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Air Brush Opinions

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Air Brush Opinions
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 11:53 AM
Hi
Was wondering what are some of the differences between the models of air brushes available. What are considered the best and where would the best be available. Also what are some of the better compressers? Has anybody dealt with Air Brush City?
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 2:39 PM
[:)][:D][8D]Have heard a lot of good opinions regarding the newer dual action Badgers. For Air Compressors, it's hard to beat the new quiet running units, also from Badger.

[;)][^]I have a Paasche' VL series airbrush. Great performing unit that came with 3 different sized needles and caps. Price under $70.

Dual action is the way to go![4:-)][tup]

IMHO, comparing Badger and Paasche' is like comparing Toyota and Honda. Different models are available. All good quality.

Remember that regardless which airbrush you purchase, it will turn into a piece of junk IF YOU DON'T CLEAN IT THOROUGHLY AFTER EACH USE! This includes carefully removing the needle, aircap, and bottle and wiping. If you use water based paints, flush your gun with a 50/50 mix of water and Isopropyl alcohol and wipe the above mentioned parts. For solvent paint, use lacquer thinner.

After doing it 2 to 3 times, proper cleaning can be done in just a few minutes.[;)][8D][:D]

Peace out!
[;)]

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 4:07 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

[:)][:D][8D]
[;)][^]

Remember that regardless which airbrush you purchase, it will turn into a piece of junk IF YOU DON'T CLEAN IT THOROUGHLY AFTER EACH USE! This includes carefully removing the needle, aircap, and bottle and wiping. If you use water based paints, flush your gun with a 50/50 mix of water and Isopropyl alcohol and wipe the above mentioned parts. For solvent paint, use lacquer thinner.

Peace out!
[;)]


Absolutely!! I always run solvent through the air brush between coats. I also found micro brushes at my LHS. Below are two sources.

micro-tools.com

micro-mark.com

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 4:58 PM
I have 3 Badgers 2 200 models single action and a 150 model dual action. I had a problem with one and sent to Badger,they fixed it at no charge.You MUST clean them good like he said or they will give you trouble,take it from me I've been there.
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Posted by BentnoseWillie on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 7:48 AM
I only can speak about Badger airbrushes, cause they're all I've ever used. Paasche and Aztek are also fine products. I just haven't used them.

For beginners I usually recommend the Badger 350. It's a good, reliable external-mix single-action airbrush. I used one for 15 years and it's still servicable. Not as good at weathering or unmasked fine-line work, but great for painting models and a snap to keep clean, especially if you're using acrylics.

Next step up is the Badger 200 - still single-action (the trigger controls air flow only, with a dial to control paint flow), but internal mix. This is what I use now, and it's much better for weathering work, and lets you lay down a much thinner coat of paint. It's 30% more expensive than the 350 and a bit more involved to clean, but is an outstanding airbrush for model work.

The Badger 100 and 150 are internal mix as well, but double action - press the trigger for airflow, rock it back and forth to control paint flow. These give the ultimate in control over your spray pattern, and excel at fine work. They use the same method to atomize the paint as the 200 (in fact, there are many common parts), so there's no real difference from the perspective of spray pattern or cleaning. I used a 100 for a while, but didn't care for the feel of double action, so I went to a 200. The 100 costs around twice as much as the 350.

There's one other choice, the Badger 250. It costs half as much as the 350, and is a very basic airbrush. I started out with a 250, and replaced it with a 350 after a little over a year. The 350 is almost as simple to learn to use and maintain, and will give longer service before most modellers outgrow it, so I'd recommend the 350 over the 250.

For air supply, I use a 1/8HP medical-grade compressor that was a gift. If a bit more noise and vibration isn't a problem, I'd suggest looking into an economy 2HP compressor from the hardware store - you'll get a lot more for your money than if you buy a 1/8HP model at the hobby shop.
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Posted by eng22 on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 8:19 AM
QUOTE: For air supply, I use a 1/8HP medical-grade compressor that was a gift. If a bit more noise and vibration isn't a problem, I'd suggest looking into an economy 2HP compressor from the hardware store - you'll get a lot more for your money than if you buy a 1/8HP model at the hobby shop.


