AFV Painting & Weathering
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
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What is best value for compr & airbrush ?
lopper99
Joined: September 02, 2004
KitMaker: 21 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 11:51 PM UTC
I've recently started building plastic a/c models after a 20 yr hiatus. I'm taking model painting to its next step, airbrushing. What are the best compressor and airbrush for painting 1/48 and 1/72 scale a/c? I'm looking at spending $150 US max....about.... I almost bought the Tamiya compressor kit until i found out that it is battery powered which you have to purchase, and the finest attainable spray pattern is 2 mm. Now I'm evaluating the Testors "blue ice" airbrushing system. Please someone come straight out and tell me what to purchase. Steer me in the right path so I can get right to painting German WWII small size camo patterns and yet still have the capability to paint the whole a/c one color. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Strong oppinions are appreciated the most.
husky1943
Joined: March 17, 2004
KitMaker: 1,305 posts
Armorama: 591 posts
Posted: Friday, September 03, 2004 - 12:01 AM UTC
Ciao lopper99,
I hear you! My system is the Aztec 470 with a compressor from Walmart. The Aztec cost about $60.00 (8 years ago) and the compressor cost $70.00 three months ago. Works great for me, and it's almost idiot proof (so far.)
Ciao for now
Rob
I hear you! My system is the Aztec 470 with a compressor from Walmart. The Aztec cost about $60.00 (8 years ago) and the compressor cost $70.00 three months ago. Works great for me, and it's almost idiot proof (so far.)
Ciao for now
Rob
Mech-Maniac
Joined: April 16, 2004
KitMaker: 2,240 posts
Armorama: 1,319 posts
Posted: Friday, September 03, 2004 - 12:14 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Ciao lopper99,
I hear you! My system is the Aztec 470 with a compressor from Walmart. The Aztec cost about $60.00 (8 years ago) and the compressor cost $70.00 three months ago. Works great for me, and it's almost idiot proof (so far.)
Ciao for now
Rob
yes, i agree, aztec airbrushes are very good, and the campbell hausfield( spelling?) compressors work excellent, i'd say go for the aztec airbrush and the CH cmpressor, its a very good deal, and i've been happy.
husky1943
Joined: March 17, 2004
KitMaker: 1,305 posts
Armorama: 591 posts
Posted: Friday, September 03, 2004 - 12:16 AM UTC
Ciao Mech-Maniac,
I don't know if you're psychic or just shop at Walmart a lot, but you are dead on correct. That is the compressor I bought and it has been a breeze (granted, it's still new.)
Ciao for now
Rob
I don't know if you're psychic or just shop at Walmart a lot, but you are dead on correct. That is the compressor I bought and it has been a breeze (granted, it's still new.)
Ciao for now
Rob
Mech-Maniac
Joined: April 16, 2004
KitMaker: 2,240 posts
Armorama: 1,319 posts
Posted: Friday, September 03, 2004 - 01:07 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Ciao Mech-Maniac,
I don't know if you're psychic or just shop at Walmart a lot, but you are dead on correct. That is the compressor I bought and it has been a breeze (granted, it's still new.)
Ciao for now
Rob
its the psychic coming out in me, haha, actually we decided to get the campell hausfield cuz it was a pretty good price (came w/ staple gun and brad gun) but i dont shop at walmart a lot, to many idiots in our Super Wallys World
but i'm VERY pleased with my compressor and spray gun
SgtDinkyduck
Joined: April 20, 2004
KitMaker: 249 posts
Armorama: 172 posts
Posted: Friday, September 03, 2004 - 08:05 AM UTC
what ever you do, do not get that little blue compressor that testors puts out, it sucks bad.
I have an Aztec 320? i think, single action airbush, im happy with it, but want to get the next step up with the aztec, i went and bought a compressor from home depot for 70 the airbrush was 50,
I have an Aztec 320? i think, single action airbush, im happy with it, but want to get the next step up with the aztec, i went and bought a compressor from home depot for 70 the airbrush was 50,
blaster76
Joined: September 15, 2002
KitMaker: 8,985 posts
Armorama: 3,034 posts
Posted: Friday, September 03, 2004 - 12:36 PM UTC
get that Aztec system that has the interchangeable heads. Single action. I have an old Paasche which is similar, but I like the color coded heads. Mine all look the same, but same principal. I've got a real nice compressor that Hobby Lobby sells, it has an on off switch so I can leave it plugged in, a moisture trap, and a neat little plastic thing I can store my airbrush in when I'm not using it. Costs a bit more than $100, but its really fantastic. who knows with all those Hobby Lobby half price sales you might get it cheaper than the Wal-Mart one
Delbert
#073
Joined: October 05, 2002
KitMaker: 2,659 posts
Armorama: 1,512 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 08:30 PM UTC
Hi all.. i'm a firm beliver in u get what you pay for.. none the less that doesn't stop me looking for bargins..
btw that blue testors compressor.. i've heard nothing but bad bad things about it..
