About a week ago my Mighty Mini Testors Airbrush hit the ground somehow (Me thinks the dog had something to do with it) . The top of the airflow button broke of during said fall. After many attempts to reglue with no success, I decided its time to invest in a good airbrush. The Mighty Mini was a great single action airbrush. So now to the questions.

1) What advantages does a double action have over a single action?
2) Any recommendations?

Keep in mind I have a nice air compressor which I use with air nailers, etc and want to rig my airbrush up to it.

Thanks in advance

Hi there Brian

the basics.. I'm sure more people can add to this.

most single action airbrushs are controlled by a on/off trigger.. press and you get paint.. let go and its off..

A double action gives you a little more control in the amount of paint you spray.. pressing down turns on the air but pulling the trigger back engages the paint.. the further back you pull the more paint you get out.

I started out using single actions but gave them up when I got my first double action badger.. the learning curve is there but not that much more difficult than a single action.. the hardest part for me was learning how to thin my paints..

as for recommendations.. everyone has their favorites.. I've used Testors and Badgers and my favorite and basicly only airbrush I use anymore is My Badger Universal 360.. (same as a badger 155 except it can work as both a siphon and gravity feed airbrush..)

I like the badger 155 / 360 airbrushes cause there is only one tip and needle size to worry about and its very easy to clean after use.. (average 5 mins for me to clean up..)

The badger cresendo 175 is also a good brush (which i also have) but is a little heavy duty for modeling its pretty good at putting on basecoats or airbrushing future.. but I don't use it for fine work..

just my 2 cents.. I'm sure everyone will be jumping on the bandwagon and I look forward to reading more on this thread.

Brian I have the Iwata Revolution. It is my first double action airbrush. I started with the Mighty Mini as well. The difference is unbelievable. The amount of control you have over the amount of paint and the size of line you can paint is incredible. I am now able to paint a line that is fine enough for camo or even the ridge between tire and roadwheel if I am really careful. The price is not bad either. Take a look at Dixie Art, I think they have free shipping to boot.

Brian, Im currently using the aztec A430, came with a few nozzles but I had to add the tan nozzle.. I find its a decent little brush. With a tan nozzle the right pressure and thinned paint, I can get a decent fine line. double action, paint cup will go on either side, which is a plus for my left handedness..I paid peanuts for the set.. Easy clean up as the nozzles do come apart.. Hope it helps..


Dave

Brian,

Have a look at this thread that I started a few weeks ago and see if you like the Iwata HP-CH.

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/80271#668595

John

I like my Badger 155 anthem for modeling. Uses only one needle for pencil to 3" wide, and eats up just about everything you throw at it. There is another version of the same pen called the Universal 360, which actually uses both a bottom feed cup, and can be rotated to use a small built in gravity cup for ultra low pressure grav feed fine detail, and uses the anthem one-needle system. Pretty much the airbrush that can replace 3 or 4 pens for about 100 bucks.

edit: heh, I didn't notice 2 votes for the same pen... Again, don't bother buying expensive illustrator pens for modeling, the anthem/universal can handle any media with no needle confusion, cheap easy to find parts and accessories. You'll end up messing around with fine needles that cant do the large areas and medium needles that can't do the small. The Badgers do both. I've used it from 10-40 psi. I was going to get the universal as an upgrade to my anthem, but haven't found nor can possibly see a need to get rid of the one I have now. I've never even had to take it apart.

I recently picked up the Iwata Revolution CR as my first airbrush and it's been fantastic. I'm still learning to control it, but I've been more than satisfied with my initial results. Cleaning has been very easy across the various mediums I've used. Cheap enough, too.

I got mine through DixieArt, who was OK on their service side (mainly weak on the return emails). But that's for another thread.

- Frank

Thanks for all your input guys. After doing some reasearching, I am leaning towards and Iwata Revolution or Eclipse.

Thanks again

I have a Revolution and an HP-C. I use the Revolution for my general purpose airbrush. It has a .5mm nozzle and a duel taper needle. I use the HP-C for fine detail work. It has a .3mm nozzle and a single taper needle. The Revolution is a fine airbrush and will do 90% of all your airbrush needs. The Eclypse has a .35mm nozzle. It will do fine for most all of your airbrush needs and it will also be able to do fine detail work much like the HP-C. My choice would be the Eclypes. Check out Dixie Art before you buy. Buy the airhose and any spare parts at the same time you get an airbrush. They will ship for free on anything over $50. Less than $50 is an expensive ship and handling charge.
Greg. cheers

Hey Brian,

I just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

I have and Iwata HP-CS and an Iwata HP-B Plus and I love them both. The CS does mosts of the heavy lifting and the B does more fine detail. The things I really like about Iwata brushes is that they are easy to maintain and the new HP Plus line really has some cool features, especially if you are using solvent based paint.

I really couldn't recommend two airbrushes any more. Do yourself a favor though, if you are going to buy one of the Iwata HP line, buy a Plus of the model you want. The extra features are worth the few extra bucks and the prices really aren't that bad at dixieart.com.

~ Garth

Brian. There are many good suggestions on this thread. Yes, a good double action i.e. Iwata Revolution is hard to beat. I would not rule out a good single action air brush like the basic Paasche H. The H is a great all around brush and with practice, you can even shoot fine lines. I have Iwatas but I keep going back to the H when I am doing armor subjects and larger scale aircraft. What I really like about the H is that it is so easy to clean and maintain. Takes less than a minute to break it down and clean after a paint color.

If you go with a double action you can always add an H because they are so inexpensive and you now have a good backup as well.

Mike

Dear Dave/Mojo,
Hi, i also have the Aztec A430 and i think it's great. I use it for everything with the Tan nozzle. I am also left handed and being able to mount cup on either side is a good idea. Its nice to know the world is not all right handed.
Bye,
Rodders