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Hi guys.

This is a topic which i frequently see, and so i've read around a little, and have gathered some info.

Now, the airbrush, according to the reading i've been doing, needs to be Dual Action, Internal Mix and Gravity feed. Correct?

I was watching a vid from youtube (also posted on here by a user) which had airbrush explainations from the badger company owner (i think). He reccomends a compressor of atleast 30 PSI (what's that stand for - out of curiosity). What other sorts of things does a compressor need, if any?

I also see people buying hoses for them. That should be simple enough, quick trip to the hardware store. connects the airbrush to the compressor, i assume.

aside from paint thinners and paints, is there anything else i need to consider when looking to buy an airbrush. I assume there will be some sort of cleaner needed, does the cleaner depend on the type/brand of airbrush?

Anyone able to reccomend any airbrushes?

Thanks alot guys

Pounds per square inch, basically the amount of pressure the air is under.

I suggest a Paasche VL $120 and comes with multiple heads and the thing is a work horse.

Moisture trap and regulator. These are some times included or attached to the compressor.

Most hoses you will have to get from a hobby store/same place you get the airbrush do to the smaller connection size on the airbrush.

Double action brushes take more practice. If you've never used an airbrush a single-action internal is a good learning brush. I bought a Badger 200 with a fine type for $50 off amazon. Dual action has a varying spray size while a single action you adjust the size before you spray. Both have their uses.

The 200 I bought has a finer spray than my Anthem double action

throwing in my two cents.

I hate compressors, if you have the space for it look into a C02 tank. No need for power, no noise, and cheaper then a high end compressor. A pony bottle costs around a hundred bucks, and the regulator is about a hundred and twenty bucks. It lasts forever, and it puts out clean air from as little as five PSI to as much as sixty. best part is the gas is clean, so no need for a moisture trap or filter. You can also use it for hours on end with no overheating problems.

For guns, I would recommend a gravity fed Iwata Eclipse.

I've been eyeing up the Paasche Talon, it's got the requirements and comes in a set with dismantleing tools and a hose for ~£120.

But the topic of compressors completely confuses me. Any suggestions / requirements for compressors?

Really appreicate this help, thanks

I actually bought the Paasche Talon & Compressor kit from TCG last year some time and have been absolutely pleased with the kit. After just over a year of semi-consistent use (Painting about 1000pts Blood Angels/1000pts orks) with the thing, the first major deal maintenance issue I had was a blown seal on the front nozzle. I ordered an additional 5 seals(re: Gaskets) (1.50$ CDN) each from TCG and now every things good again.

The compressor (TG-100D) is a fantastic little unit. I put it on the ground next to my desk (carpet) and it runs pretty quiet. I've had no issue with the compressor other than a few low-PSI issues at times, as it tops out at 30psi--the minimum for airbrushing minis I think. The one complaint I do have about the little guy is that he runs crazy hot. I usually shut the compressor down after an hour and give it a bit of a break. During the break in period, I frequently smelled a bit of burning coming off the unit, and if I run it for longer than an hour I get the same result now. So I just take it easy from time to time.

after a year of airbrushing, I've decided to upgrade the Talon to a new Badger Krome (as soon as one comes available!). But for now, I can definitely attest to the Talon package deal.

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

Thanks for that info Faith! Very much appreciate it

I found This and think it's what i need. Comes with everything, and for a nice price - £175 (after conversion USD to GBP).

This should be everything i need, yes?

As for you overusing your compressor, i dont think i'll be using it for longer than an hour at a time, but thanks for the heads up

If you have the money, get a compressor with a tank. Then you can keep painting and painting. The compressor only turns on when the tank drops below a certain PSI.

If you have a compressor with no tank, you will get pulsing of the air. Why put up with that, when you do not have to?

Seriously, get one with a tank.

Also consider an cheap ultrasonic cleaner. They making cleaning an airbrush after a painting session a breeze.

ultrasonic cleaner? what's that?
...anything to make tidying up easier... lol

What do you mean when you say 'you will get pulsing of the air'. Not 100% on the terminology of airbrushing.

I dont think i'll get the compressor with tank, mainly because i wont be using it for huge periods of time. An hour at the most(?).

Thanks again guys

Zambro wrote:
ultrasonic cleaner? what's that?
...anything to make tidying up easier... lol

What do you mean when you say 'you will get pulsing of the air'. Not 100% on the terminology of airbrushing.

I dont think i'll get the compressor with tank, mainly because i wont be using it for huge periods of time. An hour at the most(?).

Thanks again guys

An ultrasonic cleaner is what a lot of people call a jewelry cleaner. Just go to Amazon and search for ultrasonic cleaners and you'll see a bunch of them. Buy a cheap one (I paid $30 for mine) and use it once or twice a month to give your parts a nice cleaning.
Diaphragm compressors pulsate because of the nature I the way they compress the air. The pulsing you get from one is the result of be diaphragm working (think of your heart beating, similar principle only slower) and is generally unfavorable.
Do yourself a favor and just buy a decent compressor with a tank, because if you don't you'll wish you had. If you intend to only use your airbrush for "an hour at the most," not only are fooling yourself but you are wasting you money on something that it seems you won' even use that much.

Zambro wrote:
ultrasonic cleaner? what's that?
...anything to make tidying up easier... lol

What do you mean when you say 'you will get pulsing of the air'. Not 100% on the terminology of airbrushing.

I dont think i'll get the compressor with tank, mainly because i wont be using it for huge periods of time. An hour at the most(?).

Thanks again guys

Think of it like a set of bagpipes. You blow air into the air bladder of the bagpipes and squeeze the bladder, so that the bagpipes can continuously play a note, as long as you randomly blow more air into it. Now think of how a flute works. You have to constantly blow air to make the flute play, once you stop to breathe, the note quits. Its the same principal with aircompressors, if they have a tank, the tank holds the air and so pretty much never runs out of pressure because when it gets low, the compressor kicks on and refills it. Without a tank, the compressor has to constantly run to keep pressure, which can cause air pulses.


Im actually planning on converting my air garage air compressor into the setup for when I get an airbrush. Its got a good size tank and its older then me, so I know with some simple presser regulators, it would make the perfect tank/compressor setup

ahh ok, thanks.

So a compressor with a tank is what i need... hmm. Lets have a look for one and get back to you


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Ok, so instead of getting what i posted previously, i'll get this , It's the same airbrush but without that compressor.

This is the compressor i found. It has a tank.

Will the hose connect the both of them? i cant find the info...

Again, thanks so much with this help

 KingCracker wrote:
Think of it like a set of bagpipes. You blow air into the air bladder of the bagpipes and squeeze the bladder, so that the bagpipes can continuously play a note, as long as you randomly blow more air into it.

I had no idea that this was how bagpipes worked.

The other reason for a tank is otherwise you are listening to the compressor the entire time you airbrush. If you have a tank, it only kicks on intermittently. The larger the tank, the less the compressor kicks on.

So if you have the money and are serious about this, get one with a tank.

Ok, so the airbrush and compressor w/ tank i link in my last post is a good buy, in your opinion?

Do i need anything else for it? Cleaning equipment obviously, but is there something i've missed?

Thanks alot for this help, i'm supprised how hard it is for me to understand airbrushes

For cleaning equipment try and get yourself a MACK kit. You will have EVERYTHING for roughly $20 or less.

http://www.mackbrush.com/airgunkit.htm

Which is available through many online Airbrush stores.

That looks great, thanks

So it looks like i've found everything i need for an airbrush, i appreciate all the help.

Thanks!