Airbrush choice

Thanks for everyone's input.  It's been a great help. Going to go with the 200 and use it on my next project, an A.M. TBM Avenger. I may be going through a lot of practice paint!  

All I know is keep the guts of the thing clean. Flush it out right after using it with the right type of thinner. A clogged or stuck AB will send you right into another hobby. Best advice I've ever read on ABs.

I have a DA badger 150. The thing is a beast and I'll admit that I havent been the kindest to it. Forgetting to clean regularly, forgetting to empty the paint cup out and it dries in there. But the brush still works. My vote goes to the Badger 150. It's under $100 and works extremely well for a varitety of needs, from detail to large surfaces. I am on my second needle, as the first one was dropped and was only found by stepping on it, the carpet monster won that round. But everything else is around 10 years old and still perfect.

I also like Badger because of easy cleaning and durability.  I now have both a very old SA and a newer DA.  I prefer to use the SA (an old 200) most of the time because it is the easier of the two to clean, using the DA 150 only when I really need DA feature.  The 150 is from the late sixties, and the only thing I have replaced are the teflon washers. I am still on the original needle!

Hi, I'll second Snib's reference to Don's Airbrush Tips and Snib's own site, with about 45 years of airbrushing experience I happened upon them, and quickly learned much more than I had ever gained on my own. From those two I learned about all I know, regarding types, use, cleaning and general maintenance, all very important parts of airbrush use.

With that insight I was able to make decisions about what type, make and model would actually be right for me. While Iwata, H&S and several more make fine equipment for certain, my homework led me to three that suit my needs completely, at very modest cost. The Badger 100G double action permits as fine detail as I need, the 200NH and plain old 200 are my everyday go to brushes.

Over the years I've used Binks, Iwata and Paasche, most had their individual strong points but with some shortcomings, my most common dislike was increased difficulty in quick cleaning between colors and coats. The Badgers do a fine job for me, fitting my particular needs perfectly. They spray super well, simple and easy to use, cleanup is a cinch, reliability is their strong suit. Outstanding value.

If my needs required otherwise, than I'd not hesitate to try the newer Iwata, H&S or different other makes. There is no question about their spray quality, but for now what I mostly use is all I need, and at very low cost in comparison. For a beginner brush a single action would be a good choice, but the double action is not difficult to master quickly, just a bit more practice would take care of that and you'd be right on top of it.

Welcome back to the hobby, enjoy.

Patrick

While the capacity on a heavy duty compressor helps, keep in mind you'll likely be using it in an enclosed space, amplifying the noise.  

I have had badger internal (200) and external (350) mix airbrushes mix airbrushes, and a Paasche external (H).  I am a big fan of the Paasche, but I am also an intermediate (at best) modeller and I have not ventured into double action airbrushes.  I think starting with a single action was good, and I'm debating moving on to a double action.

For starting out I would suggest getting an inexpensive single action and see how it works for you.  Take it through its paces and learn to airbrush with it, then start experimenting with brands and types.  I have also found that the external mix brushes are much quicker and easier to clean than the internals.  You can find a decent brush for around $50 online if you look around enough.  www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com is generally where I get stuff, but there are tons of places out there.

There are also people who will suggest starting with a double action brush and just learning to use it right away.  The single action ones do appear to be less of an investment.

As an aside, (I apologize if you know and it's obvious) don't mix paint types in your airbrushes.  If you want to use enamels, don't use acrylics in that airbrush (and vice versa).  Good luck!

Groot

Thanks, that link is perfect. Sorry about posting a common question. I did look some in the forum but guess i needed to search a little more.
As far as the compressor is concerned, i would think the storage capacity would keep it from cycling so much, and of course save some cash

This particular topic just HAS to take the award for 'Most Commonly Asked Question On a Model Building Forum'...You even find them back to back now! :)

what Snibs says - there are as many different answers to this as there are stars in the universe it seems, Everyone has their own idea of what brush is best to start out with. Definitely just peruse back through this section and you'll get some idea of what we're saying.

Yes, you can use your construction compressor with a regulator/moisture trap just fine. (if you can handle the mind-numbing racket)

oh, and if your only airbrushing experience is with a spray can then you don't have any airbrushing experience! :)

Welcome back to the hobby and have fun!

There is no short answer I'm afraid.

Best to start reading the threads on here and other forums because the same question has been asked many times and there are many opinions and advice to be had. I have had a few ab's now but I'm quickly becoming a Harder and Steenbeck fan after recently buying a Silverline 2 in 1.

Here's a good place to start:

sites.google.com/.../donsairbrushtips

I wish you luck on your journey.

Mick.