Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Thats my budget, I won't be paying a finders fee

So basically I want to start trying some airbrush techniques especially some of the layering weathering techniques. Shopping online for stuff you know nothing about is hard and I don't want to end up paying loads for an over priced bit of crap you can get for half price elsewhere.

I have been thinking about just trying out the GW spray gun (yeah yeah I know evil GW over priced etc etc) to get a feel for the techniques.

Like with most things I'm sure some companies make great airbrushes at great price whilst others sell rubbish a far to high a price. But I don't know the brands or the gossip.

About the only thing I know is that I want/need/should get a dual action brush and a moisture trap on the compressor.

So I have £100 (max I would rather spend £50-£70 in all honesty) and I need everything to get started.

What would you recommend? Anything on eBay now I should start bidding on?

Links to actual products and stores would be great.

Thanks.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186-Complete-Airbrush-Kit-Compressor-Tank-/200600974912?pt=UK_Crafts_DrawingSupplies_EH&hash=item2eb4bff640

Meh quality airbrushes but good enough to get your started.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Paasche-TALON-TG-3F-SET-Airbrush-Set-NEW-PAASCHE-/370593626739?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564919fa73

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Airbrush-Compressor-AS18-2-Oil-free-/110827972750?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item19cddca88e

only slightly over budget but that brush will last you a lifetime.

Thanks guys its a start, remember I'm in the UK so those excessive shipping costs add up.

Is eBay the best place to get bargains on this sort of thing? Is there an Airbrush R Us in the UK?

Any other ideas?

I got my kit from here:
http://www.everythingairbrush.com
I spent a bit more than your budget, and got some extras, like a moisture trap and longer hose. But he was very helpful, and the service has been good.

Everything airbrush does do many of the known brands but as you will see you pay th price for it. The eBay kit that AG shows is pretty much the cheapest basic kit you will get.

Many people list it, some even as their own brand AB kit, but it's all the same stuff from the same Chinese manufacturer, not that its a bad thing bu good to know. I researched the whole issue a few years ago when I was in your position. These brushes really are well suited to beginners and More than sufficient for wargaming use, you can upgrade to better brands in the future as skillz develop.

I ended up getting one though and am very pleased with it. I got mine from RDG Tools which are a well known hobby tool company to take advantage of the distance selling regs incase there was a quality issue, rather some unknown eBay seller. There wasn't and quality issues and I have since bought further kit from them.

If you did choose to look into RDG I would recommend calling them as I did that and got an upgraded case compressor and a bit of a discount as well.

Thanks notprop rebranded Chinese stuff is what I was most worried about. I see a lot of it in my job (not AB but other electronics) and I am well aware the quality of the stuff can very between "bargain" to OMG I can't believe anyone would buy this worthless rubbish.

Think I will avoid Eveythingairbrush. They sell the AS-186 compressor for over £100 with shipping whilst its on both eBay and RDG Tools you get it for under £100 with 2 brushes. but thanks for the input anyway skinnereal.

So I think I am going to put an order in tonight for either the one on eBay or the same kit from RDG (basically this one http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/info_769080.html) but I have a few more questions first.

Are all the AB connections standardised from company to company? Basically would I be able to update the brush to a better one from a different manufacture without changing the compressor / hose?

What else do I need to order to use it ? cleaner, thinner etc etc.

The help really is appreciated.

Check out http://www.air-craft.net/index.html

I found their service to be top-notch and their selection is excellent!

That's the one I ordered.

All of the couplings in the set match so no worries with the initial set up. If you look at the accessory section you will see that they also sell Sets of adaptors to alter the size as well as different hoses. So future upgrading is easy.

The instructions I got were limited (nothing on usage iirc) but it's pretty intuitive so if you have a bit of common sense about you it shouldn't prove to be a problem. Then it's a bit of trial and error getting used to it, techniques and paint mixes. There are plenty of tips on Dakka (it comes up enough!) and the rest of the Internet.

As for other stuff I started out with concentrated car screen wash and distiller water for thinning and citadel and Vallejo paints. I quickly picked up Testors AB thinner, flow aid and tamiya thinners. I also now regularly use Testors AB cleaner spraycraft spray AB cleaner and Revell Colour Medium (these all do much the same job - remove dried acrylic paint). You'll find them all at Hobbycraft in Chelmsford btw incase your too impatient to get stuff on the net like me.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
If you don't mind a little wait then Antenocitis Workshop carries loads of fluids and paints including Vallejo polyurethane primers which are IMHO vital if you want to AB undercoat.