I had a $20 Testors airbrush years ago, but I don't even know where it is now... I'd like to pick something up so I'm not stuck with spray cans for painting things that would show brush marks (ie, most any rolling stock). So I'd like help in picking out something new. Single action vs double action? I know what the physical differences are, but when applied to model railroad painting, what do I need? How about the differences between a $5 Harbor Freight S.A. airbrush and a $75 Badger S.A. airbrush? What route should I take and why? My LHS has the following: Double action: -Aztec A430 (A4305 kit) Single action: -Paasche 2000H (2000H kit) -Badger 350 (3501M kit or 3504 kit)
Honestly, what is your budget? A Paasche VL set of Badger Model 150 is about the best you can get for about the cost of a loco in N scale (my chosen scale). A 150 set or VL set can be had for about 65 bucks from online vendors. This is a double action 'brush. Easy to use, and produces consistent results. I highly recommend an air compressor, with a tank (airbrush compressors are OK, but pricey), regulator, and a moisture trap. I homebrewed my paint booth from a 10-dollar bathroom fan, some plywood, and dryer hose with a small walmart flour. light. More info in my blog: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/blogs/viewblog.php?entry=257&userid=574
If you are only replacing cans and not doing anything fancy, then a single action may be best (simple), but be wary of the very cheap ones as they may not go down to the fine spray/low volumes that you need for N scale. For something that will do everything - kinda future proofing then the Aztec is good (I have one). Budget wise your air supply could easily match or exceed your brush, and will affect how you work too, so do research that as well.
If you are using acrylics, I would stay away from the Aztec. I have one and found that it clogs constantly. The acrylics will not flow well through the finer tips, which is why I purchased it in the first place. I now have a Badger 150, double action. Single action suits my needs better since I don't really use the features of the double action. PSI for the Badger 150 with acrylic fine tip? Now THAT is question I have. Michaels has 40% off coupons weekly. But that is another story on a previous thread. I would suggest ordering from DixieArts on line. Their regular price is better than the Michael's discount for all brushes. Alos, in the same shipment, order extra tips and needles and the white ring thingy. You will then not grind to a halt if something needs replacement and the shipping costs more than the part.
I have an Aztec A4709 and a double action Badger airbrush. Both work very well for me. I do like the very fine tips I have on the Aztec A4709 Most folks have a personal preference for airbrushes . Stay cool and run steam...
I can heartily recommend the Paasche VL set. I had 4 VLs (until hurricane Katrina struck), one for each type of paint I used, and I got them all from Dixie Art Supply. See: http://www.dixieart.com/Dixie_Art_Supplies_Airbrush_Main_Page.html Good luck, whatever you decide.
Hemi - decent looking setup you've got there. I once had a similar setup for a "spraybooth", but it was even more of a redneck setup than yours - a cardboard box with a small fan scavenged from some random equipment. Stuck that in a window and it actually worked well. Why that model? Define "anything fancy". So what can double action do that single action cannot do? I'm leaning towards the Badger 350, actually...
A double-action allows you to control both air and paint volume at the trigger. It took me a lot of practice to get the feel for it. A single-action usually controls paint spray at the tip, with the trigger controlling air. Mine are very old, but I've had good results with both of them.
I do a bit of airbrush repair through the hobby shop I work for. I have handled or repaired just about every airbrush out there. I have 4 of the most popular brush for my own personal use. My Paasche H (single action) was handed down to me from my uncle. It is probably 40odd years old. It was what I learned on and is still a good learning brush for the novice modeler. I also have a Paasche VL (double action) that I took as trade for some modeling work I did for someone. It is a nice spraying brush but for my liking it seems to clumsy to handle. (note that this is a personal preference) It also seems a bit more tedious to clean. The Badger Model 150 (double action) is another brush I have that was resurrected from a bag of airbrushes I bought at a flea market. I use it rarely and only for detail work. My Badger Anthem (Model 155 double action) Is the only brush I have that I bought outright. I like the way it feels in my hand. It seems to be more balanced and not feel so clunky. To me it is the most versatile in that it does decent coverage work and at the same time can be adjusted to do detail work too. It is also relatively easy to clean. Sure you can spend a ton of cash on a Vega or Iwata brush but these professional type brushes will probably not make you a better modeler without first learning on a more versatile brush such as the Anthem or similar. Keep in mind that this is my own personal opinion. Your milage may vary.
I can only recommend what I have used which is my badger 200 single action. It is excellent to use and simple to clean. I have never had any issues with it.
"Help me pick an airbrush." Wow, right up there with politics and religion, it usally is based on personal prefrence. I have had a Badger airbrush of some sort ever since I started airbrushing 15 years ago. I started with a 350 and got good results and now use a 150. I have used the Aztek line and use to endorse them some what, however I still go back to my Badger. I have heard many positive remarks on the Anthems and may try one. Take a look at what your local dealers carry as that will also depend on your choice. Rockford seems to be a heavy Badger and Iwata town. When I lived in NH Badger and Pasche were the big names, as such items such as needles were easy to find. If you are starting out, try getting an external mix, single action brush. It will do most of the work a model railroader needs done and will help you learn things like control and flow. I now use the internal mix dual action, but for 80% of my custom paint I can use just the single action, dual comes in handy for multiple paint schemes in N and weathering. Start small and work up. Jim
