Airbrush choice

Well if you want gravity fed, take the 150 off the list. It's a siphon fed 100!

The 100LG is a great brush, and I'm not saying that just because I own one.

Phil_H wrote:

Unfortunately, buying a compressor and airbrush package from the US as suggested above may be problematic due to incompatible AC supply voltage (US=110V, Aus=240V). The cheapest solution I can think of here in Aus is to go for a workshop compressor rather than a hobby compressor. Typically you can find a cheap workshop compressor around the A$100.00 mark from places like Bunnings or Super Cheap Auto. The up side of such a unit is that you're not limited to hobby applications - but the biggest downside is that these beasts are noisy.

Thanks for all the replies. I sort of forgot about the voltage. I was thinking of buying one from eBay UK. Same voltage.  I might check out the ones at Super Cheap. I don't care if they are noisy. I'll wear ear plugs

I am sure I want one that is dual action and is gravity feed. I was thinking Badger 100 or 150.

http://stores.ebay.com/AutoPainterSupply_Air-Brush-Outlet_Badger_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZ1QQfsubZ8807045QQftidZ2QQpZ2QQtZkm

thenic123 wrote:

I have never used an airbrush before, so I will need something easy to use. I was thinking of a Badger 200 nh or Paasche h. I am looking to get one from eBay.

Welcome to the forums.  A lot of good information may be found here.

Either airbrush is an excellent choice.  I have both using the Badger for enamels and the Paasche for acrylics.  The Badger is a single action version of their double action 155 Anthem and theoretically should have slightly better atomization than the Paasche, and perhaps slightly finer lines as well.  In practice, I don't a lot of difference between the two.

Either will lay down a nice coat of paint, while possessing good pattern control such as what you need to do freehand camo on a 1/72 tank as an examplee.  Both can give very broad coverage as well.  The Badger has a single needle/tip so you don't have to change anything to go from fine to broad coverage, while the Paasche has three tips(#1, #3, #5) for fine, normal, and wide coverage.  For your purposes, either would do a great job.

For ease of use, I find the Paasche to be a tad handier because the paint control is just under the spray head while with the Bagder it is the very back of the brush handle, so if you want to tweak the adjusment while spraying, the Paasche is the easier of the two.

For full breakdown cleaning, which is not needed all that often, I think the Badger has a bit of an edge, because everything can be disassembled with your fingers while the Paasche requires an allen wrench to loosen one set screw.  On the other hand, the Paasche's design has less delicate parts, so it is probably a bit more rugged. 

Take your pick and good luck.

Andy  

 

That's true, never considered that into my scenarios. Man, can't we all just agree on a universal voltage and Hz!? I would also reccomend checking the local shops for a compressor. I have a small shop compressor myself. It has a 4 gal capacity and a built in regulator, which is what I would suggest, especially the regulator, you need that for sure.

Welcome to te forums!

Unfortunately, buying a compressor and airbrush package from the US as suggested above may be problematic due to incompatible AC supply voltage (US=110V, Aus=240V).

The cheapest solution I can think of here in Aus is to go for a workshop compressor rather than a hobby compressor. Typically you can find a cheap workshop compressor around the A$100.00 mark from places like Bunnings or Super Cheap Auto. The up side of such a unit is that you're not limited to hobby applications - but the biggest downside is that these beasts are noisy.

If you do go and check out Super Cheap, you may want to check if they still stock the Chinese-made knock-off of the Badger 150. It's labelled as an "Aluminium Double Action Airbrush" or something to that effect (strange because the body itself is chromed brass and only the end of the handle is aluminium). I picked up one of these a couple of years back for just on $30. (Looks something like the airbrush kit in the first of the links provided above by MontanaCowboy). It's cheap and not the greatest build quality, but it is usable. I did a mini-preview of this unit here: /forums/531407/ShowPost.aspx

The 200 NH would be a great selection. $150 is running a little slim, but I think it can be done. getting a compressor is going to be the hardest part. All the airbrush kits and compressors I see on ebay are largely chinese knock-offs of good companies like Iwata and Badger (Can't forget Paasche, either I suppose).

So I see a few options

 

Chinese knock off set, no real repair option if something goes fowl, nor is there a "buying parts off ebay" option.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BEGINNER-DUAL-ACTION-AIRBRUSH-w-Compressor-Hose-Set-Kit_W0QQitemZ200143255155QQihZ010QQcategoryZ134557QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

 

OK compressor, good airbrush option. Since there aren't too many problems with compressors that you can experience, a cheap one won't cause any immediate troubles. A badger 200NH model can be sent in any day of the week for a full rebuild at badger in house for free. This is probably the option I suggest for a right now kit.

Unfortunately, this seller doesn't ship to Australia, maybe you can convnince him. If so, this would be the best you could find on ebay for the $$$

http://cgi.ebay.com/BADGER-MODEL-180-1-AIR-BRUSH-AIR-COMPRESSOR-W-REG-TRAP_W0QQitemZ160147722572QQihZ006QQcategoryZ134557QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Badger-BADR200-Single-Action-Internal-Mix-Airbrush-NIB_W0QQitemZ270155743104QQihZ017QQcategoryZ28111QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

 

Best kit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/IWATA-HP-CS-Eclipse-AIRBRUSH-w-COMPRESSOR-KIT-Air-Brush_W0QQitemZ200142719194QQihZ010QQcategoryZ28111QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Also, If you don't win the badger 200 on ebay, you can give me a call at the hobby shop on saturday, we have about 7 in stock at a fairly good price. We ship international and I can answer most of your questions there.

1-800-723-5937  My name is Christian, I work on Saturdays.