I've never used the new aztek 470 airbursh so i have no idea how that is but i've used the older aztek single and double action airbrushs when i started out and personally they left a lot to be desired.
Best way to get bargins on better air compressors and some of the other brands of airburshs. mainly Badger and Iwata.. is to check out Michales craft stores and A.C. Moore craft stores to see what they have.. and keep watching the paper for those 40% off weekly coupons.. (50% off around xmas).
with those u can buy one of the higher priced compressors at almost half price or the airbrushs.. i picked up a Badger 175 and a Badger Universeral 360 this way on the cheap..
my aircompressor is a scorpian II from hobbytown usa. a couple x-mas ago i told all my relitives who buy me gifts to just get me gift cards for the store. (this is another way to save up for those pricy items)
its a great little compressor been going strong for 2 years now.. has a on off switch and auto off pressure switch and with an added regulator and water trap i have no problems.
btw that blue testors compressor.. i've heard nothing but bad bad things about it..
I've never used the new aztek 470 airbursh so i have no idea how that is but i've used the older aztek single and double action airbrushs when i started out and personally they left a lot to be desired.
Best way to get bargins on better air compressors and some of the other brands of airburshs. mainly Badger and Iwata.. is to check out Michales craft stores and A.C. Moore craft stores to see what they have.. and keep watching the paper for those 40% off weekly coupons.. (50% off around xmas).
with those u can buy one of the higher priced compressors at almost half price or the airbrushs.. i picked up a Badger 175 and a Badger Universeral 360 this way on the cheap..
my aircompressor is a scorpian II from hobbytown usa. a couple x-mas ago i told all my relitives who buy me gifts to just get me gift cards for the store. (this is another way to save up for those pricy items)
its a great little compressor been going strong for 2 years now.. has a on off switch and auto off pressure switch and with an added regulator and water trap i have no problems.
MLD
Joined: July 21, 2002
KitMaker: 3,569 posts
Armorama: 2,070 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 09:16 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I've recently started building plastic a/c models after a 20 yr hiatus. I'm taking model painting to its next step, airbrushing. What are the best compressor and airbrush for painting 1/48 and 1/72 scale a/c? I'm looking at spending $150 US max....about.... I almost bought the Tamiya compressor kit until i found out that it is battery powered which you have to purchase, and the finest attainable spray pattern is 2 mm. Now I'm evaluating the Testors "blue ice" airbrushing system. Please someone come straight out and tell me what to purchase. Steer me in the right path so I can get right to painting German WWII small size camo patterns and yet still have the capability to paint the whole a/c one color. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Strong oppinions are appreciated the most.
Well, I paint 1/35th scale german armor and am using theTamiya Sprayworks HG brush, which is an Iwata clone. IIt does the finest lines I need for both WWII German and modern Nato armor.
I do not know which Tamiya and Iwata models are equivalent, but there is a comparison over on Missing Links.
I recently switched to a CO2 tank setup and am VERY happy with it.
It is silent, dry, has absolutely constant pressure, no need for a water trap and no oil in the lines like some piston compressors get as they age.
I got a big tank 20lb size (about a scuba tank) and a double guage regulator and spent about US$ 175, but a smaller tank or a used tank and a single guage regulator would be much less.
As for the airbrush, I am a member of the VLS 'mastersgroup' (nothing masterful about me, just their members discount buying club name) I get the membership as a b-day gift, but it runs about US$75. Then you get free shipping, 28% discount, free cataloges and updates.And best yet, a holiday time sale at 40% off!
My Tamiya airbrush +adaptor to Badger hoses was about US$100.
So, while this does not really stay within your pricerange, I figure I have a lifetime setup w/o many of the compressor hassles.
Might be worth thinking about.
Otherwise, sorry to waste your time (and bandwidth..)
Mike
Mech-Maniac
Joined: April 16, 2004
KitMaker: 2,240 posts
Armorama: 1,319 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 10:06 PM UTC
Quoted Text
get that Aztec system that has the interchangeable heads. Single action. I have an old Paasche which is similar, but I like the color coded heads. Mine all look the same, but same principal. I've got a real nice compressor that Hobby Lobby sells, it has an on off switch so I can leave it plugged in, a moisture trap, and a neat little plastic thing I can store my airbrush in when I'm not using it. Costs a bit more than $100, but its really fantastic. who knows with all those Hobby Lobby half price sales you might get it cheaper than the Wal-Mart one
i've got the aztec system w/ the interchangeable heads and love it, mine is the new double action, its very easy to use.
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