Airbrush recommendations

If you never use an airbrush I will start with a pashee single action external mix, even if I have expensive double action airbrush, I use as much as posible the external one as it's  more easy to clean . Later when you more use you can purchase a double action and have more control on the spray 

 

http://www.paascheairbrush.com...le-action/EZ-STARTER

I actually take the other approach, get the double action one and learn with that....it,ll save you two things....first, the money spent on the single action....and second, any regrets that you bought a single action 2 weeks after using it wishing that you got the double action....you'll be practicing on various thing to hone your technique anyway...go double action IMO you won't regret it.

 

Nick b

Boston metro hirailers

I've been using a Badger 150, a double action airbrush, for close to 20 years now on scale plastic aircraft and armor models and it has been a great brush. If you need to control the spray than I agree that double action is the way to go. While indeed harder to learn than a single action, in my opinion the learning curve to double action is not that great. However, keeping them in tip-top shape (which is critical to smooth operation) takes more work than a single action. I still keep a single action Paasche at the ready for large area work that doesn't need much control to maintain a steady flow of paint.  -Len

Paasche VL Dual Action Series brushes are work horses.

 

You can do things from this: 

 

 

 

To this:

 

 

Ive been airbrushing over 25 years and tried em all. I'm now using fhe double action from Harbor Freight Tools. it's only $20 and just as good as any of the name brands.

iwata airbrushes are top of the line,

 

http://www.iwata-medea.com/ind.../products/airbrushes

If you’re painting just models, a single action airbrush is the easiest for a novice to use. A double action is useful for weathering and more advanced use. For solvent based paints an internal mix airbrush is best, but an external mix works better for acrylics.  
The Paasche is the best single action I’ve found, but I’ve got good results with an Aztek 270. The 270 is not expensive, and is easy to keep clean. It’s a good unit to start with.

I recommend Badger airbrushes.  They are quality airbrushes made in the USA.  The prices are reasonable and the parts are inexpensive.  Badger's lifetime warranty and service are second to none!

 

For good reviews of various airbrushes see: https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home

 

I have a Paasche H single action, and several double action brushes, including a Neo for Iwata CN, Badger Renagade Velocity, Badger 105 Patriot, Badger 175 Crescendo, a Harbor Freight Delux, and 2 knock-offs from China.  Stick with the name brand, ie Paasche, Badger, Iwata.  You may get lucky with one of the knock-offs, but I found them to be very frustrating to use and hard to get replacement needles & nozzles.

 

I picked up the Paasche at the York meet, the Patriot and Crescendo from Michaels store using 50% off coupons, the Neo at Hobby Lobby using a 40% off coupon, and the Velocity off that auction site.

 

TC Graphics & Paints has some of the lowest prices I've found. See:  http://www.tcgraphicsandpaint.com/store/   His prices on the Patriot and Crescendo are lower thanthe Michael's prices, even with the coupon (the Patriot @ TC Graphics is $71 vs $160 discounted to $80 @ Michaels) 

 

Using an airbrush effectively takes patience and a lot of practice.  There are many varables that one must get right, eg, air pressure, trigger control, paint consistancy, surface prep, etc.  There are a lot of good videos on YouTube and available on DVD about using an airbrush to paint models.

I was thinking of painting the rails of my Ross track, and thought the airbrush would be best. Would single action be better for this? I understand single action means you have steady stream of paint and air, and double action would be varying control of paint and air, is that right?

I a single external mix is perfect for this, it's far more easy to clean. I use a single for paint walls, rails apply dulcote  and a double for weathering. I really dislike to clean a double action just to paint something simple. 

I've been painting trains for 30+ years. First 2 years with a Badger and then I received a Paashe VL for Christmas one year. I have been using the same one ever since then. Four years ago I bought a spare VL just in case, it is still in the box. I cannot testify to the quality of others but the Paashe is a "tank" of an airbrush.

 

Dave is right, you can do anything with them and parts are readily available should you need them.

 

Malcolm

Painting rails?  Go to HarborFreight and get the cheapest airbrush.

http://www.harborfreight.com/airbrush-kit-47791.html

I think it depends on the purpose and probable frequency of use.

 

Single action brushes are simple to maintain and give good results for all but the most exacting tasks. Double action brushes provide better control and more precise results, at the cost of increased maintenance.

 

IMO the best airbrush is the one you will use frequently. If you think you might find yourself avoiding your airbrush because it's too much of a hassle to clean, then simpler is better. I put myself in this category, and use a Paasche single action for that reason.

 

Jim

For christ sakes go here and get a Paashe get a model H and do not look back.

 

45 years using them. People who recommend HF need to be shot.

 

Best absolute prices, outstanding 3 day service.

 

http://www.dixieart.com/Dixie_...brush_Main_Page.html

 

 

Marty south of big D.

This YouTube video provides a lot of information about choosing and using airbrushes.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsW-vN0_lHw