Gift For A Newbie Airbrusher

There are a lot of  "if's" here.  If your Dad needs something that is really easy to use and just do general coverage, then a single action like the Paasche H or Badger 350 or 200NH would do.  If he's willing to spend a little time practicing and he wants to do some detail, then a double action would be better.  If he does large models, then a siphon fed airbrush like the Paasche VL or Badger Anthem would do nicely.  If he makes smaller models and wants better detail capability, then a gravity fed airbrush like the Badger Patriot is a good choice.  I wouldn't recommend a brush with a small nozzle like .35mm or less for a beginner, and I  would stay away from the Testors plastic airbrushes.

Yes, he needs a compressor.  I won't try to recommend one, as there are others with more knowledge of them than I have.

If he uses solvent based paints, he needs a spray booth with an outside outlet.  I don't have one, but I live in a mild climate and keep a door and window open and wear an organic vapors mask.  If he uses water based paints and doesn't blast out paint, maybe just a particle mask would do.

I hope that is of some help.

Don

mikesculpt

I'm looking to get my dad an airbrush kit for Xmas and I have no idea what to get.  He'll be painting mostly military aircraft and naval vessels.  What type of airbrush works best for a novice?  Also do I need to go out and spend the money on a compressor or can I get away with pressurized cans until I know he likes it?  And lastly is a spray booth necessary?  Thanks in advance!

To airbrush you need an air source and an airbrush. To keep your dad safe, a respirator is also a must have. Spraybooths are great, but not strictly necessary. Mine is used more as a means of controlling dust, than evacuating the overspray, though that is nice! I vent mine out through the basement wall, your dad's situation will be unique to his environment.

Don has put together a good list of ifs. Let me throw some numbers at you. The airbrush information will be important for your dad, but the budget will be important to YOU!

TCP Global sells a kit for as little as $179 + Shipping & Handling. This kit comes with a "salon" compressor and three, yes three, airbrushes. The brand is all "off-market" names, but gives you all three options Don has mentioned. In fact, Don has a review of the G22 on his website. I don't think either of us would recommend this option, even though it sounds like an awesome deal.

TCP Global also offers the Paasche VL with a better compressor for $259.98 + S&H. I've got nothing bad to say about Paasche, but personally think the handles are too thick.

Bear air offers a EZ-Start Combo kit consisting of a Peak C-3 dual action gravity feed for $169 + S&H. This is a better airbrush than the G22 above, and a better compressor and it's a bit cheaper, though you get only one airbrush and the paint would only be useful to your dad as practice paint, which is VERY useful. It's a not bad starter kit. I've dealt with Bear Air before and they're good people to work with.

Other than that, expect to pay $75-100 for a decent airbrush and $150 to $OUCH for a compressor. A respirator (you'll need one that handles fumes as well as particulates) will run $30-50. If you want to thrill your dad, budget around $300, and you'll be doing good.

Don and Bill, thank you both so much--you guys are the best!  Merry Christmas!

To me the compressor is almost more important than which brush.  The latter is not a critical decision- the former is.  Quiet compressors are neat- but very expensive.  Compact tank compressors are available cheap these days- around fifty bucks for a one-gallon size.  They also do not have the longevity of the old big garage-type compressors.  One with adjustable pressure, gauge and trap are nice, but I also put on a seperate regulator- seems to hold pressure better than regulator on cheaper compressors.

Thank you Don!  It looks like this is getting a bit out of budget for me.  I was hoping to get away with something he could just try out before making a major investment but it seems that would be a waste in itself.   I think I'll have to sit him down and talk to him about it rather than spend a few hundred on a surprise.  I need to find out if this is something he really wants or was just looking to try it.

mikesculpt

Thank you Don!  It looks like this is getting a bit out of budget for me.  I was hoping to get away with something he could just try out before making a major investment but it seems that would be a waste in itself.   I think I'll have to sit him down and talk to him about it rather than spend a few hundred on a surprise.  I need to find out if this is something he really wants or was just looking to try it.

Mike, it is possible to do exactly what you have in mind today. For modeling, the system below will do as well as many that cost a few hundred dollars. 

If you have a Hobby Lobby nearby, check out the Neo by Iwata. See this link. It comes with a 5 years warranty. It is probably the best Iwata knock-off for under $40 and better than many that sell for more.

I paid $36 plus tax using the 40% coupon. It is hard to beat that price for beginner or causal modeler not sure about long term need.

For compressor, Harbor Freight has cheapie airbrush compressors that are quiet enough for indoor use. Harbor Freight used to list 3 airbrush compessors at 30, 40 and 100 psi respectively. The 100 psi compressor is obviously the most powerful one, which looks like the FengHua BiDa made basic model from Airbrush-Depot and BearAir. The "higher end" HF airbrush compressor is now called the 1/5-HP, 58 psi compressor. Using their 25% off coupon before yearend, you can get the Harbor Freight 1/5 HP one for under $70. There are some post here that said good thing about them. Again, not for long term use. It comes with a 90 days warranty.

For a total outlay of $110, you can get a very decent system. Your dad will be very happy with this system.

Don't forget Hobby Lobby has 40% off coupons. You could use 2 different coupons 2 different times and get a air brush and compresser with each coupon. It would save you some money.

Kentucky Colonel

Don't forget Hobby Lobby has 40% off coupons. You could use 2 different coupons 2 different times and get a air brush and compresser with each coupon. It would save you some money.

Hobby Lobby has 40% off coupons every week since Thanksgiving. You will probably not see it for a while after Christmas.

During the year, they usually have this coupon every other week.

Give a gift certificate to a locak art supply store!

montague

Give a gift certificate to a locak art supply store!

What is the  point of paying full retail price at a local art supply store when you can get airbrush equipment so much cheaper elsewhere?