Just call me Ray Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Ok, here's the thing. I've been building these damn things my whole life and for all practical intents and purposes I'm still a newb. The main problem is "final product quality" mainly due to handpainting everything. In other words, all of my models look like this - :( . I'm pretty set and convinced that I can make them look at least average to the models usually shown here (as well as do future models properly) if I only had an airbrush. I barely know what an airbrush is. So, umm, can you help fill in the voids and tell me where I can pick up a reliable one for dirt cheap, how to use it, what accessories I need etc. etc.? Thanks a bunch in advanced guys. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Ray tough question as all airbrush users have their preferred model. I have two airbrushes, that I use depending on what I need to do. Coming from a drafters background I selected the Aztek range of airbrushes. This is due to the fact that they remind me of the technical pens I used to use. The nozzles are inteterchangeable. no changing needles or full disassembly for cleaning for these airbrushes. I use the Modelmaster 100S internal mix single action for bulk work, this brush can be used to even produce thin lines and mottling. For fine work you must have a double action airbrush. I use an Aztek A470 for this task. External mix airbrushes have the paint cup mounted undernieth the nozzle and once air is applied by pressing the trigger, pressure sucks the thinned paint into the airstream and onto the models surface. The airstream can be varied to adjust the fineness of the lines or areas being sprayed. Internal mix units have a side mounted cup (mostly) and the paint is drawn into the airbrush and through the nozzle of the brush, settings can be adjusted as well. Single action airbrushes are where you press the trigger and away you go, there are no adjustments for the velocity or pressure of airflow coming out the nozzle. You can however adjust the "fineness" (or diametre of the spray cone) on the brush. Double action airbrushes offer more control, where you push down on the brush trigger to allow paint mixing and pull back the trigger slowly to achieve the appropriate amount of airflow and thus line width/area sprayed. Both types of brushes have a place and it is just a case of chosing which brand you want, Aztek, badger, paashe or the espensive Iwata airbrushes. As mentioned earlier I like Aztek, they are way easy to clean! oh, a compressor would be a good thing too, plus a water trap to stop condesation splattering your new paint work. Compressed air cans are your alternative but cost more in the long run. There are specialist shops that sell just airbrushes and would be the way to go as they would offer the best deals and will mail order as well. Perhaps someone can let you know their contact details! Stay away from buying one from hobbyshops as they would be more expensive! HTH :( MikeJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueNosers352nd Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Well a good airbrush to get you started is a Paasche H. It's a good single action external mix airbrush that is simple to use, clean, etc. An all around great brush. Once the pleasure of using an airbrush sets in, you'll probably wanna upgrade to a double action airbrush like that of an Iwata. IMHO the Paasche VL (double action internal mix) is a clunky piece of junk. Iwata Eclipse BCS Airbrush below I use a cup for both the Iwata and the Paasche H to draw my paint from. Drawing paint from a cup means its a siphon feed............vs............gravity feed. You will need an air source as well. This can be simple to start. Maybe like a 7 or 12 gal air tank like you'd use to pump up you bike tire or something. Or you can go a little more indepth and get a compressor..........whether it's a small pancake compressor or bigger HP unit. Either way (air tank or compressor) you can setup these sources with a good pressure regulator and water trap. I wouldn't suggest going with something like one of Paasches D-500 (pictured below). It doesn't have a holding tank so the pressure is in consistent. I had one, it sucked. A good paint filtering mask is a good thing too. Don't wanna damage your lungs on the fumes. Like this mask and this filter (purple item) Some sort of exhaust system would be good too. Even if it's a box fan in the window pushing air out the window. Then once you've had some time to experiment......maybe get something more elaborate. Here is a link to my website and my sprayboot setup. http://scorpius.spaceports.com/~bluenose/w.../workbench.html FINALLY..............just practice, practice, practice. Be patient! You'll never wanna go back to the old paint brush routine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueNosers352nd Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Oh........forgot to tell you some good sources to buy a airbrush from. http://www.bearair.com - All around great service and good prices. http://www.dixieart.com - I have heard good things about them, tried them once.............never again. Sounded like a bunch of hillbillies running the place. Messed my order up and I said the heck with them. Some people like them though. But I'd prefer to buy my stuff from someone that has all their teeth. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 oops I forgot to mention the important things like a mask and a ventilated room. how in hell did I miss that :( MikeJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Just call me Ray Posted October 12, 2003 Author Share Posted October 12, 2003 Thanks guys, but here's some more info. I'm looking for a good all-around airbrush that will do most jobs I need, but fine lines moreso than large work. Most importantly though, since I'm very limited on funds I need the cheapest I can get while still doing a worthwhile job. As for ventilation I plan to do it in the garage anyway. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueNosers352nd Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Well in all honesty.............I use my Iwata Eclipse BCS almost exclusively now.........for broad coverage and finer work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PITA Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 I second the Iwata's. I just got the HP-C Plus Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomr Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Ray, Thought that I'd add my 2 cents in here too. Gotta agree with everything the other fine folks have said. But I'd like to add something else. If you want dirt cheap, see if you can find a Testors Airbrush Kit. I found mine at Walmart, paid something like 25 bucks for it. Came with a Testors/Aztek double action airbrush and a can of propellant. This is actually an Aztek airbrush, and it came with a general duty tip. This is interchangeable, and you can get the fine tip to put in when you go to do the fine work. It is adaptable to feed either from the left or right side, it can use a paint cup or suction feed cap (that just happens to fit the Model Master paint jars) One disadvantage tho, is the propellant. Replacement cans can cost you 10 bucks, and they are a pain to use for any extended painting sessions, as the cans "freeze" up. I ended up getting an air compressor (Cambell/Hausfield-$100.00 + accessories), and was able to adapt this brush to the compressor. I've used this brush (and the single action brush I got in another airbrush kit) almost exclusively. I have a Badger single action, and a Paasche double action, and I prefer the light weight and the ease of cleanup on the Testors/Aztec ones better. Hope that helps in some small way. Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Just call me Ray Posted October 12, 2003 Author Share Posted October 12, 2003 Thanks a bunch guys. What I really need is just a bare airbrush with accessories, I don't need a compressor/compressor accessories. My only real hope of getting one is if I can find one for around 15 U.S. bucks or less (including shipping costs ) so is it possible or will I just have to spend more? Can I find a good deal on EBay or other places? Also, is it possible to use an electric air pump in leiu of a compressor? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 cannot comment on price of a cheap airbrush in the USA as I live in Australia, but I paid AU$40 for my first brush, a modelmaster 100S single action internal mix (aztek). That would make the cost around US$25, I guess, but have seen them cheaper than that. I would suggest you buy one brand new and not second hand so make sure , if you go the eBay route that the auction is for a new brush! One of the big issues for airbrushing is relaible and consistant air supply. I do not see an electric pump delivering a good flow of air. HTH cheers MikeJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Just call me Ray Posted October 13, 2003 Author Share Posted October 13, 2003 http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/tnt1...tank/TnT001.htm I would be able to use this in leiu of a proper compressor, correct? How much would that setup cost? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 That would be a great system to use As I said earleir, some peple use inflated inner tubes from tyres or diving tanks. That setup from Steve would fall into the later catagory for sure. I would not know about the cost, so it would need to be looked at to see if it was a viable alternative compared to a compressor. Just remember to put a water trap between the compressor/air tank and the airbrush though! MikeJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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