Which airbrush to buy ?

[armchair]

 Want to purchase a good quality airbrush to paint locos & stuff but am uncertain which one to go with. Am looking at the Testers metal Aztek A7778, set #82887 like micro-mark has advertised in MRR this month. I already have a cheap compresser that came with a Testers airbrush I haven't had very good luck with the brush. I don't want to keep buying airbrushes so if someone could tell me which airbrush brand is the easiest & most reliable I would surely appreciate some advice. I know this is going to be one of those personal preference deals but I need some input please. Also will that cheap compresser work ok with a Paashe or Badger ? I don't want to mess with the propel cans either. Thanks for any help here !

[loathar]

Define "cheap compressor". Does it have a tank? How big? Does it have a regulator? Filter?

I don't know anything about Azteks. If you go with a Paache, get a double action. You will get more precise control with it. Use the search function here and look for airbrushes. There's a bunch of threads on them.

[armchair]

 The cheap compresser is just a plug in type with no tank or filter .Thanks for your input........

[Cox 47]

Armchair...I have had good luck with a Paashe H...I have had it for well over 30 years...I used a "cheap" compressor with no tank or regulator for a long time...I got a new compressor with a tank for Christmas that I havn't had time to try out yet...Paashe is a good brush,easy to use,clean, and easy to get parts for if you should ever need....Cox 47

[mikesmowers]

   My first airbrush was a Testors from Wally World. It was OK but I wanted better. I purchased a Paashe double action from Hobby Lobby. With a 40% off coupon it was only about $60. I am very well satisified with it and have done quite a little bit of painting with it in the 3 weeks I have had it.

  I have heard good things about the Aztek as well as the Paashe. What ever you decide on, be sure you get the double action, as loather said, you get a good selection of spray patterns, and you can adjust the amount of paint also.     Mike

[armchair]

 Thanks, Using solvent based paints do you use any glaze in the mix or just thinner?

[Texas Zepher]

armchair

 Want to purchase a good quality airbrush ... Am looking at the Testers metal Aztek A7778, set #82887

I don't know about the 7778, but I do know about the A470, the non-chrome version, and I can say it is not a quality airbrush.  I've purchased two since getting one of those for a Christmas gift.  My wife knew I wanted a "good" replacement for my Paache and assumed most expensive equated to "best".  

which airbrush brand is the easiest

Easiest?  Easiest to what - use, clean, change paint, paint lines, paint large areas, not break, ???  Almost all airbrushes are the same in the usability category.  The biggest difference for usability is single action or double action.  The biggest difference for cleaning is internal vs external mix.  The next biggest difference is whether it is a gravity paint or suction paint feed.

which airbrush brand is most reliable

I had a Paashe that I used for 25 years.  I would still be using it excecpt I slammed it to the floor (tried to step across the hose and missed).

Also will that cheap compresser work ok with a Paashe or Badger ?

Compressor is irrelevant with reguard to the air brush.

I know this is going to be one of those personal preference deals but I need some input please

You know, besides the "which is the best DCC" threads, "which is the best airbrush" is probably the second most common.   Do some searches on air brush, and the brand names like  Iwata, Thayer, Chandler, Aztek, Paashe,  Badger, etc.  There will be more sharing of information than you can probably digest.   I just started a thread last week on the compressors available at Lowes.