I’m about to Get Really Serious about this hobby and invest in an airbrush. I’ve read a lot of the threads on these board, but I thought I’d poll our panel of experts. Here are my questions
let the games begin!
I use a Badger 150. It’s a double action internal mix. I like it for it’s all metal construction (cause I’m tough on it) and parts are easy to get. No real downsides to it on my part.
For a compressor I have an old 3/4 hp Ingersol Rand that I picked up at a hardware store about 17 years ago, Still works great. Loud though.
www.bearair.com is the best place for airbrushes and acc.
But IMHO get a Compressor from a hardware store (we’re thinking multi-task here)
Bernie the K.
St. Paul, MN
doswonk,
Badger 200 single action internal mix, it is easy to use and clean, all metal construction, I have to practice to make fine lines, I prefer the color cup instead of the jar.
1 hp evans with tank (I can’t find anything smaller), air filter and regulator; I buy it in a hardware store, very noisy too.
Wish this could help you
I have a Badger 360 Universal, and a 200, and love them both.
I use the 200 for primer, and finish coats, and the 360 for everything else. They both do a great job, and are easy to clean.
I have a Paasche RD3000 compressor – with the regulator. and it has worked perfectly. Nice and quiet, and very steady flow of air.
I get most of my stuff from Dixie Arts – http://www.dixieart.com/Dixie_Art_Supplies_Airbrush_Main_Page.html – because of their low prices, and free shipping for orders over $45… plus fast service!
I have a Paasche H - single action with three tips and it’s all I’ll ever need. I can do camo with no problems, when I’m not just painting something O.D.
As far as a compressor goes, I purchased a small industrial compressor from a local lumber yard. It came with a 2 gallon tank and regulator so all I had to add was a moisture trap. Works great and costs less than most hobby compressors.
I’ve got an Aztec dual action airbrush and I wouldn’t recomend it for long term investment value as far as hobby tools go.
Being all plastic, it is light which is easier on your arm for longer airbrush sessions, but it does feel rather toylike. The airhose is a menace, its nearly completely unmanageable. the vinyl its made of is too stiff to easily move about. The stock nozzels that come with the Aztec setup don’t handle acrylics well, specialized acrylic nozzels have been on the market for a couple of years though.
My compressor is a 1/10 hp Paasche unit and beyond the noise and the fact that it doesn’t have an on/off switch for some reason, I have no complaints about it.
There is a Metal Aztek now… and the Acrylic nozzles are very nice…
doswonk,
I have a Thayer and Chandler Vega 2000 and a Vega 1000 with a customized Omni 3000 on the way.
The Vegas and Omnis are great airbrushes as they are balanced correctly, fit the hand nicely, spray great and are fairly cheap to get parts for. They are also American made by Badger. [:D]
I am a T-shirt airbrush artist so I have a bit of experience with these things. [:D]
My compressor is a Craftsman 12 gallon tank 1-1/2 hp unit that I bought as a multi-purpose compressor for airbrushing along with filling the car tires, etc. I needed a little heavier duty compressor than modelers do because we spray T-shirts at 55-80 psi and those little hobby compressors are not up to the task.
It has great overall power for an airbrush but it is a little loud.
I put it in a shed in the back yard and run an extension cord out to it from the garage where I paint so I don’t really hear it at all.
I would say that Dixie Art and Bear Air are both good overall.
I also like Coast Airbrush in Anaheim, CA. as they are experts on equipment.
Mike
doswonk,
I’ve been using an Aztec airbrush, which isn’t too bad for light use. Not exactly a professional brush, but a good one to get used to the techniques, and the price won’t kill the wallet. The compressor I’m currently using is a 1hp Puma. Extremely quiet, and also has good uses like airing up tires, blowing out vents, etc. Also useful for anoying the cats…
I have a Badger Crescendo 175, and a small garage sale compressor that’s ancient, but still working.
Lee
I have three airbrushes. Two Paasche and an Aztek. I would tell you to buy the Aztek 4709 kit. For 90 bucks you cannot beat it. It comes with 6 nozzles… hose… everything you need.
Best thing about it… it is so easy to clean.
I have a Paasche VL and really like it. No complaints at all, but I was curious about a gravity feed brush (VL is siphon). So, I bought a Badger 100G off of ebay. I haven’t really used it yet so I can’t provide a whole lot of feedback.
My compressor is a homemade rig using a fridge compressor and a storage tank. Very good and absolutely quiet.
