Budget Airbruush Set

Pardon typo.  Above should say it Sounds like a 50 caliber machine gun, not wounds like one...

Toss the elephant.  Get a compressor with a regulator and moisture filter, and practice with your S68.  Use ink on paper towels first, to get a feel for it.  Do a search on air compressors.   A lot of people say the Harbor Freight stuff is OK.  The S68 looks like it's similar to the Harbor Freight airbrush that you can see on my website.

Don

I second Mr. Wheeler.  As for the HF compressors, I purchased one yesterday and am happy with it so far, though I have only used it for all of 30 minutes.

I would HIGHLY recommend going to Don's site.  It is a wealth of info and a real service to our hobby community.

In so far as getting a 'real' airbrush, I would suggest finding a Michael's or Hobby Lobby in your area, getting one of the 40%(or 50% occasionally at Michael's)and using that to grab an airbrush.  I believe Hobby Lobby stocks Iwata and Paache and Michael's stocks Badger.  I only have used Badgers but the other brands mentioned have great reputations.  I am sure some others will chime in with praise for their various online retailers so you options are pretty open.

Mike

eptingmike

I second Mr. Wheeler.  As for the HF compressors, I purchased one yesterday and am happy with it so far, though I have only used it for all of 30 minutes.

Let us know how it works out for you in 6 months. Hope that you get a good durable compressor.

I would HIGHLY recommend going to Don's site.  It is a wealth of info and a real service to our hobby community.

Second that. A worth of information there.

In so far as getting a 'real' airbrush, I would suggest finding a Michael's or Hobby Lobby in your area, getting one of the 40% (or 50% occasionally at Michael's) and using that to grab an airbrush.  I believe Hobby Lobby stocks Iwata and Paache and Michael's stocks Badger.  I only have used Badgers but the other brands mentioned have great reputations.  I am sure some others will chime in with praise for their various online retailers so you options are pretty open.

Mike

But don't expect to find any of the higher end Badger at Michaels. No SOTAR 20/20, Renagade, 100 or even Patriot.

On the other hand, you can find Iwata Eclipse at Hobby Lobby. The Eclipse is an excellent choice for modeling. Besides, Hobby Lobby stocks spare for the Iwata that they sell, and at 40% off with their coupon.

Thanks for all the info.  I am sort of leaning toward Badger since they have the best warranty from what I have researched so far.  I finally got some info on my current setup and it's a max 55 psi compressor and dual action siphon airbrush.  I'll see if I can talk the Mrs into snagging me some india ink to test with.  What would you folks recommend for the best product for cleaning paint and ink?

I wouldn't suggest india ink.  It might be harder to clean up.  Just get the cheapest ink you can find, even ink jet refill ink.  Or, put some food coloring in water.  Then you can clean up with plain water.

Paint clean up depends on the paint.  For enamels, use mineral spirits or lacquer thinner.  For acrylics, I see Windex with ammonia recommended a lot,  just flush with water as a final rinse to get rid of the ammonia.

You should only need about 20 psi, but it should be regulated.

Don't be in a hurry to buy another airbrush until you spend some time with the one you have.  You'll have a better feel for what you like and don't like.  You may find it does everything you want.

Don

Thanks for the info Don.  I just got through reading your entire site pretty much.  Very very useful.  The brush I currently is fairly well built.  It's a basic brush but I deal mostly with large scale kits so I don't need pinpoint fine lines.  My compressor is going to be a problem.  It's an unregulated 55PSI TC-16.  When I got it I had to keep cost ot a minimum, and I got the brush kit,  5' Braided hose, and compressor for $69 total.  SO I guess it wasn't quite as good a bargain as I thought.  LOL  Oh well, you live, you learn.  BTW I love your site.

Don Wheeler

I wouldn't suggest india ink.  It might be harder to clean up.  Just get the cheapest ink you can find, even ink jet refill ink.  Or, put some food coloring in water.  Then you can clean up with plain water.

Paint clean up depends on the paint.  For enamels, use mineral spirits or lacquer thinner.  For acrylics, I see Windex with ammonia recommended a lot,  just flush with water as a final rinse to get rid of the ammonia.

You should only need about 20 psi, but it should be regulated.

Don't be in a hurry to buy another airbrush until you spend some time with the one you have.  You'll have a better feel for what you like and don't like.  You may find it does everything you want.

Don