Camo Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Hey Guys, Getting sick of my current cheapo airbrush and am looking to get a new one. Was in at the hobby shop this morning seeing what they have on offer and they have a Badger 155 Anthem and a Paasche VL both going for around AUD$250 each. Just wondering which one is regarded as the better airbrush, but also most suitable for a beginner. Cheers, Camo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Edgar Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Don't know the Badger, so can't comment; my VL is 30 years old, and still fine. I've never heard of any real issues with Badger, but I'd recommend that you ask to handle them both. My hands are fairly large, and the VL feels solid, and comfortable, while most Badgers feel somewhat delicate. You might well have the opposite experience; one of my friends finds the VL far too hefty for him. Edgar Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Wheeler Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 I like the 155. Both brushes have their fans and detractors, so I assume either one is capable of doing nice work. I think Edgar's advice is spot on. See which one feels the best to you. I am a bit curious about the brush you don't like though. Don Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ilpwnp Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 I've had a VL for years, good dependable airbrush, I've never used a Badger so I can't comment on that... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rick in Maine Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 I vote for the Paasche, too. It's been my primary weapon for more than 20 years. Just recently switched to an Iwata Revolution but the Paache is still alive and well and gets used. The Badger has many fans but when I tried one a while back it just didn't seem to be as rugged, for lack of a better term. Rick in Maine Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camo Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 Thanks guys, been reading some reviews and what not on the net of both airbrushes and as seems to be the consensus here is that they are both great airbrushes, both with there advantages and disadvantages - So at this point I'll just let my hands make the decision when I go in too see what they feel like to hold etc. Also, If any of you think that this should make the decision any easier, the VL is the VL-Set, which comes with 3 different needles... I am a bit curious about the brush you don't like though. Don't really know much about this airbrush, I bought it a few months ago from my LHS for $30AUD, came with a single action siphon feed airbrush, a hose, 2 bottles, a spanner, and a can of compressed air. The only name the airbrush had it on was "Airbrush"...The guy who runs the shop said that the compressed air cans nearly cost as much as the set...So i figured eh, why not, I'd always wanted to give airbrushing a try. I only got around to giving it a try on the weekend and started doing a grey underside coat of a p-47. No doubtedly my fault, all i managed to produce was an uneven coat with some areas where i sprayed too much producing runs and puddles etc. I was using a mix of 1 part thinner to 1.5 humbrol paint. Decided to give it another try, this time doing the medium green top part of the plane, same results. The afternoon after i started practicing on a big piece of cardboard, no runs or anything, but i figure probably because its all a nice flat surface it's easier to cover...while working on the cardboard the colour stopped coming out, pretty sure it was clogged. Pulled it apart and gave it a little bit of a clean, and it started working fine again after, then the compressed air can ran out. Gonna try and hook it up to dads compressor tonight, don't know how will it will work seeing as how the compressor is 30 years old, and has a nice big nail through the hose... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MarkW Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Ifyou go the VL route, you will probably find the needle it comes with installed is all you'll use. Be careful to regulate the pressure out of your Dad's compressor. Airbrushes in general shouldn't see higher than 40 psi, and you'll probably want something much lower. Also, buy a crap kit to practice on. The whole double action versatility, and paint-thinner ratio bit is something you'll need to work out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Wheeler Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I guess the no name airbrushes are a real gamble. But some of the trouble might be the canned air. Apparently pressure is all over the place and it's hard to get good results with them. As for practice, I'd just get some plastic bottles out of the trash. I use them all the time to warm up or to try things out on. Hopefully your paint is in good shape. Lumps and airbrushes don't mix very well. Don Quote Link to post Share on other sites
terryt Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 (edited) For Your Information on Hyperscale. Badger Airbrush Company has arranged for a 40% discount for HyperScale visitors on all Badger airbrushes purchased online through www.webairbrushes.com. Simply enter the coupon code HYPERSCALE just prior to credit card entry check out and your product order will be discounted 40%. Edited April 22, 2009 by terryt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Huey Gunner Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Also, buy a crap kit to practice on. The whole double action versatility, and paint-thinner ratio bit is something you'll need to work out.Words of wisdom there. I bought a Smer 1/48 G.55 for about 8 bucks. Assembled it in literally 5 minites. Been practicing all kinds of things on it before takeing technics to a real project for about 4 years now. It probably weighs 10 lbs now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camo Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 Gonna go in to the hobby shop this arvo and give the airbrushes a try, and while i'm there i'll grab a cheapo practice kit. Cheers guys. Camo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AussiePaul Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Ive been using my VL for about 10 years i think. No dramas whatsoever. Easy to use, easy to clean. I am thinking about a more precise airbrush though. Anyone used a Sparmax? The prices seem to be really cheap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camo Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 So, had a hold and look at both the vl and 155, the 155 seemed to me to be a lot more solid and heavier feeling, but the VL was still solid feeling while being light and both were very comfortable to hold, had another look at the prices and the 155 was $50 more expensive, but the packaging it came with was a lot better, big solid plastic case with foam inside to seat the airbrush and everything else, while the VL only had a flimsy plastic inside a small cardboard box...I'll give em another look tomorrow arve and decide on one of them then. Oh, also, bought a $16 academy 1/48 Mirage IIIR while i was there as a practice kit, and boy was it fun too build without having to worry about making sure everything is perfect and doing all the proper research for it. That said though, definitely gonna buy a proper 1/48 kit of it, such an awesome looking jet. cheers, Camo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tango35 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Hey Guys,Getting sick of my current cheapo airbrush and am looking to get a new one. Was in at the hobby shop this morning seeing what they have on offer and they have a Badger 155 Anthem and a Paasche VL both going for around AUD$250 each. Just wondering which one is regarded as the better airbrush, but also most suitable for a beginner. Cheers, Camo Hey Camo, as mentioned before both are fine airbrushes. I have here 3 Badger 150 , they are trusty. Last Year i bought a new Hardn& Steenbeck - and this really a superb airbrush. Thomas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 I've had a 155 Anthem now for about 5 years and really love it ... I got mine from >>> Coast Airbrush <<<, good service ... Like others have said though, both of your choices are pretty solid ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camo Posted April 24, 2009 Author Share Posted April 24, 2009 I ended up buying the Paasche VL, now just to figure out dads compressor, uses kg/cm or something like that instead of PSI....and i'm not even sure if it has the attachments I need. Thanks for all the help guys, really appreciated Cheers, Camo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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