Beginner Airbrushes

Alex,

I own a Badger 200 and it's a great little airbrush. You can pick one up with hose and extra bottles (and even some paint you could use for practice) from the Badger Garage Sale (provided you are in North America) for $44 + S&H. It's the 7th item on the list. It is easy to use and will give you very consistent line width, as you preset the needle. It is capable of very fine detail.

However, I recommend going straight to a dual action gravity fed airbrush, especially if you are planning on building aircraft models.Gravity fed airbrushes are slightly easier to clean (no color cups or siphon tubes to worry about), and I find them a bit easier to use than a siphon fed with a bottle attached. They do limit how much paint you can put in the cup, which would be a concern for flood coats, but detail work doesn't require much paint.

My favorite is the Badger 100LG, which is a workhorse of the industry and is available for $72 (delivered in US) at Dixie Art. On that same page you'll find other airbrushes like the 105 Patriot or Renegade Velocity for a bit more. The Iwata HP-CS and Paasche Talon are also good airbrushes, and also available through Dixie Art.

Compressors are another matter, and you can buy garage compressors which are cheap and NOISY or you can but airbrush compressors which are quieter but more expensive.

I started looking around and this starter kit consisting of a Badger Renegade Velocity (you have to select it) and Paasche compressor with a 6' hose (also selectable) from Chicago airbrush is an eye catcher for $209.65 + S&H.

Bgrigg

I started looking around and this starter kit consisting of a Badger Renegade Velocity (you have to select it) and Paasche compressor with a 6' hose (also selectable) from Chicago airbrush is an eye catcher for $209.65 + S&H.

Going from a 250 to a Velocity is a mighty big jump.  It might be frustrating learning to use a dual action brush with that tiny tip.  Just a thought.

Don

Don, that's certainly true, but going from a 250 to a 200 is 90% of that same jump!

Don Wheeler

 

Bgrigg:

 

I started looking around and this starter kit consisting of a Badger Renegade Velocity (you have to select it) and Paasche compressor with a 6' hose (also selectable) from Chicago airbrush is an eye catcher for $209.65 + S&H.

 

 

Going from a 250 to a Velocity is a mighty big jump.  It might be frustrating learning to use a dual action brush with that tiny tip.  Just a thought.

Don

I agree with Don that the Renegade Velocity may be difficult to learn from as a beginner airbrush because of its 0.2 mm nozzle.

The Badger Patriot 105F (fine) or the Iwata Revolution HP-CR, both around $80, will be good starter, general purpose airbrush for modeling. For finer detail, but still general purpose, the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS at $120 is a good choice.

These are not necessarily the best beginner airbrushes, but are those I know personally.

All good reasons, which is why I led with the 200, then the 100LG, then the 105.

This is what is frustrating about the "starter kits" the cheap ones are barely worth the money you out-grow them so fast, and the others tend to go to the far end of the spectrum.

Here's a Paasche Compressor/Paasche H starter kit for $170.77 + S&H. I just can't help but go "for $30 more I can get...".

Or how about the Paasche H Card set, airbrush, hose, bottle and pressure tank valve for under $35 and it includes free shipping in the US? Alex can still use the aerosol cans until he researches a better air supply?

I am going to chime in for the Badger 100LG.  It was what I went to after using a 200NH for a while, and the learning curve was more gentle than I expected.  The jump in performance and control for me was significant!

http://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=103

$60.95 for a 100LG with medium head!  That's ridiculously cheap!

Chris

Killjoy

I am going to chime in for the Badger 100LG.  It was what I went to after using a 200NH for a while, and the learning curve was more gentle than I expected.  The jump in performance and control for me was significant!

http://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=103

$60.95 for a 100LG with medium head!  That's ridiculously cheap!

Chris

The Badger manual says that "fine head" sprays pencil line to 1" and "medium head" will spray 1/16" to 1.5" line. How did you decide which one to get for modeling?

I honestly wasn't too concerned with spray pattern size, as the difference is pretty minimal.  I can't shoot steadily enough to merit the difference between pencil and 1/16".  Mainly I shoot stuff about the size of 1/35 armor, and up to 24" in length for other subjects like sci-fi.

For me it came down to paint.  I only shoot acrylics, and sometimes, lesser quality ones at that.  A fine needle and tip gets clogged too easily in my opinion, although I have heard with the new Velocity, for example, that's no longer the case.  Only once have I wished for another size, and what I wanted was a LARGE spray!  Wish I had my 155 anthem (my garage sale brush) back then!

