Air Brushes

[Arkell EdwardParticipant @arkelledward49025]

Hi,

I’m making a 1:12 Tyne class lifeboat and was wondering if anyonecan recommend a good air brush?

Thanks,

Edward

[Mike GibbonsParticipant @mikegibbons]

Hi,

Depends upon exactly what type of work you want to do with it, and how much you want to pay.   Spraying a large hull needs a diferent gun to that required for very fine detail work. I’ve got a bottom of the range Badger gun (it cost me about £10) which gives great results on large surfaces, like a hull. At the other extreme, I have a gun that has a variable flow rate, controlled by the trigger, which came with two different size nozles and needles (it costs about £120 in the UK) and is a treat to use for the small detail jobs. I bought it in the US of A; I bought it on line, it arrived within a week and cost just over half the UK price + postage.   It pays to look around.

[Arkell EdwardParticipant @arkelledward49025]

Thanks Michael. All advice gratefully received!!

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Arkell

The choice of airbrush depends upon your air supply…ie. do you have a compressor and if so what is its capacity and can it maintain a constant supply pressure.

Paul

[Arkell EdwardParticipant @arkelledward49025]

Hi Paul,

At the moment I have nothing at all so would welcome any suggestions. What would you suggest? I can lay my hands on a compressor but it’s for tyres (tractor, pick up etc) so possibly too powerful……?

Edward

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Edward. I have a very cheap and basic airbrush from  "machine mart", and I run it off a normal small 1.5CFM (i think) compressor with a large air reservoir. Its fine for doing larger areas, like the hull or superstructure. For more detailed work you need to spend more money.. its as easy as that. I should think your compressor would be ok, as long as it has a reasonable regulator on it.  It also depends on the requirements of the airbrush. As the larger compressors are a bit noisy then perhaps the best bet is to buy a purpose made small airbrush type compressor. It also depends on how much use you are going to get out of this, as they are not that cheap.   Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Good Morning Edward

I picked up a small compressor from B&Q that I use as a spare and for airbrush work. It has a 6Lit. tank, is fully regulated / adjustable and will operate at upto 180psi which is far more than my airbrush needs but is just fine for my nail gun.

And the best part is that it only cost £30.

My air brush is an old debliss model that I have had for 40 years but if buying new I would buy a Badger and expect to spend about £45 -50.

Paul

[Arkell EdwardParticipant @arkelledward49025]

Morning Paul/Ashley,

Thanks for all the info. I think I know where i’m going at lunch time now!!!! Only problem now is when i foul up the paint job i won’t be able to use the ‘didn’t have the right bit of kit’ line!!

Thanks again,

Edward

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Good Morning Edward

For an in depth review of 3 entry level airbrushes you could check out a very interesting article produced by our own dear webmaster Vinnie on our sister site Military Modeling (there is a link to the at the bottom of this page) the review came to its conclusion yesterday and made great reading.

Some of our longer term members might remember Vinnie although I am having some difficulty recalling what he looks like.

Paul

[Arkell EdwardParticipant @arkelledward49025]

Morning Paul,

Thanks for that there’s some useful stuff on it.

I remember seeing the odd message from Vinnie ages ago but nothing recently. But if he’s joined the ‘dark side’ that would explain it!!

Edward

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Edward

The MM site is full of useful tips but it is very fast paced so you have to keep track of the particular thread that you are watching.

I do seem to remember a Vinnie on this site but its been so long since he posted anything that I am beginning to think he has fallen out with us, if you look carefully you can see cobwebs on the homepage.

Perhaps we should hold of one of those "widgie" boards and try to contact him on the dark side.

Paul

Just having a laugh Vinnie we all know that you are extremely busy.

[JC Uknz 1Participant @jcuknz1]

A freind who ran art classes at his local tech usually suggested to less affluent pupils to get themselves a spare car tyre and inner tube.  Take it to the local garage and get it topped up with free air.   Actually it was the parent who brought the child to his classes

[Arthur RidleyParticipant @arthurridley74259]

   I haven’t tried it yet but I think that a battery operated tyre inflator such as can be bought from B&Q

   for "mini-bucks" may work O.K.

[Arkell EdwardParticipant @arkelledward49025]

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