Beginner Airbrush.

A lot of choices a lot of opinions,this gentleman knows his airbrushes and he does post here too.Check out his website for reviews and info,should be helpful in your search

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/

I agree with tojo , don knows his stuff , for a first brush I bought an iwata neo .

steve5

I agree with tojo , don knows his stuff , for a first brush I bought an iwata neo .

 

I third that. 

My suggestion as a model builder since the late 1960's is to stay awy from cheap air brushes. What will happen is their poor paint spray qualities will make things harder for the beginner and eventually you will move up to a better AB. No need to go for expensive AB in the beginning, what you need is something reliable that will make the learning experience pleasent.

I suggest any of entry level Badgers like  this one giving you 3 sizes:

 https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-150-5-PK-Professional-Airbrush-x/dp/B001F6IB18

I bought my first AB (Badger)  in the mid 1970's and I still use it. They last for ever and are gems.

As stated, Don's link has plenty of great info.

The Neo by Iwata gravity fed AB can be purchased at Hobby Lobby with a 40% coupon for under $50. I have one and have been using it for a couple of years now and does a great job too. 

I also reccomend Don. I would suggest an Iwata neo gravity feed. Well built and affordable. Around $45.00 at Hobby Lobby with the 40% discount. It works good and will build good habits that will tranfer to better airbrushes if you ever switch, which you may never want to with this. Let us know wht you choose and how it works out.

Hey steve,

Ok, yes Iwata are very good quality. My brother also models, bought 2 cheap generic brushes and 2 basic Testors. Testors blow the cheap ones out of the water.

Another very enthusiastic vote for Don's Airbrush. May I suggest you look at USA Airbrush site? I have bought several items from them recently, among the best prices and great service, every transaction was faultless. Good luck with your search. Among others, I highly recommend Badger brand, tough as a hammer, reliable and produces good finishes.

Patrick

As you've noticed you're getting different opinions. Check out Don's site and make your own decision based on what you want and can afford.

One quality that is important no matter how experienced the user is ease of cleaning.

My go-to airbrush is a nearly 40 year old Badger 200 single action bottom feed unit, but it is a hassle to clean the internal paint channel.  I have taught several friends how to use an AB with the Badger, and they all hated the cleaning process.

I also have a double action Iwata with a fixed cup gravity feed, and in contrast it is so easy to clean.  The only reason I use the Badger is that I still haven’t mastered using a double action AB.  After 40 years.

I agree with the others to not get a super cheapo AB to start.  My first AB was that Badger economy model with the external mix tip and body fixed to the top of the paint jar.  I think it was under $10 at the time (circa 1979), but I quickly decided it was not very good, so I ended up getting the Badger 200 for $42 in 1980.

Real G

One quality that is important no matter how experienced the user is ease of cleaning.

My go-to airbrush is a nearly 40 year old Badger 200 single action bottom feed unit, but it is a hassle to clean the internal paint channel.  I have taught several friends how to use an AB with the Badger, and they all hated the cleaning process.

I also have a double action Iwata with a fixed cup gravity feed, and in contrast it is so easy to clean.  The only reason I use the Badger is that I still haven’t mastered using a double action AB.  After 40 years.

 

I also use a Badger 200, even though I had to replace my almost 40 year old one.  I have developed some tricks for cleaning the bottom feed paint channel, but love the 200 for complete-disassembly cleanups.  I find the Badger 200 very easy to re-assemble compared to my -150, so I use the double action 150 sparingly.  Obviously by our 40 year usages of the 300 it is a very dependable airbrush.

I started out with a DeVilbiss ABA series suction feed airbrush. It was a double action brush. I never got proficient using the double action part and usually used it full bore all the time. I used it for shading the stain on custom cabinet work. I tried it on a few models, but it just didn't do what I wanted.

I then bought a Paasche "H" airbrush, a single action suction feed that uses the same size bottles as Model master 1/2 and 1 oz bottles. I've used this for about 15 years now with no problems at all. The only repair I had to do was when I dropped it once, landing on it's nose, screwing up the tip and the needle. My LHS stocks parts for it though, and it was fixed in no time for about $9.00.

It's a simple brush, simple to use and clean, for a simple modeler.

EJ

Man I understand the budget thing and wanting to get started on airbrushing and you should. It adds a whole new depth to modelling. Anyway I know everyone is pushing the brushes they like and don't buy cheap, which I understand. But if you are on a budget and it's your first endeavor into it as it was mine then look at something a little cheaper to start. I had the same constraints budget wise and did go cheap and what I got was a great starter kit that has served me quite well these past few months. It's a point zero kit with a quiet compressor and the three different styles of airbrushes so you can see which works best for you. I quickly found I prefer gravity feed over bottom feeding. You can find them on Amazon just go there and search zero point airbrush kit. It's only $99 and mine has been trouble free. Obviously not the highest quality brushes or compressor but as long as they keep fulfulling my needs what esle do a I need? One day I am sure I'll get the bug for a better airbrush but until then this one cuts the mustard. I highly recommend watching lot's of airbrushing videos on youtube it helps. 

