Lets talk airbrushes.

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S

stang_crazy

Member
OK so in one of my other posts somone mentioned to just get a cheap airbrush from harbor freight. Which after seeing what they want for a 6oz spray can of a few colors i need um wow $7.49 each.:eek:

OK so i got to thinking cheap is in my budget right now.

So i started browsing HF's web site and come across a few things.

air brush.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=95810

My only question on this is what to do for a few more bottles?

also the next thing would be air supply what to do there?? So i see this.

Air compressor
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92403


im guessing i really dont need much bigger, they ahve a 40psi and a 100psi. Fill me in here as i have no clue. Also are these compressors pretty quiet?

Im open for other cheap alternatives if anyone knows of anything. Like i said thats in my budget, i could prolly do about a $100.00 total.


Thanks Mike
 
Diaphragm (Oil less) compressors are definitely louder then Piston driven (Require Oil) compressors. The only thing that I see wrong with that compressor is that is does not have a reservoir so the air comes directly of the compression stoke which will cause uneven airflow at the airbrush (pulsing effect).

You are better of with something a little bigger.
View attachment 14545
Still diaphragm driven and loud as heck but for $100 CDN it has a 2 Gallon reservoir tank and 115Psi capability. Does the job for me. I have seen it refurbished for $50.

http://www.cpocampbellhausfeld.com/air_compressors/home_and_car_care_air_compressors/fp209500rb.html
 
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Here is a small, inexpensive, rebuilt pancake

http://www.cpocampbellhausfeld.com/...pressors/fp202800rb.html?ref=nextagfp202800rb

I do recommend getting a compressor with a tank. The tank will allow for a smooth air flow, as NWCanuck mentioned, plus it will shut off when full. They're still noisy but do shut down when full.

As far as the airbrush, I have a Paasche double-action but can't make any recommendations - just getting into airbrushing. I practiced for about an hour a day for a week to get control of it. But that did not make me an artist :o(
 


I got a cheap external mix air brush I got from the flea market for 10.00. It's been a great air brush. I got a small husky air compressor from home depot....it to has been a great tool too!
 
Jon NFL said:
Here is a small, inexpensive, rebuilt pancake

http://www.cpocampbellhausfeld.com/...pressors/fp202800rb.html?ref=nextagfp202800rb

I do recommend getting a compressor with a tank. The tank will allow for a smooth air flow, as NWCanuck mentioned, plus it will shut off when full. They're still noisy but do shut down when full.

As far as the airbrush, I have a Paasche double-action but can't make any recommendations - just getting into airbrushing. I practiced for about an hour a day for a week to get control of it. But that did not make me an artist :o(
Click to expand...

OK, it's a rebuilt, and the one customer rating on it, said it basically is garbage. I wouldn't even waste my time on that one.

Here's the one I purchased last year.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200354872_200354872

I do a lot of painting with this little beast (4-6 hours a week). When I first got it, I took all of the fittings apart and used Teflon tape when I reconnected it all. I have not had any trouble from it.

As for airbrushes, I can't help you on that one. I have 2 Paasche airbrushes that I've had for 20 + years. I wouldn't trade these off for anything.
 
thanks for your reccomendations so far guys.

as far as an airbrush goes i dont need anything fancy, something that works with ease, isnt a hassel to clean, ect works for me.
 
Beware cheap airbrushes. You usually get what you pay for. I'd recommend looking at the lower end badger and pasche airbrushes. I've got an Iwata and a dual action badge, both are very nice brushes. I also bought a couple cheap $15-$20 airbrushes for use at the club, but they are both crap, and would have turned me away from airbrushing completely if I didn't have better stuff at home. If you can't afford a "name brand" airbrush, just know that you are getting a less quality piece and it may cause you headaches down the road.

The brush in the photo you linked to looks like a dual action brush, if you've never airbrushed before, you may want to consider a single action brush, as they are easier to learn to use.

Incase you are unfamiliar with the difference, on a single action airbrush the trigger controls the air flow through the brush and the knob on the back controls the needle (how much paint comes out) On a dual action brush, pushing down on the trigger controls air flow and pulling back on the trigger controls the needle. So a dual action brush is better, but harder to learn.

