Hi All,
What would be a good airbrush for beginners? On a limited budget right now, and would like to learn the basics before moving on to something more highend.
Thanks
A lot of choices a lot of opinions,this gentleman knows his airbrushes and he does post here too.Check out his website for reviews and info,should be helpful in your search
I agree with tojo , don knows his stuff , for a first brush I bought an iwata neo .
I third that.
My suggestion as a model builder since the late 1960’s is to stay awy from cheap air brushes. What will happen is their poor paint spray qualities will make things harder for the beginner and eventually you will move up to a better AB. No need to go for expensive AB in the beginning, what you need is something reliable that will make the learning experience pleasent.
I suggest any of entry level Badgers like this one giving you 3 sizes:
https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-150-5-PK-Professional-Airbrush-x/dp/B001F6IB18
I bought my first AB (Badger) in the mid 1970’s and I still use it. They last for ever and are gems.
As stated, Don’s link has plenty of great info.
The Neo by Iwata gravity fed AB can be purchased at Hobby Lobby with a 40% coupon for under $50. I have one and have been using it for a couple of years now and does a great job too.
I also reccomend Don. I would suggest an Iwata neo gravity feed. Well built and affordable. Around $45.00 at Hobby Lobby with the 40% discount. It works good and will build good habits that will tranfer to better airbrushes if you ever switch, which you may never want to with this. Let us know wht you choose and how it works out.
Hey Tojo, Yes, it looks really good. I’ll have a read through in a bit. Thanks
Hey steve,
Ok, yes Iwata are very good quality. My brother also models, bought 2 cheap generic brushes and 2 basic Testors. Testors blow the cheap ones out of the water.
Hey plastic and modelmaker, Ok, Yes Hobby Lobby is pretty awesome, to bad we don’t have them here in Canada. Amazon.ca is not to bad. Still pricey but better ones can be had for around $100.00 cnd give or take. I will also take a look at the hobby shops that i like and see what they have. Thanks all and thanks don for your info.
Another very enthusiastic vote for Don’s Airbrush. May I suggest you look at USA Airbrush site? I have bought several items from them recently, among the best prices and great service, every transaction was faultless. Good luck with your search. Among others, I highly recommend Badger brand, tough as a hammer, reliable and produces good finishes.
Patrick
As you’ve noticed you’re getting different opinions. Check out Don’s site and make your own decision based on what you want and can afford.
One more vote for the NEO. They can be had pretty cheap from Hobby Lobby or even Amazon. I did the el Cheapo Master Airbrush kit from Amazon (brush and a little brick type compressor for $50) For me it worked well for 2 models and is still kicking, even with a bent needle (don’t even look at the needle sideways, cause it will bend). Ordered a second Master with 3 nozzles and needles (.2, .3 and .5) and it arrived with the three nozzles and two .2 needles and one .3 needle. Fit and finish on this brush is not anything like the other Master jobber I got. But then I paid $20, so my hopes weren’t up there. These will be great for my son to tinker with and if he drops it or looks at the needle sideways, it can become a disposable unit without a freak out. If you know you’re going to be doing this for a bit, then buy once cry once may apply.
One quality that is important no matter how experienced the user is ease of cleaning.
My go-to airbrush is a nearly 40 year old Badger 200 single action bottom feed unit, but it is a hassle to clean the internal paint channel. I have taught several friends how to use an AB with the Badger, and they all hated the cleaning process.
I also have a double action Iwata with a fixed cup gravity feed, and in contrast it is so easy to clean. The only reason I use the Badger is that I still haven’t mastered using a double action AB. After 40 years.
I agree with the others to not get a super cheapo AB to start. My first AB was that Badger economy model with the external mix tip and body fixed to the top of the paint jar. I think it was under $10 at the time (circa 1979), but I quickly decided it was not very good, so I ended up getting the Badger 200 for $42 in 1980.
I also use a Badger 200, even though I had to replace my almost 40 year old one. I have developed some tricks for cleaning the bottom feed paint channel, but love the 200 for complete-disassembly cleanups. I find the Badger 200 very easy to re-assemble compared to my -150, so I use the double action 150 sparingly. Obviously by our 40 year usages of the 300 it is a very dependable airbrush.
I started out with a DeVilbiss ABA series suction feed airbrush. It was a double action brush. I never got proficient using the double action part and usually used it full bore all the time. I used it for shading the stain on custom cabinet work. I tried it on a few models, but it just didn’t do what I wanted.
I then bought a Paasche “H” airbrush, a single action suction feed that uses the same size bottles as Model master 1/2 and 1 oz bottles. I’ve used this for about 15 years now with no problems at all. The only repair I had to do was when I dropped it once, landing on it’s nose, screwing up the tip and the needle. My LHS stocks parts for it though, and it was fixed in no time for about $9.00.
It’s a simple brush, simple to use and clean, for a simple modeler.
EJ
Man I understand the budget thing and wanting to get started on airbrushing and you should. It adds a whole new depth to modelling. Anyway I know everyone is pushing the brushes they like and don’t buy cheap, which I understand. But if you are on a budget and it’s your first endeavor into it as it was mine then look at something a little cheaper to start. I had the same constraints budget wise and did go cheap and what I got was a great starter kit that has served me quite well these past few months. It’s a point zero kit with a quiet compressor and the three different styles of airbrushes so you can see which works best for you. I quickly found I prefer gravity feed over bottom feeding. You can find them on Amazon just go there and search zero point airbrush kit. It’s only $99 and mine has been trouble free. Obviously not the highest quality brushes or compressor but as long as they keep fulfulling my needs what esle do a I need? One day I am sure I’ll get the bug for a better airbrush but until then this one cuts the mustard. I highly recommend watching lot’s of airbrushing videos on youtube it helps.
Ditto on the Neo…
Well said and sound advice.
I have 2 point zeros and a Neo. I use the Neo as my basic everyday AB. I use the .5mm for spraying Future and the .2mm for fine lines. As long as they are regularly cleaned and maintained I have had no real problems with them. The needles and nozzles bend and break easier than the Neo but you can buy 5 for the price of one the Neos. I agree with Tickmagnet, watch a lot of YouTube videos: cleaning, painting, etc. All that being said, love the Neo. Good first brush.
There is a certail big box hobby store that seems to have cut their price on the NEO quite a bit. With a 40% off coupon it cant be beat and is essentially the same price as a cheapo with discounts. Paired with the compressor from harbor freight and you can paint with the best of them!
Side note my Neo broke once and I had to mail it to Iwata for repar. Best customer service experience ever.