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Made in us
Happy Imperial Citizen





I have been painting 40k minis for a while now and I want to try airbrushing. I want a simple airbrush with good performance. I needs to be something cheap because I don't know if airbrushing is for me or not. I guess I'll also need an air compressor. I don't know too much about this kind of stuff.
What do you think is my best option?

 
   
Made in gb
Thane of Dol Guldur





Bodt

Get a cheap Chinese one first. They're perfect for learning how to use them and decide if you want a better quality one. You can pick them up for about 40 dollars. Not sure about compressors, I got mine from my dad.

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Made in us
Elusive Dryad





Get a cheap Chinese one first. They're perfect for learning how to use them and decide if you want a better quality one. You can pick them up for about 40 dollars. Not sure about compressors, I got mine from my dad.


Seconded. If you are a newb, go cheap. As long as it sprays paint out, you should be fine. Get an all-in-one kit on Amazon or your local hobby store. And the best part is, if you get really rocking with airbrushing and graduate to something nicer, having your old cheap setup as a backup is *always* useful.

If you can spend at least $75USD, get all-in-one setup that has a compressor with an attached tank and pressure regulator:
https://www.amazon.com/VIVOHOME-Professional-Airbrushing-Compressor-Decoration/dp/B07WGTS2K2/ref=sr_1_36?keywords=airbrush+kit&qid=1575411098&sr=8-36

Otherwise, one of these will do:
https://www.amazon.com/F2C-Compressor-Airbrush-Painting-Manicure/dp/B078J1FBVG/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=airbrush+kit&qid=1575410927&sr=8-8

Incidentally, in any case get two nozzle probes. They are inexpensive and a lifesaver for getting paint out of your nozzle. Use it every time you clean your brush (but be gentle, some nozzles are brass and easily warp).
https://www.amazon.com/PointZero-Airbrush-Nozzle-Cleaning-Needle/dp/B004KNFP26/ref=sr_1_6?crid=PWXJ0CDPOABO&keywords=airbrush+nozzle+cleaner&qid=1575411310&sprefix=airbrush+nozzle+%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-6
I say "two" because those tips are easily damaged and if you are clumsy like me, you will drop and ruin one every couple of months.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2019/12/03 22:17:48


 
   
Made in ca
Lone Wolf Sentinel Pilot





Los Angeles, CA, USA

I will echo what the above posters mentioned. The only correction I might add is on the link that joewarhost posted. That one does not have a tank, which is a necessity in my book. Try something like this

https://www.amazon.com/OPHIR-Airbrush-Compressor-Airbrushes-Cleaning/dp/B01NGZ7OWG/ref=sr_1_18?keywords=Master+airbrush+kit&qid=1575488095&sr=8-18

   
Made in ca
Fireknife Shas'el






 FabiusBile wrote:
I have been painting 40k minis for a while now and I want to try airbrushing. I want a simple airbrush with good performance. I needs to be something cheap because I don't know if airbrushing is for me or not. I guess I'll also need an air compressor. I don't know too much about this kind of stuff.
What do you think is my best option?


First, temper your expectations, Good performance and cheap don't go together. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not determine whether or not I like something based on trying the lowest/cheapest possible example of it.

For example, a friend of mine HATED ice cream. I couldn't figure this out and challenged him to try the ice creams I liked, which he immediately loved. He had hated ice cream because his mother was so cheap she always bought the bargain basement crappy ice cream, which her kids grew up hating because it tasted terrible. Now he buys GOOD ice cream and enjoys it.

So a good performance airbrush isn't going to be cheap. What I'd recommend is a beginner airbrush from a name brand company - Iwata has their NEO range, but all airbrush manufacturers produce something similar. Going this route has advantages over chinese knockoffs - easy access to replacement parts, warranties, resale value - on top of a more reliable, better machined product.

Here's an example of what I mean https://www.amazon.com/Iwata-NEO-Gravity-Feed-Airbrush/dp/B01J4GTIUI Airbrush + Compressor for 157 USD.




   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut






I currently have a cheap Chinese brush. Everytime I use it I have gotten markedly better. I have gotten a lot more comfortable with it than when I first got it, and I'm glad because I'm only in for 23.00. If I'd gone with 100.00 brush and then, didn't like it I would have been pretty upset. Now I am getting experience and am getting to a point where I would be willing to spend 100.00 on a brush.
   
Made in us
Dakka Veteran





My biggest advice would be get a 3 gallon pancake compressor, and a adapter for the airbrush hose. The little airbrush compressors get on my nerves. They're are more quiet, but they run constantly, and the air they create is "pulsating" not smooth.
Plus the longer you run them they start to heat up, and then you will start to get moisture in the air regardless of having a moisture trap.
Pancake compressor from Harbor Freight will run for 5 minutes loudly, then you can turn it off, and airbrush for 15+ minutes noise free.
I got mine with a coupon from Harbor Freight for around $40, and it lasted 7 years. I used it for nail guns and such as well, and inflating my truck tires. Handy thing to have.
   
