Airbrush advice please

[sectoid1]

Hi All

I just need some advice on an airbrush. I’m thinking of buying a new one but:

I've been using some cheat £25 gravity feed airbrush (something like that: I’ve painted 3 airplane models using it and to be honest, I cannot complain, I like it.

I know that there are more expensive airbrushes out there like Badger, Iwata, etc. However, I haven’t tried any of these, so I don’t know how they compare. I’m sure there must be some difference but is it really worth spending over £100 to get one of these?

Should I get one of the cheap ones again or invest in something more expensive?

Please help

Thanks

[Nev]

Get something a bit better. They tend to break down after a while, £25 quid soon adds up if having to keep doing it every so often

Get one of these seriously all you will need to start with:
[youtube]Vsmvm9r38tc[/youtube]

It is just great

[Paul]

You can’t go wrong with one of our Apex airbrushes. Www.umpretail.com

[MrBowcat]

I was in a similar position earlier this year. I ended up getting a H&S Evolution 2 in 1 and I'm very glad I did. The quality is so much better than the cheap Chinese airbrushes I've used before.

[TheNordus]

I bought my first airbrush this year, I believe. It was a cheapo one as well, I can't wait to buy me an Apex airbrush. It sounds pretty perfect to me.

[Tomcat64]

Another vote for the Apex here - I've said it before but it's the airbrush I wish had been available when I first started looking.

[sectoid1]

Thanks all!

The Apex looks great. I'll consider buying it!

Thanks for all the answers!

[sectoid1]

The Ultimate APEX Airbrush is sold out on umpretail or emodels Where can I buy it from?

Thanks

[Paul]

The Ultimate APEX Airbrush is sold out on umpretail or emodels Where can I buy it from?

Thanks

They should be back in stock on Monday I'll post on here when they are

[sectoid1]

Thank you Paul

[GMahaffey]

I bought a compressor set several months ago. I had to replace the compressor because I got a new regulator and ended up breaking the 1/8" to 1/4" adaptor for it. The airbrushes that came with it were the basic siphon where you have the bottle and the little conical piece where paint comes out and the air blows over it, a siphon/side feed airbrush and a gravity feed one. They work fine but I want to get a better one as well. Looking at the Badger Patriot or Apex. Also looking for an extractor booth as well. What is a good booth that is relatively inexpensive?

[xSCAR45]

What is your budget? Any style preference such as gravity, siphon or side feed? Any preference on manufacture?

I wouldn't buy a booth, personally. Takes up a lot of space when you can just buy a mask for much cheaper. Here's the mask I use and its fairly affordable, just $30. 3M Respirator. I'd advise to buy size Medium. I have an average sized head and it fits snugly. Better to be too snug than too loose.

[digger303]

I bought a compressor set several months ago. I had to replace the compressor because I got a new regulator and ended up breaking the 1/8" to 1/4" adaptor for it. The airbrushes that came with it were the basic siphon where you have the bottle and the little conical piece where paint comes out and the air blows over it, a siphon/side feed airbrush and a gravity feed one. They work fine but I want to get a better one as well. Looking at the Badger Patriot or Apex. Also looking for an extractor booth as well. What is a good booth that is relatively inexpensive?

In the usa I think the peacemaker booths look pretty good, will last a life time and filters are cheap.
http://pacepaintbooths.com/pace/index.htm

[sheppsea]

I have a cheap booth from eBay and find it does the job perfectly well, although I would like to upgrade it at some stage in the future

I'm afraid I have to disagree with xSCAR45 - I think a booth is absolutely vital. One can tell as the smell is virtually non-existent when using a booth, whereas before I bought one (or when I forget to feed it out of the window now) there was/is always a lingering smell. A respirator does an excellent job too and I use both, but a respirator doesn't get rid of the pigments from the atmosphere

[digger303]

What is your budget? Any style preference such as gravity, siphon or side feed? Any preference on manufacture?

I wouldn't buy a booth, personally. Takes up a lot of space when you can just buy a mask for much cheaper. Here's the mask I use and its fairly affordable, just $30. 3M Respirator. I'd advise to buy size Medium. I have an average sized head and it fits snugly. Better to be too snug than too loose.

If you can spray outside then I would agree, inside I would always have getting a booth high on the wish list.

[xSCAR45]

Meh...

I still think using only a respirator is the way to go. Sure a booth is probably more efficient but it comes at a higher price point. I use a respirator, goggles and can always just open a window to vent whatever my airbrush is pushing into the air.

Total cost: $40. Try finding or building a booth for the same price.

[sheppsea]

I got my booth for £50 (about $66 at today's rate) - I'm not going to claim that its a top brand or going to last forever, but it made a world of difference to my work area, and at the end of the day whats $26 in terms of your health?

Each their own of course, and I'm certainly not judging anyone who doesn't use one, but I would recommend anyone who asks to pay the extra and get a booth, some of the stuff we spray ain't nice