Which Airbrush to buy?

Any airbrush will work off of an air compressor. If you already have one, try hooking it up and see if you like the results before spending on a new airbrush.

CRJpilot wrote:

Hey I just started using an airbrush that uses canned air.  I like the feel and the results of this brush but want to buy a good airbrush that will work off of an aircompresser in my garage I can regulate the air down to zero with the garage compresser but I am not sure what air brush to get?  Can someone give my some advise for a beginning airbrush user?

Note that any airbrush that works from a can will work with an air compressor. It sounds like you already have a compressor, so all you need for airbrushing is an adaptor (and perhaps a moisture trap) for your air hose.

Perhaps if you can tell us which particular airbrush you have, someone here can suggest how to get the best out of it before you go and lay down more cash for another airbrush.

Badger 100LG or an Iwata Eclypse. Then get a good water trap. Look at Dixie arts web site.

A good starter brush huh well i started out with a badger 175 cressendo doubl action Kit for $69.95 from dixieart comes with three tips and needles siphin feed bottles a color cup and airhose compared to the the prices ive seen at local store around $135 bucks its a deal.

You will definitely get some direct responses to this post that will be very helpful, but if you check some of the previous posts in this forum, you'll find lots of advice on buying an airbrush.  I consulted this forum about a year ago and got lots of good advice.  There were so many variables -- price, ease of use, maintainability, range of use, etc., that it took me a month to sift through it all and decide.  I ended up buying an IWATA Eclipse BCS for about $100, but part of the deal for me was that I needed something my wife could also use for sign painting, and thus ended up with a bottom siphon feed (she sprays higher quantities of paint than I do, and the bottom feed allows the use of a larger paint container).  If I were buying strictly for model building, I would buy a gravity feed model (ie, the small cup on top).  For starters, go to www.bearair.com or www.dixieart.com and look around.  They have some comparison charts.    For me, the FINAL decision came when I walked into a Pearl Paint Art Store and there was an airbrush artist using the IWATA.  He was pretty favorable on most brands they carry (IAWTA, BADGER, Thayer-Chandler, Paasche) and gave me a demonstration.  I guess I got comfortable with the brush right there.  I was really glad I had the chance to feel and hold the brush before buying it, so if you have a Pearl Paint, even if you don't buy from them, they have them on display to look at.  I think you'll get a better price through the internet like Dixie Art or BearAir, though.  I also like the double action versus single action.  I like the control, and it didn't take long to get used to.  As for a compressor, I bought a cheapie ($65) in WalMart, a Campbell Hausfeld with a 2 gallon tank.  It's loud but it works ok, and it has a built in regulator and I bought a moisture trap for it.   Once I get some extra $$, I'll get one of those nice quiet models, like the one's on display in Pearl Paint.  Good luck!