Chris

Alex Shaw

OK. Now that I've used my Badger 250, I want to start saving for a more expensive airbrush.

Right, you have two major decisions to make up front:

1. What are you going to use your airbrush for?
2. How much are you willing to save / wait before you buy the thing?

You already have a large-volume, high-capacity airbrush, so that base is already covered. No need to buy an expensive airbrush that does the same as the one you already have. Most likely, you will want an airbrush that can do all that detail work. If so, you want something that is fast and easy to berak down and clean, and that can work with paint batches literally of the size of half a dozen of drops.

Such airbrushes do exist, but are expensive. Which brings us to question 2, how long you are willing to wait / save before you get the new airbrush.

I suggest you think very carefully through these things, and check out the high-end stuff, like Harder & Steenbeck. Yes, they are expensive, but they are engineered ridiculously well and are a breeze to use. At least know what they are all about and what price ranges are involved. If you need to save for 6 months to get what you look at now, and can get some of the real high-end stuff if you save for 8, the extra wait might be worth it. 

DoC

Dr. Coffee

Most likely, you will want an airbrush that can do all that detail work. If so, you want something that is fast and easy to berak down and clean, and that can work with paint batches literally of the size of half a dozen of drops.

Such airbrushes do exist, but are expensive. Which brings us to question 2, how long you are willing to wait / save before you get the new airbrush.

Doc,

You don't have to go that high to get that sort of functionality.

Almost any gravity feed brush can effectively use as little as three drops of paint and will be simple and quick to clean, especially if using acrylics. A Badger 200G will do all that for about $60.00, or a Patriot 105 for $15-$20 more.

If I were looking for a new airbrush, I would certainly look at the Patriot - it's affordable, seems to be reliable and has excellent after-sales support. As for the perceived difficulty in using a double-acrion brush as compared to a single-action, as I've said before, if you can work the sticks on a Playstation controller, you can work a double-action airbrush.

I'd second that, having recently gone from a 200NH to a 105.  When I first held it I was like "poop...I'll never get the hang of this."   Just one kit later, I wish I had made the move to a gravity dual action YEARS ago!

Phil_H

Dr. Coffee:

Most likely, you will want an airbrush that can do all that detail work. If so, you want something that is fast and easy to berak down and clean, and that can work with paint batches literally of the size of half a dozen of drops.

Such airbrushes do exist, but are expensive. Which brings us to question 2, how long you are willing to wait / save before you get the new airbrush.

Doc,

You don't have to go that high to get that sort of functionality.

I'm just pointing out that one should find out what's out there before one makes any decisions. Alex' first post was phrased along the lines that he is on a somewhat flexible budget. As for the H&S, they have some accessories that are really nifty, like their nozzle cleaning tool. The tool is essentially a scoop that fits inside the nozzle, which in turn requires both tool and nozzle to be very precisely engineered, which in turn drives the cost.

From the user's perspective, that nozzle-cleaning tool alone is worth the extra cost of getting an H&S. Before I found the tool, I soaked the clogged-up nozzle in solvents for hours and days before maybe getting the goo out. With the tool I am sure I can get the goo out in a matter of seconds.

DoC   

Thanks for all the quick reply's, I'll go and check out all the airbrushes you've mentioned before making any decisions. And just so you know, im living in the UK.

Killjoy, if only you could get bargains like that in the UK !

Alex Shaw

Thanks for all the quick reply's, I'll go and check out all the airbrushes you've mentioned before making any decisions. And just so you know, im living in the UK.

This is a key clue to what people can offer! Please put that in your location on your profile. If you're concerned about privacy, just put UK. That stops us from offering US retailers to UK users!

Check out http://www.everythingairbrush.com/acatalog/Airbrushing.html for UK pricing and selection.

Just found something on amazon uk-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000VE876Y/ref=s9_simh_gw_p21_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1C4FTVZ4Y70CKBQEYTMZ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294

The price is way to low, how long do you think it would take before it breaks?!

Alex,

If you're going to look at something like the one you linked above, then I'd strongly suggest you check this out:

https://airbrushes.com/product_info.php?products_id=1110

My understanding is that the G-35 is a rebadged Sparmax SP-35 series brush. I use a Sparmax SP-35C myself and I am more than happy with it. It's done everything I've asked of it, it's easy to clean and reliable, and spare parts are available, whereas I'm not sure if that's the case for the one you linked. The price is pretty good too.

