Double action airbrushes and air compressors

Don's post above explains it perfectly. I use both SA and DA airbrushes, mostly SA, but there are times when the job makes the DA just that little bit better suited.

Patrick

With a single action brush, adjusting the needle is a much better way to control flow than changing the air pressure.  You can indeed get fine lines with an SA brush, but it takes awhile to fiddle with the needle adjustment.  The advantage of the DA is that you can change line widths and amount of paint flow on the fly, or a continuous change, rather than stopping and adjusting needle all the time. In other words, yes, you can produce the fine work with a SA brush but it is a lot more work and bother.

On the other hand, it is easier to clean most SA brushes than DA brushes.  So, after you are in the hobby for awhile, you are likely to want both. I have a number of modeling friends who have both style airbrushes.  I regularly use my SA, resorting to the DA only when I need the fine, immediate control.

Thank you all for your helpful responses

I forgot to reply to your request for a recommendation of an airbrush. In my 50 years plus of airbrushing I have acquired and still have many, but my overall favorite and go to brush is my single action Badger 200. Simple, reliable, easy to clean and gives me entirely satisfactory finishes. I probably use it 60% of the time, especially for base coats and single color jobs. Love the old bugger.

Patrick

Pressure is adjusted at the controller between the airbrush and the air source. A single action brush allows only the control of air at the trigger, (on or off.) Amount of paint is adjusted at the airbrush flow controller.

A double action allows the flow of air by the same way as a single action, (pressing down on the trigger,) but additionally modulates the amount of paint allowed to flow by pulling back on the trigger, (pulling back less = less paint, pulling back more = more paint.) Simply stated, double action means trigger down for air, then back for paint.

I enthusiastically recommend starting with a simple single action, it might well be all you will really need anyway. If you need more control you can always move on to the next type, but a single action is a cost effective way to get started. Look for deals at the reputable dealers like TCP and Chicago Airbrush. I've made some great buys through them over the years.

Good luck with the search, and I heartily recommend a thorough look at Don Wheeler's site, as mentioned above, Snib's as well. A wealth of information is a quick click away, I have used it often through the years and learned much that helped me greatly.

Patrick  

As long as you go for an airbrush from a reputable manufacturer with a medium sized nozzle, you should be fine. The H&S Ultra, H&S Evolution or Iwata Revolution (BR better for detail, CR better for coverage) are all good & well built double action airbrushes that will suit your needs amongst others. 

Have a good look through this site:

sites.google.com/.../donsairbrushtips

I also have a few reviews on my own site below.

There's a lot of options out there and a lot of information on various brushes. Price range is probably the first consideration.

Mick.

Thank you.

Can you recommend a good, simple airbrush for a beginner? Something I can grow into and not need to replace too quick

The main advantage is that a double action airbrush can be used to effectively & smoothly control the volume of paint flowing through the nozzle while working / spraying, from an indiscernible amount, to full flow with little real effort. Control of the airflow is limited & only really a side effect of valve design.

With one hand on the adjuster, you can change paint volume while spraying with a single action but it's not really as effective.