Ive been scale modeling on and off for years…but I’ve always run into something that forced me to put a hold on the hobby… school, work…etc… well like 3 years ago I got a great deal on a 1 bedroom apartment in NYC… and had to stop modeling for a few reasons…one being… its hard to airbrush in a 1 bedroom place…
Well anyway… I’ve finally come to the realization that I want back in… I love WW2 armor to much to miss out… And I want to one day create awesome dioramas and models like I see here and in magazines…
OK. So let me explain. Ive browsed some sites and I think I can get away with airbrushing if I can get a good spray booth…but all of them cost hundreds of dollars…so my only option is to build one…which might be the best way to go considering my brother owns a construction company and may have the stuff I need…
Next… Airbrush and compressor… I dont want to go super expensive.but i dont want to go cheapo either…Ive heard Badger and Paschae make great airbrushes, but that was years ago…any new models they have that are good and inexpensive?
- The dreaded compressor… This is what bothers me the most… I need something quiet…because I live in an apartment… not a house. =( But I also need something that will let me adjust and control airflow… Anything around these days that I may want?
Those 3 things are pretty much what I have to solve to get back into the game… Im going to transform my kitchen into my work area since I dont use it much… well maybe the fridge and microwave…
Most of the tools I have are still useful so Im going to start putting them together and cleaning them up.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. And if I can get my problems solved… Someday I’ll post a picture of my first project…
Apom, try to construct a collapsible spray booth to use in your kitchen, get the quietest compressor you can afford, or alternatively, see if you can get a hold of a compressed Co2 bottle - you can fit a regulator onto that.
Check out various back issues of FSM for more info - I know they have lots of info about this type of stuff - I’ve seen it, just can’t remember which issues. This website offers a downloadable .pdf file with info about what stuff is in which issue. Have a look.
Both Badger and Paasche make good brushes - I’ve an old internal mix single action Badger that works extremely well, as well as a double action Badger. Tamiya and Aztec also make pretty good brushes for general use. A good thing would be to see if there are any model clubs in your area and join. They’d be a great source of info for you.
Good luck
Send me your email and I’ll scan to you a article FSM did a couple of years ago on building a spray booth.
Lee
Read this topic also, http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2137
I just posted the same thing you did a few weeks ago.
I just put together an airsource using an air tank (like you would use to pump up your car tires). All you need to do is add a regulator and a water trap and you’re good to go. The only downside is that you’ll have to fill it up after every session or two, depending on how big a one you get, but it is comletely quiet.
Someone else also suggested using an old barbeque propane tank, which is essentially the same thing. You would just have to tap it and add the required fittings and connectors. Depending on the cost of the tank itself that might be a cheaper way to go. Check around and see what you can find.
Either way will give you a great silent, portable air source.
Ray
You can also get an air tank and fill it up at a gas station, just make sure to use a water trap and regulator. I prefer badger airbrushes, but have been drawn lately to Paasche. Havent’ tried one yet, but I like the feel of them.
I painted for years in 1 bedrooms and such, and if you don’t have a significant other live up the good life of a bachelor and enjoy!