I just recently began building models again and am need of an air brush suited towards a beginner. Most of my projects will likely be WWII and modern era armored vehicles/troops. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
I think a Paasche Model H would fit your needs quite well. They have been around since the 1930s and haven’t changed a lot. A real workhorse, as well as a true classic. I find mine easy to use and clean. Since you mentioned building armor models, I’ll show the only two tanks I’ve built, both painted with the Model H.
https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/paasche-h
Go to Don’s Airbrush Tips website:
https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/
So many to choose from to fit your budget.
I got my compressor here:
http://www.tcpglobal.com/Airbrushing-Supplies/Compressors_4/
There are some nice airbrush/compressor combo sets there as well.
DSW24,
My recommendation would be some form of badger dual action. Also, if you’re a beginner, i’d recommend a gravity fed brush, as they are much easier to clean than siphon fed.
I started with the Paasche H and then bought a Badger 100LG. In hindsight, if i knew then what i know now, i’d never have worried about the Paasche H.
If you’re wanting to do WWII armour, i think you’ll find it easier to get the camo lines you want with a dual action gravity fed than a single action siphon.
Regards,
Ultimately, you purchase want you want. It’s your money and you’re that individual that will be utilizing your tools! I started with a Iwata NEO Gravity feed AB. It’s made for beginners like you and I and the pros love it as well.
Check my builds that say Toshi, I AB 90% of these aircraft with the Iwata by NEO. It has a Five Year 100% return policy. They also make a trigger AB of which I’m in love with (Gavity Filled) and a siphon as well. My next AB will be a a top of the line AB.
toshi
I use a Aztec compressor love it because it so quite but for the air brus Bager hands down for me I two differnt Bagers the Badger Air-brush Co 105 Patriot Fine Gravity Airbrush and the Badger Anthem Dual Action Airbrush Kit 155-7 Accessories In Box Internal Mix NIB.
Look on Ebay you can find some good eals there.
Hope this helps
RR
Where am I looking for the Toshi builds?
Do you have a Harbor Freight store near you?
They have a decent airbrush/compressor combo for about $90. I have been using mine now for about 4 years. Even bought another, so I can switch compressors on long paint sessions…they get WARM! They also sell a decent double action for $20…I do all my fine work with the $20 a/b. The a/b that comes with the combo (red handle) isn’t as fine as the one sold on it’s own (blue handle), but does do I nice job still.
I like my Badger 105. I did not like my Paasche as much. Don’t buy a Aztek.
I’ve never used the Harbor freight one, but if Fermis likes it thats good enough for the guv’mint.
Buy one good airbrush and don’t look back . Don’t forget compressor. Buy what you can afford I have badger 105 love it . I upgraded to grex man do I love this air brush . Now I use grex for color and clears Badger 105 for primers Rick
I am also a beginner and agee with the Paasche H recommendation. They are easy to clean and use and you can learn to airbrush without all the associated problems. I also like the pistol grip models like Grex.
I stick by Badger because of their ruggedness and reliability. I finally need to replace my old SA brush, but then, it is well over forty years old, and the only thing I have replaced is the teflon head washers. I also have a more recent Badger DA brush. I keep both kinds because DA brushes are more work to strip and clean, so I only use the DA brush where I really need it, like soft edge camouflage and tinting for weathering. Most painting I use the SA. Before I got the DA, I used the SA for everything, it is just harder to adjust for really small translucent coatings.
The Paasche H is indeed a quality and rugged AB, I used one for many years, along with several other Paasche models. I made the switch to Badgers years ago and have had a very satisfactory history with them.
My reason for the switch was a serious degradation in the parts quality, when I sent for replacement parts, and even some new AB’s were delivered in poor operational condition. To their credit Paasche made good efforts to replace bad parts, but even those attempts went bad when defective replacement parts were sent.
I now use 7 Badger’s, from the 200 through the dual action models. Faultless equipment, ultimately reliable and long lasting, the best I’ve owned. Quite inexpensive, fine quality spray, easy to clean and service.
I second Don’s post, it’s a good way to start if you have no prior experience.
I have no business relationship with Badger, just a very satisfied customer giving my personal input. But there are several excellent quality AB’s out there, take your time and look for the best suited for your use.
Patrick
Patrick, you’re sure right about parts quality. My H was bought around 1988 and I bet it had been in that dusty old hobby shop for several years before I found it. I’ve replaced several “needles” (or whatever Paasche calls the pointy part, lol) over the years. But about three or four years ago I had a split tip on the paint adjuster. I ordered one from Kings Hobby in Austin and damned if it wasn’t split when I got it. A close inspection with my jeweler’s loupe revealed the flaw. They cheefully sent another and claimed to have never had that happen before. But, I can believe that it might be more common now.
Gary
The majority of my builds are aircraft. Please view my builds in the aircraft threads. I have made 2 tanks, and a ship. Each in their respective thread.
Toshi
Just a friendly FYI, I too just like you am a returning model hobbiest after a 40 year haitus. My first airbrush is a generic item. I purchased a AB Compressor from Harbor Frieght Tools. The AB came with the compressor as a kit. The AB mentioned is a siphon style AB. I still have it and it works fine.
Currently as I mentioned earlier, I own a NEO Iwata gravity feed, a Iwata Trigger gravity feed, and the generic siphon AB from Harbor Frieght Tools. If you have a Hobby Lobby by you, you can find the NEO Iwata at $79.99. Present the 40% off coupon on line and you’ll pay at or around the $50.00 cost. For this price, you really can’t go wrong. Good luck!
Toshi
Like to put my two cents in …hands down …the paasche H …then when your ready buy the paasche VL .double action AB. The H is a snap to clean …and in time move to the VL . Had both since I was a kid …5 years old …way back when I used truck tire inner tubes for air .
Another decision you need to make in getting started with airbrushing is whether to go suction feed or gravity feed. I originally liked bottle types (suction feed) because I turn the brush around to weird angles and didn’t trust the caps on the gravity feed.
Now, however, I like it because I keep a number of bottles on hand for mixing and storing colors. For each kit I mix up paint early on, and just put on the right bottle rather than mixing paint each time I use the airbrush. When done with the model, one of the chores is cleaning out the paint jars. But there are advantages to each type- the gravity feed is easier to clean.