What Kind of Airbrush?

[PennsyHoosier]

Hi Friends,

I just had a bit of an unexpected windfall, and have decided to replace my old, external mix Testors airbrush. My questions are these:

What do you think is the best airbrush?

How much show I pay?

No doubt others will come to me, but that will do for now. Thanks for your help!

[Anonymous]

I wonder the same thing. I want to paint a locomotive myself.

[Anonymous]

I've used a Badger 250 (the very inexpensive single action external mix) for years. Never had a complaint with it. I'm hoping for a Badger 200 for Christmas. I don't think I'm ready yet for a dual action brush.

[Anonymous]

I own a Badger Model 200-C (With the Medium Tip) It is infact a Single action airbrush. (The button only controls air Flow. Vs paint and air on a double action) I reccomend a Badger Model 200 because it does not have to many parts. Is fairly easy to maintain, and since it does have that needle that controls spray pattern, (A feature normally found on double action airbrushes) You can achieve some very good results with it.

In my opinion the Badger Model 200 is a hybrid between a Double Action and a Single Action airbrush, giving you more of the finer paint control of a double action, and the ease of maintenence of a single Action.

In a comparison of Various Airbrushes by Fine Scale Modeler Magazine. (Another Kalmbach publication) the Badger Model 200 was rated as the best General Purpose Single Action Airbru***hat was reviewed. (And all single actions on the market were reviewed at that time the article was wrote. [1998 I think])

Mine Set me back about $75.00 But has given me so far 5 years of faithful and problem free service.

I hope this information has been helpful.

James

[PennsyHoosier]

Thanks very much James and dkelly!

[PennsyHoosier]

Trainwreck, check out this link. Sounds like James and dkelly are giving good advice.

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22874&page=1

[Anonymous]

I actually have a question about the Badger 200. When I use it, about half the time paint bubbles out the hole in the jar lid. It seems that the air is flowing out the paint suction tube. I think this might have been caused by a clogged nozzle, but it has been so long since I used it (months) that I can't remember if the problem is fixed. Should I get a new tip? I thoroughly took it apart, soaked it in warm water/dish detergent and rubbed it clean, but there might still be some solvent-based paint left in it. Does it sound like the tip is even the problem in the first place?
Thanks,
Reed

[Anonymous]

I had that problem once.

I completely dissassembled the airbrush. Let all the componets soak for a day in Lacquer Thinner, and then cleaned everything out thoroughly with pipe cleaners.

Your problem underscores the need for cleaning your airbrush up thoroughly after use. Just as a general make sure, I clean my airbrush everytime with lacquer thinner regardless if I used acrylic or solvent based paint.

James.

[jwar]

Being you already use a brush you have a head start. I posted a thred a while back as to me it was a bit confusing due to brands, types, and accessorys

I was lucky a friend read a my thread on this forum and he had a few to test.
Decided a med internal mix worked best for hobby use. Was concerned about what others said was a longer learning curve to use a double action type...was about fifteen minits and the variation of a width in a single pass (scenery) made my decision to go with it. I dont like to upgrade later as the original cost it not that much difference.

WE cleaned up the three brands of brushes and they were not that much different. Clean up is a must no matter what type or brand you get.

I purchased $100 Badger Pro 150 double action internal mix, that has three needles, fine, med, and course. I find the fine works great on painting track and fine detailing jobs, med for most use, engines ect, and the course is great for fading scenery blends in such as a camo effect from grass to earth, rocks ect.

All in all the bottom line is how much you want to spend. Some like a single and others ony like the double action brushes.

Actualy an air compressor is the costley part and sometimes my wife is sceptical if I really need somthing. So one at times plans ahead as in a great track plan. I knew I was going to get an air brush on down the line and when her car had a flat tire, the bells went off. Off to the Auto parts store and a rush home to inflate her car tire. "Yep Honey you never have to worry about a flat tire againthat little ole air compressor works great.", Later a nail gun also worked great for some crown moulding she allways wanted in the bedroom, Yep Honey sure coulnt have done thais great of a job without my new nail gun..A few day later I was building my layout.

Check out the Mfg on the net and good luck...John

[Anonymous]

jwar,

You are a sage!!! What a great way to get a compressor!!!!! I have an old badger compressor and was thinking of getting one of those larger ones with the tank. Now I know how to "justify" it (actually how to get it without it impacting my hobby budget!). You were lucky to be able to test drive several airbrushes before making your decision. I'm sure that made it easy (or more difficult - it could go either way).

I really do think, however, that as long as you stick with the established firms (badger, ;aasche etc) you really can't go wrong. All I know is that once I got the hang of airbtushing, there's no going back to spray cans for me!!

[BentnoseWillie]

I use a Badger 200 - the older pre-acrylic version. love it to bits, though if I were buying new I'd get one of the versions with the new acrylic head (such as the 200NH and 200-20).

[PennsyHoosier]

Thanks for all the great advice. I'm on the brink of buying a Badger 200--new version. I'll let you know how things work out.

[jwar]

hey dlkey;

Im not a sage....just old...slow...and stealthy...

[Texas Zepher]

I had a dual action Pasche that could paint a pin stripe 1/64" thick. Put a car on a track and roll it across in front of the fixed air flow, wow it worked great. Then I dropped it, never to work again. I went to get another and they don't make that model any more. Drat.
Sooooo...
I got an Aztec for Christmas because my wife thought it came in a cute box. It has been a dud out of the box. Not to mention it has a very non-standard connection and needs a special hose. Couldn't connect it to any of my compressors. It is still on the bench to be mailed back for repair (dual action not working). And my painting backlog is building up.

[PennsyHoosier]

Update: I bought a Badger 200 NH. I LOVE IT! Maybe when I get the courage, I'll go for a dual action. But for now this thing is simply GREAT![:)]

[Anonymous]

Glad you like it.

You essentially have the same airbrush as I do. Just some minor variations is all.

James.

[jwar]

Penneyhoosier

Glad to hear you enjoy the brush.

What I really enjoy about this forum is perhaps we (or I ) can enlighted others as others have us. Take care and enjoy...John

[EMDSD40]

I have two Pasche airbrushes, they have given me 10+ years of service. I have done a fair amount of painting over the years and they have held up well. I tend to favor the V-SERIES brush, I think I got that right....anyway they are easy to clean and produce good results using around 15 psi. I store the actual nozzle in a bottle filled with lacquer thinner, that has had no adverse effect. I remember starting out with a Testor's brush and that was a disaster from the get go. Good Luck!!!!

[jwr_1986]

I will be getting a Badger 155 Anthem for Christmas (not being a kid anymore does have its advantages, no more socks and underwear under the tree). I was never one to see the learn and upgrade technique (It's simply not cost effective). The only hitch in my master plan is that I can't use it until after Christmas. Expect an update around New Years.

Jesse

[Anonymous]

I just got the Badger 155 Anthem myself. have yet to use it however cuz i need to get the fittings to connect to my compressor.

[AggroJones]

I've got a simple $20 Badger airbrush (don't know the model name) I got a few years ago. Everything I need it to do , it does.

[Anonymous]

My own personal choice is either a Badger 200 with medium tip (that's what I learned to airbrush with...good all around airbrush) or a Badger Anthem 155 which I use almost exclusively anymore. Never had a problem with anything Badger. It basically just depends on if you're more comfortable with single or double action airbrushes. I will add that once you learn how to use a double action (a little tricky at first, but it's a breeze after a while) you probably won't want to go back to a single action.

Thoughts? Comments?

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com