Tickmagnet

Man I understand the budget thing and wanting to get started on airbrushing and you should. It adds a whole new depth to modelling. Anyway I know everyone is pushing the brushes they like and don't buy cheap, which I understand. But if you are on a budget and it's your first endeavor into it as it was mine then look at something a little cheaper to start. I had the same constraints budget wise and did go cheap and what I got was a great starter kit that has served me quite well these past few months. It's a point zero kit with a quiet compressor and the three different styles of airbrushes so you can see which works best for you. I quickly found I prefer gravity feed over bottom feeding. You can find them on Amazon just go there and search zero point airbrush kit. It's only $99 and mine has been trouble free. Obviously not the highest quality brushes or compressor but as long as they keep fulfulling my needs what esle do a I need? One day I am sure I'll get the bug for a better airbrush but until then this one cuts the mustard. I highly recommend watching lot's of airbrushing videos on youtube it helps. 

 

Well said and sound advice.

Tickmagnet

Man I understand the budget thing and wanting to get started on airbrushing and you should. It adds a whole new depth to modelling. Anyway I know everyone is pushing the brushes they like and don't buy cheap, which I understand. But if you are on a budget and it's your first endeavor into it as it was mine then look at something a little cheaper to start. I had the same constraints budget wise and did go cheap and what I got was a great starter kit that has served me quite well these past few months. It's a point zero kit with a quiet compressor and the three different styles of airbrushes so you can see which works best for you. I quickly found I prefer gravity feed over bottom feeding. You can find them on Amazon just go there and search zero point airbrush kit. It's only $99 and mine has been trouble free. Obviously not the highest quality brushes or compressor but as long as they keep fulfulling my needs what esle do a I need? One day I am sure I'll get the bug for a better airbrush but until then this one cuts the mustard. I highly recommend watching lot's of airbrushing videos on youtube it helps. 

 

There is a certail big box hobby store that seems to have cut their price on the NEO quite a bit. With a 40% off coupon it cant be beat and is essentially the same price as a cheapo with discounts. Paired with the compressor from harbor freight and you can paint with the best of them!

Side note my Neo broke once and I had to mail it to Iwata for repar. Best customer service experience ever. 

JacknewbIII

There is a certail big box hobby store that seems to have cut their price on the NEO quite a bit. With a 40% off coupon it cant be beat and is essentially the same price as a cheapo with discounts. Paired with the compressor from harbor freight and you can paint with the best of them!

Side note my Neo broke once and I had to mail it to Iwata for repar. Best customer service experience ever. 

 

It's okay to reveal the store and everybody knows it's Hobby Lobby....

Too bad we don't have hobby lobby up here.

sickdude

What would be a good airbrush for beginners?

Hi Sickdude

Just my opinion. Think the answer pretty much depends on what you model. If you’re mostly doing cars, then something with a wider spray pattern (larger needle size) would result in a more even looking job for car bodies which are mostly of one color. The fine needle sizes would be suitable for camouflage, especially German mottling and squiggles. 

One point of note. I think it’s always preferable to go with an internal mix airbrush. Internal mixes allow for better paint/air combination resulting in smoother paint jobs. 

Happy airbrush hunting!

Dont think you could go wrong with a single action like a Badger 200.  I still like mine and it's got to be about 40 years old.

Check their site out cause some times they have garage sales to clear out some things.  

68GT

Dont think you could go wrong with a single action like a Badger 200.  I still like mine and it's got to be about 40 years old.

Check their site out cause some times they have garage sales to clear out some things.  

 

Or craigslist....

sickdude

Hey plastic and modelmaker, Ok, Yes Hobby Lobby is pretty awesome, to bad we don't have them here in Canada. 

If there's a Michael's near you, they also carry the NEO, and are pretty reasonable with their 40% off coupon.  That's where I bought mine.  From time to time they will also issue a 50 or 60% off coupon.

I just got a thing in my email saying that Badger airbrush is haveing a 55 year Birthday sale...ANY of their AB's are $55.00 (+ 10shipping)  I bought a Sotar for fine detailing.

I already own a Patriot 105, which I am very happy with, and paid more than $55 with the 40% off coupon at Michael's.

I got that email too.   If you go directly to the badger homepage badgerairbrush.com and click the 'Special Offers' icon you will see the 55 dollar Happy Birthday Ken page.   

The offer appears to be real.   I too an looking at a Sotar 20/20 for 55 bucks.  Check it out and see if there is something that strikes your fancy.   The offer will be taken down on 1/22/19, but purchases can be made with the special code for about another week.   But remember Rule 1: Be Patient.

However, it is not a beginner's airbrush.   Don on his airbrush review website says that he sort of cringes when he sees a NOOB asking about a high-end, experienced user's airbrush

Also, the Badger airbushes on sale don't come in any cases. I ordered a Sotar 20/20 a couple months ago and it came in a leather like pouch with a drawstring wrapped around it. For $65 with shipping, I ordered a Omni 3000 today, I just couldn't pass up a deal like that. And yes, one have to be patient waiting for your order to arrive so expect to wait a month or two for it to come in.

I don't mind the long wait, I'm retired    this is a want not a need but I just couldn't pass on this deal.