airbrush

[danthegeek]

any advice on a decent yet inexpensive setup i could get. Im looking to start out, I have only a little experience but Commando has given me the bug to learn. (Damn you COMMANDO, j/k lol) I live in the US by the way.

[Commando]

Ok,

I'm starting to see a trend here. Every wants to know how to get into airbrushing without the normal financial plunge and spend until you learn what you "really" want and need.

Here is my recommendation for a basic airbrush setup on a budget:


A namebrand compressor, 2~3 gallon tank, at least 1hp 120$
A double action name brand airbrush. Iwata, Paasche, or Badger 60$
Airbrush paints, no more than 4oz bottles. Createx, or Auto Air 7$ x3
Spraypaint. Base Coat, Clear Coat 5$ x2
The basic accessories: some glass cleaner(for clean up), paper towels, ect... 5$

Total around ~220$ for everything

Here are my personal specific recommendations for actual products.

Compressors (I don't believe in airbrush specific comps, get a regular air comp):

Sears Craftsman 3gal/1hp air comp ~125$ avail at Sears.com
http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00915310000?rgn=0,0,1614,1900&scl=7.6&fmt=jpeg

Sears Craftsman 2gal/1hp air comp ~100$ avail at Sears.com
http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00915312000?rgn=0,0,2100,1500&scl=8.4&fmt=jpeg


Airbrushes (double action):

Paasche Millennium or VL set both ~60$. Only difference, Mil has a metal handle and med tip size vs. VL comes with 3 tip sizes and plastic handle. I like the metal handle but really no difference, same airbrush.

Millennium
https://www.coastairbrush.com/prodimages/MIL-SETlg.gif
VL Set
https://www.coastairbrush.com/prodimages/VL-SETlg.gif

Airbrush Paint (you really don't go through this stuff that fast it's ok that it's a little pricey) You only need 4oz bottles, any bigger and it's a waste.
*Auto Air is my #1 rec,~6-7$ for 4oz a little more expensive, but wicked colors
*Createx is my #2 rec,~4$ for 4oz, createx also makes Auto Air
*All other airbrush paint is really expensive and not that much better. I.e. House of Kolor....ect...

Auto Air
http://www.dixieart.com/Auto_Air_Colors_Product_Shot.jpg

Createx
http://www.aerografia.com.es/images/articulos/createx.gif

Regular Spraypaint (I use Duplicolor, because I can get it at Auto Zone down the street and it seems to work great with Auto Air airbrush paint)
*Sandable Primer ~4$ a can
*Base Color ~5$ a can
*Clear Coat ~5$ a can

Sandable Primer
http://www.dupli-color.com/gallery/gallery_images/primer_can2.jpg

Base Coat (you can basically use whatever cool color you find)
http://www.caswellplating.com/vht/images/can_mirage.jpg

Clear Coat
http://image.bizrate.com/resize?sq=160&uid=221423299&mid=25755

Must have accessories:

*Masking Tape, I like the blue kind from Duck Products
http://www.duckproducts.com/common/graphics/products/duckproducts/productshots/Item_1056.jpg
*Glass cleaner ~3$, alcohol based.
-Awesome for cleaning your brush. 10 times cheaper than airbrush cleaner.
-I also read that you can use Fantastik (the cleaner) as a paint thinner with Auto Air colors.
*Paper Towels ~ I unno 2$ maybe
-Cleanup between colors and when your done.

I hope this helps....

Tony D.

[danthegeek]

Thanx cammando, you are the airbrush king. +rep

That sounds like a good recommendation. I already have a 5gal compressor by craftsman so i should be good there. I was thinking alot more for the airbrush, thats why i asked for the recommendation. $60 sounds great though, cant beat that. I think I will go with the VL.

THIS DESERVES TO BE FEATURED.

