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Hello,
I'm looking for an airbrush to do some base coating with, along with some vehicle stuff, too.
I was looking at this but I don't think I need all of the extra nozzles and stuff, so I checked out this, but the reviews aren't stellar.
Do any of y'all have recommendations?

The cheapest I would go is the Iwata Neo and than pick up an oil- less compressor from harbor freight. Ideally I'd get one of the airbrush compressors, but that's not really budget friendly.

I cant say iv ever used one of those cheapo box compressors.

iv used the one in the first link and they over heat quite a bit adding a lot of moisture even through the trap.

it might be worth getting a second inline moisture filter.

if its just to mess around and base coat with it isnt terrible. those iwata clones tend to break easy.

I suggest invest into a second moisture trap and maybe move forward with a Chinese cheapo, not necessary Iwata Neo. I suggest to start with something cheap to learn on so you wont hammer your pretty H&S ultra or Badger or whatever mid range there is.

The badger chrome can take quite a beating

i really should take a picture of mine in its sorry state

When I was looking around for a cheap piece, I found this for about £16 ~ $20.
http://www.corehammer.com/airbrush-guide-kkmoon-0-25-any-good/
His comments are fair and his advice seems reasonable.
Its also less than a tactical squad, so is an acceptable risk IMO.

Bolt it on to one of these, the eponymous AS186 and you're mostly done for under £100.
http://www.kmsdirect.co.uk/as186-airbrush-compressor

I found a really nice kit on Amazon when I got mine, it included a brush and a compressor for a little under $100 with shipping. It was a paasch set, and has worked perfectly for what I use it for, pretty much just base coating mini's and vehicles. I would look into something like that, it feels like a solid way to learn the fundamentals without dropping too much cash and can be resold to recoup a fair amount of the price without much hassle.

My 2 cents:

Be aware that basically everything you get in a <$200 kit - besides the spray out jar - is junk you will toss and replace if you don't turn yourself off airbrushing entirely.

The compressor will be weak and only able to output maybe 2 bar / 30 psi. This is your smallest problem, assuming a decent pressure regulator and water trap. It is however very helpful to be able to turn it up a bit higher when needed for priming or doing other materials which really need a 0.4mm needle. Bigger opening, more airflow needed. Acrylic paints in general need a 0.3mm needle, because some of the pigments can be quite large. That is not to say that you cannot somehow manage to get by with a small needle and weak compressor, but you'll have many more clogs and problems than you would have if you were using proper equipment. Doesn't sound too bad - until you ruined a paintjob with some gastly splotches.

The airbrush you get with a kit will be cheap and made with low precision. There will also be a very bad price ratio for replacement parts - if any are available at all. You need to accept that you will replace the entire airbrush when you mess it up, mostly because it will be cheaper to get another $20 piece of junk.

Save yourself a lot of frustration and save up a little bit more. Get a solid compressor, get a decent airbrush in the $100-$150 range with a 0.4mm needle from any good manufacturer. I personally use H&S, but obviously buying American Badger or Japanese Iwata and many others is just as valid.

.25 size nozzle / needle combos will clog real fast.

I still use an cheap chinese AB-130A (think it's a Paasche talon clone) for basecoating and varnishing. 0.35mm nozzle, easy to clean the tip.

A quick glance through that site got me to this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Performance-Airbrushing-Dual-Action-Airbrush/dp/B0017640RK/ref=pd_sbs_201_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=J3T80W4M2A336SPHYWJ9
The compressor has a tank, and the brush is the right way up (top loaded).
The actual models might not be any good, but they're the right sort of thing most people suggest.
Get an in-line moisture trap if you can, depending on the weather you get.
Tanks prevent the splutter of a compressor, and lead to a more even flow.

OP im gonna end up saving you a LOT of money in the long run. An airbrush is not something you wanna cheap out on because you will get cheap results, i would advise the following buys.

Tank and compressor
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001738DXU?psc=1

Badger 105 airbrush
https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-Patriot-Gravity-Airbrush/dp/B002W84GTO/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1502891253&sr=1-1&keywords=badger+105

Coupler attachment(Trust me its worth it)
https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-Co-51-042-Coupler/dp/B003EGZB2Y/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1502891253&sr=1-5&keywords=badger+105

Cleaning kit and blow pot
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVXTLZW/ref=sr_1_2?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1502891325&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=airbrush+paint+pot&psc=1

Thinner i personally use.
https://www.amazon.com/Vallejo-Airbrush-Thinner-200ml-Paint/dp/B002X6DTHK/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1502891348&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=Vallajo+airbursh+thinner

One of the hardest lessons about an airbrush most noobies make, is you have to accept there is no cheap way to do it. Think of an airbrush like an investment, you want quality over quantity. The badger 105 is a solid work horse and will do all your basic needs for painting large models and batch painintg and basing and will let you get some good effects.

The Master airbrush linked above will work just fine to get you started. It's a decent brush, good compressor and should last you long enough to decide if you want something better, or not.

