Airbrush Kit Recommendations?

[TheMiniatureLife]

My husband is a model car building fanatic and he's mentioned a few times how he'd like to get an airbrush kit at some point. I'd like to surprise him with one for Christmas, but I have no idea what I am looking at. Does anyone use an airbrush kit they love and would recommend?

[935k3]

The Paasche Talon TG3-F set with three tips and needles is a purchase he'll be very happy. with. I have had allot of aurbrushes over the years but as soon as I got this one I loved it.

Edited November 12, 2013 by 935k3

[ScaleDale]

Good airbrushes:

Paashce Talon $70

Iwata Revolution $100

Badger Patriot $75

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Very handy stuff:

Airbrush cleaner solution

Medea Table Top Cleaning Station $20

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There are a lot of compressors on the market.

TCI Global.com (AirBrushCentral) has a selection.

Iwata Sprint Jet Compressor $204

http://www.coastairbrush.com/index.html

Coast Airbrush is a good one-stop with good service.

Dale

EDIT: My "kit" is an Iwata Evolution and an off brand compressor that looks like the Sprint Jet. The cleaning kit is indispensable. People will mention spray boots, but let your hubby figure that out. I built my own from plans on the Net. send me a PM and I'll share them..

Edited November 12, 2013 by ScaleDale

[Dr. Cranky]

Caryn, you might want to watch this unboxing review I did of the IWATA NEO which is a wonderful airbrush for an extremely reasonable price.

[Heartattaq]

Check out Dr Cranky's channel for other airbrush reviews and recommendations as well. Some very informative stuff

[ScaleDale]

Things to probably not consider:

Siphon or "bottle feed" airbrushes (personal preference. I found them messy)

Home Improvement store compressors unless they are labeled "oil free" or "oil-less" lubrication. The oil used in many for lubrication will mess up model paint.

Dale

[LoneWolf15]

Things to probably not consider:

Siphon or "bottle feed" airbrushes (personal preference. I found them messy)

Home Improvement store compressors unless they are labeled "oil free" or "oil-less" lubrication. The oil used in many for lubrication will mess up model paint.

Dale

Personal preference indeed !

A siphon fed airbrush is just as neat and clean as any other , depend on the individual's work habits to makes the difference .

As for the comment on the compressors ? I'm still using the same nailer that I purchased from Sears many years ago . The only way that oil gets into the airline is from a major breakdown of the compressor itself . This scenario can also be avoided , regardless of the compressor type , by installing inline filters . Thousands of paint jobs completed and nary a single fisheye !

A Paache H series kit is a great starting point for a novice airbrush user . User friendly , it has a very easy learning curve and produces stellar results . Any of the aforementioned dual action airbrushes are also excellent , they do however , have a tougher learning curve and require more maintenance and care .

[Erik Smith]

If he is indeed a fanatic...

I would purchase one of the aforementioned double action airbrushes. They do require slightly more time and patience to learn, but the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Also, on the Badger Talon, you can lock the needle and use it as a single action airbrush.

So, airburshes:

Paasche Talon

Iwata Eclipse

Iwata Revolution

There are other Badger models that are nice, but I am not familiar with the Badger line...

I prefer gravity feed, easrier to clean, operates at lower psi...

As for compressors:

Yes, you can use a pancake hardware store compressor. They have a huge range of PSI and are relatively cheap. However, they are noisy and large. I have an Iwata Sprint Jet, and while it's ok, it will not go above about 22psi with a 5mm nozzle brush. Usually not a problem, but if you want to shoot more paint at a higher PSI, you can't do it with most of the Iwata line (sprint jet, power jet) as they all have the same compressor. I have been looking at getting a Badger Aspire - it has a 1/6 hp motor, trigger activated, and some other features, and goes up to 57psi - all for about $200.

Shop around online for all the items and you will be able to get a complete set up in the $300 range - for a very well made, reliable, usable AB set...

My 2 cents...

Edited November 13, 2013 by Erik Smith