Global Scale Modeller

Ok you sorry lot. You jumped the gun on my airbrush topic, bunch of mind readers
So let’s get to some airbrush equipment details and opinions


I want to start using an Airbrush

1.What do I need?
2.Where should I look?
3.Options to consider in airbrushes ?
3.How about Compressor options?
4.Do I need a respirator? How about a spray booth?
5.Any new sundries or consumables needed?
6.What if I only want to spend minimal $, what’s the best bang for my buck?
7.What if I want the best of the best? Who makes the best airbrush? Best compressor?best spray booth?
8.If you can, show a photo of your airbrush set up, spraybooth and compressor

Have a happy Friday and weekend

1.What do I need?
air supply.....either a compressor or a rechargable air/co2 tank
2.Where should I look
Shops .....
3.Options to consider in airbrushes ?
Lots of good brands I would say....A. Availability of service for parts
B. Ease of use particularly with cleaning
C. How does it feel in your hand.
3.How about Compressor options?
IMHO....a Oil lubricated compressor with a tank,moisture trap, regulator and a oil filled pressure guage
Within those parameters you can go as cheap or expensive as you like , but as long as the air flows at the right pressure and is clean and dry.
4.Do I need a respirator? How about a spray booth?
Yes to both
5.Any new sundries or consumables needed?
There are always bits and pieces to make the experience less of a hassle.
6.What if I only want to spend minimal $, what’s the best bang for my buck?
A rechargeable air or co2 tank
7.What if I want the best of the best? Who makes the best airbrush? Best compressor?best spray booth?
Thats a big can of worms. I have used a H&S brush and they are good german quality, but found it was a bugger to keep clean easliy.
I have since bought Mr Hobby Procon Boy brushes ( some say they are the same as Iwata but cheaper ) and are very happy with them.
8.If you can, show a photo of your airbrush set up, spraybooth and compressor
Bench vent with a new improved filter that's working very well

Connected

and out under the door

To this dirty beggar

Well answered Ian

1.What do I need?

Airbrush, compressor, hose, patience. Maybe flow improver and thinner.

2.Where should I look?

Ultimate for the Apex. I can't recommend this airbrush enough, it is great. For a compressor, look either locally or on Amazon, just make sure that the compressor has a water trap.

3.Options to consider in airbrushes ?

Double action airbrush is a must in my opinion. .35mm needle width seems to be the sweat spot for scale models. .2mm could be argued if you're only doing minis.

3.How about Compressor options?

I prefer to have a tank. Though, technology is catching up and tankless might be the way to go in the future. Either way, you need a water trap.

4.Do I need a respirator? How about a spray booth?

I'd say you need at least one or the other. I personally have both, though I only wear the respirator in conjunction with spray booth if I'm spraying something that has a significant odor. Probably not the absolute safest; but, I think it's fine. I will say that a respirator is an absolute must if you don't have a spray booth. Dried paint in your lungs is not good.

5.Any new sundries or consumables needed?

Possibly airbrush thinner, flow improver, retarder, etc. Filters for your spray booth. I use disposable plastic brushes to clean the airbrush. Airbrush cleaner (Some people make their own. I have no idea how to do that.) Also pipettes for putting the paint into the airbrush cup.

6.What if I only want to spend minimal $, what’s the best bang for my buck?

Find an inexpensive air compressor on Amazon. Buy a hose for it. Then buy a Ultimate Apex airbrush. It is such a good utility airbrush, well made and the progressive needle is dope.

7.What if I want the best of the best? Who makes the best airbrush? Best compressor? best spray booth?

My Harder & Steenbeck Squidmar Evolution is the best airbrush I own. Ultimate Apex is a seriously good airbrush as well. Sotar 20/20 is another great brush for detail work. Sort of just depends on what type of work you're doing.

For air compressors, I don't really know. Spray booth, no idea. I have a cheap spray booth and compressor and they seem to work well.

8.If you can, show a photo of your airbrush set up, spraybooth and compressor

Here's the bench. It's currently a mess.

Going to pretty much pass on this one as still new to to the art/world of air brushing.
All I can say is you can get some good quality beginners sets on Amazon. Mine is made by a firm called "Feng Da" - air brush, compressor and hose. I'd never heard of them. The air brush (BD-130) is so/so - needed fettling before it produced reasonable results but the compressor (FD186) I'd rate as good. Quiet running, reasonable duty cycle and has a water trap.
What I need to add are quick release couplings between the hose and airbrush.

This is the link to mine - hope that's OK?
"Airbrush Set Fengda FD-186K with compressor FD-186, Airbrush BD-130 and accessories" https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01984G4SU/ ... CplQrsxH9d

First off I would like to say that this set of questions is highly opinionated. You are going to find that anyone who has tried several airbrushes and found one they like will tell you it's the "bees knees" airbrush of choice. Also just because it is the most expensive does not automatically make it the "best". There are many airbrushes from name brand companies that would be more than adequate for any modeler. One thing to consider in your purchase is to find one from a reputable company: Badger, Pasche, Iwata, Harder & Steenbeck, Apex, and more. Next is to make sure you have access to parts and service.

1.What do I need?

a) airbrush
b) airbrush air line
c) source of air (compressor, tank)
d) air pressure regulator with gauge
e) moisture trap (recommended)
f) paints
g) thinner
h) any necessary flow or cure mediums (depending on the paint you use)
i) pippets to draw paint/thinners from bottles
j) spare bottles to store mixed paints (optional but recommended)
k) information on mix ratios (depending on the paint manufacturer)
l) breathable masks to wear while painting
m) spray booth or dedicated area with ventilation
n) cleaner (one that does not hurt the gaskets or seals in the brush)
o) miniature cleaning brushes for air brushes (recommended)
p) pipe cleaners for cleaning (recommended)
q) tacky strips, alligator clips on dowel or rod, or other method to hold model parts while painting
r) rubber gloves (recommended)
s) model scrap or spares to use for testing primer / paint applications, mixes, pressures, etc.

