Getting back into it

J

John English

Guest
When I was younger I used to do a lot of model building. I had a Badger 350 single action external mix airbrush. School, life, and work took me away from modelling and now I'd like to get back into it.

I'm looking for suggestions as to what airbrush I should get. I've heard a lot of good things about Iwata but they have so many different models it's quite confusing. I build a wide variety of kits (1/24 cars, 1/35 military, 1/32 aircraft, etc). I don't have set budget, but I don't want to spend a small fortune either. I'm fine with spending a few hundred dollars on a good airbrush.

I'd also like some suggestions on a compressor. My main requirement is that it's quiet.
 
Welcome John!

Iwata is among the best. But you could consider other Japanese airbrushes. Let's say these https://spraygunner.com/airbrush/gsi-creos-mr-airbrush.html

Compressor must be with a tank. Those chinese two or four piston types with the tank do the job well, it's better to start thinking from this point. The question is how much you're going to spend. California Air, Silent Air etc are more expensive, but it's another level.

Look also here https://www.airbrushforum.org/threads/finding-the-right-airbrush.21360/#post-334867 maybe it will be useful for you.
 
Vladimir and Robby have got you covered here. Sounds like you have set a sensible budget, and their suggestions mirror exactly what I would say.


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Welcome to the forum from China! I can recommend the Mr Hobby Creos Procon Boy series... much superior to other typical modeler airbrushes, yet still only half of less the price of an Iwata.
 
Iwata Eclipse HP-CS and the NEO is actually a really good brush... if you lose the nozzle o-ring.

Hit up youtube for some reviews, but I gotta warn ya, IMO, alot of modelers are mediocre airbrushers. Some do a "review", and don't even spray the gun.
 
Though two and four piston Chinese cost as much here in the US as a California air..... About $100.

I meant this one or smth even more serious, I should put a link:)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/California...=item4d5aa04f2c:g:EuQAAOSwsO5b6gds:rk:38:pf:0

And these chinese.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-3-HP-Two...h=item1a59664397:g:RBMAAOSwqz9bWWvx:rk:1:pf:0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MASTER-Air...=item1cb9b79cb1:g:6ikAAOSwx-1bn5d~:rk:19:pf:0

I had the first one, it worked as I expected from the compressor. Just normal work.
 
I know, but this is why I say just go straight to California air ...in the US at least.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Califor...ric-Portable-Air-Compressor-1P1060S/300500747

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Califor...tric-Portable-Air-Compressor-4610AC/207147357

Plus there's no shipping, pretty much everyone can get to a Home Depot store in 30 minutes or less

As $100 and $200 options that pretty well kicks the Chinese AB style ones butts.

There's also one that runs $140 that ain't bad.

Basically all of these are plenty for any AB.
The only real good reason to get the $200 one is if you plan to run a mini spray gun in the future but it doesn't sound like it for modeling.
 
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Welcome aboard.
I agree with Robby with the California Air.
I tell everyone what a great little compressor it is, not just for your airbrush. Plus the wife likes that it can run and she can’t hear anything
 
Welcome to the forum from West Virginia!
Look at some of the reviews on the forum as it will point you in the right direction in both airbrush and compresser 's really you can't go wrong with a badger , iwata, or any of the good brand of airbrush and the same go's for compressors how quite it is is the thing that will sell you on it just don't get junk without an air tank as it will cause problems with how the air comes out!(pulsating )
 
Wow, thanks everyone looks like some great advice here. I'll have a look at some of those Chinese airbrushes, thanks :)

Ads for the compressors, the California Air ones seem really nice. I was preparing to drop a small chunk of money on a SilentAire but these California Air ones are quiet a bit cheaper. I'll have to try one out and see how quiet they are.
 
My apologies, Chinese compressors were mentioned but the California Air compressors seems like a great deal.
It is a good compressor deal, I mean, reality is it's Chinese too but yeah, for whatever reason it seems if you put the word airbrush in front of compressor you're allowed to half the performance and double the price lol.

Just making sure ... The GSI's we had mentioned are Japanese made and equal in quality (and many other ways) to iwatas.
 
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