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Which airbrush

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itz
  • Member since
    August 2011
Which airbrush
Posted by itz on Sunday, May 4, 2014 1:16 PM
Hi, While I'm not new to modeling I'm new to airbrushing. I used a siphon airbrush attached to a can of propellant and have been happy with the results but it does get expensive going through the propellant cans. Also I'd like to get a double action brush. Which would you guys suggest? I can only build during the summer time as I don't have time otherwise. I have seen kits for about $50 for an airbrush and compressor. The company is master airbrush. Am I barking up the wrong tree or does this make sense (start out cheap and learn the craft and then upgrade if needed) or is this too cheap to be worth anything? Thanx Itz
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, May 4, 2014 1:37 PM

I also like siphon feed brushes, for various reasons. I think all the major brands have good stuff. I personally like Badger.  My SA 200 is well over forty years old and going strong. It is my go-to brush for everything except when I really need a DA brush for very fine lines, like Italian camouflage.  For a DA brush I have never heard many complaints against the Badger 150, my DA brush.

For a first brush, don't worry about what is best.  Until you really get experience you will not be able to pick the right criteria as far as defining best.  Get one that works well and use it for a few years.

One big, important thing- do not take a new airbrush out of the box, mix up some paint, and try to paint a good model kit.  Airbrushing takes experience.  Spend at least an hour of actual airbrushing time painting scraps or junk model parts.

Also, the choice of a compressor may actually be more important than what airbrush to get!

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    February 2015
Posted by Bick on Sunday, May 4, 2014 4:50 PM

Other than the fact that I like gravity feed I agree with Don.  But my 'favorite' is an H&S Silverline AB. All the major brands make 'good stuff'. At the risk of infuriating some, I also don't think a Master brand AB would be a poor choice. I don't have one but a friend has several and they work just fine. I do have a Harbor Freight (siphon) one and one from Hobby King (gravity) - each was less than $20.00 and they too work fine. My Badger 200 is almost as old as Don's and it still works just great - but it's siphon feed. As far as the compressor - I don't think an AB compressor that is less than $50 would be worth it. You can get a noisy pancake one for that but they are noisy!!!! Master have some combos that are not outrageous and have decent compressors. The airbrush is a very personal choice - the compressor needs to do it's job.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, May 5, 2014 8:34 AM

Why I like siphon feed:

First of all, I find I turn the airbrush into weird positions when I airbrush. I am afraid the paint will come out of gravity feed types faster than out of the jars with siphon feed.

Since I need bottles to store my mixed paint in, I figure I might just as well store it in jars that I can just hook up to the airbrush.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, May 5, 2014 8:34 AM

Why I like siphon feed:

First of all, I find I turn the airbrush into weird positions when I airbrush. I am afraid the paint will come out of gravity feed types faster than out of the jars with siphon feed.

Since I need bottles to store my mixed paint in, I figure I might just as well store it in jars that I can just hook up to the airbrush.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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