New Airbrush Recommendation

I think you'll hear from the Iwata guys that it's the best thing since sliced bread. That's fine,but I have a VL and can get lines down close to1/64th. Are you using the #1 needle combination? Have you tried playing with the consistency of the paint---- the pressure---how close to the subject you are? Don't get me wrong,Iwata's are sweet, but they too need to be practiced with. I would never try talk anyone out of buying a new toy(if you ever read some of my posts in armor you know I'm quick with the credit cards) But the VL is a good quality brush that may just need practicing with!( The Iwata guys are gonna skin me!!!!)

In my opinion, 90% of the abilities of an airbrush are in the hand that holds it. They take a L-O-T of practice and my recommendation would be to give the one you have a chance. Paasche makes very good airbrushes and they will do better than 1/8" in line width.

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=37389

EAsy to control! Damn i should like a tamiya Rep here lol

Forget those pistol grip toys......get a Badger. [(-D

Mike

like a real man

I have to concur with the others and say that practice, practice (and even more practice) will eventually solve your brushing problems. Your Paasche is a good double-action brush, a little too bulky for my taste, but should do the job--with time. (I've played around with one a few times as part of modeling demos done by my local IPMS chapter.)

As a beginner, have you possibly considered getting a single-action airbrush to get you past these current rough spots? Not only are they cheaper but they're much easier to learn and to keep clean (in my experience). You can get some pretty fine lines with a single-action by playing with the PSI, thinner mix, and paint tip. A friend of mine bought the new Badger 200 NH single-action late last year, and he now swears by it. It's designed to do very fine line work. He's stopped using his old double-action for the time being. (This may be as much a function of the type of subjects he's currently modeling as it is his wanting to play around with his "new toy.")

What do I use? Well, I've been back in this hobby since early 1987. In most instances, I've stuck by my trusty old Binks Wren "B" (medium tip) single action, external mix brush--bought it shortly after getting back in. I love this airbrush, and have mastered it. It's the most comfortable airbrush I've ever used. I also have the Binks Wren "A" model for smaller detail work, but only use it on ocaasion. You can play with the settings on both and get very fine lines. On occasion, I even whip out my ancient (late 60s!) double-action Thayer and Chandler "AA." (It depends on themodeling project.) Luckily, I've been able to find spare parts for these old airbrushes by trolling eBay. I recently found out that Binks still supports the Wren. You can even buy a new one as part of a box set--but thery're not cheap or easy to find unless you shop eBay. (There's only one retail Web source for them according to Binks.)

My point in mentioning the above is that there's no "magic bullet" when it comes to mastering any airbrush. (A simplier single-action brush might possibly help you over the current hump.) All it takes is time, patience, and plenty of practice. It's the hand and eye and not necessarily the airbrush that makes for a good finish.

--Ken

QUOTE: Originally posted by MikeV Forget those pistol grip toys......get a Badger. [(-D Mike

Pistol!!! BANG BANG BANG
AH AH AH!!!

I have a Paasche Millenium and after practicing with it, am able to get fine lines. however, I recently purchased a gravity feed Iwata and was able to fine lines with it without much practice. I think you should consider a gravity feed AB since this allows you to spray at a lower psi and get finer lines, if that is what you are seeking. Badger's and Iwata's have been highly recommended in these forums and both make gravity feed ABs.

Any recommendation for new modellers in Australia ,never used on where do I start

thanks david

QUOTE: Originally posted by sushi Any recommendation for new modellers in Australia ,never used on where do I start thanks david

David, Don't really understand what you are asking here. If you mean start modeling or start airbrushing? In either case your in the right place just keep reading. This forum is the best for any question you have.

For airbrushing though you need an airbrush, source of air (compressor), I recommend a moisture trap too, paint, thinner, and something to paint

Oh yeah and to the FSM forum!

i-beam I was asking about air brushing what brands are best as when I go to my local hobby shop in Perth Aus there is alot to choose from.

I've been modelling for only 2 months

I'm not entirely sure what is available or not in Australia. Since you're a new modeller and inexperienced air-brush user, I would recommend a Paasche H. It is a good, reliable single action air-brush. It can paint fine enough lines for most modelling situations. It is a simple unit, easy to get the hang of using, easy to clean clean, and easy to disassemble and reassemble when needed. The Paasche H Set is a nice, inexpensive package that includes everything you need: 3 tips, a couple of jars, color cup, and a good quality hose. The only thing you'll need is a compressor.

SolarWind1's comments about the Badger 200NH are right on as well. The main reason I recommend the Paasche ahead of it is price. Theoretically, the Badger should paint better than the the Paasche since it is an internal mix design. I use my Badger with enamels and my Paasche with acrylics, so it is hard to directly compare the two, but their performance, excellent for both, actually seems fairly comparable to my eye.

I would avoid Aztek. I do own a double action Aztek, and the airbrush body died after a short service life. I religiously followed all of the cleaning instructions and warnings as specified in the Aztek instructions, so I cannot find any fault of mine to acribe to it's early demise. I have read a lot of other posts in this forum and others, whose Aztek experience mirror's my own. They are typically marketed as being easier to clean, but I don't think that a traditional airbrush is any more difficult to comparably clean than the Aztek.

I could recommend Tamiya HG Dual as it is very easy to use and you can get very fine lines with ease. Basicaly I agree that it needs some practice but with some tools it is just easier to get desired effect.

It is quite similar to Iwata (the same manufacturer) and additionaly it has paint cup which can be dismounted and replaced with larger one (for few $ only) in case you need to paint larger areas.

Macio

G'day David,
An Omni 4000G is a great brush for modeling. Its double action gravity fed. Extremly easy to clean and will match any brush in performance. As to learning it, its learning curve is only a little more then that of a single action in the fact you control the paint with the trigger. It is reletively inexpensive here so I imagine its not to bad in your neck of the woods.
Jeff