Decided to buy an airbrush but a question or 2 first

[Artus]

Hey guys I did do a quick search and nothing came so please forgive me if this has come up before. As stated in the title I have decided to buy an airbrush the one I am looking at is not on ebay and is £78 for the compressor with tank listed as a TC80T and comes with a veda 130 with 0.5 nozzle, I was thinking I would use that for primer and clear coats would that be acceptable ? I was then going to buy to go with it a veda 180 kit that comes with a 0.2 and a 0.3 and this is where my next question comes in what is better to use 0.2 or 0.3 or doesn't it really matter ?.

Thanks

Tony

[stona]

I do all my spraying, in all scales from 1/72 to 1/32, with 0.3mm and 0.35mm nozzles.

Many model paints are not the finest and smaller nozzles are designed for use with really fine media like inks for example. I know people who use fine nozzles for model painting, but they are more prone to problems.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

As I tried to say earlier!

There's actually quite a bit of difference between a 0.2 & a 0.3 nozzle Tony.

Not so much in using it to produce fine lines, but how the paint will go down.

With an 0.2 ,you'd need very thin paint or very fine pigments in the paint. I'd recommend going with the 0.3 as that size is a good all-rounder & ok with enamels & acrylics.

Cheers

Patrick

[Artus]

thanks guys will go with the 0.3 then but the 0.5 is ok for base coats and clears yes ?

[Ian M]

Its not a name I know, but there are quite a few reviews on the WWW. most of which seem positive.

I would though say that 0.2 might be a bit fine for a new beginner as you could possibly be plagued with the issues normally associated with model paints and fine nozzle sizes. The smaller the hole, the thinner the paint needs to be and the quicker it can clog up the tip.

Maybe you should just get the 0.5 and see how you get on with that. I think you might be surprised at how fine a line you can spray with that and it should be fine for most things. Including the most important: learning to use it, clean it and maintain it.

Ian M

[stona]

As Ian says the 0.5mm nozzle will be good for most things. You should be able to spray pencil lines with it.

Cheers

Steve

[Artus]

great advise guys will just get the 0.5 for now then I can always buy a 0.3 at a later date

[Guest]

Tony to give better answer if you would list what paint you propose to use. Also what models and scale in general.

For general work with Vallejo air Acrylics Paints mostly 1/48 scale I first started with a .4. This gave me a great start in airbrushing. Since after changing to another manufacturer I have found a .35 perfect for me for general work.

For more detailed work I have been using recently a .2.

Not tried a .5 but have tried a .6 and it will cover the lounge door in quick time.

Laurie

[Artus]

Thats the thing with the cheap Chinese air brushes I find they are quite standard sizes .5, .3 or .2 and that's it so hopefully get some practice in with this .5 and then look at buying a better brush. If I can ask what manufactures do 0.35

Tony

[Guest]

Had a look Tony and the compressor virtually the same as most other Chinese compressors the AS186 with a few details slightly different. But all the main components are the same. A good number on this forum use the As186 and AS twin cylinder AS196. It has a tank so you will get a good constant air supply. Not a bad idea to look on Amazon and Ebay as you may get the AS 186 at a better price. Watch out for shipping as it is a heavy object. Some do free shipping others make up a cheapy on the unit with high delivery costs.

Airbrushes. The airbrush in the bundle is not going to be of the same quality as for instance an Iwata or Harder and Steenbeck but a number here get on OK with the bundled type. Looking and it seems it is either .3 or .5 needle for a bundled type. Seems to suggest that they all come form the same place despite different names. With Iwata and Steenbeck they do a variety to match your wants and some can take two or even three sizes of needle. But they do come at a price compared to the bundle.

One thing I would bet on is that you will not be able to get spares so I would check. Also if you are going to use a paint which is corrosive I would check that the seals are resistant to what ever paint you are going to use. The seals if not resistant will fail in short time and can you get replacements. The named brushes above all have as standard resistant seals.

All sounds depressing really. But it is best to know the limitations before lashing out the lolly. But the compressor is OK. It depends if you can find an AS 186 compressor cheaper without the airbrushes. Perhaps put the difference with a bit more money towards an airbrush which has all the abilities mentioned above. Alternative take a chance and see how it goes.

Laurie

[Artus]

I can get a 186 cheaper I believe it was £57 delivered but was looking at the 186f which comes with a cooling fan and is an extra £10 not sure if its needed but sounded a safe bet as for the airbrush you are right they all of the same generic 130 type as for spares they are readily available that's one thing I did look into, a new needle and nozzle set is £7.25 and they do .2,.3 and .5 they also do complete oring sets at £3.99. Will only be using acrylics because of where its going to be used. I could in theory buy the cheaper 186 without a fan and then buy a Iwata neo the difference in price is only £21 as I have seen the neo for £42 with John at SMS not sure if it you can get it cheaper than that not sure on cost of replacement parts for the neo though

Tony

[Guest]

I use an Iwata Neo which has a 0.35 nozzle. This is the CR version. You can get this airbrush at the scale model shop which is pretty common around this forum, or you can get it off ebay. It works like a Harder and Steebeck ultra. It is great for it's price, and it is my primary airbrush.

John

[Guest]

I can get a 186 cheaper I believe it was £57 delivered but was looking at the 186f which comes with a cooling fan and is an extra £10 not sure if its needed but sounded a safe bet as for the airbrush you are right they all of the same generic 130 type as for spares they are readily available that's one thing I did look into, a new needle and nozzle set is £7.25 and they do .2,.3 and .5 they also do complete oring sets at £3.99. Will only be using acrylics because of where its going to be used. I could in theory buy the cheaper 186 without a fan and then buy a Iwata neo the difference in price is only £21 as I have seen the neo for £42 with John at SMS not sure if it you can get it cheaper than that not sure on cost of replacement parts for the neo thoughTony

In terms of Compressors, you do not need to get one by an airbrush brand, but but make sure you always get a pressure gauge, a eater trap and a quick release adaptor with it.

John

[Guest]

I can get a 186 cheaper I believe it was £57 delivered but was looking at the 186f which comes with a cooling fan and is an extra £10 not sure if its needed but sounded a safe bet as for the airbrush you are right they all of the same generic 130 type as for spares they are readily available that's one thing I did look into, a new needle and nozzle set is £7.25 and they do .2,.3 and .5 they also do complete oring sets at £3.99. Will only be using acrylics because of where its going to be used. I could in theory buy the cheaper 186 without a fan and then buy a Iwata neo the difference in price is only £21 as I have seen the neo for £42 with John at SMS not sure if it you can get it cheaper than that not sure on cost of replacement parts for the neo thoughTony

An iwata Neo CR would be a great choice for a first airbrush. just get a spare needle with it as they are easily damaged. I always have spare needles for my airbrushes.

John

[Guest]

If I can ask what manufactures do 0.35Tony

Iwata' neo is a 0.35 (CR version)

John