Airbrush- Which one for a beginner?

[DailyGrindCustoms]

I was curious what type of airbrush is good for someone whos never used anyone before? Getting back into the hobby and I was curious what kit would be the best to go with? I've been looking at quite a few but what exactly are the selling points when looking for one?

[crazyjim]

Paasche H series single action.

[Miatatom]

I'm just getting back into it myself. I started with the el cheapo one from Harbor Freight. It actually did a fairly decent job. I've since bought a Badger Patriot 105. Found it on Amazon and with a $25 discount for using their credit card for the first time, I got it for less than $42 including shipping. Still learning to use it though but I like it.

You'll need to get a little more specific about kits. What genre, what makes and models, etc.

[CrazyGirl]

what CrazyJim said , i just got the same airbrush and i am mega mega picky about quality , and this has quality and a lot left over !!!

[Mooneyzs]

Brock.... I would recommend a Badger Model #200. It is a single action air brush. Very simple to use. I have had mine for over 20 years. I also have a dual action Iwata Neo Gen that I picked up from Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon for a dual action gravity feed. I still prefer my Badger because Its what I am most comfortable with.

[Vetteman15]

I have been using the Iwata Revolution dual action air brushes for awhile and love them. Also have the new Neo dual action and it is worth the money. Bought it off of Amazon for $59.00. I started with a testors Aztec when I got back into the hobby but found that the Iwatas were easier to clean and use with the many different types of paints. Haven't used the Badger or Pasch brands but they seem to always be well regarded. As said above quality is important and if you can spend a bit more for a good air brush it will last you a long time with proper care.

[my80malibu]

Brock.... I would recommend a Badger Model #200. It is a single action air brush. Very simple to use. I have had mine for over 20 years. I also have a dual action Iwata Neo Gen that I picked up from Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon for a dual action gravity feed. I still prefer my Badger because Its what I am most comfortable with.

X2 on this I have both of those as well as a few others the Badger is very dependable and has a great warranty, the Neo is new to me but works well and was a steal with the 40% off.

[DPNM]

Either a Paasche H or the Badger 200 would be a good first choice. Both are single action and easier to learn and clean. You can often find them used kinda cheap on craigslist. Then again, a lot of people ask more for their used one than a new one costs, you just have to weed those out. Search the web for the lowest price on either. That would also give you an idea what a fair price on a used one would be. I have a small collection of airbrushes and I have gotten two off of craigs at a good price and I've gotten three off eBay.

Gotta watch eBay though, you don't want to get in a bidding war with an idiot.

[Longbox55]

Another vote here for the Paasche H. I have one that I've been using since '87, they're just about indestructible.

[wrecker388]

what CrazyJim said , i just got the same airbrush and i am mega mega picky about quality , and this has quality and a lot left over !!!

And they will last forever. My dad bought his (the one I use) when he was 18. He'll be 57 in October. So they last a VERY long time.

[Art Anderson]

A lot depends on your expectations, frankly; as well as what you perceive your capacity for patience in learning is For a bulletproof (as nearly bulletproof tough as it can be) airbrush for a beginner, it's hard to top the Paasche H series. This is an "external mix" style airbrush, where compressed air and the paint meet outside the body of the unit, but inside a venturi chamber which serves to create the bit of vacuum needed to draw paint up out of the color jar The H is pretty much the standard for quality and precision in this type of airbrush, which is great for doing really good but simple paintwork. The better Paasche H setup comes with three different material control units, finel (#1) medium (#3) and coarse (#5) which are easily changed out, and in the bargain, the unit's simplicity makes cleanup between colors and after you are finished painting as easy as 1-2-3.

By contrast, the Badger 200 is an internal mix unit, which utilizes a long, thin needle fixed inside the body of the airbrush, extending through a tapered nozzle, which regulates the flow of paint and air which come together inside the body of the airbrush. It is a very precise instrument, and capable of not only body finishes that are first rate, but also can be stopped down to make it possible to replicate the delicate fading of colors one to the enxt for custom paintjobs, certainly painted flames. But those features/advantages do come at a higher price, both in dollars and in learning how to use it There is a slight disadvantage to the Badger 200, in that it is a far more delicate instrument, and thus requires a lot more care in handling and cleanup (one slip, drop the thing on it's nose, and you will be replacing that needle for sure).

Both of these airbrushes are "single action" meaning that the control button or "trigger" on the airbrush controls air flow only. In contrastl, a dual action airbrush button can control BOTH the flow of air, and the flow of paint, by pushing down on the button for air, and rocking that button backward or foward to increase or decrease the flow of paint. And therein lies a big difference in how quickly most people master one or the other. The Paasche H is almost "plug and play", while there will be at least some learning curve with the Bager 200.

In a nutshell, it will be your decision, I've simply laid out the differences, advantages and disadvantages of each one as I see them.

Art