Definitely get a compressor with a small air storage tank. I started out with a compressor with no tank, and it was a pain. Also, be sure to get a moisture trap to keep condensation from the tank from getting to the airbrush and being splattered on your model!
 
Mike;

Believe it or not that is a great little dbl action airbrush. Its a clone of a Badger Anthem I believe. Its such a clone that Badger parts fit it.

I've used all kinds of airbrushes in my many years as a custom painter, and the quality is good on this one. I currently own a Passche model H, & Badger XF100 dbl action as well as this one. The Passche & Badger I've used for almost 35 yrs. I have used in the past for a moderate amount of time as well, a Binks Wren, Badger 150, Iwata Eclipse, Passche AB and a few others I can't remember the names.

Best brush I ever had was the AB.Trouble with it was the paint had to be thinned to an ink like consistancy, and there were several colors that even with primer, just wouldn't cover.

There was a real good discussion about this HF brush here:
http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11849

and here:http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11851
 
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I haven't read much negative and a lot positive about the Harbor Freight model. As a starter set, it's a good deal. The 30 PSI compressor should also be more than adequate also. I agree that an air compressor will give better results overall but, given your budget, you can get along quite well with a tankless compressor until your budget improves.
 
thanks for the tip guys, i bought that airbrush deluxe kit from harbor freight last night. i never held real airbrushes but this one seems at least ok constructed to me. going to try it this weekend hopefully (i already have compressor).
 


Mike;

I'm in such a habit from over the years of cleaning the jar between colors, as well as the brush, that I've never thought about needing more jars.;)

See if your LHS, (doesn't have to be a train store), local craft store, etc. sells Badger airbrushes. Badger has glass jars with tops, available in the 3/4oz/22ml size the HF brush uses. Take just the lid/siphon to the store and see if the Badger bottles fit the lid. Then see if any brand of bottle will fit your lid. If so, get the cheaper one. This is BTW the Badger # for the jars. 3/4oz./22ml (# 50-0052) sizes.
 
stang_crazy said:
OK so in one of my other posts somone mentioned to just get a cheap airbrush from harbor freight. Which after seeing what they want for a 6oz spray can of a few colors i need um wow $7.49 each.:eek:

OK so i got to thinking cheap is in my budget right now.

So i started browsing HF's web site and come across a few things.

air brush.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=95810

My only question on this is what to do for a few more bottles?

also the next thing would be air supply what to do there?? So i see this.

Air compressor
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92403


im guessing i really dont need much bigger, they ahve a 40psi and a 100psi. Fill me in here as i have no clue. Also are these compressors pretty quiet?

Im open for other cheap alternatives if anyone knows of anything. Like i said thats in my budget, i could prolly do about a $100.00 total.


Thanks Mike
Click to expand...

For an air compressor, how bout this HF one. I am assuming it has a small tank in there somewhere, as it says "constant pressure" and auto start and shut off. If so, I'm going to check this one out myself. Maybe someone else can comment on this one.



Paul O.

Oops, left out the link.http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93657
 
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Paul, that's a good compressor but it doesn't have a tank. It's pretty good at keeping a contant pressure to the airbrush even without the tank but you have to not over work it, spraying too long in one pass. A compressor with a tank is always preferable but, unless you're Stang, you won't find one for anywhere near the price of the HF compressor. :)
 
UP2CSX said:
Paul, that's a good compressor but it doesn't have a tank. It's pretty good at keeping a contant pressure to the airbrush even without the tank but you have to not over work it, spraying too long in one pass. A compressor with a tank is always preferable but, unless you're Stang, you won't find one for anywhere near the price of the HF compressor. :)
Click to expand...

LOL

and why i put 2.5 hp I have no idea.

Its a powerforce (made by coleman powermate) direct drive, 2 gal, 70-100PSI max. Came with a regulator on it and a 25' recoil hose.

I seen it in dads garage and was like what ya doin with that. Nothing he says... CHA CHING saved me a few bux even though i coulda had it for free i gave him the $30 because thats the the price he said lol.
 


Here in Northern NJ we have a Pearl Paints. THey have all different sized jars for airbrushes. They come in clear and white plastic. A bit pricey I thought as they were all $5.50 a jar no matter what size.
 
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