Is the Badger 250-1 a good airbrush?
I think I’d stay away from it for modeling. Badger’s site states that “The spray pattern can be adjusted from ¾” to 2" simply by turning the paint tip" Even 3/4" is way too wide for many modeling chores. It would be OK for general coverage but you’d be better of spending a bit more and getting something that would do more for you.
I’d recommend aginst it as well. It looks to be the Badger equivalent of Testor’s A-220. The A-220, my first airbrush, is only slightly more controllable than a rattle-can. By using masking tape, I certainly have gotten some excellent results with it, and I’m sure the Badger 250 would do the same. However, for not too much more money you could get a Badger 350 or probably better yet the Paasche H which would give a LOT more control while still being inexpensive, and easy to use.
Andy
Yes,ive used it…and its not so good…it ws a hand me down…Any ideas on a new airbrush? im in the 50$ to a 100$ range
I’ve got the Paasche H and I really like it. I spent around $40 on it. The key is to get a good air source (I rented a CO2 tank from the local welder’s supply. It’s a big tank so it cost me $65 down, but only $7 a month). I used propellant cans for awhile, but they sucked and got expensive quickly.
I use an aircompressor,my dad has like 4 of them!
Go to dixieart.com. They have lots of good airbrushes in the $50 - $70 range.
A Paasche H Set from DixeArt (http://www.dixieart.com/HSet.html) will come in at the bottom end of your price range. Aside from the crompressor, which you already have, the H set is complete with different size tips, bottles, color cup, and a nice braided air hose. Overall this is an fine airbrush, giving both good fine line control and wide angle coverage. Being single action it is easy to use and clean, and is reliable.
For something more high end, there’s the Badger Anthem 155 (http://www.dixieart.com/Badger_155_Anthem_General_Purpose_Airbrush.html) . It’s about 20 bucks more than the Paasche H. I have a single action version of this brush, the 200NH, and it is a good airbrush, although I’m not convinced that there is any significant improvement in the quality of its finish or its fine line capability. Since the Anthem is double-action, it will be trickier to use, although once you master it, you can do fade effects and some kinds of shadows that would be a lot more difficult to achieve than with a single action brush. In my model building experience, I’ve not had the need of doing such things, so I use my single action Badger and Paasche, while leaving my double action Aztek to collect dust.
For something a lot hgher ended, there’s the Badger 100 LG ([url]http://www.dixieart.com/Badger100.html[\url]). Since the color cup is built in, the only thing extra you’d really need would be the airhose, so this would only be few bucks more than the Anthem. I’ve never used one, but the 100 gets a lot of good press on this forum and I’ve never heard any significant criticism of it. Supposedly it has even better fine line capability.
Having mentioned the Aztek, I would recommend against it. I have an A430 that stopped working after a short service life. Since I followed all the cleaning and usage instructions that were provided with it, I place the fault on the Aztek design rather than user error. Certainly people use do use Azteks successfully, but I have also read a lot of forum posts from people who shared my experience, so I don’t think that my problem with it represents an isolated incident. Testor’s certainly honored their warranty on it, but I was out the use of the airbrush during the three weeks that it took. Based upon my personal usage of Aztek and the aforementioned Paasche and Bager, I do not agree with Tetsor’s claims that the Aztek is a lot easier to use and clean than a conventional airbrush. Both the Badger and the Paasche are just as easy to use and clean.
All in all, I’d recommend the Paasche H Set first. If you feel like plunking down more money and going all out, then get the Badger 100LG.
Andy
I recommend saving a little more money and go with the Badger 360. IMHO
Steve
Dude if you get that Passche H from Dixieart.com you get free shipping! As your friend I think you should get it from what I’ve read, especially since its only $50.00!
Thanks Guys!!!