Airbrush compressors and paint guns

[Anonymous]

Please educate me on airbrushing equipment. I have been in the hobby for 40 years, and am finally ready to graduate from brush painting to airbrushing. I would like any opinion to which are the better pieces of equipment. I have experiece with paint guns since I was a traffic painter for 10 years.(painting of crosswalks,curbs,and traffic lines using airless and air-atomized paint guns. I need a good compressor to be used indoors, and airbrush which is good for beginners and more advanced modelers.

[thirdrail1]

It's really a matter of personal preference. The more expensive the airbursh and compressor, the more different types of work you can do. I have a 25 year old Binks Wren and a Brown compressor I paid 25 bucks for at the same time, which do fine for car and locomotive painting with Floquil and Modelflex paints.

[Anonymous]

There has been some very good articles in MR about airbrushing so look up the index and try and get some copies of those. I have used a single action airbrush for a while and I'm happy with the results but I would like to try a double action. The important things are (you will probably know this from being in the 'game') dry, clean air (good oil/water seperators), a good pressure regulator and safety equipment (goggles, respirator)
Darren

[tankertoad70]

I had been painting models for 25 years with a good ol' Binks Wren which is a single action, external mix airbrush. The results were always satisfactory and I was able to complete several award winning models with it. This past year I switched to a Paasche double action, internal mix brush. It took some getting used to, but the results have been superb. I still use the Binks for weathering models. I was given an ancient Paasche type D air compressor in '76, and use it to this day. Recently it blew the thrust washer, so I wrote Paasche and find they still make the puppy. $16 worth of parts essentially rebuilt the machine and it works better than ever. I would certainly recommend going with a single action type airbrush when starting out. They are inexpensive and much easier to learn with than the double action brushes. One final note, I switched to the Paasche type brush because I really like its "heft." The company has a large line of single and double action brushes that are either internal or external mix.
Don

[Anonymous]

I have a couple of points. Do you really need a compressor? Usually the smaller (more inexpensive) models have very small or no holding tanks, so you may get "pulsing" from the action of the compressor. Why not use a air tank. You can pick-up a good one at any auto parts store. Just run down to the gas station, and pump-it-up. One tank fill will paint dozens of models. I use a compressor, only because I have a professional unit for automotive work in the garage. I would recommend the Testors "Aztec" line of airbrush. You can get a single action, or dual action for less than $50.00. In case you're not familiar with the terms, "single action" means the trigger only moves up and down. The farther the trigger is depressed, more air/paint is released, but the air/paint mixture is constant. Sometimes when trying to get into small spaces, like engine ladder steps, without a fine touch on the trigger, you'll glob paint in the corners. "Dual action" means the trigger goes up and down, but also forwards and back. The more the trigger is depressed, more air comes out. The farther the trigger is pulled-back, the more paint is released. So you can see the dual action is prefered by most. You can get the Testors equipment at most Wal-Marts, also. (look in the plastic car kits section) MOPAC 1

[Anonymous]

I'm intrigued by your suggestion of using an air tank. My question is this..what kind of adaptor do you use on the air tank so you can fit your airbru***o it? Right now I am still using the cans of "Propel" from Badger. As you know it has a screw top that allows you to run your gas line to the airbrush. How do you do this with an air tank? Also, do you have a meter attached to the tank that tells you the air pressure? Any suggestions are most appreciated. Thanks.

John

[Anonymous]

I am in the same boat your are in. What I've done is go to most of the hobby and art supply stores and ask questions. I got pricing on everything and then went on ebay. What a huge cost savings. I got a great deal on a compressor and a passche airbrush. I paid $15.00 dollars for a $90.00 airbrush set. It's a single action, I am going to try it out a see what happens. If it doesn't work out, or I want a double action unit, I am only out $15! You can save a bundle on ebay, and most items are new in the box!

[Anonymous]

Just be careful and don`t forget to include postage on your purchase. Some air brushes are cheaper bought through discount stores in your area. I bought a cheap set online for fifteen dollars and found the same thing at Harbor Freight for ten dollars. Both brand new. Like to hear how it works out. Heard double action brushes are a little more difficult to use. Keep in touch! Gerald

[pgrayless]

John,

Badger makes an adapter that screws into the bottom of their fitting to allow you to attach to a common automotive tire. I've used it before. The only problem is no moisture trap, as well as dirty air. Worked OK for course work. I'd prefer clean dry air otherwise.

Paul

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Paul. I think all the advice is good and maybe I should check the web more and also the stores before making a final purchase.

John

[Anonymous]

Im 16 and need an alternative to the cans of "Propel" and this sounded like a good idea. How much do air tanks like this cost and how big are they.

[Anonymous]

John and list,
I have an air tank set up. I bought the (spare air) tank at Target for about $15, 5 or so years ago. It comes with a pressure gauge, so I just bought some fittings to step down the outlet to airbrush size (I have a Badger). I sure don't remember WHAT fittings I bought, but I think if you bring your airbrush hose with fitting to a parts store or hardware store and explain what you want I bet they can fix you up. I think I got 2 or 3 'step down' fittings and the coupler to the air hose went on the end. Don't forget the filter element to dry the air!
I fill mine to as near to 100 PSI as I can get out of a gas station compressor and that gives me days of air.
I hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

The trick for the air is pressure regulation and filtering. Harbor Freight and others sell compressors with the regulator and filter attached. My son gave me a small Sears compressor 25 years ago that is suitable for blowing up the tires on the car and truck. I bought the Sears regulator & filter. Once you start, you'll find you must watch the thread sizes for hoses and other pipe fittings. The artist products are more portable, proveide less air and cost dearly.