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What is the best airbrush to buy? Looking to start getting into it

Get something super cheap. Spend money on a good compressor instead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXVmC2mfvPg

 Evertras wrote:
Get something super cheap. Spend money on a good compressor instead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXVmC2mfvPg

Lol that's the guy that inspired me to start airbrushing! his videos are the best lol.

He's my hero. I will totally fanboy squee with you.

Anyone that uses WODKA to sharpen up a paint job is someone very awesome indeed.

yeah thats what i did... i got a decent compressor and a super cheap chinese replica... if you got more money to spend i recommend a starter airbrush from one of the bigger airbrush brands. i like the harder & steenbeck ultra, but the badger patriot is really good, and so is the iwata neo

 Evertras wrote:
He's my hero. I will totally fanboy squee with you.

Anyone that uses WODKA to sharpen up a paint job is someone very awesome indeed.

 Evertras wrote:
He's my hero. I will totally fanboy squee with you.

Anyone that uses WODKA to sharpen up a paint job is someone very awesome indeed.

He makes everything look so easy! Just watched his "How to paint force weapons" video and he made it look like anyone could do it and yeah he uses vodka to sharpen his paint LOL what a legend.

 DijnsK wrote:
yeah thats what i did... i got a decent compressor and a super cheap chinese replica... if you got more money to spend i recommend a starter airbrush from one of the bigger airbrush brands. i like the harder & steenbeck ultra, but the badger patriot is really good, and so is the iwata neo

Thanks I'll check them out.

Do you have a Super Cheap Auto store near you? If not then order this online. I currently use it.

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Air-Brush-Kit-Professional.aspx?pid=161683&menuFrom=80103#Cross

It is not to expensive and is a great airbrush, very good quality for the price. Has a year warranty so any bent needle problems or damages to it and you can go get another one. 3 needles ( 5mm, 3mm and 1.5mm) means you have needles for detail work and spares to change around with if you can get a replacement quickly.

Use this one until you decide to get a branded one ( Badger or Iwata for example), disassemble it and re-assemble it, get familiar with pulling it apart and cleaning it. Buy a ring of cleaners off ebay or get these from here, Mines on the way.
http://www.milsims.com.au/node/122972

http://www.oo.com.au/Air-Brush-Compressor-for-Spray_P117577C6183.cfm?cm_sp=SubCatFilter-_-TestC-_-Product

I would recommend this compressor just bought it a few days ago and it is great. Cheap and reasonably quiet. Has a regulator and moisture trap. The tank has a 1/8" outlet so buy an air hose that is 1/8 female to 1/8 female like this one for example,

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-1-8M-FLEXIBLE-RUBBER-BRAIDED-AIR-HOSE-AIR-BRUSH-/190640659933#ht_3022wt_1139

there are TONS of threads on this topic.
(literally, about one every 10 days).

Search around.

If you don't want to then get:
any internal mix dual action brush. even a cheap one will last ou a while while you learn airbrushing. I suggest gravity feed, but that is kind of subjective.

The iwata neo is a good starter brush.

get a compressor too.

 IXLoiero95XI wrote:
Do you have a Super Cheap Auto store near you? If not then order this online. I currently use it.

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Air-Brush-Kit-Professional.aspx?pid=161683&menuFrom=80103#Cross

It is not to expensive and is a great airbrush, very good quality for the price. Has a year warranty so any bent needle problems or damages to it and you can go get another one. 3 needles ( 5mm, 3mm and 1.5mm) means you have needles for detail work and spares to change around with if you can get a replacement quickly.

Use this one until you decide to get a branded one ( Badger or Iwata for example), disassemble it and re-assemble it, get familiar with pulling it apart and cleaning it. Buy a ring of cleaners off ebay or get these from here, Mines on the way.
http://www.milsims.com.au/node/122972

http://www.oo.com.au/Air-Brush-Compressor-for-Spray_P117577C6183.cfm?cm_sp=SubCatFilter-_-TestC-_-Product

I would recommend this compressor just bought it a few days ago and it is great. Cheap and reasonably quiet. Has a regulator and moisture trap. The tank has a 1/8" outlet so buy an air hose that is 1/8 female to 1/8 female like this one for example,

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-1-8M-FLEXIBLE-RUBBER-BRAIDED-AIR-HOSE-AIR-BRUSH-/190640659933#ht_3022wt_1139

Hi and thanks from me for this info.

Can I ask, could you have a look and tell if this the same one you're referring to?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-PAINT-AIRBRUSH-COMPRESSOR-Accessories/dp/B00AK889LY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1358417731&sr=8-8

It looks the same, but I'm not sure.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Same here with quite some positive reviews:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Airbrush-Compressor-Double-Action-Airbrushes/dp/B004XP7K9W/ref=pd_sim_sbs_diy_1

Not a problem.
The compressors are the same as the one I recommended, but they are both from the UK so be careful, they may have different power plug.

A UK plug is fine for me.
I recently moved to Netherlands from UK and have a bunch of stuff that has a UK plug, and as a result have power transformed multi-sockets in each room of the house.

It seems like a pretty good deal for 80GBP, considering the good recommendations on the site and here.
Might have to spend some of my christmas bonus on this unless I can find something better for the money.

I've also noticed it comes with 2 starter airbrushes and a braided hose.

That thing looks like a fantastic deal. Might have to get one and get some airbrushing started as well...

A question to any of the 'airbrush experienced' out there:

Is there much difference between a single and twin cylinder compressor, other than pure PSI?

I mean to ask, what is the real difference, especially for someone starting out?

I ask this in light of seeing this compressor:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bayls-Airbrush-Compressor-Kit-Advanced/dp/B007RKE3RM/ref=sr_1_15?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1358428766&sr=1-15

It looks like a dual version of the same compressor referred to in this thread.

I would say that if it had two pistons that it would be more powerful, fill the tank quicker and have a higher output

 IXLoiero95XI wrote:
I would say that if it had two pistons that it would be more powerful, fill the tank quicker and have a higher output

Speaking as a completely unexperienced sprayer but as a guy that has worked a deal with pistons and the likes, the obvious advantage of what you explain would be a longer lasting and more even pressure for pieces that take a little longer to do, especially those where you do continous spraying.

Update for you guys who are interested.
I've been doing lots of research and I'm deciding to purchase from this seller:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008BH2Z6G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1HGRE909K6WTV

It is more expensive but I discovered its from a real proper Airbrush specialist, so I'm also ordering a bunch of other things from the same seller which reduces my postage (Remember I'm in Netherlands). If you're seriously considering getting into airbrushing, even on a budget, consider seriously that you may need to buy more than just the compressor and airbrush, such as cleaner and thinner (If you don't want to use water).

I also emailed them and these are the models of compressor and airbrushes that come in the link above.
They came back promptly and with accurate information.

Compressor: AS-186

Airbrush 1: HS-35 (Gravity feed)

Airbrush 2: HS-28 (Bottom feed)


Lastly, I decided I wanted something extra fine as an airbrush once my skills develop a little.
From the same seller I'm getting the HS-80 airbrush, which is apparently a straight clone of a £300+ Iwata:


So all in guys, this kit will set me back ~£120 not including extras I'm ordering.
Get my bonus friday so I'm pulling the trigger on this.

Best of luck and enjoy airbrushing!!!