Made in us
Colonel





This Is Where the Fish Lives

 John Prins wrote:
 FabiusBile wrote:
I have been painting 40k minis for a while now and I want to try airbrushing. I want a simple airbrush with good performance. I needs to be something cheap because I don't know if airbrushing is for me or not. I guess I'll also need an air compressor. I don't know too much about this kind of stuff.
What do you think is my best option?


First, temper your expectations, Good performance and cheap don't go together. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not determine whether or not I like something based on trying the lowest/cheapest possible example of it.

For example, a friend of mine HATED ice cream. I couldn't figure this out and challenged him to try the ice creams I liked, which he immediately loved. He had hated ice cream because his mother was so cheap she always bought the bargain basement crappy ice cream, which her kids grew up hating because it tasted terrible. Now he buys GOOD ice cream and enjoys it.

So a good performance airbrush isn't going to be cheap. What I'd recommend is a beginner airbrush from a name brand company - Iwata has their NEO range, but all airbrush manufacturers produce something similar. Going this route has advantages over chinese knockoffs - easy access to replacement parts, warranties, resale value - on top of a more reliable, better machined product.

Here's an example of what I mean https://www.amazon.com/Iwata-NEO-Gravity-Feed-Airbrush/dp/B01J4GTIUI Airbrush + Compressor for 157 USD.


I couldn’t agree more.

An entry level brush from Iwata, Badger, or any of the other major manufacturers is going to perform much better than a cheap no-name knock off. The biggest problem with the cheap knock offs is their inconsistency; some people have no problems, others have nothing but problems. When airbrushing newbies have tons of issues, they tend to give up and have no interest in continuing to use one of the most versatile tools in the painting toolbox.

You don’t have to go out and buy a $300+ brush because durable, good performing airbrushes from reputable manufacturers can be found in the $60-$100 range and will last you a lifetime.

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Made in ie
Fresh-Faced New User




I would tend to disagree with people that say to go for cheap Chinese airbrush. I would recommend to spend as much as your budget allows you.If you need to wait a bit in order to put aside around 100 or 150 $ then wait a bit. You won’t regret the money invested at the start. It is hard enough to learn how to use an airbrush properly. Cheap material will only make it harder for you. Down the line you are going to want to buy a good airbrush , so why not at the start of your airbrushing journey? I would try to go for the Iwata-Medea Revolution CR or maybe the Badger Patriot.... If you buy from a reputable company, you will get replacement parts also. This is important too.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Have a look at this airbrush Buying Guide, found it very useful


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Have a look at this airbrush Buying Guide, found it very useful https://airbrushgeek.com/best-airbrush-for-beginners/

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2023/11/17 13:17:12


 
   
Made in ch
Regular Dakkanaut





Zurich, Switzerland

Okay, I'm gonna completely disagree with what people are telling you here and say in my opinion, there is no such thing as a "beginner airbrush", only bad ones that will give you trouble. The learning curve at the beginning is steep, and if you're working with bad equipment, you won't know if you're doing something wrong or it's your gear. I started with garbage airbrushes and tried to avoid buying a real compressor for years, and all it did was put me off airbrushing because I thought it was impossible.

Most importantly, get a compressor with an air tank - the one that's sold as AS186 and under various other names everywhere will do fine, but don't get a crappy table compressor without an air tank. It'll just end in tears.

   
Made in us
Pragmatic Primus Commanding Cult Forces






Southeastern PA, USA

I'll also pile on and say go with a good entry-level airbrush...not a cheapo. Go cheaper on the compressor + tank if you're looking to save money.

I can't recommend the Badger Patriot 105 enough as a starter brush. Mine has been an absolute workhorse. I have another brush but it's still the one that I use the most to lay down primer, basecoats, etc. You can also get different needle sizes for it, making it versatile on top over super-reliable.

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Made in au
Grizzled Space Wolves Great Wolf





...this is a 4 year old thread...

That said, I started with a cheap brush, it worked fine and I wasn't sad when newbie me messed up by not cleaning it properly or accidentally flaring out the nozzle or bending a needle.

Once I was happy that I knew the basics of how to maintain it, I bought something better. But I still use the cheap one for rough work.
   
Made in fi
Posts with Authority






I'd say you dont want to go with the cheapest one, but dont overspend either. IME the key, especially when dealing with acrylic paints which are considerably thicker than enamels or laquers, make sure you aren't getting one with a ridiculously small needle size. 0.4mm is about ideal for acrylics. If your needle is too small, your airbrush will clog up constantly and make basic 'brushing more tedious than it needs to be.

Another thing nobody empahsizes enough when talking about airbrushing - you will be spending more time cleaning the airbrush and stripping it down than actually airbrushing, this is just a fact of life, and the sooner you accept it, the better you will sleep at night.


This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2023/11/17 19:24:23


"The larger point though, is that as players, we have more control over what the game looks and feels like than most of us are willing to use in order to solve our own problems" 
   
Made in gb
Frenzied Berserker Terminator




Southampton, UK

Massive necro aside, the new H&S Ultra looks amazing
   
 
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