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Hey guys, my annivessary is coming up and the misses wants to purchase me an airbrush for my minis. I am wondering if any of you had had any luck with the badger brand? they are readily available from michaels (art supply) here in california and relatively inexpensive (with a 50% off cupon we have laying around). I quickly used the search function but didnt find any 'hard' answers (IE: badger model 250). any help is appreciated...i am interested in learning to use it relatively well. I will also be buying a compressor from michaels (with an aformentioned 50% off cupon) if that has any bearing on this.

Well I've never used a badger but a lot of folks seem to like them. Regarding the 250 specifically, I found this review at Trains.com:

The Badger 250 is an absolute, bottom line basic airbrush. It will yield barely acceptable results on anything other than painting large surfaces. Forget about doing any detail painting this airbrush is not designed to give that kind of control. IMO you would have been better off saving your money and buying either the 350, at a minimum, or better yet a 200 model. Unfortunately, I think you'll find the 250 to be a waste of money.

Personally I think you can get a LOT better brushes, for similar cost, if you buy online... but if you are going with Michaels you might not have a lot of options.

Mistress of Minis has a wealth of AB knowledge and has set many folks on the right path. I know most recently she was recommending the PS900 AB which is dual-action and gravity feed. I use an Iwata (also dual-action and gravity feed) that I really enjoy - but it wasn't cheap.

If you get a compressor, try to find one with a tank and moister trap. Some of the smaller/cheaper ones are also quite loud; so if that is an issue for you it might be worth trying some out. My Iwata Smartjet still hums but is significantly quieter than some of the other cheaper compressors.

Thanks Gun, what would you recommend as an online purchase? I just figured the price would be wildly different and she could not find quite the same brush vs. cost from an online retailer.

Here's one to consider:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-AIR-PRO-PS900-DUAL-ACTION-MAC-AIRBRUSH-GUN-KIT-FINE-/270570159089?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3eff3cfbf1

Do a google search, it got great reviews. I ordered mine Thursday, received it Monday, from Utah to Pennsylvania.

Whats funny is that this link
http://www.buyairbrushes.com/store.php/products/air-pro-tools-ps900 is from the same people that have the ebay item.

Sounds like you are starting out. Do you have a compressor or air tank?

I have nothing but a grim determination to not base coat another whole army. Im looking to start with the cans if i have to but I hope to get a compressor off the bat.

I hear you 100% on that Cynon.

So, I'm not sure what you guys were looking to spend but even on Amazon I found this setup (comes with hose and quick-connect) for $57.

http://www.amazon.com/PS900-Action-Airbrush-Braided-Disconnect/dp/B0013DSONI

If you search these forums for 'ps900' you will find good things.

If possible, try to start with a compressor. The cans are so terrible, especially if you are concerned with your results lol.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Spacemanvic wrote:Here's one to consider:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-AIR-PRO-PS900-DUAL-ACTION-MAC-AIRBRUSH-GUN-KIT-FINE-/270570159089?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3eff3cfbf1

Oh yeah that is a good deal. Use the Buy-It-Now feature at $50 and get the hose and quick-connect thrown in; has Free shipping too.

Badger have awesome customer service and their airbrushes are very, very good for what you pay for them.

It's a pissing contest between Iwata and Badger lovers. Iwata might have a slight quality edge but at the cost of being way more expensive on parts.

I have the Badger 105 Patriot. Wide nozzle so it'll basecoat fast, with skill can still do a pencil line (even with it's .6mm nozzle), looks good, feels good and isn't too badly priced.

I second a cheap compressor. Can get a decent one at Lowes or Home Depot for <$100 with 1-2Gal tank. Though if you intend to paint in the house and don't want a noisy compressor look into the Iwata Sprintjet or some other "silent compressor" (though they aren't cheap...some are as high as $300).

Here's my girl....


Not one of the big names in airbrushing had anything bad to say about the Patriot.

I started the whole PS900 trend, and I still stand beside it as the best airbrush for the money.

It will do everything the user can until you get up to the skill level for super top end work- and even for much of that its a viable tool.

So, follow the above ebay links. You'll get a good brush, and the cash you save on the brush- you can then put into either a better compressor- or more paint, minis, and other fun stuff to use the brush upon ^_^

That actually does look like a nice AB.

Until my Badger bites the dust (it's a Badger so doubt it ever will) I'll stick with that.

I was not sure if there was a big upgrade from the ps900 to the ps910 so i just went with the 900 that everyone suggested. Since I am saving about 50-100 bucks from the price of the brush, any suggestions about a compressor?

I swear I should just make and save a document of universal airbrush answers.

I suggest using a regular air compressor(not a weedy lil airbrush contraption). You get a more versatile tool for a very similar price to a decent airbrush compressor. Just make sure you get one with a pressure regulator, otherwise you'll need to add one(which is easy of you know how a wrench works).

But, if you live in an apartment, or jsut have hardly any space, an airbrush compressor might be an option, since they are small.

Im too lazy to dig out the links to the threads I started on AB's that cover alot of this with mroe detail

If you can AB outside get a compressor for shop use (like at Lowes or Home Depot.

If you have to do it inside and don't want to disturb others get an AB compressor. Iwata Sprint is good (hell, one of the best freehanders in the business uses a Sprint for tshirts) and tshirt paints normally require higher PSI for AB than what you'll use for 40k/Fantasy models as you normally spray them heavier.

The Sprint can deliver a steady 40psi, more than enough for basecoating 40k models and fine detail.

Technical questions aside, am I the only person who thinks Cynon should be congratulated for a) his anniversary *applause* and b) his taste in marrying someone who will BUY HIM THIS!!

It's my first anniversary this sunday and the chances of my wife getting me anything game-related are very, very slim indeed...

To toss something in:

When picking up my last airbrush, I was reccomended by a friend at a professional painting studio to give this site a look.

He insisted that he cant tell the diference between his brush from there, and his expencive Iwata brush.

He also made the claim that the brushes are sourced from the same places that Iwata get their parts.

I do not know if he is correct in the latter part or not, but the quality is superb and at a great cost.

If you have the money, its probably good to go with the brand name, but if you're looking to save a few pounds, I'd strongly reccomend giving them a look.



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ps. I bought the "BD-183k Professional Double Action Airbrush with needles/nozzles". Its now my trusted friend...

Chimera_Calvin wrote:Technical questions aside, am I the only person who thinks Cynon should be congratulated for a) his anniversary *applause* and b) his taste in marrying someone who will BUY HIM THIS!!

It's my first anniversary this sunday and the chances of my wife getting me anything game-related are very, very slim indeed...

lol ...you are right! Congrats dude.

My girlfriend won't buy me any miniatures, but she has bought paint/hobby stuff and some nice carrying cases for my army.