hi i,m considering buying a airbrush and compressor as i,m impressed by the results on my 1/32 f15 e which i,ve sprayed with tamiya ts paints i,ve always brushed humbrol emamels before from my owm reasearch i think a dual action airbrush is best i mainly make armour but also figures and just starting aircraft so a good all round airbrush is what i,m looking for my price range would be up to £350 for both many thanks for any advice

Hi Pod123 - Just getting started with the airbrush myself. Have an Aztec double action (I'm at work and don't have the brush in front of me...sorry I don't know the model number) and a Testors compressor....I am very happy with the set-up and hopefully with lots of practice I'll be able to match some of the really great stuff I've seen on this and other modeling sites! The one thing I highly recommend when-not-if you get your compressor is to get both a pressure regulator and a water trap/filter...learned real fast that those things are have to have stuff. Good luck in finding something that suits you.

Hoss

cheers hos spraying seems definatly the way to go the results with the cans are far better than any brush painting i,ve ever done thanks for the advice regarding regulator and water trap

I have a Pasche H model single action AB that I have used for about 18 years and it still works great. A good home compressor that you can get from Wal-Mart or the likes is also a must. Be sure to get one with a air tank as well. They run for under $100.

Without an air tank, the paint will spit out more than flow evenly. All compressors pulse, due to the way they operate. They suck air in one end and blow it out the other using a piston and valves. The pulsing is most evident at low pressure as well. The tank collects the pressurized air and allows it to come out in an even, steady flow. You will not be able to spray fine, even lines without the tank.

A household compressor can be used for other things like inflating tires and running small air tools as well. Here is an example. This model runs about $50-$75.


That is basically the set-up I have, but I bought the pieces separately and put them together. I bought mine before they had the low cost home compressor/tank combos, about 16 years ago. I mated a Sears Craftsman 3/4 HP compressor to a 3 gallon air tank and added gauges and fittings. I still have the same setup and it is going strong. It will last a long time and is a good investment as opposed to the an expensive hobby compressor, like the Teastors one, that will only run your airbrush and still needs a tank attached to it.

Have you given CO2 a thought? I've used compressors, air tanks (the $25 Wal-Mart one) and even a spare tire as a kid. CO2 eliminates water in your paint, as in humid weather even a trap doesn't always work. It's also a lot quieter, and if you get the small tank, you can take it anywhere in the house, without worrying about where to plug it in.

Hi I've got an Aztek 4709 which is a double action airbrush it comes with several different nozzles and different paint containers. I paid £99 for mine last year and it was a good investment. It is available from a few internet model shops.

Hi Guys, pleased your discussing this right now, a subject at the forefront of my mind at the moment.
I've just bought an Iwata airbrush, and are also now in need of an air compresor......
Problem is they're sooooo expensive!!! What's the main differences between a 'proper' modellers air compressor priced at £150+ from modelling websites, and a standard air compressor from a shop for about £60? I'm not expecting to use my airbrush that often, so don't need to use the compressor all the time.
As long as they've got a regulator, and have a minimum 35psi, then does it really matter THAT much between the two?
Help here would be much appreciated, for my modelling, and for my bank balance....

Many thanks, Simon