'll probably end up spending as much money as if I just went and bought a top end booth!

You CAN live without a booth, but only if you use a respirator and have no-one else around that can breathe in the fumes and particles. Spray booths also help contain the odors associated with painting, which can be important for maintaining a happy home!

There are many modelers who choose to use a brush instead of an airbrush, but they are fairly rare and must have the patience of Job. There are a few on board who stick with their brushes, for whatever reason, and do a fantastic job. I'm a MUCH better painter with an airbrush in hand!