discussion Which airbrush would you buy?

[pjgtech]

Did a quick search through the forum past posts, does not seem to have been one of these lately, so....
If you were to buy a new airbrush today, (both compressor and brush), what would you buy?
I may be now going down this rabbithole..... so enlighten me.....

My budget? hmmm? lets say couple of hundred squid (to start with)....

Cheers

 

[Tim Marlow]

Is that for the brush, or brush and compressor?

 

[pjgtech]

Prolly both, I don't want cheap, but I don't want mega money top end either, as I might bin it after a month if I don't get on with it, Lol!

 

[PaulTRose]

The best you can afford..... otherwise later on you will only upgrade

I like sparmax

Was put off iawata cos I had one of the first neos that came out and it was one of the batch that was well dodgy...... I know it shouldn't cloud my opinion of their other stuff but it does

And yet I've had some great results with cheap Chinese knock off airbrushes

I think one of the most important things about ab is not learning to use them but to maintain them..... Look after it and it will last a long long time

So you've finally decided to bite the bullet and get one?

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

I just use the cheap ones Pete and never had any bother with them . But then again I am no expert on painting but they do everything I need them for. I would make sure you get a gravity fed AB, cup on top or the side. And get a compressor with an airtank. I have just got one to replace my old one that didn't have a tank and the difference is amazing. You should be able to get up and running for under £120 if you go budget.

 

[stillp]

Try Facebook marketplace, there are some cracking bargains for iwata airbrushes and compressors.
Pete

 

[pjgtech]

So you've finally decided to bite the bullet and get one?

Cheers for the info.....Maybe, still undecided, but I am looking.....

 

[Tim Marlow]

Personally I love my Iwatta brush and compressor.
I have a side feed eclipse airbrush (personally don’t like top feed brushes). It is fine enough for virtually everything, and so easy to strip I can break it right down in about fifteen seconds and cleaning only takes a couple of minutes. No small bits or seals to lose either. All parts are available as spares if you inadvertently break anything as well.
A decent compressor is also a must. I had a cheap starter job and the upgrade to the Iwatta on demand compressor was almost as good an upgrade as the change to the eclipse airbrush. Can’t ever see me wanting to use anything else now.

 

[Jim R]

Iwata every time. I have a top of the range H&S as well but the Iwata is preferred.

 

[Neil]

....

.... Look after it and it will last a long long time

Like Triggers Broom! 'Look after it, and it will look after you? No, Dave, just look after it'

I've got a cheap Chinese one with a big cup - great for priming or larger areas, and a H&S, but both are probably 10+ years old now and working well. And a noisy old compressor with an airtank. I've never had another so I have nothing to compare against, but it is excellent.

 

[Si Benson]

I have an iwata Revolution BR, it was my first airbrush over 15 years ago and still works perfectly. I went through magazine reviews and it came out as a good all rounder.
I also have an H&S infinity CR plus which I rarely use but it’s also very good as it came with two needle sizes, was a bit pricey though!

 

[Andy T]

Cheap & cheerful will do at the beginning but if you get into airbrushing you'll almost certainly upgrade sooner rather than later, so you may as well start off with something slightly above the budget level.
It's not always that they spray significantly better but mid range airbrushes tend to take a big leap in durability and are often easier to strip & clean, and spare parts are usually easier to find (you will bend a needle at some point, it's the law, lol).

Anything with an Iwata label is usually a good bet. I'm a huge fan in my day job and have 13 of their spray guns at the last count. Some have been in regular use for 20 years without significant repairs , spraying hundreds, if not thousands of litres .

Ironically I don't own an Iwata airbrush though but have a few from Mr Hobby. They are manufactured by the same company that makes airbrushes for Iwata, generally have some interchangeable parts, sometimes different features, and are often a decent chunk cheaper since they don't have the big brand name.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Something we haven’t asked is what you actually want to do with the brush? If you just want to lay down primers, top coats, and varnishes, then cheap and cheerful will probably suit. However, if you see yourself doing some of the more “arty” weathering things like fading, streaking, etc you will probably want something better to give you more control. Your call, but worth keeping in mind.

 

[LeytonO]

Iwata HP-CS Eclipse or Mr Hobby/Procon Boy PS-289 would be my choices.
Compressor would be a Sparmax TC-610H, compact and good quality.

 

[pjgtech]

Something we haven’t asked is what you actually want to do with the brush? If you just want to lay down primers, top coats, and varnishes, then cheap and cheerful will probably suit. However, if you see yourself doing some of the more “arty” weathering things like fading, streaking, etc you will probably want something better to give you more control. Your call, but worth keeping in mind.

Primer, top coats mainly, camo, paint schemes, etc. But may progress to weathering, varnishes.......?

 

[pjgtech]

Hmm, so most suggestions are blowing my budget (£200 ish) just on the compressor alone!!!
Are budget options not worth looking at?
Something like this - Jadlam compressor £159

 

[pjgtech]

Or something like this as an all in one starter set? see link
H&S Ultra starter set

 

[PaulTRose]

Never had an h&s but they a reliable 'name', up there with iawata

The compressor is a good one since it has a tank, regulator and moisture trap

I'm sure the guys will have other comments and recommendations to make

Look after it and it will last longer than you lol

 

[Jim R]

The H&S Ultra airbrush included in the bundle has a 0.45 needle/nozzle. That will cover large areas, primer for example, it will not work for any sort of details. The best compromise in terms of coverage and detail work is a 0.3 nozzle.
The compressor looks good.
Consider one of the Sparmax airbrushes on sale at our own shop. As a supporter you get a discount well.

 

[pjgtech]

Can you just change needles in each airbrush, eg: swap in/out a 0.45 for 0.3 or do you need two different airbrushes with different sized needles, eg: the needle is matched to the AB? Or I suppose what I'm asking is can any needle fit any AB?