Need Help

I've owned several AB's over the years, but my Go-To for the last few years is the Badger 100LG with medium tip.  But I agree that the compressor is very important.  Whatever Brand you get, be sure it has a built in  air supply  tank.

Regards,  Rick

Good one man, get into it, you won't regret it!

And there you go! My geography doesn't suck!

thank you Bgrigg I know exactly where they are about 20 min. from my house I just called them and i am going there today after work.

I concur that the dual action gravity fed internal mix airbrush with a medium needle is the most versatile airbrush. I own single action siphon fed, dual action siphon fed and dual action gravity fed airbrushes, and it's the latter that I pull out of the holster most. Easy to use, easy to clean and slightly less wasteful of paint (no siphon tube to clean). My personal choice is Badger (200-20, 150 & 100LG), but most of the "brand" name airbrushes are excellent tools.

Given your location give Bear Air a call. Their located in S. Easton MA, a short drive away if my geography is correct. I'm not sure if they have a store front, but if they do it would be worth your time to visit to handle the different kinds of airbrushes they offer.

A decent starter combo compressor/airbrush is their Polar Bear 1000 & Peak C-3 for $125 + S&H (you might be able to save on the S&H part!). Recently a fellow FSMer (Zokissima) bought their Polar Bear 2000 & Peak C-5 for $219 + S&H, and has expressed satisfaction with his purchase. You would have to buy an airhose (around $10), but they do come with regulator and moisture trap, both very important for successful airbrushing!

There are better compressors and airbrushes out there, but I'm loathe to suggest a beginner to buy a $250 airbrush and $500 compressor.

I consider the compressor almost a more important choice than the airbrush itself.  There are some very expensive compressors that are very good yet quiet.  I used to use a big compressor/tank unit in the garage with air piped down into my shop.  Okay for warm climates- not here in Minnesota.  Unit will not start in below zero weather.

Recently I bought a small portable compressor with one gallon tank from local building supply store, on sale for fifty bucks.  Has a regulator on it, a must-have feature.  Others are available in range of sixty to eighty bucks.  Only downside is noise.  I had some old headphones, the big ones that completely cover the ear.  Now when I am ready to airbrush I plug those into workshop radio-cuts the noise down very well     I am now spraying in coldest weather!

My main brush is a Badger 200 SA one, but also have an Aztek DA and a cheap Badger DA knockoff.

Thank you so much for your reply it was very helpful, wish the best in your future modeling endevors

The question is very dependant on how much you are prepared to invest, you could get a cheap Chinese clone/copy airbrush & diaghpram compressor for a very reasonable amount. However if you are prepared to invest a little bit you would probably be better with a reputable brand airbrush (Badger, Iwata, Paasche, H&S.....) & a small piston compressor (hobby size, not garage) that includes a regulator & water trap.

For what its worth, I would advise a double action gravity fed brush with a mid size needle / nozzle combination. Several manufacturers provide additional alternative needle / nozzle combinations, smaller ones for fine detail & larger ones for large coverage, these can be purchased "after the fact". Airbrushes are a bit like watches, they are precision instruments which take pride of place amongst the hobby tools & everyone has strong opinions on which is the better model - bottom line is that reputable brushes these day, as long as matched to your use are all good.

I returned to the hobby a couple of years ago & decided this time around to get an airbrush, although the whole set up cost a few pounds, it is without doubt the best hobby related investment I have ever made