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Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User




Exactly what it says on the tin. What’s a decent starter airbrush for someone starting out, ideally one that’s cheap enough that you don’t waste a lot of money if you decide not to continue with it.
I’m mainly thinking of trying Imperial Fists. I think I’d be easier to spray yellow than hand paint it.

But to get my toes wet, I was thinking maybe $100 all in.
Compressor, air brush, hose, and fittings. I understand that you get what you pay for, but I’m just looking for s toy to play around with right now.

If I really like it, then I’ll spend what I need to for a better setup.

But I’m happy to pay more upfront and save time and frustration later on.

So recommended Airbrushes, Compressors, Hosea, fittings, cleaning supplies, spray booths, whatever.
   
Made in us
Stealthy Warhound Titan Princeps






Well.... I'd consider getting higher quality stuff to start out with, because honestly once you use one you will NEVER go back to not using one. Its so much faster, and the quality of work is so much better than brushwork (at least at my skill level) that it's ridiculous.

My setup is:

I use this compressor https://www.amazon.com/Paasche-D3000R-Compressor-Regulator-Moisture/dp/B001CJPWYM

and this airbrush: https://www.amazon.com/d/Airbrush-Materials/Iwata-Medea-Eclipse-Action-Airbrush-Gravity/B000BQKFAI

Add in a hose: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush-Premium-Standard-Fittings/dp/B002FDX36I

and a Spray Pot: https://www.amazon.com/Iwata-Medea-Universal-Spray-Out-Pot/dp/B01DYN6ESG

It's like 3x what you're looking to spend, but it makes everything so much easier. I'm getting back into the hobby now, and I am building some Guard tanks. I can do a Leman Russ, box to finished model, in like 6 total hours with an Airbrush. Working on a Shadowsword now, I'm like 10 hours into it, and almost done. Back when I first started using it, I needed to get 4 Razorbacks done for a tournament coming up on the weekend.... I painted these https://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/315891-.html?m=2 in a single night. Everything is just faster and easier, I cannot imagine going back to not using an airbrush.

I started with this setup because I wanted something that would work well, and wouldn't be frustrating to use. I feel this airbrush meets those requirements, because I'm not a particularly good artist, and yet I'm very happy with the quality of the models I'm able to produce.
   
Made in us
Contagious Dreadnought of Nurgle






I recently bought a Badger Patriot 105 and it's great. It's my second airbrush; my first was a Master airbrush from Amazon, and I used it for a long time but it went downhill quickly. Cheap airbrushes can easily get frustrating for a number of reasons, so I'd recommend picking up an entry level model from a name brand.

If you order the Patriot 105 from Amazon you can get a 40% off coupon. On the item page you can select to subscribe to the airbrush, and you get a 40% coupon for your first subscription purchase. Then when you get it just cancel the subscription.

I still have my cheap no name compressor that I purchased with my first airbrush, and it works fine but it leaks so it runs all the time. Try to get a compressor with a tank at least, but in my experience getting a decent airbrush is more important than a name brand compressor.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/12/05 17:31:04


 
   
Made in ca
Speed Drybrushing





t.dot

 Horst wrote:
*snip*
Well.... I'd consider getting higher quality stuff to start out with, because honestly once you use one you will NEVER go back to not using one.
*snip*
it's ridiculous.
*double snip*


I agree. Don't bother buying a cheapo airbrush that you'll have to replace anyways. Invest in quality and you'll get a quality tool.

I stand by the Harder-Steenbeck Infinity (CR). The price point is, admittedly, incredibly high. But the quality is absolutely more than worth it for me, and I consider it a hobby investment that will last me a very long time.

I also highly recommend an airbrush cleaning kit. The time spent maintaining your equipment will ensure that said equipment continues to perform at 100% every time.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2018/12/05 19:32:43


   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





Riverside, CA USA

Most of those suggestions are overkill for a beginner setup. I've been using the same cheapo MASTER compressor for over 5 years and it's still going strong. I linked the tankless one that I use regularly, most people recommend getting one with an attached air tank, they're about $20 more if you want to go that route. W/ tank is probably better, but I've never had any issues w/ the tankless kind and it's quiet enough I can airbrush and still watch TV or at night when people sleep without disturbing anything. I still use the original hose and built-in moisture trap from this kit as well

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush-Performance-Compressor-Dual-brush/dp/B005H3CBXO/ref=asc_df_B005H3CBXO/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198071540295&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8960612919430161501&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031488&hvtargid=pla-318190322546&psc=1

