airbrush fiasco or...help a girl out?

cader28-I wouldn't put up with that kind of insolence from that stupid Aztek...Bite it back-THEN throw it against the wall!!

You have my complete empathy on the subject..Hang in there

I say melt the Aztek down and use the resulting plastic for scratchbuilt detail!
As for airbrushes, a much easier and cheaper alternative is:
STICK TO BRUSH PAINTING!!!!
It's not as popular, and most people think it's "for begginers", but it IS cheap, it IS effective, and I use it!(matter of fact, it's the only way I paint!) Brushes may not make feathered demarcation lines, but so what? Like we need realism?!
(NOTE: this post was mostly made to show my hidden jealousy of airbrushers, and my deep-seated longing for the tool of the Modeling Gods, a Paasche H!!)

QUOTE: Originally posted by TenchiMuyo81 I say melt the Aztek down and use the resulting plastic for scratchbuilt detail!

...obviously contradicting with...

QUOTE: Brushes may not make feathered demarcation lines, but so what? Like we need realism?!

The above propositions both cannot be true (or both cannot be false) at the same time. But then again...

QUOTE: (NOTE: this post was mostly made to show my hidden jealousy of airbrushers, and my deep-seated longing for the tool of the Modeling Gods, a Paasche H!!)

Hahahahaha.... my friend, NOW you make sense!!!

2 things i love about this forum:

1. great advice and tips from everyone, thanks y'all for taking the time to try to help me out!
2. y'all are funny! nothing better than a good sense of humor and you all have me chuckling at my screen

In response to everyone's questions and tips I offer the following:

the cheap no-name airbrush was simply labled "hobby airbrush" and I got it from ebay for 8 bucks to just try the whole thing out...

after being gently reprimanded, i will never test on an actual model again, cross my heart

i will not buy an Aztek airbrush

George Jr., you are great pep-talker

and, here's the best part, my husband has said that if i've stuck to the hobby by Christmas, we'll buy a compressor and some foam padding and make a quiet set up as recommended by you apt/condo dwellers who know my pain...the upside to this is I know that if i'm clearly still in to modeling by the end of the summer (no question that i will be) I'll be able to move that Christmas compressor date up to about Labor Day, or at worst, Halloween

Hi Merideth,
I am glad to hear your husband looks after you. Your Airbrush is on the way, just mailed it. Hope it works out for you.

Good Luck :-)

Andy, you are the greatest. There's a big box of homemade cookies coming your way!

Thanx for the kind word, Merideth...
Great pep-talker, uh? Well, you see, to raise enthusiasm is half part of my profession, the other half being to raise ...doubt!!! (being a lawyer and all that)...

QUOTE: Originally posted by mer1122 and, here's the best part, my husband has said that if i've stuck to the hobby by Christmas, we'll buy a compressor and some foam padding and make a quiet set up as recommended by you apt/condo dwellers who know my pain...

Merideth,

Take a look at these compressors. They would be great for your application and you won't need to build a foam-lined box to put over them which can cause overheating and shorten the life of the compressor.

http://www.dixieart.com/TC2000.html

http://www.dixieart.com/Silentaire_Scorpion_Compressors.html

http://www.dixieart.com/Iwata_Studio_Series_Compressors_Main.html

I think the Createx TC2000 is the best bet as it comes with everything you will need.

Mike

I feel a tear coming on. Watching everyone come to the aid of a fellow modeller who needs some help. What a great group of people.

Merideth, as Mike said, do some shopping around for a compressor. There's lots of choices out there and some of them are pretty loud. You've got some time, so do some research and set your sights on the best you can afford.

Good Luck.

Murray

Wow, I'm psyched to see how many compressors there are that are quiet. I just assumed that they'd all be big oily monsters that rattled the floorboards. Hopefully one of these other models will be a good alternative. With luck, one will pop up on ebay at a less-than-retail price. Thanks again to everyone!

hmmmm, I wonder if I could get as much help as you did Meredith!

Wow, the distaff side building a P-38 (Academy or....? I built the N) and looking for airbrush advice..wotta gal! I can't get my wife away from scrap-booking (OK, cropping).

Good luck,

Shawn

Meredith,

I started the same way you did, finally settling on the Aztek system. At least for now. I know Sgt. Andy is sending you his 350 (nice guy!). I'd be happy to send over the accessories I have for the 350, as well as my old 350 as a backup. Please send a mail address to cnicoll@mindspring.com and I'll get it out to you.

Chris

Hey,

Does anyone have an Iwata Micron that they can give to me?

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by mer1122 Wow, I'm psyched to see how many compressors there are that are quiet. I just assumed that they'd all be big oily monsters that rattled the floorboards. Hopefully one of these other models will be a good alternative. With luck, one will pop up on ebay at a less-than-retail price. Thanks again to everyone!

Meredith,

If you want a real quiet compressor and you or your husband has a little knowledge of mechanical things you could build one with a refrigerator motor for pretty cheap. Of course some people do not want to go through that much trouble.

Speaking of Ebay I found this compressor that you may want to watch although it might get a little pricey. These are one of the best units made.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2326276249&category=28111

Mike

Also, if you're looking at buying a used airbrush, take a REAL close look at all the parts that come in contact with the paint. Single action brushes can get the nozzle bent or otherwise damaged. Double action brushes have a long, thin needle that must come to a perfect point to get a good spray pattern. If there's anything wrong with either, you won't be happy with your painting, no matter HOW much you spend for an air source.

Walt

wow, i wish one of us was mechanically inclined enough to build one...as that sounds like a great quiet and cheap way to go...unfortunately, i think i'll have to keep watching the paper and ebay for a bargain