The 4 rules of airbrushing...

When the weather get warm in NY summer, I like to work on my models in the utility room in the back of the garage. Makes the missus all happy since I don't stink up the cellar while airbrushing during fall and winter months. I sometimes like to put my newly airbrushed parts out in the sun to dry/cure for a little while.

Sometimes I work on my model out in the back patio as well. Nothing beats natural light. I don't have a modeling workplace per say. My workspace is more or less a "moveable feast" type of workspace - a simple table I can work on.

Believe it or not that simple table is the same table I used as a little extra workspace when I did models at my grandparents' house every Sunday during my youth. Yeah, it still has the paint & glue stains from my good ol' days of modeling. LOL!  Fond memories...

I have a regular pre-set handle on my HP-CS.  I had no idea about the triple action until I read Bick's post.  It is PRETTY.  

Iwata make two 'pre-set' handles:

This one: http://www.danielsmith.com/Item--i-155-010-076

and this one: http://www.iwata-medea.com/products/accessories/handles/triple-action-handle/

I have the 'triple action' and, for whatever reason, don't like it as much as the regular pre-set on my H&S Evolution (similar to the first link). The triple action does work well though so personal preference and the color makes it 'prettier'.

Thanks, Chrisk-k, for the good idea.  I just ordered the Iwata triple-action pre-set handle, as will fit my Eclipse HP-CS.  This should make life a lot easier!

Don Stauffer

Greg

BTW, IMO Don makes a good point even though it's a serious reply to a funny post. I have been doing these things unconsciously and not using my makeshift booth much lately. Much more comfortable for me, and the light is better too.

.....I like to have a positionable lamp so I can see the reflection of the light in the surface of the model when airbrushing.  If you get the light strong enough, it will even help the paint dry faster :-)

There's a neat couple of ideas. Thanks, Don!

Greg

BTW, IMO Don makes a good point even though it's a serious reply to a funny post. I have been doing these things unconsciously and not using my makeshift booth much lately. Much more comfortable for me, and the light is better too.

Ah, indeed!  Good lighting is essential to any good painting job.  In particular, glossy finishes are a *** with inadequate light. I like to have a positionable lamp so I can see the reflection of the light in the surface of the model when airbrushing.  If you get the light strong enough, it will even help the paint dry faster :-)

Thank, Chrisk-k

I'll look into this!

Chuck,

It's called a pre-set handle. Chicago Airbrush Supply sells such handles.  My Iwata HP-B Plus has the feature.  I bought an Iwata pre-set handle for my HP-CS, too (about $35).  Several models of H&S have the feature.  Some Badger models have it, too.  

For me, it's very useful, not functionally but emotionally.  I can control the trigger although I'm no expert at airbrushing.  But it gives me peace of mind knowing that I cannot accidentally pull the trigger too far back.

Yup, me too.  Another thing I would do is buy a new double action air brush that has a needle travel limiting nut at the back end.  That way you can set a very low flow and not accidentally exceed it.  I have seen someone demonstrate his at the club meeting, and we all got to play with it, and it was a very useful feature.  But I rarely see them available, and when I do see something online that looks like it has that adjustment, the mfg.'s spec never mentions it.  I think maybe the top of the line Iwata has it, but it seems to be a well-kept secret.  I'll check around again.

BTW, IMO Don makes a good point even though it's a serious reply to a funny post. I have been doing these things unconsciously and not using my makeshift booth much lately. Much more comfortable for me, and the light is better too.

Hmmm...Okay?..Those are indeed sound rules because, paint is rather difficult to get off the pet cat. Just sayin'....

If you follow those rules, you do not need to use a spray booth for airbrushing. I have a booth but use it only for rattle cans.  I just airbrush right at my regular modeling bench.  Oh, one other rule- do not consider the airbrush as a spray gun and crank up the flow and spray from a foot away from the surfaces.  An airbrush is better considered as a paint brush that puts down a brushmark-less finish.

Okay thanks

I have two pistol cases.  They are absolutely perfect for storing airbrushes!  

www.amazon.com/.../ref=sr_1_1

Hey, that sounds a lot like the rules of safe shooting too.