More about Airbrushes.......

[chailey]

Following on from Samson's recent thread on airbrush techniques, I am also looking into using an airbrush for some of the 'spadework' on the larger figures.
Can anyone suggest a decent quality airbrush/compressor package for around the £100 mark?

The easier to use the better............

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Eludia]

The Neo for Iwata range are pretty good for the money. Note that these are NOT Iwata airbrushes, they just carry the branding but are good quality for a starter brush. I've since upgraded to a proper Iwata and the difference is noticeable.

As for the compressor, I bought a cheapo Chinese one from fleabay. It came with a couple of airbrushes which were atrocious so went straight in the bin but the compressor itself is quite good. It has a decent sized tank, adjustable pressure, is relatively quiet (I rest mine on a shelf on top of some sponge mat in my shed) and it hasn't blown up on me....yet.

 

[kagemusha]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120986583932?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[pgarri27]

Buy cheap, get cheap. I started with a Badger cheap airbrush, but when I bought an Iwata, what a difference.

 

[kagemusha]

Buy cheap, get cheap. I started with a Badger cheap airbrush, but when I bought an Iwata, what a difference.

With a given budget of £100.....I would be very interested to see what you come up with

 

[pgarri27]

With a given budget of £100.....I would be very interested to see what you come up with

True. Sometimes it's worth sacrificing something else to get something worth while.
I started with this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Badger-BA...891406?hash=item3d0c91dece:g:wlcAAOSwrklVPl0~
It worked, but is like comparing really cheap brushes to W&N Series 7.

 

[kagemusha]

True. Sometimes it's worth sacrificing something else to get something worth while.
I started with this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Badger-BA...891406?hash=item3d0c91dece:g:wlcAAOSwrklVPl0~
It worked, but is like comparing really cheap brushes to W&N Series 7.

All siphon fed airbrushes have an inherent weakness....the angle the jar is at when held....governs the flow of paint....which is generally erratic at best....
Any dual action gravity fed AB....within reason....will give more than adequate results....providing the paint is prepared properly for the needle/nozzle size being used....
I personally....am not a fan of Iwata airbrushes....I have owned three.....and much prefer my Infinity (Harder and Steinbeck)....with my Badger Renegade Krome a close second ....

 

[chailey]

I think perhaps I'll steer well clear of words like 'Basic' and 'Pro', the £100 budget is what it is unfortunately but the ebay deal for the compressor and airbrush for £125 is most certainly a tempting one.
Thank you all for the thoughts and advice.

Steve

 

[Kevindunne]

Would like to go airbrush for the bigger busts(n0 pun intended) and 120mm figures but have no idea what size( .02. .03) airbrush would be best...gravity fed seems best? Thanks for any info.

 

[Mat Lambert]

Hi - I got an AS-186 compressor kit new from supplier on eBay 3 years ago for £75 and it's been fine so far. Has all you need to start off, 3litre tank, regulator and moisture trap and is pretty quiet for home use too (I can use it up in the attic at night while the family sleep downstairs and it doesn't disturb anyone). Came with 2 airbrushes which I dismissed at the time but shouldn't have done as they are very good (especially if you think you're getting them for free really) - they perform better than a more expensive Aztek 4709 set that I also got at the time. Just make sure you get a deal that includes a gravity feed airbrush with the cup on the top (mine actually came with the cup on the side).
I'm no expert but I wouldnt go for anything expensive before you try a setup like this - I think you may be pleasantly surprised as I have been. I'm sure the very Pro airbrushes are better eventually but my cheap kit is fine for now.
Hope that gives you some confidence with your £100.
Cheers
Mat

 

[Mat Lambert]

Would like to go airbrush for the bigger busts(n0 pun intended) and 120mm figures but have no idea what size( .02. .03) airbrush would be best...gravity fed seems best? Thanks for any info.

My cheap 'chinese' airbrush as described above has a needle of 0.3 but can easily do very fine detail with carefull use, but also goes broad enough for good even coverage too.
Cheers
Mat

 

[Kevindunne]

Thanks Matt...answers all my questions...
Cheers,
Kevin

 

[chailey]

I suppose it's 'horses for courses', and dependent on what it's primary purpose will be and what your expectations are.
I am making the painful journey changing from enamels/oils to acrylic and find on the largest figures (200mm/1.9th) that the borders between highlight and shadow very difficult to portray convincingly using conventional methods.
My thoughts are to use the airbrush to lay in the basics ( spraying from below for shadow and above for highlight) then accentuate as required using washes, it all sounds so simple doesn't it!

Steve

 

[kagemusha]

I think perhaps I'll steer well clear of words like 'Basic' and 'Pro', the £100 budget is what it is unfortunately but the ebay deal for the compressor and airbrush for £125 is most certainly a tempting one.
Thank you all for the thoughts and advice.

Steve

Your budget is adequate for a starting setup....I posted the link to that particular setup because it includes the 'cleaning station'....very useful ...
Please keep in mind....you will need some airbrush lube and cleaner

 

[kagemusha]

Would like to go airbrush for the bigger busts(n0 pun intended) and 120mm figures but have no idea what size( .02. .03) airbrush would be best...gravity fed seems best? Thanks for any info.

With regard to needle/nozzle sizes....anything between 0.2 - 0.5 mm will provide you with very good results....keep in mind....smaller nozzle/needle sizes require your paint mix to be accurate to aid flow

 

[kagemusha]

I suppose it's 'horses for courses', and dependent on what it's primary purpose will be and what your expectations are.
I am making the painful journey changing from enamels/oils to acrylic and find on the largest figures (200mm/1.9th) that the borders between highlight and shadow very difficult to portray convincingly using conventional methods.
My thoughts are to use the airbrush to lay in the basics ( spraying from below for shadow and above for highlight) then accentuate as required using washes, it all sounds so simple doesn't it!

Steve

Everything sounds simple when you are looking to achieve a certain result....whilst the airbrush is...IMHO....a valid tool in the figure painters arsenal....it is not the be all and end all of the search for smooth graduations between hi-lite and shadow...
Spraying in the basics from above and below will not give you true hi-lites and shadows......what it will give you is an idea of where they should go....
As long as you accept that the airbrush is a complex tool....that....once mastered to a certain level.....can offer superb results....your money will be well spent...
If you need any help please ask....

 

[Kevindunne]

I wof acrylics only...still use oils for shadow/highlight...great info...thank you.
ant to use it for base coats

 

[chailey]

Thanks again all for your input guys, I can now hopefully make a more informed choice than would otherwise been the case.

Steve

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

Airbrushes
Be prepared for a bit of a learning Curve and get it into your head that the cleaning must be manic
It is the same dilemma often faced with buying a first guitar , get a cheapo and it will put most prospective players off for life as they struggle with a shaped bit of wood masquerading as an instrument
As for the AB , I have two an HP- B plus which is a love hate affair and a CM-B which cost the price of a cheap run around car which I find totally useless as the needle and nozzle are to fine for paints , and best suited for inks .
Would like to try other makes but spent enough on this toy .
Might be worth going to an AFV modellers club and see how these guys do things before purchase.

 

[kagemusha]

Or....you could sell the CM-B....and get the CR Plus 2 in 1....which is a much better AB....and will work from the start.....even with bloody Tamiya syrup