Probably more but you get the picture....

2.Where should I look?

I think you have a good start with the previous responses. Another options, if you have a good hobby shop near by that you trust and value their opinion, I would also suggest you talk to them. Many times they might have the item or recommend a good source.

3.Options to consider in airbrushes ?

a) single or double action type of brush
b) siphon or gravity feed style of brush
c) variety of spray pattern (max and min width of spray)
d) type of grip and trigger or comfort level when holding the brush
e) Ease of cleaning
f) availability of replacement parts

3.How about Compressor options?

Yes there are options, many, many options. As a matter of fact the options vary as the price increases (smile). I believe this has already been answered. As long as it can adequately produce and/or store air and provide it at a regulated, steady, and moisture free rate for as long as you are both painting and cleaning the airbrush. If looking for a compressor, make sure it has the performance to support your needs. You can see in digger's pictures that it does not need to be a hobby specific compressor as most home compressors will work. I know someone who uses a desalt pancake compressor for roofing and also for his modeling. Remember to add a decent regulator and moisture trap on the compressor ahead of the airbrush line.

4.Do I need a respirator? How about a spray booth?

Do you value the ability to breath after painting? As a fellow modeler in this forum, I care that you should care about safe painting. IF you do not have a booth, make sure you have dedicated space with adequate ventelation.

5.Any new sundries or consumables needed?

See answers in question # 1

6.What if I only want to spend minimal $, what’s the best bang for my buck?

Another highly opinionated question. Remember the old saying, "you get what you pay for". Normally and not counting for the most recent inflation costs, you should be able to get a quality airbrush for around $75-150 depending on the style and options you desire; a reliable compressor with regulator and moisture trap is around $75-150, (expressed in US Dollars) then there is the other stuff needed identified in #1.

7.What if I want the best of the best? Who makes the best airbrush? Best compressor?best spray booth?

Once again a highly opinionated answer. Remember that what is the best for my situation may not be the best for you. It will depend on the type of modeling you do and your expectations. And don't forget that the most expensive is not always the "best". Why is somebody with little or no airbrush experience asking about the best of the best? Without experience, how do you know if somebody isn't just blowing smoke up your skirt versus a person sharing their opinion and knowledge with another person's opinion, experience and knowledge? I recommend you get some time under you're belt with a "quality" airbrush set-up before asking this kind of question. That way you will be able to break down the persons answer to see if the reasons they provide match the questions you have and if all your concerns would be answered.

8.If you can, show a photo of your airbrush set up, spraybooth and compressor.

Sorry. not at the moment. I have both a double action gravity feed Iwata Eclipse and single action Pasche Model H siphon feed airbrush, a 1/6 HP single piston compressor with 3 liter storage tank. It also has a regulator with gauge and moisture trap. I have a dedicated spray area with ventilation and wear masks and gloves. Perhaps I'll post a photo later. I do not have a spray booth but may get one some day.

DRUMS01

Some excellent answers everyone, really good stuff
I hope this helps some folks thinking of moving to airbrushing

So my two cents, mostly photographically:
1.What do I need?
As seen above, great list
2.Where should I look?
Local. Availability and repair ability are important. Online stuff is good. One reason I like the APEX so much is Paul has a full list of spare parts for it
3.Options to consider in airbrushes ?
Tigger grip Vs finger. I far prefer the latter
German Vs Japanese Vs USA ..all have good ones
Gravity fed is really all I have used, never tried a siphon fed.
3.How about Compressor options?
So many. Go cheap and run until dies, then get a better tanked unit…that is my plan
My Grex system. It is ok except for longer duration spraying where I really want a tank as this sucker runs and runs and gets hot.


4.Do I need a respirator? How about a spray booth?
Yes and yes. Do you like using your lungs??
5.Any new sundries or consumables needed?
So many little things
Glass and plastic pipettes, pipe cleaners


Mac valve and quick connectors


In line filter…a secondary filter from the one on the compressor itself


Medicine cups


Awesome lab squirt bottles for airbrush cleaner

6.What if I only want to spend minimal $, what’s the best bang for my buck?
Buy a Chinese compressor and an Apex brush. It will do everything you need
7.What if I want the best of the best? Who makes the best airbrush? Best compressor?best spray booth?
We could start wars over this. We all have our likes you will have to find yours
8.If you can, show a photo of your airbrush set up, spraybooth and compressor
Ok here we go

My Benchvent

Lit up with LED’s…the saggy surround will get a reno this spring

My airbrushes

Apex on the left, H&S Ultra on the right. I love the Ultra for it’s small size, fine spray an super easy cleaning.
The Apex is a workhorse, just a bit harder to clean as needs a wrench
I have videos on cleaning these brushes on my YouTube channel


The in-line filter and Mac valve set up on the line


H&S Infinity brush. It like a supermodel…lovely but doesn’t blow well. I guess fine stuff it is ok, but I don’t spray like that a lot. It is a lot harder to clean than the Ultra


A Badger Patriot. I bought it when Apex were out of stock. Apex is a clone of this brush both are made by Badger and I thought I wanted something dedicated to 2K clear only.


I am going to sell this Badger brush as I just don’t need it or use it; she is just sitting on the sidelines.
Let me know if interested
I include the right adapter to allow it to connect to the normal airlines……red arrow