Hi. Ive recently started getting into model building again and would like to purchase an inexpensive compressor/airbrush set (trying to stay under $150). I’ve gone through and read many of the threads here and some of the top choices seem to be units like the polar bear 2000, Iwata Smart Jet, badger cyclone models, etc. All look and sound great, but, along with buying an airbrush, is a little more than I’d like to spend, for now.
So I came across this unit and it seems to have everything needed to get started right away, other than paint. According to the description it comes with a pressure Regulator with Gauge and Water Trap Filter.
Does anyone have any experience with this particular model? And if not, does it (on paper) seem to fill all the needs to paint plastic model sets?
That combo looks to be pretty decent. I’m afraid I can’t comment on the quality but It should be good as a beginner set, it certainly has a very good price. Harbor Freight has an DA airbrush for $15 and it works just fine according to modelnerd, check his latest build in the aircraft section. The only concern I would have would be the availability of replacement parts. If you decide to go with this set, I would look into buying whatever spare parts are available, especially tips, needles and washers.
If you happen to have a regular compressor, then you can use that one and just regulate the ap down. I use a Campbell Housefeld 10 ga. in my garage.
I agree with Plastickjunkie, probably a good way to start out. I have a similar compressor from Harbor Freight and got it at a sinful price. It has served me well over the years, even though it is a knock-off. Good Luck
You may want to look at their gravity feed airbrush kit too. They are perfectly fine as the beginner’s set. But the quality is absolutely unknown, judging from the fact that TCPGlobal did not even give them a model number.
These are the “no name brand” from an established vendor. The have better quality “House Brand” products too such as this. The house brand may be a better deal for you if you can afford it.
Thanks for the comments. I think I am going to get the gravity feed airbrush kit. If it’s something I enjoy and stick with, I can always upgrade later.
Judging by the picture the airbrush is the master model g23 pictured here. These sets dont seem to come with any paint canisters. And it looks like that is the only other thing I’ll need to get started? Could someone please direct me in the right direction to a set that would work with these?
Also, my understanding is Acrylics are the best way to go, but I plan on using some testors enamel I have (already bought them and hate for them to go to waste). From what Ive been reading, Ill need a to get a container of ‘lacquer thinner’ and want to do about 1:3 ration, paint to lacquer. Does this sound about right?
Sorry for all the questions but I am completely new to this. Really appreciate the help. Thanks again
They could not have been able to package the G23 in the $76 kit. The G23 alone is $40. But you can get the G23 with a battery powered compressor at that price if you want to. See all the G23 kits here. They package it with cheap compressor for cake decoration. Food coloring are water based and will not need much air pressure to airbrush.
They would have said that it was a G23 in the ad if it were. Regular G23 kit will cost you more.
Enamels are fine, so are acrylics. Just don’t get them mixed up. you can thin acrylics with their own thinner brand, rubbing alcohol or destilled water. Clean up is done either with Windex or pure ammonia. Enamels thin with paint thinner, clean up with paint thinner or lacquer thinner. I use both enamels and acrylics but I do find that enamels spray much smoother and easier than acrylics.
As far a a thinning ratio, I just do it until it looks and sprays right, usually like the consistensy of milk.
The old saying “you get what you pay for” will apply perfectly to this airbrush and compressor set. TCP sells Master airbrushes and what you are looking at is a master brand. I bought a cheap kit from them and they are total junk. the first day i used enamel in it the seals swelled up and it wouldn’t spray worth a crap. Called them up and they would not send me a replacement. I honestly wouldn’t buy anything from them again.
If it were my money I would buy a Badger patriot or a Thayer & Chandler vega 2000 and save some money up for a good compressor. The compressor is the most important part of the equation. I have been through many of the cheap ones and I can honestly say I have waisted more money on compressors then if I would have bought a professional one right away.
I agree with you in principle that it is better to invest in a good quality compressor/airbrush set from the beginning if you know that you are there to stay in modeling.
I started out with a Passche H and a Silentaire Scorpion-1 compressor many years ago. I found that today’s cheap, made-in-China kit work better than what I had then. Not too bad for a $76 investment. It is an acceptable choice for beginner who is not certain whether they want to stay in modeling or extremely limited in budget.
The TCPGlobal Master brand is a better choice. I would expect that the Master G23 with a TC-20 compressor could serve the modeler well for a long while if he is not too nit picking.
