first airbrush

Have you googled this question?  Much depends on who what when where why, so on.  I started with a single action badger 150 that was on sale.  It will be interesting to see what other answers you get!

As was mentioned,Badger 150 is a good brush for sure,I have been using it for a decade.Try to get off the propellent cans,expensive in the long run,try to save for a decent compressor,that along with a nice brush can be a lifetime investment and is worth it.

My first was a Paasche H single action (the trigger adjust airflow, turning the nozzle adjusts the paint flow) for $45 in 1982. I was able to get very tight unmasked likes and very smooth finishes with it. until I misused it allowing the nozzle assembly to sit it thinner until it dried out.

My first double action (the trigger adjusts airflow and paint) was a Paashe VL  I got at a hobby shop closing auction in 1993. It still works fine. I picked up a Badger 100 at a yard sale about 8 years ago. That one is a bit more difficult to learn, but works well. I was using it yesterday. This weekend, I scored a Grex Tritium TG with a Grex compressor for a really good price.

Save to get an airbrush brand compressor (starting about $125). The cans cost about $10 each. I once used a whole can ona 1/72 A-4 Skyhawk. I've been using a Sears for over 20 years; it works great but is very loud. It was about $100 back when I got it.

Don't be tempted by the kits at Harbor Freight. The airbrush LOOKS like a Badger but it's terrible to use. The trigger constantly stuck , airflow stayed open, there is only one needle size, paint shot back into the body. The compressor lasted about 4 hours of use over three weeks. It routinely stopped working during a session then died dead. Since every part was completely proprietary, that rendered the airbrush useless as well.

Short advice, find a name brand (Paasche, Badger, Iwata, Grex, Testor Aztec -a couple friends really like theirs, etc.) that feels comfortable and smooth from an art or modeling oriented dealer who will be able to provide support after the sale, such as new needles because you will bend needle tips in cleaning. While not impossible, you can find good deals.

Also, Google the brush for online reviews before you buy.

I have a forty year old Badger 200. I still use it as my main brush, though I have a 150 that I use when I need a very thin line (like camouflage work).  The thing is bulletproof, and easy to clean.

I started it with Propel, soon gave up on it.  ANY compressor is better than cans.  Propel cans drop in pressure as you use them (and quickly).  Drawing gas from them cools them, and the cold temp drops pressure.  A compressor with regulator will hold pressure well, and having the right pressure is one of the main keys to good airbrushing.  A pancake compressor with regulator goes sometimes as cheap as forty bucks on sale.  Do you have a harbor freight in your area?

ajlafleche

Don, see my post above re: Harbor Freight. Again, bettet to save up for a goob product.

Hi,

Don't wish to be a contrarian and perhaps Harbor Freight has changed sources recently but I have both a HF airbrush and a HF compressor which I used frequently - the compressor heavily for three years and both AB and compressor still work fine. I swithched to gravity fed H&S AB and a Sparmax compressor which I use now but the HF stuff worked well for me.

Badger 150. Reasonably priced. Pretty straight forward airbrush.

Lowes should have reasonably cheap pancake compressors.  I have not seen any without a regulator.  You should be able to get one for about fifty bucks. It does not need to be very powerful- airbrushes take very little air. Only problem with a cheap compressor is that it will be pretty loud when it runs, and smaller tanks mean they run more of the time (duty cycle more on than off).

pws73703

ill probally get a testors aztek to start and get familiar with and upgrade later on thanks for the input

Two of my friends use these and from what they say, you should be happy with it. 

The Paasche H is a good model for beginners. It is simple, easy to clean and versatile as far as spray pattern goes.

JMorgan

The Paasche H is a good model for beginners. It is simple, easy to clean and versatile as far as spray pattern goes.

All true.  I've been "beginning" with mine since 1988.  In fact, the Model H is the only airbrush I've used and I've painted 40 or so scale models with it since then.  It does have its limits though.

Gary

Painted with the Paasche H:

pws73703

Those are some great looking aircraft Texgunner

Thank you very much!