I was hoping to pick your brains regarding some research I've been doing prior to purchasing my first airbrush. For starters, chances are I won't be using the brush for modeling; instead I'll be using it to paint 3 3/4-inch action figures and their companion vehicles and diorama playsets. I've been sculpting and casting figures for about 10 years and figured it was time to get rid of the old paint brush and start using an airbrush. I'm hoping that despite my alternate realm of interest, I can contribute to the group once I pick up my airbrush. I figured this would be a good place to ask my questions because of the wealth of knowledge I've picked up by reading your posts. In any case, here come the questions!
Since I'll be dealing with a smaller scale, detail is important to me. Eyelashes can be as thin as a hairline, but appendages or torsos will require a wider area of coverage. Additionally, if I'm adding detail to a larger vehicle or diorama I'd like the freedom to get a wider area of coverage. Is there a specific brush that is good at covering such a wide range of detail? I'd like the airbrush to be flexible enough to allow me to expand beyond the 3 3/4-inch scale possibly to the 12-inch scale. Are there any considerations I should make regarding nozzles or hoses when performing the various tasks? Would it be practical to consider a kit?
I live in a townhouse and noise can be an issue. I've read about air bush compressors that are virtually silent, but not as powerful as your run-of-the-mill, all-purpose compressor. Could you recommend a compressor that is silent, but doesn't make the neighbors think the roof is caving in?
At this point, price isn't really an issue, thought I'd prefer to keep things around the $200 ballpark for everything I'll need to get started. If I need to pay a little more I can, if I don't have to I'd rather not. Thanks in advance for all of you help and I look forward to showing you some of my work in the not so distant future.
Rich