I’ve just successfully painted my first plane with my airbrush. Last night I pulled the masks off and it looks great!!! I have a touch up here and there, but wow…I’m so psyched!!!
On to my question: Do you guys use a variety of different needles or stick to just one or two?
It is different tips that fit on air brushes that enable you to make different patterns. I have several air brushes, and all but one have replaceable nozzle tips. The needle will work with each tip. Not all air brushes have the option to swap out the tip.
First off, congratulations on your first airbrushing success!
It feels great to get it working right for the first time. [:D]
In regards to needles and tips:
I am assuming you are talking about standard airbrushes and not the Aztek type of airbrushes.
Just use the #1 tip and needle for model paints as that is it’s purpose. People think the smaller the needle, the smaller the spray pattern and that is untrue. The thicker the medium you spray the thicker the needle and tip you use. For thin mediums like model enamels, lacquers and acrylics the #1 needle and tip is the best to use. Some airbrushes like the T&C Omni and the Iwata Eclipse just use one needle that is a combination of a #3 and a #1 needle to cover all ranges.
I hope this helps.
Mike
Lets see some pics Gary! You can upload them to our gallery, in my sig, if you want so we can all check them out.
[edit]
I bought the 4709 wooden case kit… so it has like 6 needles with it… I usually switch from the smallest to the medium… but thats about it.
I’ve got an Aztek right now. So, MIkeV should I infer that there really isn’t a ‘variety’ for the Aztek tips?
RonUSMC I’ll have to bug my buddy with the digital camera when I’m finally finished with it!
I figured I’d go with the Aztek for my first airbrush. I didn’t want to spend a ton of $$ on it if I hated it (like I would hate it…sheesh [:D])
Yeah Gary, it was a good choice.
Most of the Pros that I know have an Aztek in their arsenal… even if its just for the splatter tip, 
I just bought a Sotar 20/20 and it should be here any day now. I will use that for detail work and the Aztek for everything else that requires some spread. Such as base coats over pre shading, etc. I also have a couple of Paasches but I never touch them… Aztek all the way up until now.
Gary,
I can’t answer your question because I am not familiar with the Aztek line of airbrushes and I consider them a gimmick and not a real airbrush. [V] Not trying to offend anyone here who does like them, I am just giving my opinion from an airbrush artist’s viewpoint. [;)]
Mike
All opinions are welcome!
I can see that I’ll probably end up buying a few different air-brushes as time goes by though…sounds like I’ll be spending more and more time in the ol’ hobby store…sigh…
Thanks guys!
Garyfo, I’ve got the Aztec too, and the needles all have specific uses. Like Berny13 says, needle sizes must match the media you’re spraying, but with the Aztec and most other quality airbrushes, there’s a variety of needles for use depending on what you want in coverage. I’m like RonUSMC, I mostly use the medium and fine needles, but the Aztec has different needles for laquer, acrylic, etc, to compensate for the type of paint. Check the sites posted above for info.
Glenn
I use three different needles for painting
A. needle .15 for very fine work a .20 for larger pieces and a .4 for fuselage and wings. Maybe it’s between the ears but I do like to change the needles, depending on the size I have to paint. And for finishingf the model, spraying clear farnish I use a big needle for Revell, I think it is a .7 needle. You can see the difference quite clearly with my other needles. Using a .15 needle with metalic paint is asking for problems so I use the .2 needle which is justbig enough to spray metallic paint. But even then you have to clean the gun every once in a will during painting. If not it will clock and stop spraying.
generally staying with the same needle and adjusting air pressure, thinner and distance makes a greater difference. mastering the airbrush takes time and practice but is worth it.