Airbrush and compressor kit? where to get
Discussion
Based on my research - but I haven't taken the plunge myself yet:
Ebay.
"Big Name" (Iwata, Paasche, Badger etc) compressors cost an absolute fortune, especially the ultra low noise versions. For £140 you'd probably get a horrible diaphragm compressor without a tank, moisture trap or pressure gauge.
On Ebay, for around half this amount, you'll get 1 of any number of far-east airbrush 'proper' piston compressors with tank, moisture trap and gauge. You won't get perfect engineering, but then how much is there to go wrong on these things?
£30 will buy you a decent dual action airbrush and hose (probably a total ripoff of a big name design) which will be much more usable and flexible than a single action / external mix Badger.
Ebay.
"Big Name" (Iwata, Paasche, Badger etc) compressors cost an absolute fortune, especially the ultra low noise versions. For £140 you'd probably get a horrible diaphragm compressor without a tank, moisture trap or pressure gauge.
On Ebay, for around half this amount, you'll get 1 of any number of far-east airbrush 'proper' piston compressors with tank, moisture trap and gauge. You won't get perfect engineering, but then how much is there to go wrong on these things?
£30 will buy you a decent dual action airbrush and hose (probably a total ripoff of a big name design) which will be much more usable and flexible than a single action / external mix Badger.
If it's for limited use, you can just buy a water trap, regulator and tank (an old mig welding bottle was my first tank) and plumb up to a fridge compressor, work fantastically.
Whatever you go for a tank, quality regulator and watertrap are an absolute must.
Airbrush wise depends on how fine and reliable you want it. I still favour my 20 year old Paasche to any of the later or more expensive! It's much like a pen, you just get a 'brush that "feels" right, weighted right, correct dimensions for your hand. Get along to a shop and hold them - not for a few seconds either, describe a few arcs, use the trigger etc. Make yourself look a prat
One airbrush I paid a not inconsiderable amount for, I've never created something I'm happy with - the trigger is too close to the air inlet so it's uncomfortable.
Whatever you go for a tank, quality regulator and watertrap are an absolute must.
Airbrush wise depends on how fine and reliable you want it. I still favour my 20 year old Paasche to any of the later or more expensive! It's much like a pen, you just get a 'brush that "feels" right, weighted right, correct dimensions for your hand. Get along to a shop and hold them - not for a few seconds either, describe a few arcs, use the trigger etc. Make yourself look a prat
One airbrush I paid a not inconsiderable amount for, I've never created something I'm happy with - the trigger is too close to the air inlet so it's uncomfortable.Edited by Davi on Sunday 21st October 19:15
I used this place...
http://www.everythingairbrush.com/acatalog/Special...
I bought one of thier kits complete with compressor etc and it's never missed a beat. Can highly recomend the service too and they are happy to give advice over the phone.
http://www.everythingairbrush.com/acatalog/Special...
I bought one of thier kits complete with compressor etc and it's never missed a beat. Can highly recomend the service too and they are happy to give advice over the phone.
Civpilot said:
I used this place...
http://www.everythingairbrush.com/acatalog/Special...
I bought one of thier kits complete with compressor etc and it's never missed a beat. Can highly recomend the service too and they are happy to give advice over the phone.
I ended up buying a set on ebay for £75 with 2 airbrushes and the AS-18 compressor, thats in most of the kits on that site.... and its just arrived so will have some fun tonight.http://www.everythingairbrush.com/acatalog/Special...
I bought one of thier kits complete with compressor etc and it's never missed a beat. Can highly recomend the service too and they are happy to give advice over the phone.
Thanks for all the tips
I have struggled over almost 30 years of trying to get to grips with airbrush use for my model making. Initially I used cheaper external mix brushes (such as a very basic Humbrol branded device I bought way back in the 1970s). I just couldn't get on with it. I then bought a single action Badger in the mid 1990s. Again, I still found it difficult to make the thing work effectively.
Finally, earlier this year, I was able to buy second hand (but virtually unused) an Aztek 470 brush and guess what, it's brilliant. At long last I have a brush which I can control easily, is a doddle to keep clean and is producing results that I can finally admire.
The only downside of the Aztek range is that they seem to be fairly fragile compared to the more robust Badgers, Iwatas and Paasches.
However, I am extremely careful with it, keep it clean and put everything away in the lovely wooden box supplied.
If you want to see Azteks in action, go to the Testors website and have a look at the modelling videos presented by expert Aussie modeller, Brett Green. Brett is biased to some extent as he is sponsored by Aztek but at least you get to see some of the techniques used.
I met him at ScaleModelworld last year and chatted to him about Aztek brushes and he said that he REALLY did think they were a good product - as long as you looked after them properly.
Finally, earlier this year, I was able to buy second hand (but virtually unused) an Aztek 470 brush and guess what, it's brilliant. At long last I have a brush which I can control easily, is a doddle to keep clean and is producing results that I can finally admire.
The only downside of the Aztek range is that they seem to be fairly fragile compared to the more robust Badgers, Iwatas and Paasches.
However, I am extremely careful with it, keep it clean and put everything away in the lovely wooden box supplied.
If you want to see Azteks in action, go to the Testors website and have a look at the modelling videos presented by expert Aussie modeller, Brett Green. Brett is biased to some extent as he is sponsored by Aztek but at least you get to see some of the techniques used.
I met him at ScaleModelworld last year and chatted to him about Aztek brushes and he said that he REALLY did think they were a good product - as long as you looked after them properly.
Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 25th October 17:18
rich1231 said:
I need to get an airbrush kit.. have no idea which brand et.
for modelling, some detail work. Not wanting to spend a fortune.
Budget say £250.
Anyone got any suggestions?
RIPMAX T-RCP104 compressor. Proper piston job with all the bits - tank, regulator. trap etc, circa £160 or less. I have an AZTEK A4709 double-action airbrush. Nice bit of kit, comes in a lovely wooden case, (aaah, bless), with a selection of nozzles. Around £110. But.................I'd buy IWATA a/brush next time. Nicer to hold/handle, (my a/brush was a gift so can't complain). Just Google around.for modelling, some detail work. Not wanting to spend a fortune.
Budget say £250.
Anyone got any suggestions?
I brought one of these about six months ago and use it for all my modeling work http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COMPLETE-AIRBRUSH-KIT-AIR-BR... really good bit of kit at a bargain price. Haven't worked out how to adjust the pressure though; whether that's just me being stupid or not I'm not sure
Negative Creep said:
I brought one of these about six months ago and use it for all my modeling work http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COMPLETE-AIRBRUSH-KIT-AIR-BR... really good bit of kit at a bargain price. Haven't worked out how to adjust the pressure though; whether that's just me being stupid or not I'm not sure
On the bottom of the part that has the dials on... at the very very bottom, there is a screwable nut/lug that you can turn to vary the pressureGassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff