Best bang for the buck airbrush

[blackandwhite]

I have always painted my kits by hand with the exception of the bodies and larger pieces. I enjoy the detail that I am capable of with a brush, but something about the fact I can toss all my 'black' part down and hit them with paint all at once really pleases me.

I have been looking on harbor freight as well as ebay (I did a quick browse on here and didnt see much about this topic, but then again, I am terrible with the search function), and have been seeing this and that.

I would like a no non-sense. cost effective, simply solution to this. Any help or point in the right direction would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[Guest G Holding]

get and watch the DVD from the Old Man, Donn Yost....He shows you the A/B and how and why he uses it...money well spent.

[CadillacPat]

Your post doesn't really sound like you're itching to begin airbrushing.

If all you want to do is paint some parts black and you want the simplest solution, just rattlecan it.

Airbrushing is a step up from hand painting or rattlecaning that can improve your models enormously.

Forget about Harbor Freight, it's the bottom of the barrel for anything but hand tools with no moving parts.

About $300 will get you a decent Compressor and setup with AirBrush.

Search around here some more. This subject has come up many times on this site.

CadillacPat

Edited September 15, 2012 by CadillacPat

[Monty]

I'd suggest you do a little reading before blindly accepting the suggestions of the boardmembers. Start by learning about some of the common differences in aribrushes and their various advantages and disadvantages (gravity vs siphon feed, single action vs dual action, etc). Keep these things in mind as you consider how you'll be using your airbrush, and you may find the list whittled down for you. One of our members has compiled this site http://sites.google....nsairbrushtips/ which I think you'll find helpful. Start by clicking on the tab labeled First Airbrush? and go from there.

Keep in mind that as your interest grows, the things you'll want to do may be more than a basic 'brush can do, so don't automatically rule out a dual action brush, and as Pat said, don't bother with the Harbor Freight stuff.

Last, be prepared to clean whatever brush you buy. We've got all kinds of tips for that, too.

Edited September 13, 2012 by Monty

[blackandwhite]

I would like to be able to do complete bodies as well. I would prefer siphon fed as style, sorry for leaving that out. again, my reason for posting this was to find something that i can use for 'anything', a sort of "come one, come all effect.

"

[crazyjim]

Paasche H series is a terrific place to start.

[Longbox55]

Paasche H series is a terrific place to start.

I agree. The H is virtually indestructable, easy to service, and easy to work with.

I do have to disagree about the HF airbrushes. Their double action airbrush is a decent unit for the price. I use them without any issues.

[Monty]

What do you guys think of this package deal? $110.00 for 3 airbrushes and a compressor, and everything ships for free.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Pro-3-Airbrush-Air-Compressor-Kit-Gravity-Feed-Dual-Action-w-Hose-Filter-/221076092650?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D320698039964%26ps%3D54

I'm happy with the airbrushes & compressor I have, but this looks like the ideal setup for someone just starting out. From what I can see, the compressor seems to have a built-in water trap, which is nice.

I'm kinda curious whose airbrushes they're using...

[crazyjim]

You want a compressor that has an air tank to hold some air.

[Don Wheeler]

What do you guys think of this package deal? $110.00 for 3 airbrushes and a compressor, and everything ships for free.

http://www.ebay.com/...698039964&ps=54

I'm happy with the airbrushes & compressor I have, but this looks like the ideal setup for someone just starting out. From what I can see, the compressor seems to have a built-in water trap, which is nice.

I'm kinda curious whose airbrushes they're using...

These are the typical no name Chinese airbrushes and compressor that E-bay is full of. The brush with the larger cup looks just like the Master G-22 that I reviewed. The single action looks just like the Harbor Freight single action, right down to the words Air Brush stamped on the side. The double action airbrushes probably have sloppy fitting nozzles and rubber o-rings that disintegrate. The .2mm and .3mm nozzles are too small for car modeling in my opinion. The compressor might be OK, and it might not. Notice there are no labels or identification on anything. There are a bunch of small companies in China producing items that look identical. I would say this setup is a poor choice for a beginner. At least, buying from Harbor Freight, it is easy to get a refund or replacement.

I think the best bet for someone wanting to start painting model cars on a small budget is a basic Paasche H or Badger 350 and a Harbor Freight airbrush compressor. It would cost about the same as this set, and you would have an airbrush of known quality.

Don

[Skip]

I'm going to go out on a limb here. I already know that there will be plenty who disagree with what I'm going to say but everyone's got oppinions on what works and what's good wnd what's not.

Auto Art Magazine (it's a trade magazine for Automotive Artists) did a test shot on the Harbor Freight Deluxe Air Brush a year or two ago and liked it. It's not an every day pro's workhorse airbrush but for small highlights touchups etc - which would include small jobs like painting a model.

The Deluxe Airbrush is a great little airbrush for the price $19.99; I think I paid $14 or $15 for both of mine, I've squirted a bunch of piant through them and they're still alive and kicking. If you get one be aware that before you use it you will have to do a few tune up things like polish the needle, first make sure that the needle is straight and the tips are round and seat the needle. If not take it back for your money or a new one it will spit all over the place if the needle isn't straignt and doesn't seat. Now you have an inexpensive airbrush that you can learn the basic techniques without investing in an Iwata, Paasche or Badger airbrush.

The point is you are going to be more apt to try new techniques with a $20 airbrush than you will with a $200 airbrush. You will learn to keep it clean on a much cheaper brush one that you won't feel you have to treat it like you are disassembeling and reassembeling some sort of explosive device!! You will figure out whether you want to spend the extra hard earned dollars for that top name airbrush as well . Don't forget that a whole lot of us started out in the mysterious world of the airbrush with the single action Badger airbrush and canned air.

If you already have a compressor or access to one don't be in a rush to run out and get one beg or borrow the use of one, if you like it buy one you can afford whether it's from Harbor Freight or somewhere else.

Jump in and get your feet wet find out if it's for you, don't forget to have fun while you're doing it. Just my two cents!

http://www.harborfre...-kit-95810.html