Thanks for responding! I want to purchase an airbrush and I know nothing about them so any advice on what to purchase? I will always use a brush but want to expand and I feel the mist on this waterfall will be a perfect place for some airbrush work. And maybe not? Any name brands or sizes etc anyone recommend? My eventual goal is to begin using it for all the things I see others doing with cars, bikes, helmets etc. [IMG][/IMG]
[ April 13, 2010, 02:10 PM: Message edited by: Bruce Brickman ]
Posted by David Thompson (Member # 2395) on :
I usually suggest a Paasche VL kit as a first airbrush for a few reasons,
It's very affordable
It comes with 3 sets of tips, aircaps and needles that cover a broad range of diameter spray patterns
They are BULLETPROOF
Parts are readily available most anywhere
Most people never need any other airbrush, but if you start doing very fine detail work, you could move on to something more precise.
I have quite a few airbrushes, but rarely use anything other then the VL.
The only drawback to the VL, would be the size of it, they are larger in diameter than most and certainly heavier.
Posted by Bruce Brickman (Member # 8180) on :
OK, Thanks David!
Posted by Len Mort (Member # 7030) on :
I have several Paasch VL's, many different size bottles also several Master model G23 from www.tcpglobal.com great airbrushes as well for the money available in a six pack set as well.
Posted by Bruce Brickman (Member # 8180) on :
Thanks Len that site looks like a good one.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
What Len said, I believe over the years the Paache Airbrush like a lot of things, the quality somewhat deminished... but it's still a good brush.
Posted by Pat Welter (Member # 785) on :
I like my Iwata HP-C Plus...Great work horse...I can spray Automotive, enamels as well as latex... I love the top load because of the easy cleaning between colours...It is an excellent work horse...I also Own the VL and like it, but I like the topload much better.
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
I have a Paache VL that was given to me and I find it heavy and clunky.
I much prefer Thayer & Chandler airbrushes. They are the ones that Iwata copied, still made in the USA, top quality and cheaper. I tried some Iwatas and the Thayer & Chandler Omni & Vega seemed to have a smoother trigger that didn't require as much finger pull to operate.
Coast airbrush has their Vega kit which is very similar to the Omni, comes with 3 different sized needles & tips, hose, bottles, wrench, side cup for $65.95. The Vega was my first dual action airbrush and I still use it. Here's a link. http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=T63&cat=30
Edit: I agree with Pat, I like the top loading gravity feed airbrushes better than the siphon type.
[ April 13, 2010, 06:17 PM: Message edited by: Dave Sherby ]
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
I'm not a fan of the Paache VLs- we have two, and I didn't start to enjoy airbrushing, or getting better detail & effects till I got something different. I wish I'd passed by the VLs 20 years earlier!
I much prefer the Badger 150 set - you can also get the three different sized tips & needles for it, just like the Paache sets. I prefer the feeling, shape & trigger action- all much better than the Paache, (imho).
Ahead of that I prefer the Badger Anthem 155 with the 2-stage tip.
For really fine stuff, the Richpen/mojo is nice.
Posted by Ed Gregorowicz (Member # 1842) on :
I have a bunch of Paasche Vl's and 2 Talons. I use the VL's for every day lettering stuff, and the Talons for more detailed projects. Unlike Ian, I started out with a Badger 150, and found a home with the Paasches. I got the opportunity to test the pre-production Talon and LOVE it... The action feels like it's on roller bearings, just silky smooooooth. The only downside(for me) of a gravity feed brush is that when you set it down to add a few brush strokes or whatever, paint can flow into the body, leading to splatters if you don't flush it with a blast before you resume painting. The first step is to get one and start playing / learning what you can do with it. Like everything else in this business, If you wanna do it well, ya gotta wanna do it bad. In the end, the most important decisions when it comes to airbrushing are made by the finger on the trigger. Just remember, have fun... I'd rather airbrush than any other aspect of this business.
Good luck!
[ April 13, 2010, 06:46 PM: Message edited by: Ed Gregorowicz ]
Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
In the end, it's just a tool- there are many different options depending on what you are planning to spray thru them. From the looks of your project, just about any of them would work just fine.
Most of my airbrush use is for t-shirts : I started with a Badger 150 and you couldn't force me to use one again... I bought a VL in 1985 (which is still in use) and that has been my workhorse of choice- I have about 14 or 15 of them that I have bought over the years for t-shirt airbrushing (one for each color speeds up the process). I also have a couple of Azteks, and a couple of single action Wrens, and a Iwata that I really like for illustration work.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Maybe I just happened to get two duds... Posted by Bruce Brickman (Member # 8180) on :
I just got back to the computor. Wow, I appreciate all the info from everyone.
Thanks!
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Another vote for the Iwata HP C. I've owned a number of Iwatas and of course a bunch of Vl's. The HP C is head and shoulders above the rest.
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
I have a Badger 150 that I have been using for about 20+ years. I just buy new parts when needed and have used it for almost everything. Last weekend I did my first true fire flames job with it using some HOK colors. Still works great.
I will try an Iwata one of these days...but for now the 150 is running fine.
Posted by Bruce Brickman (Member # 8180) on :
George and Dale thanks for the feedback. I think I will go with the Paasche Vl for the low cost and expand from there as I go.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
I have two Paasche Vls which I have always struggled with. A couple of years ago I bought an Iwata and I love it. Whatever way you choose, be meticulous about cleaning after each use!
Posted by Mark Baty (Member # 9776) on :
The most important thing to know about any airbrush model; is to clean it out with thinner or water before you ever lay it down with paint in it. Don't even answer the phone. I have my favorite airbrush, that has worked for 40 years, and I never lend it to anyone, because they will argue the necessity of all that cleaning. Mark
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
I've used all mentioned, prefer my Thayer-Chandler; for super fine work, I use my Wold... I own Iwatas and VL's, use them off and on, mostly to stay in touch w/their touch, but the workhorse is definitely the T-C...the top feeds are my favorite type, also it's fun to play w/my turbine-wheel Wold, only good for water or ink work, but fun...lol
Posted by Bruce Brickman (Member # 8180) on :
Thanks everyone! I bought the Paache VL and pick up my compressor tomorrow. Will see if I can make do something worth while.
Posted by Bruce Brickman (Member # 8180) on :
I ended up with a Paasche VL and a nice little conpressor from Harbor Freight. Now to learn how to use it. Of course I am hoping to have it mastered in an hour or less, NOT! Thanks again for the responses.
Posted by Ed Gregorowicz (Member # 1842) on :
Have fun!
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
I have a TC Vega, Iwata HPC and a Paasche all in box kits and hardly used. I bought them when each came on the market cept for the Paasche as I'd have to be 100. Email me if anyone is interested and I'll send photos when ya make me an offer. I have lots of tools I'll never use again
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