I've used a number of cheap airbrushes, mostly Badger knock-offs and a couple actual Pasche airbrushes, my absolute favorite airbrush was recommended to me a few months ago and it's also the cheapest, this is a GREAT airbrush that I highly recommend

https://www.amazon.com/HUBEST-0-3mm-Gravity-Dual-Action-Airbrush/dp/B071NTM8TY

You will need an in-line moisture trap in addition to the one on the compressor itself or else you'll get water spurting through your airbrush (ruining your paintjob) after 45 minutes of use. An airbrush w/ a tank will have this as less of an issue, but the moisture traps are super cheap on ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-8-Airbrush-In-Line-Mini-Air-Filter-Moisture-Filter-Water-Trap-Spray-EB/372079375119?hash=item56a1a8b30f:g:ePUAAOSwZkNZv5Fq:rk:1:pf:0

Not necessary, but highly recommended is a quick-disconnect, makes switching airbrushes or taking them out to clean really easy

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-8-Fittings-Part-Airbrush-Quick-Disconnect-Release-Coupling-Adapter-Connecter/130690819370?hash=item1e6dc7a52a:g:URIAAOSwYmZXNXbE:rk:23:pf:0

The cleaning jar linked earlier is good, although I just use a coffee can with a hole drilled in the side and hole cut into the lid that I put a filter in for much cheaper. My airbrush hangs from my overhead lamp on a hook I bought form the dollar store when not in use, so you can spend the money or go a DIY route

I also have a sonic cleaner, they're about $30 on ebay, but again, you can just use a little elbow grease and not spend the money.

For cleaning solution, you can use a lot of different cleaners, Simple Green and Windex both work well so long as you're diligent and clean right after use. If you get dried gunk in there, use some PBW cleaner off amazon. Just a spoonful in a small tub/sonic cleaner of hot water and let it soak

For thinning paints, I recommend getting BOTH Vallejo airbrush Thinner and Vallejo Flow Improver, I tend to use about 50/50 thinner/Flow Improver to thin the paints down. There's DIY options for both if you look around the webs but I like the actual Vallejo stuff.

~Kalamadea (aka ember)
My image gallery 
   
Made in us
Contagious Dreadnought of Nurgle






The big problem with the super cheap airbrushes is that they use really low-quality o ring seals on nearly every joint, and those seals will fail. They get hard and brittle once they come into contact with cleaner or solvent and cause leaks. My Master airbrush is now a single-action airbrush because the return valve on the trigger has failed, so you have to manually lift the trigger up to get it to stop spraying air. It also leaks all over. Overall, it's been my experience that cheap airbrushes are not worth the hassle.

You can get the Badger Patriot 105 for $40 shipped and it's a high quality airbrush that will last years. It doesn't use o rings for sealing, it just has high quality pressure fittings. You definitely don't need to spring $100+ for a really nice airbrush like the Iwata Eclipse right off the bat, although it's probably worth it, but I can say from personal experience that it's worth getting one airbrush that will work the same way one month or five years after you buy it compared to constantly having to shore up or replace multiple cheapo airbrushes.

The Iwata NEO and the Paasche Talon are other reputable entry level brushes that can be had around $50-70. I would recommend any of those before a Master, PointZero or something similar. YMMV but that's my personal experience.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/12/05 19:49:43


 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





Riverside, CA USA

This is absolutely true, cheaper for a reason. The cheapo airbrushes also vary WILDLY in quality and some are nearly useless out of the box, the MASTER airbrush in my original kit was absolute crap and I've gotten a couple brandless ones off Ebay that were junk from the start, but also had $18 ebay specials that were great quality. Until you learn, or if you're prone to improper care or just clumsy and drop them a lot (like me) it's much better to ruin a $15 airbrush than a $100+ one.

Those $40 Patriots are usually only on specific sales, they're usually around $80 and the Sotars are even more. A Badger will have a MUCH smoother trigger action than any cheapo, better quality seals, better fit even better quality metal that it's made from that'll hold up for years vs a cheapo that you'll replace in 6 months or a year. But again, you pay for that, and to start learning the one I linked will do you as good as a Patriot, even if it won't last you as long.

As with all things, you get what you pay for, but a high end airbrush just isn't the absolute necessity that some people claim it is even for fine detail work

~Kalamadea (aka ember)
My image gallery 
   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User




Thanks for all the advice and tips! I’m still in the early stages of getting one but every one of you has been a big hello to getting me started .
   
 
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