Bentnose,
I have a medical air compressor, I had not thought of using it for the air brush. I am at a loss as to how to convert it for use. My compresor was designed for use with breathing treatments. On the back it it says 2.5 amps, it does not list a HP rating. What are your thoughts?
Craig - Annpere MI, a cool place if you like trains and scrapyards
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Posted by BentnoseWillie on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 8:37 AM
My compressor is similar in arrangement to the Badger Cyclone, though with a smaller motor (I think...I better check that nameplate again when I'm in the workshop):

http://www.badger-airbrush.com/compressor.htm

Any compressor of this type should work. There's usually a 1/4" threaded outlet - Badger and other airbrush manufacturers sell hoses and adapters to fit this thread.
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Posted by cjcrescent on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 3:09 PM
Eng 22. I would suspect that your compressor will not work for an airbrush. Since it was designed for breathing treatments, it can't develop much pressure, either through safety devices on the compressor or actual ability of the compressor to generate pressure. Any pressures used in a breathing treatment have to stay just above normal atmospheric pressure, 14lbs per square inch, to insure the medicine gets down into the lungs. Too much above this and the pressure will damage the alveolar sacs of the lungs,(imagine an over inflated balloon), and cause irreparable damage. So, I doubt if that compressor can supply a proper amount of air or at adequate pressures to work.

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Posted by dano99a on Thursday, March 25, 2004 8:27 PM
This is something I posted on another airbru***opic with a few mods:

Don't bother with a Paache they are JUNK I have owned 2 in my lifetime and will never buy one again.

Badger makes some really nice brushes, if you want my ultimate suggestion of the best airbur***o buy: IWATA. Just be sure to get the one that is made for thicker medium like acrylic paint (Like most loco paints). You can learn more about them here:

http://www.arttalk.com/iwata/index.htm

Iwata brushes can be found at most art supply stores, and some hobby shops.

Always, always, always have spare parts (gaskets, tips, needles etc) handy for your brush. Tips wear out or become permently clogged if you forget to clean it, the needles are vital, if you ding the tip of one it will mess up the spray pattern of the brush (if it's a fine tip needle that is). With my iwata's I've only had to replace the needles and one tip over 8 years of using them but I religously clean my brushes.

SO the moral is clean your brush before and after you use it. Spraying a cleaner through it between coats is a good idea as well, keeps the paint flowing smoothly

DANO
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 25, 2004 8:58 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

[:)][:D][8D]Have heard a lot of good opinions regarding the newer dual action Badgers. For Air Compressors, it's hard to beat the new quiet running units, also from Badger.

[;)][^]I have a Paasche' VL series airbrush. Great performing unit that came with 3 different sized needles and caps. Price under $70.

Dual action is the way to go![4:-)][tup]

IMHO, comparing Badger and Paasche' is like comparing Toyota and Honda. Different models are available. All good quality.

Remember that regardless which airbrush you purchase, it will turn into a piece of junk IF YOU DON'T CLEAN IT THOROUGHLY AFTER EACH USE! This includes carefully removing the needle, aircap, and bottle and wiping. If you use water based paints, flush your gun with a 50/50 mix of water and Isopropyl alcohol and wipe the above mentioned parts. For solvent paint, use lacquer thinner.

After doing it 2 to 3 times, proper cleaning can be done in just a few minutes.[;)][8D][:D]

Peace out!
[;)]
I too have a Paasche VL series [:D]airbrush, and I concur, dual action is the way to go[:D][:D]....also can't say enough about cleaning, cleaning...cleaning!!! I have a craftsman 1.5hp 2 gallon compressor WITH a regulator, set at 20-35psi and it works better than any hobby compressor, and doesn't EVER freeze up, like "canned air".
Good luck airbrushing, and don't forget to practice A LOT!!!
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 25, 2004 10:42 PM
Medical compressor should be fine. If it doesn't have an air pressure regulator (and it must) you'll want that.

For the lazies in the crowd, it takes about 30 seconds to clean an Azteck (or Testor's) air brush. I use a single action internal mix and I like it. Make sure you buy the acrylic tips if you are using acrylics. Azteck has a unique nozzle which is basically a "really really" high flow tip for house hold paints and the like - this is a great one to use for painting fascia, touch up on automobiles, touch up on house paint, etc.

For those guys who haven't used an Azteck, they'll probably have a hard time believing the clean up time.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 26, 2004 11:33 AM
My [2c]

Buy once learn twice. I bought a Badger double action. For a beginner (like myself) you can depress the triger all the way (using it as a single action) and first learn how to control the amount of paint by pulling the trigger back and forth. Once you get the hang of how much tigger pull to use you can begin to learn how much air to mix with it.

Buy once: Get a double action.
Learn twice: First, learn to control the amount of paint, Second learn how to control the amount of air.

