single or dual action?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

hi all,

just wandered which type of airbrush YOU prefer, I have a standard class, single action airbrush, two needles/nozzles, one fine, one medium,

I have read other threads that the dual action is tricky to get use to. I do all camo work with the single action, with good results.

whats your preference?

regards
Dave

2

Dave, I use 2 ABs, a single action Badger 200, my first proper AB, and a dual action Omni 4000.

The 200 is good, but does not allow the level of control required to do Luftwaffe camo on 1/72 fighters in the way that the Omni does.

Double action brushes aren’t that tricky to use. Like most things it’s a question of practise.

Good to see another UK member on the forum.

Karl

3

I started with a Single… and now have 2 Duals…
Paasche H

Paasche VL

and a Iwata Hp-C

4

thanks,

I am considering http://www.ripmax.com/ProductFrames/T-AZ4709.html

the testers 4709, heard good reports about it, and their Ice blue mini compressor as well, I have stuck to a single action so far, cos of lack of cash, but I appreciate your comments about the finer camo work, I build 1/35 armour at mo, so guess this is why I am getting away with the lower cost airbrush, it is a Revell standard class

thanks

Dave

5

I agree with what Karl said. I have a Badger 200 and two Omni’s. I would never go back to a single-action brush again for anything other than general coverage. I just don’t have the level of control I have with my DA brushes.

Do yourself a favor and search this forum area for the word “Aztek” and see what people have to say about them. I’ve never owned one, so I can’t say from first-hand knowledge. About 3/4 of the comments about them are negative. Some people have them and have very good luck with them and get good results from them. Most absolutely detest them. And, for the price you could get a couple of other airbrushes.

6

Dave, you will here many opinions on the Aztek on this forum, many of them not good.

I haven’t used one myself so can’t comment.

However considering the cost of the Aztek, you might also want to look at the following ABs all by Badger:

100 £89 Very good brush for fine work.
155 £95 Again an excellent brush, not unlike the Omni.
175 £102 Another good one.

Spares availability in the UK for all the above is excellent, and more to the point affordable.

The prices quoted are from the followinhg site:

www.mainlytrains.co.uk

Which is where my 200 came from. Don’t be put off by the name it’s an excellent site for all modelling stuff.

I sourced my Omni from the US, which cost me abour £80 inluding shipping and customs charges.

Karl

7

Not in the UK you woudn’t!

Karl

8

thanks Karl,

which out of these would you think be best value for money:

http://www.graphicair.co.uk/acatalog/Badger.html

thanks

Dave

9

Dave, they all seem to be about £10-15 more expensive than Mainly Trains for a comparable brush.

It it were my money, I’d go for an 155 Anthem, or a 100g or LG.

Where’s MikeV when you need him?

Karl

10

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. [xx(]

11

I would agree with Karl as all three of those are good choices.
If I only had to choose one of them it would be the 100LG with a medium tip/needle.

I have never used a single-action airbrush so I can’t comment.
I learned to airbrush with a Paasche VL and then bought a Vega 2000, a Vega 1000, and then later an Omni 3000. Every other model I have bought since then is a double-action as I wouldn’t use anything else. [;)]

Mike

12

Dave,

DON’T BUY THE AZTEK… I own one, and would rather shoot from a spray can than use that again. It’s cheap, and it’s inexpensive… Two similar terms, the first referring to the way it operates, and the second for the price. If someone gave me one, I’d sell it without even thinking twice.

Just my opinion, but don’t make the same mistake I did. Use that money for a REAL airbrush…

13

i like the double action iwata eclipse hp-cs. its a great choice for modelling. later.

14

That’ll be £115 in the UK, or $207 compared to $105 in the US.

Scary or what!

Karl

15

Thanks to everyone,

I will not buy an aztek

Mike, I will take your advice, and thanks to Karl as well.

regards

Dave

16

good choice, still avoid aztek.

#1 hater of aztek “Fan club” any takers?

17

have just ordered the Badger 100LG medium tip.

blow the money

[:D]

I might get this compressor

http://www.ripmax.com/FS_Access_General.html

does anyone have any experience, surely Testers make something decent?
[:)]

regards

Dave

18

My first airbrush was a Badger 150 that I used for about 15 years. Last winter I bought a 155 Anthem. I actually have never used a single action AB, so I really can’t say which is easier to use. As for the two airbrushes, I would recommend the 155 to anyone. There’s less parts to it which makes it a better tool in my opinion.

Darren

19

well, if i knew what i know now, and i was in the market for my first “real” airbrush, i’d pay the $215 or whatever for the hp-cs!![;)] thats just me though, its a wonderful airbrush. i’ve used an omni 5000 extensively, paashe some, and a badger 200G, but when i got the hp-c and hp-cs everything else collects dust. but, if you’re on a budget, the omni line can’t be beat. later.

20

Started with a very basic, literally external mix Badger airbrush – you know, where the nozzle and paint tube are right angles to each other, and no air cover/cap to boot. Then moved on to a Badger 350 single-action and got a lot of good use from it. Later, when I took the plunge to tackle complex camouflage, I bought myself a Tamiya HG 93F double-action AB (don’t know what AB it’s based from, or who really made it but it looks Iwata-like in design). Took some time to get used to, but after a lot of practice, I can’t imagine why I didn’t go with a double-action AB to begin with.