Need help choosing an air brush and compressor

I have decided that I need to start weathering some n scale freight cars using a air brush. I was looking for some help from some air brush veterans as to a good starter brush and compressor. Thanks Brian

 

I really like my Paasche Type H. It's a single action external mix and has 3 different sized tips to handle various paints.

I just bought a new compressor from Harbor Freight complete with water trap and regulator for ~$79 plus shipping. It's a lot quieter than the Badger I had before.


Bruce

 

Key to the constant air pressure is a ncie tank...once it fills up, there's no more noise form the compressor until it has to fill up again. AKA - you can work in peace!

 

I have a Badger 150 double action brush I purchased in 1987 and two years ago, I got a Paasche double action brush. "VL" series I think.

You can spend $100 or more on a good compressor. However, you can spend closer to $200 and start getting into decent, oil-less compressors with storage. I recently ditched my old Badger diaphram compressor for a Porter-Cable with a 20 gallon tank. I had the Badger for over 20 years.

Can't believe I didn't get a tank compressor sooner.

The important thing is, no matter what brush you get... PRACTICE with it. Practice to get to know the brush you buy and practice using the recommended ranges of air pressure in combination with various mixes and types of paint.

The good thing about Badger and Paasche, they make brushes forever. I can still get parts for my Badger 150. Even though the sucker is 23 years old, I have rebuilt it several times and it is still like new.

Air brushing is one of the best parts of our hobby.

 

I'm no way a veteran painter but I can tell you by dumb luck I'm a Paasche fan. I have the Model H Air brush which I've been using for something like 20 years now. Single action, external mix. Easier learning curve and easy to clean are its strong points. While most guys like the jars I really like the cups. You can get a decent one on E bay these days for about $40.00 if you look. It will last you a life time.

I also have the Paasche 500D compressor. It's older and tank less but it's also very quite... about as loud as the airbrush itself. About a year ago I tried a couple of the tanked ones from Harbor Freight, Lowes OSH but they just rattled my teeth when they filled the tank so each went back - fast.

Last year I also got a Paasche 22-16 spray booth. I got it from E bay for under $200 delivered. I love that thing.

I do have a Paasche VL airbrush I got about 10-15 years ago but the double action isn't for me. Guess my Model H spoiled me.

You'll also want to read this
http://www.hosam.com/
Scroll down to the 5th paragraph (line) Click the paint and paint & fillers sections. TONS of good info there for you to consider.

EDIT: You MUST have one of these
http://www.micromark.com/CORDLESS-MIXER-FOR-MODEL-PAINTS,7616.html

I hope this helps.
ratled

 

A lot of good advice here, Brian. You probably saw mentionings of single and double action brushes. That's something you'll have to think about and decide on. This site has a good explanation of that and other choices you should be aware of

http://www.goldenpaints.com/technicaldata/airtips.php

In an ideal world you'd be able to try single and double, gravity and siphon, and then decide. But once you're set you really can't go wrong with either Badger or Paasche. There are other brands - like Iwata - which are very popular with the higher end crowd. They're good, but both P and B also know what they're doing when it comes to making a quality, cost-effective product. And like the guys here said, you'll be able to get parts for them forever.

In my case I like Badger brushes. I have a cheapie siphon feed single action for broad area work (like large building flats or areas of landscape), and a gravity feed Raptor for locos and other small detail work.

And don't forget to practice!

 

I am partial to my Pasche VL. Tho I haven't used it yet, I got one of the harbor freight compressors. Been using my regular 60 gallon compressor, but it is a PIA to run the line from the garage into the hobby shop, and don't need that much air for train stuff.....

Conversely, if you do something like motorcycle tank airbrushings, you would want a real compressor, water traps, etc. I think you should have a water trap any time the humidity is over 35%.

 

Please go to the How To Forum and search for "brush". I was going to post the links here, but there are 8-10 threads on this subject of air brush selection. This includes threads on the selection of air supplies. There are also many threads in the How To Forum on weathering with an airbrush. I was surprised as I believe there are more "paint" and "air brush" threads in the How To forum than any other type. Good luck on the selection and weathering.

 

Thanks for all the replies with great info and links.

 

Sorry to dig this up but Harbor Freight has this compressor on sale on Black Friday for $40. Worth it?

