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I'm looking at buying an airbrush and wanted to know what you guys would recommend for a novice airbrusher. Thanks.

I recommend the companies Badger and Paasche for your simple air brush needs.

I use the Badger 200 series bottom feeder type for my basic volume spraying and the Paasche H for more detail.

Both are single action and more or less idiot proof when working with and cleaning them. Dual action models give you more control on the airflow but it takes a little more practice when using them.

Your air brushing miles may vary.

Agreed with the Badger series, my buddy had one that I borrowed when I would do some plane modeling at his house.

Iwata are also a very good make. Be prepared for a big learning curve and enjoy yourself.

Iwata are the Winsor & Newton of airbrushes.

They're not cheap, but they are superb and their customer service is fantastic - as in I buggered my airbrush by being a moron and they replaced it under warranty anyway (and it was three years old).

I have an Iwata airbrush and a Sprint compressor and for the tank work I've done so far I heartily recommend them.

BloodQuest wrote:Iwata are the Winsor & Newton of airbrushes.

They're not cheap, but they are superb and their customer service is fantastic - as in I buggered my airbrush by being a moron and they replaced it under warranty anyway (and it was three years old).

I put it down to them being German, we all know what German engineering is like.

I thought they were Japanese, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, just want to say that I find the airbrush great even for smaller stuff - I got quite a cool graduated look on Lightning Claws that I never would have had the patience to achieve with a regular brush.

Also, based on recommendations here on Dakka, I've picked up some Vallejo Model Air Primer to try, so (hopefully) it's goodbye to cans of primer!

I like the Harder and Steenbeck airbrushes. I personally have an Infinity 2 in 1 and find it to be a fantastic brush.

I should get it out more frequently.

Iwata is Japanese and Windsor and Newton are British, so no idea were the German thing came from.

Badger all the way.

Iwata are Japanese ...and I would second their amazing customer service. When I first got my (Iwata Smartjet) compressor I stupidly broke it and called up their hotline... literally - with no questions asked - they sent me a new one. They didn't even want to know how I broke it, or where I bought it, or how long I've had it.

Harder & Steenbeck, another 'top-of-the-line' and very high quality airbrush is German made. If you want one of these I would talk to Brad at Idle Hands... he is the most knowledgeable and helpful person I've met regarding airbrushing.
http://idlehandshobbies.com/index.html

Testors Aztek line... It´s a beaut!!

Is it more of the quality of the airbrush that counts than the compressor? As I have a very tight budget due to learning to drive at the minute, yet I have found an airbrush kit on Amazon for £100. Its one of those basic ones, that comes with a gravity fed airbrush, and standard, as well as a compressor. Not sure whether to get this to learn with, and then upgrade the airbrush when I get better?

Make sure its Dual action and the compressor comes with a regulator. If your budgets a bit more give my freind here a ring:
http://www.little-cars.co.uk/contactus.htm

a Paasche Talon is all the airbrush you will ever need. I love mine to death!

Also, it is death to try and learn how to airbrush when using a cheap one. Spend the money on a decent one(mine was about $80 US) and if later you decide you don't like it you can resell it at little loss.

Ps900 Really cheap knock-off airbrush of the same quality of the others being posted. 60$ on amazon. LOVE IT

or for $20 more you could get a non-knockoff quality brush...

aerethan wrote:or for $20 more you could get a non-knockoff quality brush...

or you could use that money on a compressor? Or paints? Or models? Or other supplies?

Say guys, I've been wondering about ordering an airbrush kit... You think the journey would break a compressor and airbrush?

Crushy wrote:Say guys, I've been wondering about ordering an airbrush kit... You think the journey would break a compressor and airbrush?

Not if they are well packaged. I would try and find a supplier in your country.

ollieholmes wrote:

Crushy wrote:Say guys, I've been wondering about ordering an airbrush kit... You think the journey would break a compressor and airbrush?

Not if they are well packaged. I would try and find a supplier in your country.

No such thing :(

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002RI8K8C/sr=8-16/qid=1293728974/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1293728974&sr=8-16&seller=

This kit was the one I was on about. Seems worth it just for the compressor to be honest? I can easily upgrade to a better brush when I have the basics? And I've emailed that guy Ollieholmes thanks.

You'll be wanting something that's duel action and gravity feed and preferable has different sized needles you can get for different types of work

It might also be worth investing a bit of cash in an ultrasonic cleaner to clean your airbrush with (it works out cheaper than continuously buying alcohol and white spirits to clean out your airbrush

Thanks for all the advice. i went to a michaels in my area and found a badger 200 it was 112 bucks and the compressors they had were around 290 and another for justs over 300. both made by badger. not sure what the difference was but i figure as a beginner i'll probably go with the cheaper compressor.

They must be really jacking up the prices.
A good air compressor that I got (meant for power tools and such) was 135$ I think. 5 gallons and continuous refill. However, I just noticed you live in canada so I don't know what the exchange rate is.

Use a compressor from Home Depot or Habor Freight that has a tank on it. Much cheaper with perfect results. If you don't have a tank then you are relying on constant feed air, which can often be pulsating and will screw up your painting.

These compressors can be found for well under $100 and work perfectly.