Looking for advice on a quality but affordable air brush

Paasche VL

This is what I got off ebay and I love it!!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Paasch...;hash=item1e828ecd11

Thanks Mike!  I'm also looking to buy one.

--Greg

I've been air brushing almost 30 years, and have tried just about everything from a $20 Harbor Freight model to a pro $200 dual action artist model. Just depends on how much you want to spend.

I currently use this for general purpose stuff:

http://www.harborfreight.com/d...brush-kit-95810.html

I use this for custom painting engines and weathering:

http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbr...rmance.aspx#G222-SET

The Harbor Freight model is excellent for beginners, experts, general purpose, and a good price. You can't go wrong for $20. If you want to spend more money, Air Brush Depot has tons of options for really good prices. I've used 2 different Paasch models in the past, work great, but for $60-$100 depending on the one you get, there are many models that are just as good for less money. 

You can't go wrong with a Paasche airbrush. I've had mine for 30+ years and it hasn't missed a beat.

Jim McClenin

OP Here,

Those of you that are familiar with the Paasche products can you look at these two and tell me what I am getting for the extra $20?

Paasche VL Pro

Paasche VL

They look exactly the same to me but one is listed as a Pro model with a wooden case.

Thanks!

Dave

What type of compressor do you use?

-Greg

According to the link you gave......

• Rounded Trigger Button that rolls under your finger for greater comfort.
• The Paint Picker Aircap lets you clean accumulations of paint off the tip and needle with a quick pinch of the fingers.
• The Trigger Guide has been lengthened for increased paint flow at maximum draw, and the Cut-Away Handle allows quick pullback to blow out clogs.
• A Threaded Bottle Connector fitting locks onto the bottle stem for worry-free one-handed painting - the bottle will not fall off once fastened properly

From what I can tell nothing you will ever notice

If you can spare 90 minutes, this video seminar from the owner of Badger airbrush company is simply excellent walkthrough on airbrush use and technology. It's not really a sales pitch just a good primer on airbrushes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az00Gcx5sO8

I have a Porter Cable 3 gallon pancake compressor. 

BUT...................

Make sure you purchase an inline moisture trap / filter
Here is one from  Harbor Freight!  ($14.99)

http://www.harborfreight.com/1...ir-filter-68279.html

Better to go a little overkill on dryers and filters on your air supply, than deal with the problems of moisture, or oils, fouling a sprayer, air-brush, the paint surface, or work subject itself.    

You might wish to check the Badger web site. They have a "garage sale" page with discounts on blemished air brushes.

When I had the same question, I found this gentleman's website and found it very helpful. He's a fan of the Badger 155 Anthem for his model painting.

Don's Airbrush Tips  https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/

( sorry, the hyper link tool doesn't work with IE11)

Some Michaels Craft stores carry them. If you ask at the register when you go in if they have any coupons for today they will tell you and give you one. Very often they have a 40% off any one item. Very often.

I purchased a few items this way such as styrofoam heat cutters.

My family shops there fairly often so they call me when there is a 40% off day and I tell them which item I need. I have a list at home of pre-picked more expensive items.

Of course this only works if you don't need it immediately.

You can add larger paint containers to some of the air brushes.  1 and 2 ounce containers pictured Badger Model 150.
The air brush manufacture and model would be helpful.
Some have change-able tips/needles.  Fine/Medium/Large.  I seem to use the Medium tip most often, never used the fine tip, instructions talk about ink. 
Cleaning and thinning are important.  The consistency of the paint can be an issue.  Older acrylic paints that have been shelved for some time can be issues. Note the cleaner and thinner in the picture. 
Acrylic paints (water clean-up) seem more difficult than solvent based paints.    

Here is another very good thread on airbrush done recently.  Click to access the other thread. 

I have two compressors a large Craftsman 30 gallon tank and an inexpensive small one. The Craftsman has more control of the pressure than the small one but the small one is a lot more portable!

Dave

FWIW, I prefer the Badger Model 200 (single action/internal mix) for most projects.  There are a couple of reasons and you can take the advice or ignore it.  Almost all of the single action air brushes on the market including the Pasche are EXTERNAL MIX.  It is a fact, an external mix airbrush creates larger globules of paint thus a rougher finish.

Besides being internal mix, the Badger Model 200  gives you the option of different sized needles & nozzles along with easy adjustments for paint volume.

I would ask the others, touting the advantages, of their personal choice to please investigate the differences between internal & external mix.  Another fact is, external mix air brushes are cheaper to manufacture.

As far a compressors, I would go with the larger model and fill the tank hours before painting.  A couple of reasons, compressing air creates heat.  Said heat will raise the temperature of your mix and could impair the flow of the paint being applied.  By filling the tank in advance the air can cool.  Also a compressor with a smaller tank will tend to pulse while the compressor is running.  Doesn't seem like a big deal but I believe in gaining all the advantages I can.

There are many other things to consider but one of the most critical, when using a compressor, is to install a water separator.  It will not only trap moisture but minute particles of oil that blow by the piston rings.  The oil issue isn't a problem for smaller compressors using diaphragms but diaphragm compressors pulse worse than any other.

Jay 

Thank you for the link to Don's airbrushes.

Anyone know where I can purchase the self cleaning model?

I think that one would sell out fast.

I agree with C W B:   Don's Airbrush Tips is a wonderful site for anyone who has used one.  I added it to my favorites list. 

 Thank you

I'm using a Badger 175 Crescendo:

http://www.dickblick.com/produ...ble-action-airbrush/

I have an old Miller air compressor, 1/10 Hp I believe and noisy as ****.  If anything I would make sure to get a QUIET compressor.  I went to a model show a few years back and talked to the Iwata demo girl and the compressor she was using was very quiet:

http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/compress.aspx

OP Here,

Thanks to everyone who responded. A lot of good information has been presented.

I purchased a brand new Paasche VL kit off eBay for $50.00

Looking forward to experimenting with it!

Thanks again!

you did good, I have been using the same Paashe VL for 27 years. I had to replace a few parts which are always available from Paashe.

Malcolm

This is a really useful thread. Thank you for all the posts.