AB. single and double action use Q.

NO questions are stupid!

Single action requires changing the needle position each time you want to alter the spray pattern. So you wouldn't be able to spray a wide area and then immediately spray a narrow line without stopping to adjust.

A double action lets you change the setting "on the fly". A double action does NOT vary the air. That is a constant with all airbrushes. The air is either on or off.

There is no WHEN you would need a double action. It's merely a matter of choice. Either airbrush is capable of the same quality of work. The double action allows for more flexibility in operation. Think of it as a garden hose. A single action hose would require you to stop the flow of water and change the nozzle to get different spray patterns, while a double action hose lets you adjust the width of the spray by squeezing or releasing the trigger. 

I have both kinds of ABs and the double action is far more convenient to use. I can spray a wide pattern, and with a slight adjustment of the trigger spray a very thin line. I can also stop the paint flow and use the air to blow off an errant piece of dust, or use the air to spot dry a section of paint, all without having to stop and adjust.

I personally believe that most modeling work can be accomplished with a single action airbrush.  I use both a single and double action.  I like the single action because the control is easier for me.  Many people will say to get a double action.  I think it really depends on two things:

1. How nimble your fingers are.
2. How much time you want to spend learning to use the airbrush well.

My fingers are not very nimble so using a single action airbrush proves less frustrating.  With single action airbrushes, you can preset the amount of paint that comes out.  Each time you press the button, you'll get the same spray results.  I like that.

If you're looking for a first airbrush, I'd recommend the Badger 200.  It's an internal, single action airbrush that sprays wonderfully.

Jesse

XLNT wrote:

I do not understand WHEN i would need a double over a single action.

There are certain artistic effects that would seem to be darn near impossible to achieve with a single action, however these are not things that will come up when painting models.  If you're going to be doing high-end murals for low-riders, I would think that a double action is almost a requirement, but for models you can use whichever you prefer.

XLNT wrote:

Is it possible to set a single action up with a paint setting and use this to complete a aircraft camo job,for instance.Or do you have to adjust the paint flow for even basic camo work.

A single action airbrush will paint free hand camo just fine.  I have a Badger's 200NH and a Paasche H, both single action, and have used each to do free-hand camo on 1/72 armor.

XLNT wrote:

Is it possible to still alter the flow of a single in use.

Possibly.  You need two hands, so if you are holding your AB in one hand and your model in the other, the answer is no, but if you have a hand free, you can use your free hand to adjust as you're painting.

As to how convenient it is, it depends on the airbrush.  The needle adjustment on the Badger 200 is at the very tail end of the AB body, so adjusting the flow while in-use is a tad awkward, but do-able.  With the Paasche H, the needle adjustment is just below and behind the tip and is quite easy to adjust while painting.  A lot of times I hold my AB with two hands for added steadiness anyway.  When holding the Paasche H that way, my thumb and forefinger of my other hand would then naturally be already just about resting on the needle adjustment anyway, so doing a "two-handed" double-action seems semi-natural.   

The bottom line is that for model painting, you can use whichever type of airbrush that you are more comfortable with.  I've used both single and double action AB's and I never really got the trigger feel for the double action AB, so I use my two single action airbrushes exclusively.  I can't claim to be an expert in the use of an airbrush, but any less than satisfactory results that I get are never due to the airbrush, but rather my skill in using it.

I am new to AB`s to and want to get one.

Can i ask... If you going to do a 2 tone camo scheme on a aircraft,after undercoat what would your routine be.

I kinda mean.is the AB set the same for first main color then the sane for the next.Do you alter the setting at any point.

Just the main colors not weathering etc.

TSK wrote:

I am new to AB`s to and want to get one. Can i ask... If you going to do a 2 tone camo scheme on a aircraft,after undercoat what would your routine be. I kinda mean.is the AB set the same for first main color then the sane for the next.Do you alter the setting at any point. Just the main colors not weathering etc.

If you're refering to softedge camo, here's what I do:

1. Base coat with lightest shade
2. Mark the outlines of the next shade of camo using a colored pencil that is about the same color
3. Set the airbrush to a fine line and trace the pencil marks
4. Set the airbrush to a wider line and fill in between the pencil marks

Hope this helps,

Jesse