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G'day all,

A question specifically for the Aussie airbrushers... any tips on what airbrushes to buy and who from? I've noticed that most brands are a hell of a lot more expensive or hard to get over here, I was considering a Paasche Talon set with the 3 needles but the price difference is huge and my local hobby store say they can't get it in anyway so I'd just be buying it online.

Do people just import the things or do you buy locally? If you import, any tips on what retailers are good? Or which brands have readily available replacement parts?

I'm currently using a cheapo Chinese brush and been thinking of upgrading, just trying to get an idea of options and what other Australians recommend.

Cheers!

I'm still using the Paasche that I got 20 years ago off a mate. It's a nice double action model with a choice of cup sizes (it's gravity fed - cup on top). I'd list the model but it's been replaced about 6 times and isn't on catalogue anymore anyway.

(He's a special effects artist - and gets to replace his gear YEARLY as a tax deduction. Even if it ISN'T scrap - because he goes through them that often).

I've got mates who all got SOTAR 20-20s though and are just learning how to use them (it's like using a fine detail brush to do a tank.). Airbrushing is a separate set of skills to brush painting.

airbrushmegastore in Adelaide are the best price for iwata (which is what I got, and it is amazing (hp-cs))

Alternatively, if you want to go more budget, undergroundwargames sell packages with badger and other unknown brushes - they sound dodgy, but the guys that run it stand behind them and will help and/or replace until you are happy.

It seems undergroundwargames doesn't have any badger or paasche (they have tabs for them, but only list a fitting to adapt to a paasche or badger, no actual airbrushes).

Then airbrushmegastore would be the place to go.

I thoroughly rate the HP-CS

Alternatively, you can talk to the guys at thecombatcompany.com - Sydney based, really active in the community, and genuinely good dudes.

Also Underground Wargames (also Oz based).
The guys there also do kits for airbrushes (brush+compressor and spares) and have been doing the hobby airbrush thing for a few years now.

Paasche aren't generally available through gaming related stores, though - more dedicated model hobby stores.

I'm actually kind of surprised no one has suggested importing, not sure if there's a reason for that, lol.

kb_lock wrote:Then airbrushmegastore would be the place to go.

I thoroughly rate the HP-CS

Alternatively, you can talk to the guys at thecombatcompany.com - Sydney based, really active in the community, and genuinely good dudes.

Yeah, I'll look in to the Iwata. If you buy an Iwata airbrush and want to change needle/nozzle size, do you have to buy a whole new brush or can you just buy the needle/nozzle/air cap? I was kind of wanting a 2 or 3 in 1 so I could change to a larger nozzle for base coats, varnishes and primers but it seems like all the Iwata ones you just buy a single needle/nozzle combo.

TheCombatCompany currently doesn't have any airbrushes in stock but I could send them an email and ask what's happening with them. It seems they have carried badger but they are out of stock.

chromedog wrote:Also Underground Wargames (also Oz based).
The guys there also do kits for airbrushes (brush+compressor and spares) and have been doing the hobby airbrush thing for a few years now.

Paasche aren't generally available through gaming related stores, though - more dedicated model hobby stores.

The only ones I see on the Underground Wargames site are some very cheap ones (less than $30) which I assume are just cheap rebranded chinese ones.

I know a few stores that sell Paasche... the problem there is just the price. I was considering the Paasche Talon 3 needle set... but it's $220 from Australian retailers while it goes for $125 from USA retailers and that's a premium I don't really want to pay if I can avoid it.

Is it possibly the Paasche you currently have is a VSR90? I know that one has been around for a very long time.

Yeah, sounds about right.
I've also got a Talon (TG) but it doesn't get dragged out much.

With friends in the SFX community, I kinda have access to a wider circle to get parts from, though. I've never needed to go too far for parts/service.

I did price a Talon from the US a couple of years back but they wanted $90 for shipping and this pretty much killed any desire for me to order from OS. If the "price reduction" is less than 30% I don't even consider importing.

Irresistible Force sell airbrushes, as they use them for commision work, they know what they are talking about. Brisbane bases.

I picked a runway 13 nozomi from there, with compressor, and they were awesome and talking me through how to use & clean.

http://www.irresistibleforce.com.au/

I have bought both my Badger's from Amazon. Just had to find a seller that ships to Australia. Might not be the best option at the moment, given the weak $A...

