Noob needs airbrush advice

I am not a big advocate of single-action airbrushes but if you think that would suit you then fine.
If you need to do any detailing then forget single-action models all together.
Since you need coverage and detail I would go with the Badger Anthem 155 or the Crescendo as they both put out a lot of paint and can also paint pretty fine lines of 1/16"-1/32" or so.

Mike

MikeV wrote:

I am not a big advocate of single-action airbrushes but if you think that would suit you then fine. If you need to do any detailing then forget single-action models all together. Since you need coverage and detail I would go with the Badger Anthem 155 or the Crescendo as they both put out a lot of paint and can also paint pretty fine lines of 1/16"-1/32" or so. Mike

I just bought a crescendo a couple weeks ago, and I only had 1 airbrush before that, it was the mightymax from Testors I wouldn't even call it an airbrush really! The double action takes a minute to get used to, but once you practice with it you will get used to the push down, pull back thing. I will second the vote for go double action if your doing detailing, but like Mike said, if you want the single, by all means, go get ya one! Good luck!

I'll ditto what Mike said, I own both a Crescendo 175 and an Anthem 155.   And either will pretty much do what you want.  You might want to go somewhere that has them in stock and ask to hold both of them though.  One is fat like a cigar the other skim like a pencil.  Find which one "feels right" to you.  But in the end it is all about personal preference, get what YOU feel is what you want (re: single versus double action).

Good luck!

Hey Monkeywrench:

    Since you're into sculpting, you might consider an airbrush used for painting custom  finger nails.  Don't laugh.  I bought my AB from an outfit called Airbrush City on e-bay.  They manufacture their own line of air brushes they claim are designed for that purpose.  The one I bought was machined from a solid piece of brass and chrome plated on the outside.  It is a double - action and  has an intergal gravity-feed paint cup.  I got it , a 10' fabric covered hose, and an extra needle for $45 plus shipping.  They  have AB kits that include a tankless compressor.  Go to e-Bay and search their store listings for " Airbrush City ".  And no, I don't work for them,  I was just very impressed with the quality of the AB and accessories I bought.  I had planned to give the brush a tune - up as described in that article in Fine Scale Modeler several months ago, but when I removed the needle from the body, I found that it didn't need it.  That needle already had a long, smooth shoulder.  All that was needed was to " seat " the needle to its cap.    Anyway, check out that store and see what you think. 

I got that good price because it was on sale, but they have sales  all the time.  Also, they have double -action as well as single - action units.