For an air compressor, I use a Craftsman 15 gal shop compressor in my workshop and it doubles for airbrushing. The cost of a compressor, airbrush only or shop size seems to be about the same -- $100 - $300.

Here's an inexpensive compressor that can be used for multiple purposes - http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82653 I am in no way affliated with Micro-Mark.

I recommend buying an in-line filter to remove moisture and oil from air line.

A must-have item for painting is a respirator.

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Posted by cjcrescent on Friday, March 26, 2004 2:44 PM
Rick; although a plain old medical grade compressor will work, Eng22 stated his was for use for breathing treatments. The only pressure his should be able to put out is just enough to atomize the drugs in the inhalation cup, and make them available for breathing. Also since it is designed for breathing treatments, it probably is extremely small and not designed for sustained operations over 10-15 minutes at a time. I still say he would do better buying something else.
Dano; To call Passche junk is , IMHO, wrong. Passche airbrushes have been used by most of the best known airbrush artists in the world. Does the name Vargas strike a "belle"? (poor pun) . I have used a single action Passche for almost thirty years as a custom painter and am still using the original tips with it. However in that same amount of time, I have used, worn out, and disposed of 5 badgers,2 Model 200, 2 Model 100XF, and 1 150XF. I have also used in the same amount of time, and have done reviews on, and I state these are my personal opinions in the reviews, Wrens (don't think made anymore overall good), Thayer and Chandlers (probably best general brush I ever painted with but expensive and I haven't used the new ones made by badger) , Iwata (very good expensive as well, needle is fragile compared to some others), Badgers (very good, parts wear fast) and Aztecs ( good, like badger parts wear fast). I currently own and use Passche models H (used more than others, excellant ), VL (excellant as well), and an AB (Absolutely best specialized brush I've ever used, weathering effects only) . For the money, convienence, ease of use, Passche is best overall hobbiest brush I've ever used.

Carey

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Posted by dano99a on Friday, March 26, 2004 4:18 PM
cjcrescent-

I hear ya about Paache airbrushes, though I lost my positive opinion about them a long time ago. If others can use them and be happy with them then great but, I'll never give my recommendation for one ever again.

Badgers I've had good success with over the years from doing paintings or modeling. My Iwata's are my top choice, yes the fine needles are fragile but then again even some Paache and Badger needles are fragile on the tip though the body of the Paache needles are a lot thicker than an Iwata needle. the point is you ding the tip of ANY of them and you screw up the spray pattern.

I've never had the wear problem with the badger I have but, I do know many who have said similar things about them. Actually the Badger stopped getting primetime usage after I bought an Iwata. The spray pattern was stunning compared to the badger.

Yes Iwata's are expensive, but then again I'm a firm believer of you get what you pay for, in somethings it does not matter but with an airbrush (in my opinion) it does.

Really with any of these brushes what matters most is does the person know how to use it? Are they comfertable with a double action verses a single? Do they understand the difference? And, as said above somwhere, practice makes prefect. Airbrushing is not something you master overnight.

So take no offense, as I have not either. After all the forum is about "airbrush opinions" I think all of these are great input for the person who started this topic.

Once again, Happy airbrushing... [:)]

DANO
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 26, 2004 5:27 PM
True story: I go to a friends house every friday nite to help build his layout with others who go for the same purpose. His staging yards were installed which included painting the tracks so a call went out for air brushes. Two Passches were brought along with my inferior Azteck; we were using acrylic paint. The Passches would spray for about three minutes, then plug. It was a big problem. I kept saying, lets use my brush as I have an acrylic tip that should work fine. After about an hour of frustration, they decided to give my brush a try. It sprayed through out the night without getting plugged. The tip has a special needle that clears it when you press down.

When it came time to clean the brushes, I sprayed the cleaning fluid recommended throught the brush for about 30 - 45 seconds and I was done cleaning the brush. The Passche guys spent about 20 minutes cleaning their brush.

The Azteck can't get no respect because it didn't come in chrome. Now there is a more expensive chrome one available to impress all your friends. I can't see spending the extra money for chrome when the plastic works quite fine. Every once in a while some one tries to convince me that the plastic will break. I remind them that football helmuts are made out of plastic and to break one of those suckers requires more impact than a brush will ever go through.
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Posted by dano99a on Friday, March 26, 2004 7:09 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by rsn48

True story: I go to a friends house every friday nite to help build his layout with others who go for the same purpose. His staging yards were installed which included painting the tracks so a call went out for air brushes. Two Passches were brought along with my inferior Azteck; we were using acrylic paint. The Passches would spray for about three minutes, then plug. It was a big problem. I kept saying, lets use my brush as I have an acrylic tip that should work fine. After about an hour of frustration, they decided to give my brush a try. It sprayed through out the night without getting plugged. The tip has a special needle that clears it when you press down.

