MReditor wrote: A Badger 200 was my first airbrush, and it's one I still use. Here's a tip I learned the hard way, though: Screw the needle into the tip if you're going to leave the brush sit for more than a few seconds, ESPECIALLY if you're shooting acrylics. Here's why. On a double-action brush, the needle goes into the tip when you're not spraying, and that prevents air from getting into the tip and drying the paint. On a single-action external mix brush, the paint aperture is usually a little bit larger, so it doesn't get plugged as quickly. But on a hybrid brush like the 200, you have a small aperture with a needle that stays retracted. Air gets into the tip, your paint dries, and you have major problems. As long as you run the needle back into the brush when you're not painting, however, the paint won't dry in the tip. Then you can enjoy the 200's real strength, which is the combination of the ease of use of a single-action brush with the fine aeration of an internal-mix brush. Good luck! Terry Thompson
A Badger 200 was my first airbrush, and it's one I still use. Here's a tip I learned the hard way, though: Screw the needle into the tip if you're going to leave the brush sit for more than a few seconds, ESPECIALLY if you're shooting acrylics.
Here's why. On a double-action brush, the needle goes into the tip when you're not spraying, and that prevents air from getting into the tip and drying the paint. On a single-action external mix brush, the paint aperture is usually a little bit larger, so it doesn't get plugged as quickly. But on a hybrid brush like the 200, you have a small aperture with a needle that stays retracted. Air gets into the tip, your paint dries, and you have major problems. As long as you run the needle back into the brush when you're not painting, however, the paint won't dry in the tip. Then you can enjoy the 200's real strength, which is the combination of the ease of use of a single-action brush with the fine aeration of an internal-mix brush.
Good luck!
Terry Thompson
Outstanding! Thanks for passing on that info. My 18 year old Passche' VL has been a good airbrush but its worn and I'm ready to purchase a Badger. I'm a dual action fan, but I'm debating whether to get a single action or dual.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
I have been a religious fan of the Badger model 200 for the last 10 years. Never had a more solid or dependable airbrush in my opinion.
James.
Alright, I'm on the brink of buying a badger model 200-20 airbrush for painting HO locos. It's a single action, internal mix model.
Any recommendations/warnings before I buy it? I know it's called a detail brush but I read that it is good for general painting as well, is this true?