Hello,

I'm looking to try my hand at airbrushing and was looking for suggestions on a good entry level airbrush/compressor set up. Trying to keep the price between $100-$200. I'll mostly be using it for model cars, armor, etc...

I saw this one on amazon.com and it has some decent reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Paasche-H-100D-Airbrush-Compressor-Package/dp/B002DHCNG2/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1333494314&sr=8-8

any thoughts?

Depending on where you do your airbrushing (inside or out), you may want to look at Harbor Freight. They carry small ab compressors. My first was their 1gal. pancake compressor. A few fittings, also purchased from Harbor Freight, and I had a nice little set-up for painting.

Hi Nate, and welcome to Armorama! First, for model painting a gravity feed brush is far superior to a syphon feed, which is in your example. I searched around, and Amazon has the lowest price on an Iwata Revolution CR, an excellent airbush - http://www.amazon.com/Iwata-Medea-Revolution-Action-Large-Gravity/dp/B000BQS3UW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333509845&sr=8-1Make sure you buy an Iwata hose with it. Then get a regulator/moisture trap. http://www.amazon.com/Airbrush-Compressor-REGULATOR-Moisture-Filter/dp/B00171BFKK/ref=pd_sbs_ac_1Last, head to Harbor Frieght and spend $40 on a compressor. You can get the 1/4" fittings at any hardware store to hook it all together. Don't forget nylon tape to make the threads airtight. But there you have a great setup for about $140.

Hi Nate,

Matthew and Matt are spot on. I couldnt agree more. Had i to do it over again i would have gone to harbor frieght for my compressor instead of dropping big bucks on a Name brand AB compressor. You will not be disapointed with any of Iwatas AB's.

Gary

The Tamiya Sprayworks Superfine is an Iwata clone and is (was? mine is 10yrs old)) less expensive through the old membership group at VLS.. also gone now.

There was an article over on Missing Links a while back comparing the various Iwata brushes for modelling purposes.

Allow me to offer a different opinion on the compressor front.
Co2 tank.
It is completely silent
It is dry, so no moisture trap
the pressure is constant

A dual guage regulator, a couple of fittings and a filled tank was less than $100 when I got mine 7-8yrs ago. I went to the local 'gas' big name place not knowing exactly what I wanted/needed and they wanted little to nothing to do with me, but the guy at the small locally owned welding supply shop got me all set up.
I've refilled the tank for about $25 two times now and painted more than 50 models easily.

TLDR?
look at CO2, it rocks!

My US$0.02, your mileage may vary.
Mike

i have two brushes i use a testors/aztek a430 came with 6 changeable tips and cups eazy to clean and when it broke testors replaced it for free.if you mess the tips up they are cheep to replace.my other brush is a iwata eclipse hp-cs i got off of ebay for 120 shipped.the testors was like 200 but came with all that stuff so it was way worth it.
as far as air compressors i use a paasche d500sr not sure how much it was it was a gift works ok it broke pressure stwitch had a issuse they also replaced the comp.for free

Which air compressor from harbor freight would you suggest? What capacity is needed and at what PSI?

This one here appears to be decent and comes with a moisture trap. I know harbor freight doesn't sell the highest quality of tools but for a starter set this doesn't look half bad. http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-compressors/1-8-eighth-hp-40-psi-oilless-airbrush-compressor-93657.html

Hi Nate

Personaly i would have went for either of these two instead of my pricey Iwata compressor.

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-compressors/3-gallon-100-psi-oilless-pancake-air-compressor-95275.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-compressors/1-3-hp-3-gallon-100-psi-oilless-air-compressor-97080.html

Just my opinion Nate.

Gary

Nate, I'm on hoppin' on the CO2 band wagon with Mike. I've used compressors, various ones, but the day I started up the CO2 tank I have never even thought of going back. Consistant dry pressure no noise no fuss... nice... Everything else comes from Harbor Freight, I recently had to replace my old (very old) regulator and that was about 40 bucks. The airbrush I'm using came from there too, it was 9 buck on sale... so I got two. I've never even opened the second, the first has never given me a reason to. And yes I've used the brand names, single action, double action, but never gravity feed though. I'm a siphon man (I'm sure I would end up dumping the cup!) Any way the guys our club are all running something different, so I guess it just boils down to what feels right to you! Good luck with the search!

Nate,
As Gary suggests, I'd get this one -
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-compressors/3-gallon-100-psi-oilless-pancake-air-compressor-95275.html