When it came time to clean the brushes, I sprayed the cleaning fluid recommended throught the brush for about 30 - 45 seconds and I was done cleaning the brush. The Passche guys spent about 20 minutes cleaning their brush.

The Azteck can't get no respect because it didn't come in chrome. Now there is a more expensive chrome one available to impress all your friends. I can't see spending the extra money for chrome when the plastic works quite fine. Every once in a while some one tries to convince me that the plastic will break. I remind them that football helmuts are made out of plastic and to break one of those suckers requires more impact than a brush will ever go through.


AMEN! though I know nothing about the azteck brushes but I do have an azteck compressor, so far so good! Wouldn't trade it for nothin'.

what's wrong with chrome? [:)] it's all nice and shiney... [:)] Just kidding, I hear where your coming from.

[8D]



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Posted by cjcrescent on Saturday, March 27, 2004 12:46 AM
Dano;
No offense taken. It's just that when you have had to paint at the volume I have had in the past, you tend to stay with whats the most durable. I personally would prefer to use a Passche AB, (often called the best artist brush in the world), all the time for all situations. But the brush isn't designed for that heavy prolonged usage. Also its not designed to spray anything much heavier than ink. I've worn out many more brushes than I can think of , and it can get expensive. I would prefer to replace a $35 Passche every year but not a $150 -300 Iwata/Thayer/Binks (Wren) or Badger. Besides when I'm using the same brush & tips that I bought thirty years ago, that says something about the quality and durability. Your points about knowing how to use , comfort factor etc. are right on the money. I know one man who is one of the top if not the top custom painter in the country do things with a cheap ($5.00) basic airbrush, (the one with the spray tip coming out of the top of the paint bottle, ala the cheapest badger/testors), that we couldn't duplicate with our best brushes on our best days!
Rick;
Notice I said the Azteck was a good brush. I never said it wasn't. If it does what you want/need it to do, you're ahead of the game. All I said was I have simply worn them out, just like the badgers. I am a custom painter. I will paint on average 5-10, (if not more), times the number of models in a month than the average modeller will paint in a year.
I have to have an airbru***hat sprays well, is versatile, and durable. For me the best is the Passche series. What works for me may not work for you. I've said that in other posts here and on other forums.
PS: If your friends couldn't clean their Passches after 20 minutes, then they need to relearn how to clean an airbrush.


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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 27, 2004 6:40 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by cjcrescent

Dano;
PS: If your friends couldn't clean their Passches after 20 minutes, then they need to relearn how to clean an airbrush.


Amen to thast, I can break down, clean and put back together my Paasche VLSTPRO in under 5 minutes. never had a problem with it, one of the best damn airbrushes I've ever owned.

I can't fathom why people are bashing the Paasche's, the VL series is one of the best out there, better than badger eqivilant, but not as good as the Iwata equivilant.

Jay
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Posted by dano99a on Saturday, March 27, 2004 7:58 AM
I've never had to replace an Iwata, been using the same 2 for over 12 years, sprayed everything through it, clogged one up, took it apart, cleaned it. Works like a champ.

I'm sure everyone else can do the math.

FYI: I didn't have the friends that took 20 minutes to clean a paache, that was rsn48.

I did go out and buy an Azteck because of this forum though [:)]

Never had one and I have not tried this one yet.

DANO
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Thursday, April 1, 2004 4:06 PM
So far my Paashe VL has been performing decently. [8)] I did have to make changes now that I'm spraying mostly with acrylics. One very "annoying" problem that I do encounter occasionally is that if I'm not careful when I handle it, the trigger will fall out, and it is a bear to get it back in! [|(][:P]

The opinions listed here have been great! I've been considering purchasing either an IWATA or a badger in the future. I'm like a lot of modelers age 30 and over in that I'll keep tools and equipment for years as long as I can maintain or rebuild them. Once they become a "contiuous pain", I disasseble and save any useable parts. (Bascially what railroads do with their locomotives) [;)][:D][:)][8D]

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Posted by BentnoseWillie on Friday, April 2, 2004 6:20 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dano99a

