New To Airbrush please help

I personally stay with Badger- good features, competitive price, and bulletproof reliability.  I am about to replace my Badger 200, but keep in mind it is about 45 years old. So far all I have replaced are teflon head washers and paint pickup tube.  But it is still using its original needle!  But the needle is worn, along with enough other parts that it is better at this point to just get a new one.  But, as long as you stick to the popular brands it is hard to go wrong.

You can use other brands of compressor with almost any brand of airbrush.  You can even use cheap pancake general use compressors if you do not mind loud noise.

One big caution- using an airbrush takes some practice. It is not a spraygun, do not use it as one.  Take about an hour practicing, trying different thinning ratios, etc. before using on a good model kit.  Practice on scrap plastic or unwanted old kits.

The problem is that there are many airbrushes that will do what you want.  You will probably get several different suggestions since each user has his or her own favorite.  Stick with a major brand and you won't go far wrong.  If you plan on building small models and want detail ability, go for a .35 to .5mm nozzle.  If you want wider coverage, get a .5 to .76mm nozzle size.  Or, select an airbrush that can take interchangeable sizes.  Smaller than .35 is more fussy about thinning, and coverage is pretty small.

My personal all around favorite for modeling is the Badger 155 Anthem.  It's easy to care for, rugged, and parts are inexpensive.  And, the the medium nozzle/needle gives a wide enough range of coverage for me.

Good luck with your selection, and check out my site if you haven't already.

If you have problems, come back here and people will be glad to help.

Don

My current one is a Badger 105 Patriot. It's basic and not good for fine detail, but it is a nice general use brush. They can be had for around $ 70 with a coupon. I think it's a good choice. I've had it about ten years and its been 100% reliable.

I've also owned a Paasche, which I liked. But it required adjustment after cleaning.

I would not recommend the Aztek brush. I'll probably get jumped on here. They are prone to clogging because the design puts the spring in the wet paint section.

I think Don is right on all points made, I would add it's likely best to keep the investment on the minimal side to start, the chances of your selecting the perfect airbrush first time around are quite low. Things to consider will be the model building you will do, (aircraft, cars, ships, armor, figures?) Type of paint, (acrylic, enamel, lacquer, natural metal finish or a mix?) Complex multi color camo, or other? Single action, or double action? And just how fine will the detailing be?

I have many airbrushes, several of the brands, have centered on Badger for years now. Reasonable cost, excellent quality and reliability, simple to use and maintain, they provide very good spray results. Of my eight Badgers, my most commonly used are the 200, 200-G and 100-G, they are capable of doing the greatest majority of my painting.

Bargains can be found at the discount dealers, I have made very good purchases from Chicago Airbrush, TCP, Webair and Dixie Art, quality, factory authorized dealers. I buy brand new whenever possible, but have made good used purchases as well.

Compressors: It doesn't have to be an expensive one, but do keep in mind that noise can make for an unhappy housemate and neighbors. Shop around, fairly quiet ones can be found for less than $100. Mine is a California Air Tools 1610A, very powerful, large volume tank, super quiet, wife can't hear it in next room. US $180. Be mindful of health preservation, as much as possible use the rig in the best ventilation area you can arrange.

Last, but most important: Go to "Don Wheeler's Airbrush" website, spend some time going through it, you'll be doing yourself a huge favor by checking it out thoroughly. Pretty much all there is to know about airbrushes, types, uses and maintenance is found there, compressors also. You're always welcome to check back with other questions, good luck with your search.

Patrick

I'll second the recommendations of both Don Wheeler and GMorrison - I own both the Anthem 155 and the Patriot 105. Both are nice pieces to work with and very tolerant of my mistakes. I tend to use the 105 over larger areas because of the built -in paint cup, but it does very well on finer or more detailed applications. Very comfortable to use and well built brush. I recently refitted the 155 with the fine detail head and needle set after several years of use "out of the box" and I've been pleased with what I have been able to do with it so far. Both brushes and the replacement parts were all purchased at a Michael's craft store with coupons that could be used with sale items, so everything came out around $80 over time. Add to that an "Air Station" compressor that I found for $20 during a Sears clearance sale, and my airbrushing investment is just under $100 total.

My favorite AB is the Iwata HP-CS.  In theory, I could do all my work with the HP-CS.  Buy the best airbrush and compressor you can afford.  

I would add one more tip based on my experience. If you plan to only have one airbrush, I would go with a double action unit. I started with a single action Badger 200 because they are easier to learn on but I was ready for a double action pretty quickly and went to a Badger 150. The double actions have preset screws so you can use them as a single action while training yourself. The Badger and Paasche units are available as sets with different size needles and nozzles for various applications. Eventually you might want to add a second airbrush with a gravity feed cup and fine apertures for detailed work.

I use TCP now for my purchases. You should be able to find a good package deal on an airbrush and compressor with tank.

I'm a rookie too when it comes to the renaissance age of fine scale modeling. After 25 plus years away from the hobby I dove back into building kits just over 8 months now and when I returned I couldn't make sense of half the new tools, techniques, equipment available on the market.

Now with time and research, I've got my head wrapped around the whole thing. I had similar issues as you when searching for a new airbrush. I started with Iwata Smart Jet Plus. It's simple to use, compact, delivers the necessary power and reliable. I found that Iwata products are top quality and worth spending the few extra dollars.

Good luck matey and hope you're enjoying your return to the hobby.

UkLee

Hi, I am totally new to all this model making, however I have taken it up as a hobby as it it very relaxing. I would really like to buy an airbrush that will give me everything I need to paint models, detail etc. I have looked through this forum and on the net and there are many, many options to choose from. I am overwhelmed by what you can buy. Can someone please help me. I don't want loads of technical detail that I won't understand yet. I just need to be directed to a good all round airbrush and compressor that will give me good results. Please help.

I think you should see this tips on choosing right airbrush-

http://www.airbrushguru.com/choosing-the-right-airbrush.html

In my opinion badger omni 5000 airbrush would be better choice for you. Its a Dual Action, Gravity Feed, Internal Mix-The Thayer & Chandler OMNI 5000, with its 1/8 oz mounted color cup, performs exceptionally 

I am like you, I'm new to the hobby as I've been on a forty year hiatus to model making.  I've always wanted an airbrush.  I went to Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon and purchased a NEO Iwata airbrush.  It's to die for.  It has a .35 head and needle, and is a gravity feed airbrush, with this combination the NEO becomes an all around great tool plus it was made for beginners like you and I.  

Another option is to go to Harbor Frieght and Tools.  I picked up a compressor that comes with a siphon airbrush.  For a cheap dual action airbrush, the Harbor Frieght and Tools airbrush is another great beginners tool.  Just a quick note, the NEO Iwata is a dual action as well.

Ultimately, practice with a reasonably priced airbrush and when you feel comfortable with the airbrush, you can always up grade at anytime and or point.  

Good Luck,

Toshi

Ahh, Toshi beat be to it! I recently picked up a Iwata Neo at Hobby Lobby with the 40% coupon that came out to $47. I was amazed at how well this double action AB performs. I'm a Badger user and have 3 of them, one being 40 years old but I actually like this Iwata better. The paint chamber is easier to clean than any of my other AB's  and the trigger action is very smooth. It has a .35 tip so it can do fine to med size work.

As for compressors, I have 20 gallon a Campbell Hausfeld that I use for general use in the garage. I will let someone else chime in on the compressor suggestions. Just remember to get a moisture trap. Harbor Freight have them at an excellent price.

Check out Don's airbrush review website. Read through and make your own decisions.