discussion Thinking of getting an airbrush??

[Stubod]

Hi all, a long time "lurker". I appreciate this question has probably been asked a million times......so a million and 1....

I have been thinking about getting myself an airbrush. I understand more money probably equals better quality, so I have been bidding on various "quality" airbrushes on Ebay, but no success so far. I recently saw a You Tube on a cheap airbrush on Amazon for about 25quid......worth "having a go"??...NB I am very much a beginner / novice....(and I still neeedd to consider a suitble compressor, but again, may go Amazon / Timbertech??)

...thanks for any feedback / shared experiences...

 

[boatman]

HI THERE well im the same as you sir but i have just bought that cheapo A/B from amazon an no not tried it out yet so wheather its any good your geuss is as good as mine but they are doin it a bit cheaper at the moment
chrisb

 

[Mr Bowcat]

I am of the opinion "buy once, cry once".

A cheap airbrush will never be of the same quality as a H&S or Iwata. Probably fine for putting down coats of primer, but if you want to do fine work a decent airbrush is simply going to work better and last longer.

You pay your money, you make your choice.

 

[LeytonO]

Just sold an Iwata Revolution airbrush and Power Jet Pro compressor on Ebay for sensible money
Start off with a decent airbrush otherwise the whole experience is likely to be fraught with problems
Cheapies have poor manufacturing tolerances and seals that cannot withstand solvents.

Doesn't have to cost a fortune, something like a Revolution is ideal with a 0.3mm needle.
Not so sure about the cheaper generic compressors, look ok and should serve the purpose.
Ones like the Fengda FD-18 range seem quite popular and in general get decent reviews.

 

[Geoffers]

I started with a Harder & Steinbeck Ultra which are decent entry level airbrushes.

However I would recommend the Gaalheri range of brushes.

I recently purchased a Gaalheri Mobius which I’m very pleased with. Scratchbuilder has done a review in the product review section which may be of interest.

They are the new kid on the block and are cheaper than you would expect possibly because they are trying to find a foothold in the market.

They do a very decent looking model, the GHAD-39 for quite a reasonable price.
Here’s a review but there are lots of other reviews on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/jYsXkQYITCQ?si=JyqfdNxOFX1dEOBr

Hope this helps

Geoff.

 

[LeytonO]

I started with a Harder & Steinbeck Ultra which are decent entry level airbrushes.

However I would recommend the Gaalheri range of brushes.

I recently purchased a Gaalheri Mobius which I’m very pleased with. Scratchbuilder has done a review in the product review section which may be of interest.

They are the new kid on the block and are cheaper than you would expect possibly because they are trying to find a foothold in the market.

They do a very decent looking model, the GHAD-39 for quite a reasonable price.
Here’s a review but there are lots of other reviews on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/jYsXkQYITCQ?si=JyqfdNxOFX1dEOBr

Hope this helps

Geoff.

Are spares readily available or is it another case of cheaper to just bin it and buy another.
Then there is the question of durability, obviously an unknown with such a new product.

My advice would still be something like an iwata, tried and trusted with every single part available to replace if needed.

 

[Geoffers]

Yes spares are available direct from the Gaalheri website
Despite being cheaper they seem good quality.
I have several H&S airbrushes and the Gaalheri one I have seems equally as good.

 

[LeytonO]

You pays your money, personally wouldn't buy one, but doesn't mean i'm right or wrong.

 

[Mr Bowcat]

I have one of the Gaalheri pistol type AB's for priming or glossing larger areas. It is a nice brush, but no way is it the same quality as an H&S (imo).

 

[Geoffers]

I’ve got the Mobius 0.2 from the premium series. Comparing it to my H&S Evolution (old version) I haven’t found it inferior in any particular way but everyone is entitled to their
own opinion of course

 

[Mr Bowcat]

Not saying inferior Geoff, just not the same quality. For example, the threads on the H&S are cut better, the quality of the metal is better, etc.

 

[Jim R]

The main thing to remember is that using an airbrush is a skill that needs practice. Many variables - the principle ones being air pressure, thinning of paint and distance from the AB to the model. You don't need to spend a fortune to get a decent airbrush. I would suggest a dual action, gravity fed airbrush with a 0.3 nozzle. THIS Sparmax, from the SMS,. looks ideal. It has the added advantage of having a preset on the end of the body and solvent resistant seals.
You will need a compressor. Don't try those compressed air cans/aerosols - they are expensive and the air pressure is not adjustable.

 

[Stubod]

..Hi all, and many thanks for all your feedback, very useful. I am currently bidding for an Iwata on ebay, but I don't expect to get it. I will have a look ay the airbrushes mentioned above, again, many thanks for taking the time to reply...

 

[LeytonO]

..Hi all, and many thanks for all your feedback, very useful. I am currently bidding for an Iwata on ebay, but I don't expect to get it. I will have a look ay the airbrushes mentioned above, again, many thanks for taking the time to reply...

Did you get it or buy something else?