I've never had to replace an Iwata, been using the same 2 for over 12 years, sprayed everything through it, clogged one up, took it apart, cleaned it. Works like a champ.
Only 12 years? My Badger 350 is 15 years old. I only replaced it to get a finer spray - it still works as well as it did when I bought it. [;)]
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Posted by nitroboy on Friday, April 2, 2004 7:32 AM
I use an Aztec airbrush. Badgers are probably the best, and I do own one, but I love the easy cleanup with the aztec. I have not had any problems with it. I use my 60 gallon air compressor regulated down, with 2 moisture traps. One at the regulator 10 feet from the compressor and one just before my lead to the brush. If you use a larger compressor, be sure to drain the thing at least once a week if you do alot of work with it. Bigger compressors are the thing to use if you would commonly use an air compressor. Saves money so you don't have to buy two compressors!
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Posted by dand200 on Saturday, April 3, 2004 3:13 PM
Higssy, I ventured into the airbrush market with Airbrush City awhile ago. I am satisfied with my experience there, they do have very good customer service as they promise. However, here are 2 things I learned as a beginner that might help you since most of the replies here seem to be from experienced air-brush users.
Make sure the compressor you buy has a tank of some sort in order to maintain constant air pressure. The first one I bought didn't and as soon as I depressed the trigger the air pressure would drop significantly and affect the spray quality.
Cleaning is essential as everybody has already said but make sure you spray in an adequately ventilated area. I think I went to work high one night [#wstupid]because I painted a few things in my basement before I had to get ready and didn't open any windows or run a fan. A spray booth is definitely the way to go but can double the initial investment you put into setting up your "paint shop." I will paint outside if the weather conditions are right, i.e. not to windy, cold or dusty. Whatever you do make sure fresh air is coming into and out of the room you paint in.
In my opinion, as long as you get an airbrush by any of the big name manufacturers and take care of it, you will make out ok. Good luck to you.
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Posted by MudHen_462 on Friday, April 9, 2004 4:26 PM
I have been pricing spray booth's for my airbrush work, and the price tag's are
unbelievable. Has anyone built one (do-it-yourself'er....) or do you know of any
plans available ?

Thanks

Iron Goat
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 5:17 PM
IronGoat,

I'm currently drawing plans to build myself a new paint booth. I'd like to get one just a bit larger than I have, but like you, I think they are way over priced.

Here's a possibility. http://www.interlog.com/%7Eask/scale/tips/booth.htm

If you contact me in a couple weeks I may have the booth plans finished. You're welcome to a copy if you want them.

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Posted by mondotrains on Friday, April 9, 2004 7:58 PM
Hello,
I just did a lot of research on airbrushes, compressors and spray booths and bought a setup for myself. The fella that posted a response mentioning Badger airbrushes is right on! I bought a Badger 360-7 which lists for $180.00 but I was able to buy it for $108.00. From my experience, I will never have to buy another airbrush because it's the best. Don't listen to those guys who will tell you you can't handle a dual-action brush. I learned how to effectively use it in a couple of hours, practicing on some "scrap" rolling stock and scrap plastic. You need to easily adjust the spray pattern as you're painting, expecially when you're weathering a model, which a dual-action airbrush allows. Who wants to stop and turn the knob at the end of a single-action brush?
Badger offers a very quiet 1/8 HP compressor made by Thayer Chandler, which is great...in fact they recently offered it on their website for $150.00....I believe list is $270.00. I'm real happy with it. It is not only quiet, it has an airbrush holder mounted on top and a moisture collection cup which is very easy to empty.
As far as painting with an airbrush, I learned very quickly that even with water-based acrylic paint, you need to use a spray booth and a chemist friend suggested that I use a good respirator. I bought a spray booth made by Artograph (artograph.com). They don't sell directly but I was able to purchase one from madisonartshop.com at about 40% off list (around $240.00}. The artograph spray booth is great because it has 3 filters which are economical to replace and they trap some of the vapor in addition to overspray...and it is set up on a sturdy metal pedastal with the fan drawing the overspray down through the floor of the unit and out the back. Because it is up on a pedastal, it allows you to hold your model at just the right height for spraying. Of course, if you're going to spray with solvent-based paints, you will have to vent outside and the artograph booth has a connection for attaching a dryer vent hose to the outside.
I was a little disappointed when the spray booth arrived because the hood is made out of cardboard. For an extra fee, you can buy a metal hood but so far I've realized that the cardboard hood works fine and it allowed the company to sell their booth for much less than the competition (one competitor has a single filter and their's costs $350.00, with a metal hood). Some guys like the cardboard hood because it can be replaced once it gets messed up with lots of paint for around $16.00. Obviously, metal hoods would be expensive to replace once they got real messed up. In fact, the more I think about it, I'm real glad the manufacturer supplies replacement cardboard hoods.

