Buying a Airbrush

John,
Hard to say which is the best.........I've got two "guns" - a single action internal mix, and a double action gun - both are good for different uses.
I'd think your first step is to get a very simple, reliable, easy to use internal mix, single action airbrush, such as a Badger. Internal mix means the air/paint mixing is inside the body of the airbrush and the paint atomises just outside the gun, and the single action refers to the trigger - on or off for the airflow.
These simple spray guns have a screw assemply that allows the needle to move in or out, increasing or decreasing the paint flow through the gun.
If you have a proper regulator and airtrap on your compressor, it's easy to "fine tune" the output, therefore the paint application onto your model.
I can't reccommend getting an airbruch highly enough - the finish can be absolutely fantastic - and also a nightmare if you get it all wrong. It's somewhat frustrating at first, just experiment.
Finescale Modeler has quite a number of very informative and instructional articles on airbrushes, what's good and why, as well as articles on compressors. Have a look through the index for the month and year of the mag.
They also have a whole heap of articles on "how to" airbrush different types of models- everything from gloss paint for cars, to natural metal aircraft, simple to complicated camoflage for aircraft and armour.
We can go into this more in depth if you want to email me on leemitcheltree@bigpond.com
See ya,
Lee Tree

Ok ty for the advice and the info i think i may ahve found a small compressor and a decent airbrush at the local hobby lobby its goignt o cost me alittle more than i wanted tos pend but im goign to wait 1 more week and get it adn see whats its all about . Im going today to buy 3 junk kits from walmart to test this thing on ahahaha.

Have fun John! Sounds like you've got some good 'brush' technique to fall back on if all else fails. My only advise would be to practice and experiment with the airbrush you get. Get a feeling for various changes in:
- pressure (hopefully you will have a regulator)
- airflow
- paintflow
- paint consistency (thick vs. thin)
- airbrush position
- airbrush movement speed

All of these things can impact the results you get and sometimes it's very challenging to get the right combination. Experience (and a bit of luck) will be more valueable than the actual brand or model of airbrush you choose to buy.

M.

Sounds like fun John, take heed to mkish's second post. All of those factors will effect the use of your airbrush. If you are experimenting, change only one factor at a time to discover the techniques that work for you. Do a lot of experimenting. I have found that low air pressure 10-15 p.s.i. and very thin paint with several coats work best. Thin paint and light coats seem to ensure that small details don't get lost with thick paint.

If you haven't bought your airbrush yet, I recommend getting a dual action. Sure they are harder to learn to use, but if you haven't used a single action brush, you will never know. And eventually you will want a dual action, so you might as well get it now.

N.

QUOTE: Originally posted by John L Plaster Ok ty for the advice and the info i think i may ahve found a small compressor and a decent airbrush at the local hobby lobby its goignt o cost me alittle more than i wanted tos pend but im goign to wait 1 more week and get it adn see whats its all about . Im going today to buy 3 junk kits from walmart to test this thing on ahahaha.

John,

What airbrush and compressor does this hobby shop have?

Most hobby shops are WAY overpriced on airbrushes and compressors.

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by nwilliams If you haven't bought your airbrush yet, I recommend getting a dual action. Sure they are harder to learn to use, but if you haven't used a single action brush, you will never know. And eventually you will want a dual action, so you might as well get it now. N.

Now here's someone who thinks like I do.

I would agree completely. My first airbrush was a dual-action Paasche VL and it wasn't that hard to learn. The great thing about a dual-action airbrush is that you can stop and start the paint anytime you want by simply moving the trigger forward or backward. You can also cut down on tip dry by keeping the air going and stopping the paint flow after you paint a pass across the model. Try that with a single action!

Mike

Sorry took me alittle while to reply to the post as i jsut got off work.

The Airbrush im looking at getting was a Pasche VI Set (its Double Action) $100.00 then the compressor i found was a 1/2 hp that woudl run 28psi for around $180 so it iwll take me alittle more to get those items. Also the reg guage mos say i really need is like $25. Also thanx again for all the help guys jsut cant wait to get my hands on the new toy ahahahhahaa like a littel kid again. I think about models at work at home everywhere i bet i burn out in 2 months.

QUOTE: Originally posted by John L Plaster Sorry took me alittle while to reply to the post as i jsut got off work. The Airbrush im looking at getting was a Pasche VI Set (its Double Action) $100.00 then the compressor i found was a 1/2 hp that woudl run 28psi for around $180 so it iwll take me alittle more to get those items. Also the reg guage mos say i really need is like $25.

John,

Do yourself a favor and buy the airbrush and compressor from here: http://www.dixieart.com/

They have that same Paasche VL set for $41 less than you are going to pay. Also check out the Createx Intruder 2000 compressor they have for $179 with regulator here:

http://www.dixieart.com/TC2000.html

All orders over $45 include free shipping also.

Mike

OMG that site you linked me to was great the brush i want is only like $59.00 and the Iwata compressor i like is $149.00 and has everythign on it plus free shipping cant beat it.

thanks for that site bro saved me some time adn cash

My pleasure John. Glad you can save quite a bit of money.

There are several people here on the forum who use Dixie all the time.

Some other great places to consider are Bear Air:

http://www.bearair.com/

and Coast Airbrush:

http://www.coastairbrush.com/

If you ever have a question about equipment that you can't find an answer to then call Coast Airbrush. Dave Monning is one of the world's leading authorities on airbrushes and compressors.

I think I would consider the compressor I told you about above or look into the Silentaire Scorpion 1 or Scorpion 2 over that Iwata. The Scorpion 1 is only 30 db which means you can whisper to someone while it's running and hear them.

The Iwata is a good unit also but it is louder at 50-55 db and I believe Iwata's are overpriced because of the name.


Mike