The SAAF Forum

Howzit guys...

Can anyone recommend an airbrush for someone to start off with? Something that won't break the bank.

Thanks in advance.

go look at adendorf for the "air craft" gravity fed double action , IRC about 400 ZAR but well worth it. I use a 0.3mm needle and after about 5 years it is starting to wear out but for the price it is not a bad buy

AirCraft airbrushes, available at any decent hardware store in ZA. As Theuns says, double action. I've used one for a long time and had no problems. Only just upgraded to Sparmax which I have not yet used. Also had a Badger 150 and the AirCraft was as good for general applications and not bad for fine work. Badger was better for fine work e.g. mottle on Gerrie aeries.

Awesome! Thanks so much guys, it's greatly appreciated.

badger is a good AB but parts are extremely expensive, for my old one a ip assembly cost more than a new aircraft AB.
Aircraft makes a .25mm tip . I use this for my very fine work like mottle. Just keep the tip very close to the model and spray at higer pressure. however for this you must use a double action AB

Interestingly the Iwata parts fit exactly onto the aircraft....go figure

I have been using Badger for more than 35 years now.
First I used a 150 suction feed. Since more than 20 years I use a gravity feed 100. I never needed any spares.
It may pay to order directly from the US.
Normally they don't deliver abroad, but with the help of a special company called Shipto you can go around that problem.

Anyway, whatever you buy, don't expect your models to become masterpieces automatically.
You will need a lot of training until you get there.

And something else you need, a compressor. Everytjomg else is a bad compromise.

Thanks man, been doing a lot of research on YouTube. If I get one then I still have some old broken kits I can practice on. I was initially going to use compressed air canisters but a compressor seems the logical choice especially with regulating pressure.

Compressed air canisters are an expensive way.
This is especiall true if you need to exercise first. Also cleaning the airbrush properly makes your money fly out the window.
I also started with a canister. After that I decided I need a compressor.
I built one myself from an old fridge. I is still working after 35 years.

Don't mess around with canisters, tyre tubes etc. Go for a compressor. Preferably one with an air receiver and a pressure regulator. Well worth the investment if you're serious about modelling.

Hi GAU-8A,

Illustrious and Mistral are spot on but you may want to avoid those small airbrush compressors as well. The one's I've seen at hardware stores seem to be very expensive and I do not see the benefit in using them over something like a 24L direct drive compressor unless space and noise are a consideration.

Regards,
Stratobat

_________________
'If the literal sense makes good sense, seek no other sense lest you come up with nonsense'

Thanks guys, space is a bit of an issue for me (1 bedroom flat) so a small compressor would have to do for now.

What are your thoughts on this? There's no specifics on the nozzle size though.

https://www.builders.co.za/Tools/Air-To ... gImh_D_BwE

Same item but cheaper:

http://shop.technopro.co.za/air-craft-c ... 11430.html

I have used Badger's for many years also have an Iwata and Aztec, prefer the badger as spares are freely obtainable.

Compressor wise I use a fridge motor and a old oxygen cylinder for the tank.

Works real good as it's as quiet as a fridge!

Geoff

Looks like ok price for both. Only issue is airbrush is bottom suction feed. Better to have top cup for more positive feed. But that said, I used a bottom suction Badger 200 for many years with few problems. Make sure it's double action on the trigger and has a reasonably small needle I.e. Not bigger than 0.3mm. Double action will take a bit longer to get used to but you'll never look back, especially for fine work.

Make sure the compressor has a decently sized air tank.
Most airbrush compressors don't have any which means they are constantly running, getting hot and wearing out quickly.
In addition they make a lot of noise.
So a cheap solution might work out more expensive in the long run.

Hi GAU-8A,

The concern with the airbrush might be the availability of spares. There is a version of that compressor with a 3L tank (AS189). Have a look on the Vermont Sales website.
Another company you could try is Jimnettes in Pretoria. At one stage they used to stock Sparmax airbrushes and compressors but I'm not sure to what extent they still do.

Finch Air has some interesting looking products on their website as well.

Regards,
Stratobat

_________________
'If the literal sense makes good sense, seek no other sense lest you come up with nonsense'