Alex Shaw

Thanks for all the quick reply's, I'll go and check out all the airbrushes you've mentioned before making any decisions. And just so you know, im living in the UK.

In UK, you get the best deal buying EU. The Harder & Steenbeck airbrushes are usually cheaper or equal to other equivalent models from Iwata, Badger or Paasche.

Check out the ARC Tools n Tips forum. You will find more UK members there.

Alex Shaw

Killjoy, if only you could get bargains like that in the UK !

Have any friends in the States?  Paypal them the cash for the brush + shipping.  Have them mark it as "gift." and you're golden!

Congrats on Norwich City moving up to the championship this year!  I have relatives in Norwich.

Chris

Killjoy

 

Alex Shaw:

 

Killjoy, if only you could get bargains like that in the UK !

 

 

Have any friends in the States?  Paypal them the cash for the brush + shipping.  Have them mark it as "gift." and you're golden!

Congrats on Norwich City moving up to the championship this year!  I have relatives in Norwich.

Chris

Great idea, lol!

And hopefully Norwich will be up in the Premiership this time next year, although somehow I doubt it!

And thanks Phil H, I'll go and have a better look at that brush.

Alex Shaw

Killjoy, if only you could get bargains like that in the UK !

Of course you can. Go to the everythingairbrush web site and check out their Harder & Steenbeck stock and price.

Check these airbrushes. Good airbrushes, all of them, and at a decent price, in the UK.

For details, the AB-200 is great:

http://www.greatart.co.uk/RICHAB200-colours-airbrush.htm

As an alround airbrush, the RB-3 would probably be great:

http://www.greatart.co.uk/RICHRB-3-colours-airbrush.htm

Rich is one of the older japanese airbrush companies. I got my first in the early 90´s, and it´s still working perfect.

I'm really liking the look of this airbrush -

http://www.graphicair.co.uk/products/Premi-Air-G35-Airbrush-%26-Propellant-Briefcase-Set.html

keilau

Alex Shaw:

Killjoy, if only you could get bargains like that in the UK !

 

Of course you can. Go to the everythingairbrush web site and check out their Harder & Steenbeck stock and price.

The prices quoted on that page are pretty good, considering exchange rates. I would expect the numbers to be similar as to those stated, if one converted what I paid for my Evolution Silverline 2-in-1 one year ago to GBP.

But today the GBP is about 15-20% cheaper to buy. Which means one gets some 15-20% discount due to the exchange rate alone.  

DoC

I have several airbrushes-a Grex, an Olympos and a cheap one, as seen on Ebay and elsewhere for £25.  for our hobby you would be AMAZED at how good the really cheap ones are.  I probably wouldn't have bought the 'good' ones if I'd had it first!  you might be surprised.  just a thought. regards JD

bigbadjohn

I have several airbrushes-a Grex, an Olympos and a cheap one, as seen on Ebay and elsewhere for £25.  for our hobby you would be AMAZED at how good the really cheap ones are.  I probably wouldn't have bought the 'good' ones if I'd had it first!  you might be surprised.  just a thought. regards JD

 Can you post a link?

Alex,

The Everything Airbrush link I posted a while back has some "off" brand airbrushes starting at £25. I can't lay claim to knowing their quality, but they certainly going to be better than the 250 clone you have now!

The AB-183 kit at £56.19 comes with three color cup sizes and includes two optional needle sizes is an awesome deal, and gives you lots of choice. The smaller cup size gives you a better sight line and reduces the weight of the airbrush.

IMO, the Chinese companies that make the cheap knockoffs have very poor quality control.  That means that they do not check for defects.   So You're out of luck if you happen to get a brush from a poor batch.

If you're experienced, then you can tune up the brush yourself.   But if you're a beginner and are still trying to figure out the cleaning steps, then you are really in trouble.

So IMO, the cheap knockoffs are actually better for experience users who can fix the defects at home.   Beginners need a simple to use, and practically indestructible brush. 

So I'd go with a Badger Patriot if I was living in the USA.  It's about $80.    Sure the Chinese knockoffs are $40.  But there's a good chance you'll spend more time figuring out the airbrush than modeling.