Airbrush required - any recommendations?
Discussion
restoman said:
As per title really - need an airbrush for painting models. What can you recommend without spending a fortune?
Iwata or Harder & Steenbeck seem to be the ones most likely not to be a nightmare. If you need a complete starter kit, contact Paul at little-cars.com ; he'll give good advice, let you try before you buy (if you go to a show he's attending) and won't rip you off.How much is a fortune? 
I bought my airbrush and compressor from here...
http://www.everythingairbrush.com/index.html
I dropped into their premises in Poole and they were really helpful and spent a lot of time answering all my questions and let me handle the brushes before I decided what I wanted to buy.
Like with most things, in general the more you spend, the higher the quality of the product.
You will want to decide on whether you want single action or double action. A double action brush allows control of the air as well as the paint flow which is very useful if not essential for modelling IMO.
The air can be supplied in several ways from cans (expensive) to compressors which require an initial outlay but in the long run are economical. Compressors start at about £60.
You will need a hose to connect the brush and compressor and a quick release adaptor is really useful.
A respirator is essential wear when using an airbrush and I would recommend a set of cleaning brushes for cleaning the airbrush after use.
HTH
I bought my airbrush and compressor from here...
http://www.everythingairbrush.com/index.html
I dropped into their premises in Poole and they were really helpful and spent a lot of time answering all my questions and let me handle the brushes before I decided what I wanted to buy.
Like with most things, in general the more you spend, the higher the quality of the product.
You will want to decide on whether you want single action or double action. A double action brush allows control of the air as well as the paint flow which is very useful if not essential for modelling IMO.
The air can be supplied in several ways from cans (expensive) to compressors which require an initial outlay but in the long run are economical. Compressors start at about £60.
You will need a hose to connect the brush and compressor and a quick release adaptor is really useful.
A respirator is essential wear when using an airbrush and I would recommend a set of cleaning brushes for cleaning the airbrush after use.
HTH
I messed about with all sorts of airbrushes (Aztek, Badger, Chinese cheapos, Humbrol cheapy etc etc). I never really got to grips with any of these brushes. However, last year I bought a Harder and Steenbeck and it has been a true revelation to use. 100% reliable, controllable, easy to clean etc.
It cost me £90 plus £10 for a hose adapter (to fit a badger airline I already had). Prices may be a bit higher now since the January VAT increase but Paul at Little-Cars is the man to talk to.
I was at the Hendon Model Show yesrterday and he was there. I would recommend that you get along to one of these model shows and have a chat with him. He is very helpful and will let you have a go with the various airbrushes they have set up for demonstration purposes. With airbrushes, there is no substitute for seeing them in action and literally getting a genuine feel for what they are like to handle and hold.
It cost me £90 plus £10 for a hose adapter (to fit a badger airline I already had). Prices may be a bit higher now since the January VAT increase but Paul at Little-Cars is the man to talk to.
I was at the Hendon Model Show yesrterday and he was there. I would recommend that you get along to one of these model shows and have a chat with him. He is very helpful and will let you have a go with the various airbrushes they have set up for demonstration purposes. With airbrushes, there is no substitute for seeing them in action and literally getting a genuine feel for what they are like to handle and hold.
Harder and Steenbeck user here too, I have the Evolution 2 in 1 and also the Evolution CR+, the 2 in 1 I've been using for a year now and apart from issues with the trigger seal (sorted now after I bought a replacement seal for a few quid) it is a wonderful airbrush, the 2 in 1 means I can alternate between a 0.4 needle and 0.2 ( although I use the .4 90% of the time .
Will go shopping 
I bought one of these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AIRBRUSH-DOUBLE-ACTION-SUCTI...
It has proved to be spot on so far, no probs, as long as it's kept clean.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AIRBRUSH-DOUBLE-ACTION-SUCTI...
It has proved to be spot on so far, no probs, as long as it's kept clean.
I used one of these for a while and it was the "second best" of the brushes I have tried. It was a bit less robust than the H & B but it still works and I now use it for spraying varnishes. It's not a bad brush for starters and extremely good value.
Whatever brush you chose, I would definitely go for gravity feed rather than suction feed as you can use a gravity feed brush with less air pressure and you can use far less quantities of paint.
Whatever brush you chose, I would definitely go for gravity feed rather than suction feed as you can use a gravity feed brush with less air pressure and you can use far less quantities of paint.
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