Badger parts are easily available and I've found them to be fairly simple devices to clean and maintain. Give them a solid clean/seal and oil about every 3-6 months

This is the Badger 350
and the Badger Patriot 105

I've added these to a cheap compressor/airbrush setup from eBay and it's going strong after 2 years of fairly solid punishment!

If you want a 2in1, I'd look at a harder steenbeck evolution

That said, I wouldn't do that, but rather get 2 brushes so you don't need to dick around with them (probably cheaper than the H&S anyway)

The reason why I didn't import, and instead went for a Jap brush (dat hypocrisy) is simply parts availability - that said, Iwata parts do cost a bit.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
As you seem to want a badger, the patriot 105 and a sotar 20/20 would be a nice pair, and probably cheaper than a 2 in 1

I think I just realized I could make a killing smuggling suitcases of airbrushes into Australia when I go down there...

One other place that I usually recommend people check out when there is a short supply of specialty stores are beauty supply houses. The brushes used to airbrush finger nail designs and to a lesser extent spray tanning are often the same ones you will be wanting for models and miniatures.

You'd make a fortune smuggling anything here, really.

Except spiders and snakes, we've got tons of those.

Just need to smuggle those back to the US. When I was maintaining an EL in Woomera...we used to have to chase the black headed pythons out of the generator room every day. They go for about $1200 here. For some reason, the Australian government doesn't think you guys have enough snakes and spiders...so we can't import from there anymore...

It's more that we don't want them crossbreeding.

We've seen what happens when your black widow and our redback crossbreed (little bastiches ARE DEADLIER) - and you really don't need that shiz on your doorsteps.

neal b wrote:Irresistible Force sell airbrushes, as they use them for commision work, they know what they are talking about. Brisbane bases.

I picked a runway 13 nozomi from there, with compressor, and they were awesome and talking me through how to use & clean.

http://www.irresistibleforce.com.au/

That looks interesting, I can't find too many reviews on it though.

Kr00gZ wrote:I have bought both my Badger's from Amazon. Just had to find a seller that ships to Australia. Might not be the best option at the moment, given the weak $A...

Badger parts are easily available and I've found them to be fairly simple devices to clean and maintain. Give them a solid clean/seal and oil about every 3-6 months

This is the Badger 350
and the Badger Patriot 105

I've added these to a cheap compressor/airbrush setup from eBay and it's going strong after 2 years of fairly solid punishment!

Yeah, I was considering Amazon, I've never had anything shipped to Oz from Amazon but I bought some things from Amazon while I was living over there.

I already have a cheap compressor which has been working well for me for the past year.

kb_lock wrote:If you want a 2in1, I'd look at a harder steenbeck evolution

That said, I wouldn't do that, but rather get 2 brushes so you don't need to dick around with them (probably cheaper than the H&S anyway)

The reason why I didn't import, and instead went for a Jap brush (dat hypocrisy) is simply parts availability - that said, Iwata parts do cost a bit.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
As you seem to want a badger, the patriot 105 and a sotar 20/20 would be a nice pair, and probably cheaper than a 2 in 1

Not really, I don't specifically want a badger, I've never used a badger so I have no idea what they're like, I just brought up badger because it's what thecombatcompany have (out of stock) and also what underground wargames have on their list (but don't have any brushes listed under the tab).

My goal is just to upgrade from my cheapo Chinese brush that I got for about $40 and I just want to get my money's worth. For example I'd rather pay $150 for a brush that is worth $150 than pay $200 for a brush that's only worth $100 It seems Iwata and Runway 13 stuff is similar price in Oz as it is in other countries while Paasche, Badger and (maybe?) Harder and Steenbeck stuff pays a larger markup over here.

As for the 2 in 1, it just seems like the cheaper way to go. I typically remove the needle, nozzle and air cap when cleaning the brush anyway, it only takes a minute or so to do.

Sean_OBrien wrote:I think I just realized I could make a killing smuggling suitcases of airbrushes into Australia when I go down there...

One other place that I usually recommend people check out when there is a short supply of specialty stores are beauty supply houses. The brushes used to airbrush finger nail designs and to a lesser extent spray tanning are often the same ones you will be wanting for models and miniatures.

There are a lot of things you could make a killing on, lol. Some products are similar price here to the USA, other things are just crazy expensive. I wish I had of bought an airbrush while I was living over there but airbrushes weren't really on my radar until after I got back. Unfortunately I don't have any plans to return in the near future (unless I find a job over there after my current job winds down).