[Spawn-Inc]

here is my crappy airbrush and a mod i did to it. i have been wanting a new airbrush too but i don't paint nearly enough to justify 60 on a airbrush.
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/9513/propellantmodev7.th.jpg (http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image=propellantmodev7.jpg)
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2829/propellantmod3au0.th.jpg (http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=propellantmod3au0.jpg)
use teflon tape if you try it for the air compressor fitting. make sure not to over tighten as the metal is thin and can easily strip the thread.
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/1953/propellantmod2ml1.th.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=propellantmod2ml1.jpg)

those purple spots are from the mustard oil. i'm not sure if thats the colour of it or it reacting to the paint. but now that i really think of it i don't think it was becuase of that. i think its just purple paint.
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8986/propellantmod1zg4.th.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=propellantmod1zg4.jpg)

then for a "power source" i grabbed a empty tank they used for the drive clean and welded a nut onto it, added a air compressor fitting and now have a portable tank of compressed air. here are some pictures of it.
http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/1274/2732893440100511463S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/579/2360267220100511463S600x600Q85.jpg
yes the weld ain't pretty but it doesn't leak. i did this with one other tank and i have to weld it then braze it to get it to stop leaking. this one didn't leak at all. i did it with oxy- acetylene. also while i was welding i looked away for a second and blew a hole right threw it. so i had to patch it back up.
http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/1159/2070901950100511463S600x600Q85.jpg

[Redundant]

Doesn't that messy welding and the "patch-job" affect the structural integrity of that tank? 'Looks like it could blow while you refill it...

[Commando]

Spawn-Inc,

Good setup, it doesn't have to look good to work good. You would absolutely love a double action airbrush if you've got experience with your single action one. It's a worthwhile investment if you decide to get back into it.

[Rankenphile]

My feedback on this.

I just got a Badger 360 universal dual action off ebay, brand new, for $60. I got damned lucky and snagged it at the very last second, but it is one hell of a nice airbrush for a beginner like me.

I got my compressor at Schucks Auto for $65 on clearance.

I got an extra hose for $10 at the model railroad shop.

I bought a regulator/moisture trap (pretty important) for about $40 online at bearair.com - good place for cheap airbrush supplies.

I'm using acryllic modelling paints - GameColor or Citadel Paints - as I'm primarily using this for Warhammer terrain at the moment, although it will be used for a very cool case mod project soon.

All in all, I'm a couple hundred bucks in the hole, but have a very good, very reliable and very controllable setup that should last me years.

[.Maleficus.]

Here's the thread I started yesterday (http://thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7703). It has very useful info.

[tybrenis]

I just bought me one of these sweet babies.

http://www.airbrushcentrum.com/shop/Iwata%20Eclipse%20HP-CS.jpg

I was due for a new airbrush, but I was very satisfied with my old one - a Paasche VLS.

[Spawn-Inc]

Doesn't that messy welding and the "patch-job" affect the structural integrity of that tank? 'Looks like it could blow while you refill it...

no i've filled it up to 150psi and nothing happened. it was a messy weld because i wasn't/aren't used to mig welding. i can do oxy-acetylene welding good though. i'm more worried about the air brush can cause it warms up when you connect it to the tank.


whats the difference between double action and single action airbrushes?
also is there a good website that ships to canada?

[thehilitereel]

Doesn't that messy welding and the "patch-job" affect the structural integrity of that tank? 'Looks like it could blow while you refill it...

atleast it will be quick and you wont even know when your lungs explode :dead:

[tybrenis]

whats the difference between double action and single action airbrushes?
also is there a good website that ships to canada?

On a dual action airbrush, you push down for air and pull back for paint. The further you pull back, the more color that flows out. On a single action airbrush, the amount of color dispensed is preset. You simply push down for air and it sprays paint. The line width etc must be adjusted prior.

[Commando]

whats the difference between double action and single action airbrushes?
also is there a good website that ships to canada?

Dude, Ty is all over it. Double action is what you want, absolutely.
http://www.airbrushtricks.com/images/Tech%20Terms/doublevssingle.jpg

CoastAirbrush.com is a great supplier of all airbrush stuff. I assume they will ship to CA. You'd think those guys are paying me. I recommend them to everyone. But I have no affiliation to them. They are just the best supplier, with the easiest website, and best prices I've found. No one else is even close.

Hope this helps.