So confused about AirBrushes...

I like the Badger 100/150/200 series of airbrushes. They're a bit thicker than a pencil, about the size of the fine line Sharpies. I'm perhaps biased as I have one of each! The nice thing about that is that many of the parts are the same, so I don't have to keep a stock pile of parts.

Which one is dependant on what you expect to do with the airbrush. 

The Badger 200-20 is a great airbrush for beginners, or even "experts". Single action siphon fed with the PPS paint measuring system that allows you to "dial" in the thickness of line for consistancy. It can be found at  Dixie Art for $49.00 including shipping as long as you exceed $60 in total purchases. Can use bottles or color cups.

The Badger 150 is the dual action version minus the PPS system. Great for spraying large solids, sells for around $63. Can use bottles or color cups.

The Badger 100G or LG is the dual action gravity fed version, minus the PPS system. These are often the brush of choice for many modelers. Gravity fed brushes are arguably better for fine lines, as they require slightly less air pressure to spray the line. Siphon fed brushes require a higher PSI to pickup the paint from the bottle or color cup. Goes for $69. The difference between the G or LG is the size of the fixed color cup.

If I had to choose only one airbrush, I would go for the 100LG, though the 200-20 comes really close. The 150 is an excellent brush, but it doesn't do anything the other can't do, and can't do some of the stuff they CAN do.

My recommendation to people wanting to buy their first airbrush is the 200-20 for it's simplicity and ease of use. 

I've heard nothing but good things about Iwatas, but I've also heard that they tend to be a bit finicky, where the Badgers are perhaps a bit more forgiving. They also tend to be more expensive, though the Revolution series is pretty much the same as the 100/150s. Paasche are another very good manufacturer, but they tend to be a bit chunky in size. I found them uncomfortable in comparision with the Badgers. 

Grab a Silentaire Scorpion I for $149 at Dixie Art, a few spare needles, head washers and o-rings and a bottle of lube, and you should be able to get the whole package for $250 with enough left over for a kit and some paints!

While I can't contradict anything Bill has said regarding Badger, I can recommend from my personal experience is the Iwata "Eclipse" series. This was my first purchased AB 4+ years ago and is still my workhorse today. Regardless of which brand you go with, I'm biased towards the gravity fed systems.

DixieArt.com has packages for Iwata's as well.

Just my 2 cents. Bets of luck in your purchase and hopefully we'll see some of your finely airbrushed work on these forums!

I have an Iwata Eclipse BCS, which I love to death.  I use it for modeling and for painting T-shirts as a hobby.  However the Eclipse CS, which is gravity fed, is probably better for modleing.  If I only used airbrushes for modeling, I would secnd Bgrigg's recomendation for the 100LG.  In my opinion, it is probably the best airbrush you could get to paint models.  The Omni 4000 is also a very good choice, isn is easier to take apart/maintain with less small parts and a simpler but equally good head assembly.  For a compressor, I recommend The Paasche D200, which can be bought with a regulator/water trap for $150.  It can produce higher pressure, giving you more flexibility.  I like using higher pressure to clean my airbrush.  You can always use the regulator to lower the pressure for the actual painting. 

 Here is a link to the Badger 100 series at Dixie Art:http://dixieart.com/Badger100.html

 Here is a link to the Omni series at Bear Air (Dixie Art is out of stock) :http://bearair.com/prodinfo.asp?number=100251

Here is a link to the Paasche compressors at Dixie Art: http://dixieart.com/Paasche_Compressors.html

 Just my .  Whatever you decide to get, good luck with your purchase and have fun spraying paint!

I have one more question, what type of paints should I use for an AB?

That depends on what type of paints YOU want to use. All paints can be used with ABs.

I prefer acrylics for two big reasons:

1. My wife prefers the smell of acrylics in comparison to enamels (if momma ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy). Note that doesn't mean she likes the smell, only tolerates it better.
   
2. Easy cleanup. I'm one big lazy butt! Acrylics can be cleaned up with Windex.

Enamels & Lacquers require stronger solvents for clean up. And they're pretty stinky, both the paint & the solvent.

This isn't a strictly true observation but armor guys tend to use enamels & wingy-thingy guys tend to use acrylics. I think it's because armor guys are used to toiling in the dirt!

Edit D'uh, I typed enamels twice, meant acrylics for the wingy-thingy guys! /edit 

I think I'll go with Acrylics, I use to use Enamel when I first got into models (because it was the only type my dad had) and always hated the stronge oder from them.

Thank you for helping me :)

You're welcome, it's my pleasure to help! 

Just so you know, acrylics airbrush beautifully, but some (Tamiya especially) can be a bear to brush.

