Thinking about getting into airbrushing

[WTS]

I've been watching a lot of tank painting videos on youtube and have of course come across most people using airbrushes.

I've always liked the idea of getting one and now I'm in a position to able to afford one I've been looking into it.

I found: THIS which isn't too much money and has the option of adding an extra airbrush with an adapter which I thought would be useful as I get further into it etc.

I've read a few buying guides and know what I'm looking at but not if it's any good etc, so I just wondered if anyone out there had some pointer for someone getting into it.

I'm in the UK which might make a difference, not sure if it will but thought it worth mentioning.

Thanks in advance :laugh:

 

[oistene]

I just went though the same thing myself, mine is in the mail. See my finding here:

http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?57631-Requesting-recommendations-on-airbrushes

I can't get your link to work right now, possibly because of the lousy wifi I am on. I'll take a look later. My general advice: read moetles posts at the end, they were incredibly helpful, even for an Euro. I did not get the compressor I linked to at the end, due to grid differences between the US and here, ordered one from airbrushsupplyonline instead. They are in the UK. Shipped fast, is all I can tell you about the service.

 

[WTS]

Thanks for that I'll have a look at the link.

just incase this is the url for the link https://www.everythingairbrush.com/...s/as-186-compressor-airbrush-starter-kit.html

 

[Zab]

You can generally do the same work with $40 gun and a $100 gun (see blackadders tyranid thread for his great results with a cheapo amazon AB). That compressor looks solid. Hell you even get a moisture trap and a pressure regulator too which is great. I would get it just for the compressor and if you want a better AB once you are more experienced then that's not such a big deal.

 

[oistene]

I managed to see the link in the end - and I agree with Zab. Compressor looks very similar to the one I ordered, but the brush seems dubious.

 

[WTS]

At the moment I'm not too worried about the brush as I intend to get a better one as I go. As long as it will be good enough for me to get a feel for what I'm doing then I'm happy with that as I want to eventually use it to work on vehicles etc so I fully intend to get new ones, also with the compressor being able to fit two brushes I thought that in its self lends to getting another one which when I do I can go for a better one.

In all honesty I was more confused about the compressor as I've never looked at buying anything like it at all so I wasn't sure what I was looking at.

 

[WTS]

Right so I did a bit of searching and I found these two, same compressor as before but with different brushes.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/FoxHunter-K...i+Piston+Compressor+with+3+Litre+Air+Receiver

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mini-Airbru...i+Piston+Compressor+with+3+Litre+Air+Receiver

While I know the brushes will more than likely not be that great, I don't mind this to be honest. As I said before I'm seeing this as a good way to get into this part of the hobby without breaking the bank and with the money saved I can put it aside to get a much better quality brush once I'm more proficient.

Thanks for the help guys, the link to the other thread helped me out a lot.

 

[MrJim]

Looks like a good deal on the compressors with a $20 airbrush thrown in. Even if you only use it to primer and basecoat, it will pay for itself in savings over spray cans.

 

[Splurch]

I also got an inexpensive compressor/airbrush when I started and it worked out great. The compressor looks identical to the one you found, except mine doesn't have the attached air tank. While I've upgraded my brushes (to a Badger Patriot 105 and a Krome), I still use the compressor (and eventually plan to get a tank for it, or upgrade it entirely.) The really nice thing about starting with an airbrush you don't care about is you can abuse it a little and not worry about ruining it. Also, for me at least, learning to clean/take care of such a cheap airbrush takes a lot of the worry away from making a mistake and ruining the thing.

The other thread covers important stuff, but just to reiterate, make sure you either get a spraybooth or spray in a well vented area with a fan. Make sure to get a respirator that will filter out any acrylic particles (the simple white facemasks are not adequate.) Vallejo makes some great primers that will spray perfectly without thinning and if you want a simple thinner for your paint get some Liquitex Airbrush medium, makes it super easy to thin paints perfectly.

 

[JohnLobster]

From the picture, this is the compressor I have, which has worked perfectly over the last few months

If a cheap airbrush isn't working right, it is hard for a first time user to figure out what is wrong - start with it and see what happens. If not get a name brand - I have an Iwata Neo

I recommend getting some inexpensive airbrush paint to play around with and some large sheets of paper. Airbrush paint so you get a feel for what the dilution should be like. You can then play with different pressure settings, dilutions and distances from the brush, as well as getting used to the double action

Good luck

John