?: Which model airbrush

[mondotrains]

Hi Don,

I have a Badger 360 and absolutely love it.  When I was shopping for an airbrush, I talked to a lot of guys to get input.  Don't listen to the guys who say that it's too dificult to use a dual-action airbrush.  It took me a few hours to master it and I'm glad I did.

What's real nice about the Badger 360 is that there is a small "cup" attached to the brush that holds a very small amout of paint for most of the little jobs I do, like adding rust and light weathering to a freight car or engine.  Then, if you are spraying something large, like my 48" wingspan radio-controlled airplane, you simply turn that "cup" upside down by rotating it and literally plug a bottle that has a tube attached to it into that "cup".  Now you have a large reservoir of paint in that bottle to spray with that is siphoned from the bottle, up through the tube and into the brush.  The Badger isn't that expensive and I can tell you that it cleans up easily and after 3 years, I haven't replaced any parts yet, including the needle.

 

By the way, I always spray with acrylic paints because I live in a condo and cannot vent my spraybooth outside.  For clean up, don't spend the money on those airbrush cleaners.  For acrylic paints.....I use the following:

 

Take an empty gallon jug....the one with a screw-on top (I used one that had distilled water in it from CVS).  Pour in a pint of 70% isoproyl rubbing alcohol, 1/4 cup of SUDSY ammonia (make sure it's not the clear ammonia), then add a teaspoon of liquid dish detergent.  Fill the jug with tap water and you have a gallon of great airbrush cleaner for around a dollar.

Hope this helps.

Mondo

 

 

[SilverSpike]

I have the Badger Model 175 "Crescendo" airbrush.  It has dual action, internal mix, siphon feed. I picked it up at Michael's Arts and Crafts store and used one of their 40% off coupons that come in the mail ad flyer every week.

I have used both acrylic and enamal paints with great success.

[accord1959]

I have an Aztek model A4709 double action internal mix and a badger 200 single action internal mix, I like both but tend to use the Badger most because single action is easier to use and it is easier to clean. I find that what I need it for, the Badger does fine, although I like having the Aztek on hand for the real detail painting. 

[Paul3]

I own an Aztek, and I have been using a Badger 155 Anthem (dual action, internal mix).  I highly recommend the 155.  Much easier to clean than the Aztek, with much better control of air and paint, and it doesn't have nearly as many clogs.  It can also throw a lot of paint when needed, yet can do fine work (there's even an extra-fine tip available).  The Badger color cup is also handy, and has the benefit of being able to be removed from the brush still loaded without spilling paint all over the place.  The siphon lids are also a plus, being a single piece of teflon tubing (no oddball joints) through the lid.

If you get it, I would try to get the air hose that has the angle on the end of it.  The 155's air intake is straight down, and I found it easier to hold with an angled air line.

Paul A. Cutler III
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Weather Or No Go New Haven
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[Seamonster]

I've got an Aztek dual-action and I like it a lot.  Easy to use, very easy to clean.  Like Blind Bruce said, why not get your Aztek repaired.

 

[JON1968]

Basic brush..Paasche H set.....if you want a more versatile and adaptable brush...Paasche VL set.  Should be some after Christmas sales going on and you might pick one up at a great price. You might even get both...I have an H and a VL and use them all the time. 

   ps....don't forget the air compressor....a Cambell-Hausfield with a 5 gal. tank from your local Wally World or huge home improvement center is a good choice.

[luvadj]

I have an Aztek as well and it serves me well...especially for a little as I use it.

[Blind Bruce]

Don, the Aztek is a good unit. If you like it, why not just have it repaired. If you want to try a dual action, mine is an Iwata made for artists and much better than my meager talents need.

[DigitalGriffin]

Which model airbrush would you guys recommend?  I know Paasche and Badger are favorites.  Any particular model?  I see some great deals going on eBay and there are hundreds of models.  So I'm just looking for the right one.

I had a Testors Aztek single action internal mix.  (A gift from my wonderful wife)  But I managed to break the rubber seal on the plunger.  So now I need to replace it.

Thanks for the advice,

Don