I bought the VL through a friend, so unfortunately I don’t have alot of advice re: suppliers. I have heard many good things about dixie-art though.
M.
I have a Paasche H with three tips,and a Thayer&Chandler
Omni 3000. Both do a great job. Just bought an Iwata HP-C.
Haven’t tried it yet. My air compressor is a Dayton Speedaire
oiless. It’s an industrial model . The price was right and it
works great, but it 's noisy.
Added a moisture trap /filter and pressure regulator. Would
highly recommend both on the compressor you get . Bear air
is a good place to buy from.
fuzzy
rise, old thread…
I just got my setup started and am still learning.
I have a Badger Crescendo 175 with a fine tip. I was experimenting with ink and water for a while, but finally painted my connie cannon carriages. Pre shaded, then painted. I used both testors thinner and mineral spirits, and liked testors better, but the spirits were acceptable. This thing works as great as I’d expect it too, especially for a beginner. Only had one clog, that I fixed with a swab in 5 seconds. The cheap testors enamel I’m putting through it, seems great. Ran it too thin once, but corrected it easily. I was soaking the thing in acetone, but recently only the tips and dirty parts.
I purchased a cheap rockford 1 gallon compressor at Walmart. On the description it said it could be used for airbrushing. That’s about all I’d use it for. It supposedly pumps out 100 psi. It didn’t blow out computers very well though (probably just need a better air nozzle). It came with some connectors but nothing for airbrushing. It has a built in regulator that is usable, but not ideal for fine tuning. It had no moisture trap that I could see (just a drain). I purchased an inline moisture trap but have yet to see a drop of water. I live in a dry are of So Cal. Maybe they’re not needed here in the summer. I should have got a fine tuning regulator. I bought this, instead of a hobby compressor, because I hate that pulsing crap. This does the job, but is noisy as hell. I live in a noisy neighborhood where people play music loud and are more carefree, but I’m still a little embarrassed to run this outside. If I lived in a nice neighborhood, it would be a deal breaker, it’s that loud. I put it in a box, and keep the lid cracked open (after it fills)
I’m still trying to find good sources of supplies. Ebay stuff from china is pretty cheap, if you know what you’re getting, and can wait for it. Home depot and lowes are often better than art stores for thinner. I’m still trying to find a cheap way to get paint.
I believe the road to success is to pick any one of the name brand airbrushes (dont be fooled by cheap Chinese clones) mentioned here and just become proficient with it. Practice. Practice. Practice.
I have an Aztek A470 and a Badger 150. I personally like the Badger better but I had good results with the Aztek.
My compressor is called the Model Maker CP-101. Its not bad. It produces steady air, has a regulator with a water trap and was inexpensive.
Well heres my 
I use a Grex XT http://www.grexusa.com/grexairbrush/products.php5?id=Genesis.XT Although any one of the others, of their line will serve, you choose.
I find the learning curve is almost nonexistent compared to any other dual action I have used ( Yes I’m so old my first air brush was a straw and heavy breathing 
).
The trigger pull provides a very comfortable and precise air/paint spray; more pull more, paint less pull less paint.
While not as often touted on the modeling sites compared to Aztek, Badger, Paasche, T&C etc. Grex do make a quality product and have a history in other aspects of air painting. They also have great service, along with helpful information how to best use their product.
MTSDUDE is correct pick the best name brand/model brush you can afford; that quality will be there as you learn the techniques and be ready for you to catch up- Not a bad thing.
That will also save you the frustration of unlearning 
the idiosyncrasy’s of that cheep brush and its poor performance.
Also get the quietest compressor you can. So no matter what time you paint you wont disturb the neighbors-your family-and your ears ( loud noisy compressors distract you and can be uncomfortable to listen to for long periods of time ) after all you dont have to power a nail gun or air up tracter tires.
Now go out and paint somthin’
My air brush is a 40 year old Paasche model H nothing I don’t like about it, My compressor came from NAPA store a little noisey but it only cost me $80.00 puts out 125lbs. of air no complants about it. ACESES5
Wow, from 2003 and still alive
I have been using a Badger Krome for 5 months now and love it. I was using a Badger 150, but the Krome is a huge step up. The gravity feed is so handy, the trigger is smooth and I can get a super detailed line. I also have a Badger Patriot, but have never used it, since I like the Krome so much.
I use a cheap Harbor Freight 1/8 compressor for over 2 years and it works really well. I wish it had a 2 gallon tank on it, just to keep it from turning off and on so much.
Two Badger Krome airbrushes and a Badger TC910 compressor