I am salivating just thinking about reengaging this awesome hobby. But I am hesitant because I want to start off on the right foot. Specifically, on painting. I’ve only ever used spray cans with satisfying results, but I am a bit more ambitious and want to use the tools/techniques that the experts use. I think it goes without saying that it takes a bit more time and experience in wielding the airbrush. I recently went to a local hobby shop and saw a very basic airbrush set: I think it was a badger. It was a single action with a small can of propellant in can selling for $34. Because I know my first model job won’t be optimal, I plan on starting on something modest, like the Monogram 1/48 Mitsubishi Zero A6M5 kit # 6799. My question is is this basic airbrush a good primer into airbrushing? I read other threads here that cans can be negative because it gets cold, etc. I just want to get my feet wet with airbrushing but I’d rather not get this set if it’s some thing I’m going to discard very shortly and not provide any real practical experience. It’ seems to me that the Zero has two basic colors I’ll have to contend with: Dark green/gray-white? Will this kit do the job and will I still have use for it once I’ve graduated to a more advanced set? BTW, it seems that there is a demarcation line (color separation between the green top and white bottom) going along the rear side of the fueslage. From the picture on the box, it looks pretty clean streamlined. Do most people, free hand airbrush it or mask it? Do I spray the bottom first and then apply the top or vise versa? Thanks in advance.
A few years ago when I got my first airbrush i got the badger 200. it was about 60 dollers. It has given me great results. Its very easy to use just point and shoot. Highly recomended. I still use it. As far as sray cans theyy work just fine if you are hesitent to put up the money for a compressor. I have used them for a few years and only about a week ago got a compressor off ebay.
Quite frankly, a $34 airbrsuh with propellant will turn you opff to airbrushing. These “airbrushes” are really no better that and maybe worse than a rattle can. There is no control on the tip to adjust the line. They are really only marginally useful for one color paint schemes. Propellant cans empty out very quickly and lose pressure rapidly as the air inside cools. As they say, been there, done that and had some pretty crappy paint jobs to show for it.
Your best bet is to buy an entry level real airbrush, such as the Paasche H. It’s easy to use and clean and should be available at about $45. I had one for many years and was able to get really tight feathered lines even in 1/72. You also should get a compressor. I have an old (now) Sears 1/10 HP that cost me about $100 almost 20 years ago.
Propellant cans are evil. They do get cold, and their pressure will drop, and the pressure isn’t very reproducible all of which can lead to problems with airbrushing, particularly with one new to airbrushing. Although I do think that even an el cheapo airbrush is better than a rattle can, both in quality of finish and paint selection, I definitely think that stepping up to a Paasche H with a compressor would be the way to go. I started out with a really cheap Testors airbrush w/propellant can and bounced around through a variety of air brushes. Had I known then what I know now, I would have gone with the Paasche H and called it good. If you don’t mind buying online, take a look at dixieart.com they have good prices and free shipping on orders over $45.
As for painting your Zero, you’ll need to do some research on the color separation lines. Some camo was painted free-hand with fuzzy lines, some was masked to give tight boundaries. Going by your description of the box art, it sounds as though you’ll want to mask. For spray color order, generally you want to spray dark over light, and if I were building a green/gray Zero, I would do the underside first, then the top.
Do you have a Harbor Freight Tools nearby? They are advertizing what looks to be a Chinese clone of the Anthem 155 for about 20 bucks. I intend on picking one up this weekend. I have one of their clones of the Badger 150 and it is a perfectly suitable AB for my purposes. I’ve even used Badger parts on it. Harbor Freight also lists a package deal with the AB plus a small compressor for about a hundred bucks. (It was on sale for 70 through last weekend). If you really want to get an airbrush setup, Harbor Freight also has a 6 brush package with manifold & stand. You can start airbrushing t-shirst on the side.
Like posted above. Stay away from propellant cans. They are more hassle & expense than they are worth.
You guys are awesome! With the amount of info out there, it’s kind of difficult for a newbie to decide. Two for the Paasche H, I will have to look into that. I will definitely stay away from that $34 set. Thanks! Incidentally, I did read a pdf that was on a thread on this site about how to choose an airbrush, but as it stated at the beginning of the essay, it is really up to you; aaaagggh. I really wanted some recommendations, opinions etc. and I got some here.
This is the first time I’ve ever heard of the store but when I looked up their site, it seems that they do have a store in Pasadena; That’s a city next door to where I live in Glendale, CA. So, yeah. If it’s not too much trouble, can you specifically state which airbrush and compressor (from their website) you recommend that I get? Thanks.
The tank is a “stilling” tank, and prevents the naturally occurring pulses from the diaphragm of the compressor from affecting the airflow at the brush. It also allows the compressor motor to take a break, rather than run full tilt for the entire session. It also contributes to moisture in the line as the tank allows the water to settle out of the air, which can acerbate the problem at the airbrush, but a moisture trap will take care of that.
Do you need it? Perhaps, if the compressor you end up with has a very strong pulse or you have marathon painting sessions.
Is it nice to have? Absolutely! My compressor has one, and I find it very good to have.
Take some time to check out the store. They have some small micro drills on sale right now. Two dollars a pack (IIRC). They also carry small drills and grinding burrs which fit a Dremel. I got a package of spring clamps there. They also carry some calipers – good for measuring small dimensions when scratchbuilding. I regularly use their small disc sander when I’m scratchbuilding ship model superstructures.
Their tools are not Craftsman quality – and you do get what you pay for – but a good learning airbrush for less than 50 bucks. Learn, see what a brush can do, then move up to a more expensive/quality brush later when you feel that you can justify it.
Good luck
<<Print out the catalog page(s) and take them with you. They were not in stock last weekend but the clerk checke the incoming order with the stock number & said the AB was due in this week>>
On an industrial compressor, no. You’re right, it’s nothing more than a storage tank.
However, the little airbrushing compressors with tanks don’t store enough for a painting session and are used more for controlling pulsations in the air flow.