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Performance-Airbrushing-Dual-Action-Airbrush/dp/B0017640RK/ref=sr_1_3?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1503075715&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=master+airbrush+kit&psc=1

I would just advise the badger 105 over it since it's a lot more robust but again dealers choice

Good and cheap are mutually exclusive.

warpedpig wrote:
Good and cheap are mutually exclusive.

Oi Street tacos are the best and they are cheap AF

Neo for Iwata, its 80$ from hobby lobby. 50$ with their coupon and they carry all replacement parts

Thanks for all the people who have given me suggestions.

To all the people who say 'If you can't afford expensive then gtfo,' EXCUSE ME for having grad school tuition to pay off. I know, not having lots of money makes me undeserving of participation in a hobby, but maybe try extending a small amount of understanding.

 themanclaw wrote:
Thanks for all the people who have given me suggestions.

To all the people who say 'If you can't afford expensive then gtfo,' EXCUSE ME for having grad school tuition to pay off. I know, not having lots of money makes me undeserving of participation in a hobby, but maybe try extending a small amount of understanding.

Now see, airbrushing is expensive. Beyond compressors, ir requires cleaners, overspray and so forth.
You do want to have a good airbrush, not a knockoff. You need something with a name behind it.
My set up would cost you around 250$ with my giant Harbor Freight compressor being expensive. but Great.

 themanclaw wrote:
Thanks for all the people who have given me suggestions.

To all the people who say 'If you can't afford expensive then gtfo,' EXCUSE ME for having grad school tuition to pay off. I know, not having lots of money makes me undeserving of participation in a hobby, but maybe try extending a small amount of understanding.

So I found a cheap little fifteen psi black box compressor and airbrush kit with moisture trap and hose and a cleaning kit with multiple brushes and poker type tools. The brush is top feed 0.3 mm and nicely built. I have broken it down once and only have used it twice as I have been sort of busy but hope to get more into it this winter. I played with paint mixing and thinniing. I found a blend of tints in an acrylic artist base with a bit of INSTAR gw clone paint added in plus water and a bit of soap gives a very good strong color that adheres well and covers easily. The brush cleaned up easily too. I made a cleaning receptacle with an old bowl and an older sock, I just blow soapy water through the sock until the airbrush is clrean for the next color. Thing is that this whole operation cost exactly forty USD including shipping. That is 40$. My first airbrush. And I wouldn't have probably ever gotten into it if it weren't 40$. Aliexpress. If it lasts long enough for me to learn the basics, the I am happy. If i like airbrushing well enough then I have the option of upgrading later on. If this thing is still working I can give it to the nieces for their nails... Highly recommended.

 Desubot wrote:

warpedpig wrote:
Good and cheap are mutually exclusive.

Oi Street tacos are the best and they are cheap AF

I can confirm this, taco trucks have the best Mexican food around just dont ask to see the kitchen.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 themanclaw wrote:
Thanks for all the people who have given me suggestions.

To all the people who say 'If you can't afford expensive then gtfo,' EXCUSE ME for having grad school tuition to pay off. I know, not having lots of money makes me undeserving of participation in a hobby, but maybe try extending a small amount of understanding.

I dont think anyone is saying GTFO, what we are saying, is if you cant afford to do it right your gonna end up spending more money in the long run. The suggested brushes range from 80 to like 120 bucks and i would highly advice against the master brushes, they kinda suck and you will quickly find that out.

Airbrushing is one of those things that you wanna not skimp on, its an investment that well worth it.

Read this YMMV but Royal Max 180 works very nicley for me
http://www.chuckbauman.com/airbrushes-free-airbrush-reviews.htm

DaemonJellybaby wrote:
When I was looking around for a cheap piece, I found this for about £16 ~ $20.
http://www.corehammer.com/airbrush-guide-kkmoon-0-25-any-good/
His comments are fair and his advice seems reasonable.
Its also less than a tactical squad, so is an acceptable risk IMO.

Bolt it on to one of these, the eponymous AS186 and you're mostly done for under £100.
http://www.kmsdirect.co.uk/as186-airbrush-compressor

Just my experience but I got a very similar airbrush and compressor to start with. The compressor is still fine - no issues at all. One with a tank like this is fairly reasonable and worth the extra few bucks on top of a tankless version.

The airbrush is fine. I have since got a proper Iwata and I can feel the difference. The action is nicer and it clogs less. However, I'm still pleased with my original airbrush. I use it for priming models and laying on base coats. I'll also use it for metallics. It was cheap so nothing lost and saves some wear and tear on my better brush. I wouldn't hesitate going the same route if I was starting again.

Hello,
I'm looking for an airbrush to do some base coating with, along with some vehicle stuff, too.
I was looking at this but I don't think I need all of the extra nozzles and stuff, so I checked out this, but the reviews aren't stellar.
Do any of y'all have recommendations?

I am fond of decorating small models and constantly read various reviews about airbrushes. But when I was just starting out, I didn’t have enough professional advice, I recommend that you pay attention to the Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP just a gorgeous airbrush for beginners, a detailed review can be reading here's the article.

 Desubot wrote:

warpedpig wrote:
Good and cheap are mutually exclusive.

Oi Street tacos are the best and they are cheap AF

que carne es esta......