3 Gallon, 100 PSI Oilless Pancake Air Compressor

 

I would say it is a good buy. I bought something like this at one time and my problem is that I was unable to get it repaired because of the foreign parts. I spent a little more for an "Air America" and I can get that repaired at the local Petro mega-truck stop. I think what you are contemplating is the right idea; just be aware of possible longer term issues.

Also, check for airbrush and other connections. I bought a long industrial hose so I can use it for air tools and pumping up car tires. I also use mine for the air brush. In my case, I added a valve and gauge to set the pressure to the line as well as monitor the higher pressure in the tank. I don't use a water separator; doesn't seem to matter much here in south Texas.

I think I have a picture here somewhere.

 

I see, so the gauge on the left nearest the tank tells you what the tank is at and the regulator on the right is obviously what's coming to the brush? Cool.

And I totally hear you on parts/repair. But I figure at $40 if something breaks it might just be time to replace it next Black Friday

I've never painted anything but track with an airbrush so this is more of just a test if it's something I can or even want to do seriously. That's why I'm hesitant to spend more on a quality piece. I'm not usually a low-end low-dollar kinda guy.

Thanks for letting me know I'm headed in the right direction!

 

Wow-I can't believe most everybody loves their US made Paasche airbrushes! Last time I mentioned in a forum that that was all I used, about 10 or 15 youngsters got on to tell me how lousy they are and how the new fangled Iwatas and Idingdongs were sooooo much better. They can keep their little Chinese and Pakistani made "tools" and produce inferior (my observation) finishes. But remember, the tool is only as good as the artist using it. Hooray for Paasche. BTW-I also have an old Paasche compressor but now tend to use an old oxygen bottle with regulator and pressure gauge. It is silent and has the CFM (cubic feet/minute) to push even unthinned Floquil at 15 PSI. When empty, I go to the local welders' supply and get another 2 years' worth air.
Woodie

 

Go BIG!!! Compressors can do more than supply airbrushes

You can go buy a little wimpy airbrush compressor if you want. Fine with me, but if you want to get the job done right the first time, go out and get a good size compressor. There are loads of other uses for air compressors, beside powering airbrushes. Air brushes, pneumatic (air) nailers, inflating tires, toys,etc, having a blow gun for cleaning and dusting items, and all kinds of pneumatic tools. To run these type of tools you need something bigger than a little benchtop compressor. Go to Lowes, Home Depot or Grainger's and look over there catalog. Also check out CRAIGSLIST for a used or rebuilt compressor. I picked up a rebuilt HUSKY, for next to nothing on CRAIGSLIST. The guy wanted an even bigger air compressor for his shop and just wanted to get rid of the HUSKY to make room. The thing has a 50 gallon tank, I NEVER run out of air now, and the compressor doesn't have to run all the time to keep up with the demand.
You can get all the parts you need to add on outlets for air brushes at HARBOR FREIGHT & GRAINGER'S. Pressure regulators, and moisture traps for sure. Once you start using pneumatic nailers for home carpentry (RE layout bench work), you be amazed how fast you can build bench work and other wood working.

 

I have two paasche VL's, I've actually worn one out. I also have a turbine for super detailed work, but it doesn't like acrylics. I want to get an Iwata for my next airbrush, they are pricy but more than worth it. As far as a compressor, something with a 5-10 gallon tank will work well, also ensure you get a moisture trap as well.

 

I can speak the words of experience - last Christmas my sister (bless her) got me an airbrush for Christmas. Only thing was, it was a Chinese made (don't know the brand name or even if it has one) from Harbor Freight. I figured what the heck, it should be OK for my purposes, which is mostly applying colors to shells, no special detail work or the need to adjust spray patterns.
WRONG.
The thing clogs with regularity, it has simplistic (useless) instructions and parts are not available.
So I am going to get a Paasche model H - it sounds perfect for me. (and I will not tell my sister!)

 

Woodie, I like the Paasche as many people do for trains, simple and easy to use. We don't do what many people use airbrushes for like striping cars, art, or intricate painting. Iwatas are great for that stuff. I use just a double action Aztec and have for 10 years now, I run a 3 gallon/ 1 hp compressor with a 5 gallon air pig piped in. I am also soon converting over a 5000 PSI breathing air DOT type cylinder that I can fill at work and will never need to refill again but maybe 1 time a year and letting my son use the compressor.