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Good Airbrush Models

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Good Airbrush Models
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 19, 2007 12:24 PM

Which type of Airbrush is good for weathering rolling stock, structures and locos,etc..  I hear that Badger makes good airbrushes.  What models of airbrush do you have?  Single or double action?

Thanks for the info in advance

Smitty

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Posted by mikesmowers on Monday, November 19, 2007 12:36 PM

  I was using an external mix Testors from Wal-Mart until Saturday when I bought a new internal mix, Double action Paashe. I like the Paashe for several reasons, the amount of paint can be controled by the finger control making it nice for weathering or pull it all the way back and get a lot of paint as for painting backdrops. It came with 3 different needle/nozzel assy. so you can paint a fine line or install another Needle/nozzel assy. and paint a broad line.

   Don't get me wrong, I am certainly not an expert but I am learning to use it and the more I use it the more I like it. I also have heard that the Baget is a good brush but I have never used one.              Mike 

   
 

Modeling Trains Is Not A Matter Of Life Or Death, It Is Much More Important Than That!!
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Posted by SilverSpike on Monday, November 19, 2007 12:59 PM

I have the Badger Model 175 and used my 40% off coupon when I bought it at Michaels. Here is a hyperlink for your review. This one works great for me, I've used both acrylic and enamel paints with no problems.

 http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=fa0431

 

Ryan Boudreaux
The Piedmont Division
Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger era
Cajun Chef Ryan

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 19, 2007 1:27 PM
 SilverSpike wrote:

I have the Badger Model 175 and used my 40% off coupon when I bought it at Michaels. Here is a hyperlink for your review. This one works great for me, I've used both acrylic and enamel paints with no problems.

 http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=fa0431

 

Thats cool.  I forgot Michaels and AC Moore have those weekly 40 to 50% off coupons.  Fortunately, I have both stores right down the road, so I can get a good deal.

Smitty

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Posted by loathar on Monday, November 19, 2007 1:56 PM
You'll want a dual action for weathering and fine detail work. Single actions are fine for larger projects but don't give the fine control needed for weathering and details. Just Google "airbrush". There's a ton of places on the web to get deals at.
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Posted by reklein on Monday, November 19, 2007 3:02 PM
I really like my Aztec.
In Lewiston Idaho,where they filmed Breakheart pass.
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Posted by J. Daddy on Monday, November 19, 2007 3:21 PM
Used to paint with a single action external mixing Badger... thought it was very nice... then the holy grail hit... a dual action internal mixing Pasche.... awesome, try it! You will love it!
When the men get together its always done right! J. Daddy
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Posted by Texas Zepher on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 10:42 AM

smitty311
What models of airbrush do you have?  Single or double action?

This question comes up often.  You can probably do a search on "airbrush" or "air brush" and get multiple hits.

My first airbrush was a Paasche V.  It is a double action side feed with the small connector.  It served me well for over 10 years.  I did everything from all my model train stuff to t-shirts with it.  It worked best with the real caustic paints like Scalecoat & Floquil.  However, I dropped it, and while I still have it in a box with hopes that someday I'll figure out how I can fix it, I've pressed on to other air brushes.  Why do vendors stop making the "good" models?

My first attempt at a replacement was an Aztek A4709.  Also double action side feed also small connectors.  Unfortunately it has a really bizzare connector that would not work with any of my good air brush hoses or compressors.  I hunted all over for adaptors with no luck.  I have to use the cheap plastic tube they call a "hose" that came with the unit.  Then I discovered the unit does not have a smooth action and is hard to control. It splatters (tried all different tips with no luck), it leaks internally, and after about 20 hours of use the double action stopped working.  For the price it was it is a piece of junk.  I do not recommend this brush.

I then began using my son's cheapo ($9.95) Badger single action external mix.  It works ok, and for the price is wonderful.  In fact, cleaning up after acrylics with the external mix is a dream.  I can actually see the paint accumulation on the venturii point. I now understand why the internal mix brushes get so clogged with it. I still use this brush for painting big areas like the side of a box car.

Having such good luck with my son's I went to Harbor Tools and purchased their external mix air brush.  It looks identical to the Badger, but it isn't.  I could not get a smooth coat out of it at all.  A Krylon spray can does a better job.   I threw this one in the trash.

With my detail paint projects backing up I finally went to Michaels to get a new one.  They did not have any Paasche or Iwata.  So I thought I would get a Thayer-Chandler but discovered that apparently Badger had purchased the company and I couldn't tell what the various models meant.  All the Thayer model numbers that I knew are not made anymore. Every Thayer I looked a looked exactly like the Badgers.  Sooooo after much deliberation...

I finally compromised (price vs features) and purchased a Badger 150.  This is a double action bottom feed.  I've only used it a few times now and it is OK.  It has standard coupling threads so it works with all my various compressors & hoses.   I don't like the bottom feed. The paint cups end up being crammed against the hose and it is hard to keep them horizontal when the brush isn't.  The double action is smooth and has good control. When I take it apart to clean it, as soon as I pull the needle out the entire trigger mechanism wants to fall to pieces.  If it was a side or gravity feed I would be happy with it.  I am guessing that people without prior air brush experience will find it to be wonderful.

As it is, I will probably be going back to get another one.  As no one (besides the junky Aztek) makes side feed anymore, I should probably just bite the bullet and get a Iwata HP-SB (now also discontinued) or HP-AH, but I'll probably try to save $100 and get the Badger 360.

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Posted by stokesda on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 10:50 AM
 smitty311 wrote:
 SilverSpike wrote:

I have the Badger Model 175 and used my 40% off coupon when I bought it at Michaels. Here is a hyperlink for your review. This one works great for me, I've used both acrylic and enamel paints with no problems.

 http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=fa0431

 

Thats cool.  I forgot Michaels and AC Moore have those weekly 40 to 50% off coupons.  Fortunately, I have both stores right down the road, so I can get a good deal.