I mentioned a respirator. It cost me $30.00 for a mask, carbon filters, 10 cotton filters, and holders, all to save my lungs. Heck, I quit smoking 26 years ago to save my lungs. Why mess them up with paint? I bought the respirator and supplies from Industrial Safety & Supply Co., Inc. in Connecticut. Their phone number is 800-243-2316. The respirator I bought will filter out formaldehyde, and some very toxic supstances, which is probably overkill for acrylic paint but I will definitely use it when I'm using my track cleaning car with laquer thinner. Actually, the cotton filters, which mount over the carbon filters, are used to trap the paint particles before they can get to the carbon filters, preventing the carbon from getting clogged with paint. I mention this specifically because the guy who sold me the mask and carbon filters didn't sell me the cotton filters and holders. It wasn't till I got home and called the manufacturer of the mask that I learned you need the cotton filters and holders which fit over the carbon filters. The cotton filters and holders only added a few bucks to the total cost. The whole package cost thirty bucks and was an inexpensive investment.

I hope this helps. If you need more information, don't hesitate to email me. I was a teacher at one time and love to share information.

Mondo




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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 10, 2004 4:48 PM
IronGoat,

Back in 1988 (Off the top of my head), MR published a set of plans and an article by Gordon Odegard on making a metal paint booth from scratch. With a little judicious scrounging it would run you between $75 to $100 to build. (A few years later, a manufacturer (think it was NorthWest Short Lines) produced an exact twin of the booth and charged $400 retail for it)

Five or six years ago, Fine Scale Modeler had plans and an article for a paint booth made out of wood.

ps - I got lucky when I got my spray booth, happened to be in a hobby shop in Junction City and mentioned that I was scrounging parts to build a spray booth - They had a used spray booth for $45 (less than the fan assy on the booth I was going to build) - it works like a charm.



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Posted by nitroboy on Saturday, April 10, 2004 7:53 PM
I built my own spray booth from plywood. It is very simple if you have a saw and drill. Just make a box, mine is 2' wide 2' deep and 2' high. I cut out an opening in the top and installed a piece of clear plastic and a light. For exahust, I use a cheap bathroom celing fan mounted on the back with the exahust going out through some dryer tubing to a outside dryer vent. I put a regular furnace filter on the back so my exahust fan doesn't get too painted. Very simple and it only cost about $40. I put a lazy susan bracket in the middle of it and attached a small piece of plywood to it so I could rotate the piece I am working on without touching it. Whatever I am painting, I put on another small piece of plywood so once I'm done, I can eaisly pick it up.

Dave
Dave Check out my web page www.dmmrailroad.com TCA # 03-55763 & OTTS Member Donate to the Mid-Ohio Marine Foundation at www.momf.org Factory Trained Lionel Service Technician
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Posted by mondotrains on Sunday, April 11, 2004 12:03 PM
Hi Folks,
On the topic of airbrushes, I thought I might share some info regarding paints. If you buy paints already mixed for airbrushing, you will pay more than you need to. I've always used Delta Ceramcoat acrylic paints when painting models and wondered if it could be used for airbrushing, especially because I like many of their colors such as "brown iron oxide" and "hammered iron". These paints are available at Wal-Mart, Michael's Craft Stores, and Jo-Anne's Fabrics for around 89 cents for 2 ounces. I contacted the manufacturer and found that they offer a 2 ounce bottle of Acrylic Thinner, especially formulated to mix with their paints for airbrushing. The thinner is $1.69 and therefore, when mixed 50/50 with paint, you end up with 4 ounces of sprayable paint for less than 3 bucks. That's about what you will pay for 1 ounce of already mixed paint.
Unfortunately, all the local stores who carry the Delta Ceramcoat paints like Michael's craft store, Jo-Anne's Fabrics, and Wal-Mart don't sell the Acrylic thinner. I found it at a company called Craft Catalogue (www.craftcatalog.com). Please notice the spelling on catalog....it's NOT catalogue.

Hope this helps!
Good Luck,
Mondo


Mondo
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 8:28 PM
My LHS recommends Testor airbrushes... presumably because that's what they sell. They also sell Badger but are pushing the Testor models. Has anybody out there had any experiences with Testor airbrushes? I've been looking around and I'm beginning to think it's like shopping for cars. Everybody has the best one, til you buy it. I appreciate al the info on teh other brands in this forum. Thanks folks.

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