Best budget airbrush and compressor?

My suggestion is to stay away from off brand airbrushes.  Most of these are made in China and  often of poor quality.  Stick with a major brand and you won't go far wrong.  You might want to check out this  page.

As for a compressor, anything that will supply up to 30psi with reasonable volume will work.  Get one with a real pressure regulator and moisture trap.  It should be at least 1/8 hp.

Don

I currently have a Badger 105 Patriot that is bulletproof, and easy to use. It can be had for around $ 70.

I spent a lot more than $ 130 for my compressor, which as Don suggests has a real regulator and a water trap.

It's worth saving up for, otherwise the money gets spent on replacing junk.

I've also tried propellant cans (bad), shop compressors (noisy).

Bill

EDIT: I see the Testors Aztek AC500 on sale on Amazon for $ 110. Any thoughts on that, Don?

If you have a Hobby Lobby near (don't know if they are up there or not, or if you are able to order from them), with their 40% off coupon you can pick up a NEO for Iwata for around $50 US, probably around $60 US if you have to order and ship online.  That leaves more for a compressor.

I have one, and like it very well for the acrylics I shoot.

Iwata is as bulletproof as they come. I own the Iwata Eclipse. It's easy to take care of and parts are easy to replace if anything happens. 

https://www.amazon.com/NEO-Gravity-Feed-Action-Airbrush/dp/B004INERK4

Figured when you gave your budget in CN, why I said if available or can order and have shipped to you.  If so you could split the order and do the AB one week and the comp. the next and take avantage of a higher priced compressor, as they offer several.

G and Don's advise spot on. Don's page is well worth the read.

I also own an Iwata Smart Jet air compressor, but if I had to do it over again I would probably buy a compressor with an air tank and a true regulator like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush-Model-TC-40T-Single-Piston/dp/B00WBT7PTW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1518468660&sr=8-2&keywords=badger+air+compressor&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011

i have this one http://www.paascheairbrush.com/products/Compressors/Compressors/D500SR

it's small and very quiet.

i own an old badger airbrush 150-4 which still work fine.

I've only just started taking up this hobby (Did a little when I was younger but never had any serious kit)  BUying an airbrush was something I new I had to do to get decent results, especially being so inexperienced.  I bought a pretty cheap airbrush and compresson on Amazon.  Its a Gocheer 100-250V Dual Action Airbrush.  I paid £45 (around $60USD) for the airbrush and mini air compressor.  Comes with cleaning tools too.

I've never used an expensive one but I couldn't be happier with the result I'm getting, I'm under no illusions, It's not going to last forever but I've taken it apart and cleaned it, put it back together and it's working well for me.  I'd recommend it especially if your budget is tight I think it's a great starter kit... 

I want to let you in on a little secret. If you're looking for an airbrush nothing beats an Iwata airbursh... unless you can get an Iwata airbrush for about half the price of an Iwata airbrush.  Mr. Procon Boy's are essentially that. 

https://www.amazon.com/GSI-Creos-Procon-Airbrush-0-2mm/dp/B0003IZSKQ/ref=pd_sbs_21_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0003IZSKQ&pd_rd_r=YN72SP4261WH4D95EW5V&pd_rd_w=IUk9n&pd_rd_wg=RRIwa&psc=1&refRID=YN72SP4261WH4D95EW5V

my current setup is:

paacshe H ($50)

shop compressor found at a yard sale (cost is forgotten)

$3 pumpkin moisture trap

drumsfield

I also own an Iwata Smart Jet air compressor, but if I had to do it over again I would probably buy a compressor with an air tank and a true regulator like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush-Model-TC-40T-Single-Piston/dp/B00WBT7PTW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1518468660&sr=8-2&keywords=badger+air+compressor&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011

 

About a year ago I went the other way.  I had one of those pancake compressor/tank units. It was cheap and worked great.  However, the noise drove me crazy.  So I bought an Iwata compressor.  The regulator in that unit does work, though there is a pressure drop in the regulator, so you have to adjust it with the airbrush triggered to flow.  Max pressure is about 30 psi, but I spray at 15 to 20, so it is fine for me.  There is a very slight pulsation in the flow but it has never affected a paint job.  It seems to pulsate more than it actually does- there is a vibration in the hose that couples to the brush, so you feel a lot of vibration but the flow has only very slight pulsation.

the_no_life_scrub

I'm still in high school so i dont really want to spend over $200 CAD on an airbrush and compressor. so can u guys give me any sugestions? 

 

Go here: 

http://www.tcpglobal.com/Starter-Systems/

You'll find a few all under $100...

the_no_life_scrub

I'm still in high school so i dont really want to spend over $200 CAD on an airbrush and compressor. so can u guys give me any sugestions? 

I sympathize.  For the airbrush, I'll second the suggestion to look at HobbyLobby, if there is one nearby, or even online, because they carry some good airbrushes and offer some deep discounts.

Don't rule out getting an airbrush second-hand, either.  You might find a bargain on a perfectly good used kit.

As for the compressor, I got myself a Craftsman 1.5 hp compressor with a 3-gallon tank, for just under a hundred bucks.  In my case, it's a bargain, because I use it not just to run the airbrush, but also to run air-powered tools.

Also, if you search Finescale, you'll find an article about making your own rig.  It was at least 10 years ago that it appeared in the magazine, maybe longer.  But the author showed how he made his own compressor out of a Black&Decker air pump, an air tank, and the connecting fittings.  He had the air pump on hand, and I think he picked up the tank second-hand.  He got the fittings at a hardware store.  I think he was thirty bucks out of pocket, by the time he was done.