Smitty

Sorry, I kind of live under a rock sometimes, but I have to ask...

Where can one get one's hands on these wonderful 40-50% off coupons? I'm in the market for a new airbrush and I'm hoping that Santa might bring me one for Christmas. If I can save Santa that much cash in the process, I can increase my chances of success Big Smile [:D]

Dan Stokes

My other car is a tunnel motor

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Posted by Texas Zepher on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 1:21 PM
stokesda
Sorry, I kind of live under a rock sometimes, but I have to ask...

Where can one get one's hands on these wonderful 40-50% off coupons?

They are in the sales flyers that come in the Sunday paper.  Usually on the bottom right hand corner of either the front or back covers.  I have Michaels from last Sunday's paper right here in my hand.  40% off any on regular priced item.  Good through Wednesday 21 (today).

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Posted by mikesmowers on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 1:26 PM
  If you are looking for a coupon from Hobby Lobby, go online and go to Hobby Lobby and look in the sales or coupon. Print it off and take to HB and you are home free. I don't know about Michaels, we don't have one around here.       Mike
Modeling Trains Is Not A Matter Of Life Or Death, It Is Much More Important Than That!!
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Posted by stokesda on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 1:28 PM
 Texas Zepher wrote:
 stokesda wrote:
Sorry, I kind of live under a rock sometimes, but I have to ask...

Where can one get one's hands on these wonderful 40-50% off coupons?

They are in the sales flyers that come in the Sunday paper.  Usually on the bottom right hand corner of either the front or back covers.  I have Michaels from last Sunday's paper right here in my hand.  40% off any on regular priced item.  Good through Wednesday 21 (today).

Thanks! I don't usually get the Sunday paper, but It may be worth the 75 cents or whatever to check this out Big Smile [:D]

Dan Stokes

My other car is a tunnel motor

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 3:06 PM
 stokesda wrote:
 smitty311 wrote:
 SilverSpike wrote:

I have the Badger Model 175 and used my 40% off coupon when I bought it at Michaels. Here is a hyperlink for your review. This one works great for me, I've used both acrylic and enamel paints with no problems.

 http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=fa0431

 

Thats cool.  I forgot Michaels and AC Moore have those weekly 40 to 50% off coupons.  Fortunately, I have both stores right down the road, so I can get a good deal.

Smitty

Sorry, I kind of live under a rock sometimes, but I have to ask...

Where can one get one's hands on these wonderful 40-50% off coupons? I'm in the market for a new airbrush and I'm hoping that Santa might bring me one for Christmas. If I can save Santa that much cash in the process, I can increase my chances of success Big Smile [:D]

Here is the URL of this weeks coupon:

http://images.acmoore.com/Coupons/Store_92.pdf

This one ends on Wednesday the 21st.  I go to Yahoo and search "AC Moore Printable coupons", and got a site at http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/.  Then I scoll down and they have a link to the PDF file of the coupon.  just print it out and there you go.  You can print as many as you want, but you can only use one at a time.  Go shopping with your spouse or a friend and you can each buy an item using the coupon.  If you buy several items they take the money off the most expensive.

Smitty

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Posted by jbinkley60 on Saturday, December 8, 2007 3:54 PM

 J. Daddy wrote:
Used to paint with a single action external mixing Badger... thought it was very nice... then the holy grail hit... a dual action internal mixing Pasche.... awesome, try it! You will love it!

Same here.  I had a single action internal Badger 200 series that I used for a few years.  I recently switched to a Paasche double action internal mix VL set.  The difference is incredible.  I don't think it was as much Badger vs. Paasche as single action vs. double action.  The biggest difference is in the ability to control the spray.  The signle action is somewhat limited and much harder to control.  I find myself now not being worried about fine detailed work. 

 

Engineer Jeff NS Nut
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Posted by KlickyMobster on Saturday, December 8, 2007 6:02 PM
If you want to use it for weathering, you will definetly need the double action.  I have a Sotar 20/20 by Badger and really like it.  The only thing is its a very small color cup, and a very small tip, so it is good only for smaller jobs, like weathering.
-Derrick
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Posted by J. Daddy on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 8:58 AM
 jbinkley60 wrote:

 J. Daddy wrote:
Used to paint with a single action external mixing Badger... thought it was very nice... then the holy grail hit... a dual action internal mixing Pasche.... awesome, try it! You will love it!

Same here.  I had a single action internal Badger 200 series that I used for a few years.  I recently switched to a Paasche double action internal mix VL set.  The difference is incredible.  I don't think it was as much Badger vs. Paasche as single action vs. double action.  The biggest difference is in the ability to control the spray.  The signle action is somewhat limited and much harder to control.  I find myself now not being worried about fine detailed work. 

 

 

 

Wouldn't you know it !? Banged Head [banghead]    I was just working with mine last weekend and I dropped one of the jars.... well I guess I just have to make another stop at the Hobby shop..... 

When the men get together its always done right! J. Daddy
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Posted by Paul3 on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:57 AM

Lately, I've been using a Badger 155 Anthem. 

http://www.badger-airbrush.com/images/155Anthem.jpg

It's a double action, internal mix air brush that is very easy to clean and does not clog much at all.  I had a Badger 200 (singe action, internal mix) that clogged constantly...even when using the fine needle and the large tip.  The 155 has the ability to really lay down the paint, yet still has the finer spray for detail work.  That being said, it's not the best detail brush around, but there is a "fine spray kit" available from Badger.

I recommend the Badger 155 highly.

Paul A. Cutler III
************
Weather Or No Go New Haven
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