Courtney,

I will be glad to help in any way I can.

I have a pretty extensive collection of airbrushes and will help you the best I can.

I own most all of of the Badger/Thayer & Chandler brand of double action aibrushes. 

I used to recommend illustration brushes such as the 100/150 series, but lately I've changed my train of thought.  I think for overall performance and maintenance that is reasonably priced, I would recommend the Badger 155 Anthem.  For a beginning airbrusher (or experienced for that matter), it's very easy to use and it's EASY to maintain.  No head seals or tips to disassemble.  It sprays nicely, is well balanced, and it's reliable.  If you buy it, get a couple of extra tips and needles and you will be set.  HTH.

E

I'm in the Eclipse family as well, and just love it. I managed to get an Iwata Power Jet for $150 off eBay as well (always lots of second hand stuff there, but avoid the cheap copies, they are NOT the same, regardless of what they say).

Paint wise I use Vallejo Model Air, which I love 100%, and LifeColor's paint sets (if you do German AFVs they do two invaluable sets of paints for them).

hi there , you should realy look in Testors airbrush & compressor range , i have been using testors A470 set & its been wonderrfullll............it has lifetime warranty & this is the sixth year i been on it . reply me on my e-mail : dnaxpress76@yahoo.com

Glad to hear it's been working for you.  However, Testor's/Aztec airbrushes have been known to have problems and break easily.I have heard mainly bad things about them.  They are still perfectly capable of laying down a nice coat of paint on a model, but I don't feel that they are very reliable. 

dami76 wrote:

hi there , you should realy look in Testors airbrush & compressor range , i have been using testors A470 set & its been wonderrfullll............it has lifetime warranty & this is the sixth year i been on it . reply me on my e-mail : dnaxpress76@yahoo.com

I'm enjoying my 470, too. I also have a Paasche VL. My compressor is a Paasche. I use my Aztek only now, though I have the Paasche standing by if needed.

Main thing to remember is it's not so much the airbrush as it is the hand that holds it. Brett Green from Hyperscale is one of the most accomplished modelers in the world- and uses an Aztek. I have a friend at the LHS that honestly builds kits that just make me scratch my head in amazement at his paint techniques, and he uses an Iwata. Several guys on these boards uses Badgers, Paasche and others. All build world class stuff.

What they all have in common is lots and and lots and lots of hours of practice. You certainly need a good airbrush, and must follow the directions for cleaning and maintaining. But what will really make your models take off is lots of practice and trying new techniques. A plastic milk jug makes a great practice "canvas", or even a simple model build specifically for airbrushing.

Any of the airbrushes folks list here are good- pick one that fits your budget. If you have a local model club, check with them. Maybe some folks would let you try their's out?

Airbrushing is a lot of fun.... I love doing it! As long as you practice and have a little patience, you'll enjoy whatever airbrush you purchase.

MikeV wrote:

Courtney, I will be glad to help in any way I can. I have a pretty extensive collection of airbrushes and will help you the best I can. I own most all of of the Badger/Thayer & Chandler brand of double action aibrushes.

Wow Mike...1,2,3...4...5...6,7,8,9,10..11! As for what Bill was saying, I agree. Acryls smell nicer, and I've been tempted to switch...So I'm phasing out most, not all, of my enamels. I purchased the Badger 100LG as my first Airbrush, per Bill's recommendation. If you have lots of patience and are a quick learner, a internal-mix double action would be a great first brush that you can always use without have to buy a "beginner" brush and move up to something better. I like the 100LG. Gravity fed, good for my cheap low pressure compressor, ease of getting replacement parts, and it makes nice fine lines. If you have no patience what-so-ever and are a slow learner, like me, opt for an internal mix single action, such as a Badger 200. I would consider go buying one right now, even though I have a 100LG. That means it's a pretty good AB...

DHM wrote:

I have an Iwata Eclipse BCS, which I love to death.  I use it for modeling and for painting T-shirts as a hobby.

Let's see the T-shirts mister! I have done a few also.

DHM wrote:

MikeV, when I was searching this forum for information a while back, I saw some pics of your work and I think it looked incredible!  I'm still very new to it and I'm still in the learning process.  I'm not very good but I still have fun doing it.  Aside form the BCS, I have a an el cheapo single action and a Vega 2000, which I would use a lot more if the needle's tip wasn't slightly bent.  The hobby shop I go to doesn't sell needles for it, and I havn't gotten around to ordering a new one.

Cool! All of the stuff you saw that I airbushed was with the Vega 2000.

That was my second airbrush I ever owned after learning on a Paasche VL.