Another What Airbrush Thread...

[RacingPete]

Yes I know there are a lot of these questions across the forum, and I have read them all... so please bear with me.

I am just getting back into modelling and have always used the brush, but I want to get into much better painting and weathering etc. so want to use an airbrush. I am happy to invest a small amount into this, and reading across other threads the spec I would like is:

• Gravity fed
• Dual action (I want to get good at it)
• Internal mix

I will be using it on a mixture of 1:72/1:76 planes and car models, along with 00 model railway models. This is for a very long-term 00 scale model railway I am building in the garage.

Now it seems getting a cheap Chinese airbrush is a good way to start, but the threads I have read are a few years old and the links on ebay are now a little out of date to know if what is recommended is good or not - so I have found a few kits that look ok:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FoxHunter-TOP-END-AIRBRU...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Airbrush-Spray-Guns-1-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Airbrush-Dual-Action-Pai...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIRBRUSH-KIT-AIRBRUSH-CO...

These are all around my budget and keen to try them out (on some cheap models I picked up to practice before tackling some of the better models I want to build).

So which one looks 1) best value for money 2) will be good in the future (in terms of compressor) if I want to splash out on the Harder and Steenbeck that seems very recommended here at a later date.

Or is it worth my time just investing in this - http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/airbrushing-set-br...

The more I look the more options come out of the woodwork and I just need to dive in and start painting really! Thanks in advance.

[Zad]

Which ever airbrush you go for, one thing I would strongly recommend: Go for a compressor with an air tank. They deliver smoother airflow, don't run all the time, and give you better control over the air pressure.

Some of those air brushes are bottom or side feed by the way. Never used anything except a top feed myself, but I get the feeling those are better for large areas of coverage rather than detail. People can understandably get a bit snotty about the cheap Chinese brushes, but I found them perfectly fine for learning with. Later on, when you have worked out what sort of work you like to do, you can decide if it is worth paying 10x the money for an original instrument, and then which particular one.

[V8FGO]

All the airbrushes you linked to have a needle size of 0.3 or larger.
Given your subject size I would think 0.2 needle size would be more appropriate.

I would go for the best airbrush you can and a cheep tank to start with.
Do you intend to airbrush scenery sections, the a 2-1 might be a good option.

Any chance you ca get to any of the shows Paul (little cars) will be attending.
He usually has a few brushes for demo use and he will give good advise on what
the most appropriate kit would be for you.

[johnS2000]

Having done the cheap chinese copy route myself here's my advice .

Buy the kit that has the compressor with the tank that you have linked too.

The airbrush supplied with that kit may work properly or probably will not !

Then go to here :

http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/harder--steenbeck-...

and buy this .

With this you will have the option of .02 and .04 needle sizes and if the cheap chinese copy does work without spluttering and clogging up and just generally ruining the whole air brush experience you may have a brush for priming / clearcoating .

You could also save money (in the long term) by buying the complete kit from the above site as the quality will be much better!

[Eric Mc]

I used a Chinese brush for about a year and it worked fine - for about a year. After that time the internal gaskets (which are only cardboard) began to fail and the brush started spluttering and spitting.

I then bought a Harder and Steenbeck Evolution and have never looked back. I use an Aldi garage compressor which is great - but noisy when pumping up the tank. I would go for a proper silent running modelling compressor if buying one now.

[RacingPete]

Thank you all for your replies... very useful as always.

I think I will take the plunge with this kit as it has the tank with it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Airbrush-Dual-Action-Pai...

Then I can get an H&S for Christmas

The thing on the end of the compressor with the gauge, is that a water trap - or should I get another one?

[johnS2000]

No ,I don't think so . I bought a separate water trap that fits onto the brush .Gives a bit of a handle to hold onto ! Be careful cos the first one I bought broke when screwing it on .

[Red Firecracker]

Yes, it is a water trap, combined with a regulator. I also run one on the bottom of the airbrush as well (which actually is more of a balance thing).

[Zad]

The brass nipple thing at the bottom of the transparent bit under the gauge is a water drain. Push it up to blow the residue out.

[audikentman]

OP, did you get an airbrush? If so what one and how are you getting on with it?

[RacingPete]

I did... I bought this one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Airbrush-Dual-Action-Pai...

I have not used it as much as I would like so far, as lots of other stuff to model on the railway for prepping first - but I have played with it on a few test models and really enjoy using it, and makes spraying large areas or base coats far easier. The detailing part of airbrushing I still need to work on, and as pointed out above I probably need a finer needle for the 00 gauge I am modelling at.

[Eric Mc]

Ah - you went down the Cheap Chinese route. Hopefully it will keep working for you. Mine gave up the ghost after a few months.

[RacingPete]

Eric Mc said:

Ah - you went down the Cheap Chinese route. Hopefully it will keep working for you. Mine gave up the ghost after a few months.

I thought I would start out that way... and then at Christmas I can ask for an H&S

[Eric Mc]

Even if the brush does pack up - the ancilliaries look good.