After years and years of brush painting, I've decided it's time to get an airbrush to get that extra 'umph' of realistic touch and ease of finishing. That said, what do I need??

I don't know how essential double-action brushes are for someone like me who's starting out, but I'd love any advice on anything that's out there at a fairly low price.

Is there any way to get a compressor and a decent airbrush in one set?

Thanks!
Neu

You can buy a compressor that will work, but is loud at a hardware store for about $50-80 on sale. Get a regulator if it doesn't already have one, and as long as you dont mind noise, you're set.

As for airbrushes, there's a new value line from Iwata that looks nice. I've got a Revolution BCR from Iwata, and while I do like it, I'd prefer one with gravity rather than siphon feed. A .5mm nozzle is what I've got, and it's good for about everything but freehand camoflage - and even that, I can get away with spraying at angles or through masks or whatever.

EDIT - I forgot about the whole double vs single action thing. Go for a double. People might say it's harder to learn, but realistically, it's not. It's harder to learn to use to its full potential, yes. But the full potential of a single action is comparatively limited. Learning to do on a double action what is the extent of the single action's capability is not difficult. At least, that's my experience. You'll probably want to upgrade from a single action anyway, so splurge for a double action.

Neu

There are as many answers to that question as there are airbrushes and people who use them.

I'll speak of what I know.

When starting out the Badger 360 was my most comfortable airbrush, not my first but the one I felt was easiest to use.

Its a variant of the Badger 155 which is a double action siphon feed.

The Badger Patriot 105 is a gravity feed version of the 155.

Both the 155 and 105 are available at Michaels craft stores if you have one in your area and are looking for a deal go online and get their 40% off coupons. sometimes on holiday says they even have 50% coupons.

Even though I now have 7 airbrushes, I still plan to buy a 105 for my collection.

If you have a harbor freight tools near you you can pick up a small airbrush compressor there pretty cheap. I will say the airbrushes they sell are worst that you know what but I've been using one of their compressors for a couple of years and it works well.

stay away from the compressors at hobby stores or craft stores unless you want to shell out a lot of cash.

thats my advice for a low price set up.

here is a website with a lot of information on airbrushes, its good for lots of useful airbrush info

Don's Airbrush Tips

p.s. the value line from Iwata is their Neo airbrushs made in china for Iwata, not made by Iwata, Hobby Lobby around here has em for around $75 so with a 40% off coupon you could get one fairly cheap.. their is a review of them on the link above..

Neu

Would be my suggestion to start out with a double action, and I guess it all depends on what you are willing to spend. Aztek(testors) has some pretty decent airbrushes for decent price, I believe they even had a set with compressor. Now if you have the money Iwata has a couple of set, they run up about $300-$400 and up.

I have two airbrushes, a Paasche VL, not very expensive, but good utility airbrush, and I have a Iwata Eclipse, great detail airbrush, little more money. As for a compressor, I have a Aztek compressor with tank, and I love it. The tank provides steady pressure, great for low pressure work. The compressor/tank set me back about $200.

I have found a good place to buy an airbrush is at an arts supply store, usually better prices then hobby store.

Anyways good luck with your search, and sorry to ramble on.

Kevin

Hi

For the compressor I would suggest one of the many airbrush compressors that sell on eBay, just get one of the versions with a tank.

This is an example of what to look for

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HIGH-PERFORMANCE-PROFESSIONAL-SILENT-AIRBRUSH-COMPRESSOR-TANK-TC-20T-/160784868533

For the airbrush, I would suggest not spending too much to start with, but would recommend you get a gravity feed brush, they spray with a lower pressure and you can mix up very small amounts of paint to spray with.

As for make to get, that will be down to personal choice, most modellers recommend Iwata and they are very good brushes, but sometimes they can be too good and you end up struggling with them.

I would suggers either an Iwata Neo or Iwata Revolution BR or CR, I can also recommend Badger Brushes and in their range look out for the Patriot 105 or 100-G.

Any of the above brushes will give you years of service, there are many Chinese made brushes on eBay that cost less than half the Iwata NEO and some of them are very good, but many are not, and unlike the ones mentioned above spares are not available for them so even if you get a good one you may still need to replace it when something needs fixing.

If you look on eBay for the compressor you will see many offered with one or even two airbrushes, these are the Chinese ones mentioned above, they will do to get you started but you will soon be buying again.

Hope this has been of help

Paul

Neu;
Here is my two cents. I would invest in a REALLY good compressor, one that will last you close to a lifetime. I recently just purchased a Silentaire, for under $200 and I am told these are some of the quietest compressors you can get, if noise is a factor. If not, you can get a great compressor for less than $100 at home depot (online too delivered to your local store) and then you just need a moisture trap and maybe a regulator, but most usually come with those.

If you have never purchased an airbrush or used one, my suggestion is to go with a Paasche VL, which you can find in your local ART?CRAFT store for under $90 or look on ebay, they sell cheap there and usually in good condition. OR you get yourself an IWATA knock off like the VEDA 180 on ebay. This will give you all the bells and whistles you want and you can "grow into it" over time, but you have the best design in your hands and you can see if you like it before shelling out $300 for a real Iwata. My guess is that within two years you are going to be reaching for a real Iwata and are going to be very happy. So For between $150 and $300 you can get a great compressor and a really good airbrush that will be more than you need for a few years. Good luck.

Thanks so much everyone, this is all terrific information. It seems like there are common themes throughout these posts, so I'm probably going to end up getting a good silent compressor and maybe look at the lower-end Iwata or the Badger Patriot series.

Thanks again, I'd still have been in the dark without y'all!

Which ever airbrush you end up with just make sure its designed to spray hobby paints, you can spend a small fortune on the finest airbrush available but be never able to use it properly just because its more at home spraying fine art inks than hobby paints.

Paul