But the set that EdFlick looked at is NOT even the Master brand. They have no brand name and no model number. I expect that to be like the Habor Freight quality, which means much less quality than the Master brand. 2 out of 3 chance, he may get an airbrush working well enough for some months before it craps out. At that time, he can decide whether to get a better quality set or give up. Hopefully, he would have use the airbrush enough to make a good decision.
The details for this brush, Master G23, says that it has a teflon needle packing. If that’s true, solvent based paints(enamels/lacquers) shouldn’t bother it. As far as I know, all the Master brushes are Chinese knock-offs of Iwatas. This one most closely matches the HP-C Plus from the looks of it. One thing in their favor is that parts are readily available from TCP so if you bend a needle or split a tip it won’t be a problem to get another. Downside being you’d have to order it. A new needle, tip and regulator for this brush is only $8.95. That isn’t bad. Didn’t check on shipping.
I wanted to give one a try myself but ran out of cash. I was looking at the G44 kit. The kit version includes .2, .3 and .5 needles, tips and caps. If you do order one Ed please let us know how it works out for you. And I’d suggest ordering a spare tip, needle, cap set while you’re at it just in case you bend a needle or something and since you’re already paying shipping.
Tony
PS…I use lacquer thinner with Model Master enamels and it works fine for me but enamel thinner, Testors or something from the hardware store, will work great too. That’s what they’re intended for.
This exceedes your budget slightly, but if the C-3 is anything like their other airbrushes, it should be lasting for years. And their stuff usually carry a 25 year limited warranty.
Those look nice. both the bearair and the g44 set. I’m definitely not opposed to spending a little more.
Does anyone happen to know anything about this unit? it says its a badger cyclone II, but the price seems to low for that unit. Also, the badger web site only shows a 180-10 and 180-12. the model number on this is 180-11?
You might look at Badgers website I picked up a blemished brush for $35 that sells for around $100 all that is wrong it is double stamped logo on the side.
As far as airbrushes go the Badger 100LG Gravity fed brush always gets great reviews here and can be had for as little as $60 I think. As far as a compressor get a cheap Cambell Hausfeld. I’ve had one for over 25 years and hadn’t used it in over 15 years when just recently I decided to get back into model building.I checked the belt and put a little oil in the res. and it works just fine.
If you can live with a siphon type internal mix get the Badger 200 at there garage sale for $44. I’m still using mine even after 25 years, not many things work that long these days.
There are a couple of people on the forums who have bought compressors from Harbor Freight, and so far no-one has come in with any horror stories. For $60 this one comes with a pressure regulator, which the Badger Cyclone II does not.
For $31 Badger’s garage sale as the 100SF which they bill as brand new brushes. I’ve also bought a blemised 100LG from them for $35 and mine said DEMO on the side. Sadly they are out of that model now.
For the price of the Cyclone alone you can get into the game. The compressor is probably worth what you pay for it (IE: not much), but the airbrush will last you your lifetime.
Just an observation on the OP’s compressor. it is a piston pump without a storage tank. You may observe some pulsing in the pressure. There may also be a noise issue.
I have a 1 gallon houshold compressor which I got at the local Lowes hardware store for 49 bucks. It included a 18ga pneumatic brad nailer which I’ve managed to use around the house. It also has an up to 80 PSI capacity. Good for airign the tires. In addition to airbrushing and household chores I’ve used it to pressurize RTV and resin casting pots. The compressor is noisy but stops when it reaches the pressure cutoff setpoint.
I would recommend that you shop around and if you can afford, look into a small household/auto compressor. It will be a multitasker. As Alton Brown on ‘Good Eats’ recommends - only have one unitasker - a Fire Extingisher.
I use a “garage” compressor myself, and as Ed says, you can use it to pump up the car tires. Mine even finds occasional use as a source for my pneumatic nailer!
As big a fan I am of Alton Brown, he has an expensive lidded contraption for his salt. Which I use some grains of when he starts lecturing on unitaskers! He uses various thermometers, and last I checked they are only good for measuring temperature which makes them a unitasker.
I will recommend evaluate any old design diaphragm compressors very carefully. They are too underpowered and have pulsation problem. For the same price, you can buy a piston driven airbrush compressor with auto-shutoff, regulator/filter and a much steadier flow at higher airflow rate. You may even get a good quality one if you shop carefully.
I will suggest that you read some of the old post at this forum. In the July 2008 issue of FSM, there was a compressor roundup articles too.
Typically I would agree with Keilau, but budget restraints often get in the way. I used to have a compressor like the Cyclone (though mine was at least 20 yrs old) which pulsed with a 3’ vinyl hose, and didn’t with a 10’ braided hose. The length dampened out the pulsing