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Best Beginner Airbrush?

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  • Member since
    December 2019
Best Beginner Airbrush?
Posted by Otto von Lindberg on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 8:38 AM

Although I feel like I've been steadily improving with my brush painting skills, I've gotten frustrated enough that I'm ready to go ahead and buy an airbrush so I can achieve better finishes more easily and paint larger models such as 1/35 armor and 1/48 aircraft. I had a cheap $20 Central Pneumatic airbrush which doesn't really work and as such I'm ready to invest a decent amount of money ($120) to obtain a decent airbrush which can consistently work and is forgiving to use for a beginner such as myself who will undoubtedly not thin my paints enough, struggle with dry tip, etc. So far I've narrowed down my options to three different airbrushes:

Does anyone have any experience/knowledge with these airbrushes? Which do you recommend? Are there any others that I haven't listed for a similar price which you recommend?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Fullerton, Calif.
Posted by Don Wheeler on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 10:53 AM

There are reviews of all 4 of these airbrushes on my site.

Don

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home

A collection of airbrush tips and reviews

Also an Amazon E-book and paperback of tips.

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Chicago area
Posted by modelmaker66 on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 2:13 PM

I have owned all three and I currently have the Badger Patriot and the Neo. I prefer the Badger. It is more versitile, easy to clean and does a better job at atomizing paint, but it really is a toss up between the two for painting, They are both good.

 

The ultra is cheap. The paint cup doesn't thread in, it just pushes in. Bad design. Let us know what you choose and how you like it please.

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Virginia
Posted by Wingman_kz on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 2:42 PM
Of those, I'd go with the Patriot and stick with the .5 needle tip at first. As you get used to it give the .3mm set a try. If you feel that you're having to thin your paint more than you think you should, give the .7mm a try.

            

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 3:50 PM
make sure you follow Don's advice and go to his website you can't go wrong with all of the invaluable information there

  • Member since
    July 2018
  • From: The Deep Woods
Posted by Tickmagnet on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 4:04 PM

Ditto Don

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2018
Posted by oldermodelguy on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 5:10 PM

I don't own that particular Badger but really the best deal and bang for the buck out of the ones you've listed is the 105. And I agree to start out shooting the .5 tip, you can do most work with that one tip really. You might end up liking the smaller tip but my suggestion is don't start out there till you really get to mixing your paints consistently. That's a solid product and one of Badgers main line airbrushes, a lot of folks here use them too.

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by Foxy on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 5:23 PM

I can't really comment on which is best as I haven't owned them.. However as a complete novice to airbrushing I purchased the patriot 105 and use it with the .5 needle,and it shoots pretty much anything with ease so very forgiving on mix ratios.. And myself as a complete novice can still control the flow easily and create some very thin lines when needed as well as spraying the larger areas.. 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 6:30 PM

Badger offers a lifetime warranty on all their products.  Labor is free and parts are 60% off.   You need to pay postage both ways (that's what the 12 bucks for up to 3 brushes is for).  My IPMS club got a brush as a donation - in pieces.   Got it up and running for 4 bucks.   
 I like my 105   It takes practice to get used to the paint mix, air pressure, trigger use, and spray distance   Vary one variable at a time until you are satisfied

I had a Neo   I liked it but the trigger toggle broke and have not found a good, cost effective repair service for Iwata brushes

 

  • Member since
    February 2024
Posted by benchwilson on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 3:45 AM

Iwata NEO CN:

Pros: Affordable, lightweight, good for general purpose spraying.

Cons: Smaller 0.35mm nozzle may not be ideal for larger models, limited paint flow for thicker paints.

Badger Patriot 105 3in1:

Pros: Comes with three interchangeable nozzles (0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm) for versatility, forgiving for beginners, good value for money.

Cons: Some users report quality control issues, heavier than the other options.

Source: fnaf games series.

  • Member since
    March 2024
Posted by David_airbrushgeek on Sunday, March 10, 2024 5:16 AM

If I had to choose between those 3 model of airbrushed I will go for the Patriot 105.The Badger Patriot  is a very versatile airbrush. Its 0.5 needle/nozzle (.50 make it perfect for detail work but also some background painting or the larger model you are going to paint. It's a a good priced high quality airbrush airbrush.  The The Badger Patriot 105 has an “Easy Access” needle removal system that make it easy to clean and disassemble if you are a beginner.

I think the Patriot is the ideal airbrush for beginners but it will also suit more advanced users.

If you ant to check this link and you will find out the best beginner airbrush

Check her if you want the ful Badger Patriot 105 Review.

Cheers

David

 

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