Looking at getting a Airbrush setup going

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Eltharion

New member
Just as the title says, I'm on a budget and have been looking at airbrush/compressor sets. TCP Global have a few I'm interested in and I'm looking for some input.

I know I need dual action, gravity feed so I have the basics down. TCP has a Paasche Talon with 3 different sized tips and I can combo it with a nice compressor, the TC-20T for around $200. Has anyone had any experiences with this brush? I have used a Iwata Eclipse and Like the brush, it's just a little more then I'm able to spend at the moment.

What about Badger, whats a good brush that fits the basic requirements, they seem a little cheaper price range then Iwata.

Is Master a okay brush?
 
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Zab

Zab

New member
I can offer my experience. Iawata is good if you can get the Eclipse for a decent price. Badger's Patriot 105 is a nice hardy air brush too - the bonus there is no special tools which makes cleaning it a bit easier. Master is okay, but will eventually wear out before the other two. The only Pasche I tried had a matte needle that paint just kept building up on - all I could think was "Who the hell makes an un-polished airbrush needle?!" It was frustrating. One thing to keep in mind first and foremost is how easily you can get replacement parts for whatever brand you settle on. I would have loved a Harder & Stienbeck, but didn't want to have to wait 4-6 weeks if something broke or got lost ;)
 
P

piggles

Guest
I got my first brush this year. Badger patriot 105. Very nice brush, easy to clean was $75 from amazon
 
Demihuman

Demihuman

Active member
Yeah, my Paasche VL sucks. I know they make some awesome ABs but I think their entry level stuff is pretty crappy. There is an Iwata kit with compressor on amazon for like $300. You know, I also got like a #7 sable paint brush. It can do big blends really fast as well :)
 
The Inner Geek

The Inner Geek

New member
I had a pasche and a really (20+ years) old compressor. Last year I bought a compressor with 1 gallon tank and iwata AB from TCP Global and it's made the airbrushing a lot more fun. I also have a Thayer and Chandler AB from about the same era as the old compressor... I should dig that up and see if it still goes.
 
Demihuman

Demihuman

Active member
airhead said:
The VL is the old workhorse of the paasche line.
Try putting a new needle and cone in it and I bet it comes back to life.
Click to expand...

Really? Okay I wil revisit it. I think it came with three needle/tip sets and i am pretty sure I still have them. hmm, I would love it if worked a little better :)

Hey I have another question for you Airhead: I know people use iwata or badger airbrush lube. Do you have any cheap-o alternates for it? I have been trying mineral oil thinned with rubbing alcohol and it seem like it is ok. What do you think?
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
Never used airbrush lube. Clean well with soap and water. Run some dry air through it, call it good. Iwatas are stainless, my other guns are stainless and brass. Corrosion is not a major issue.

If you do load it up with a bit of lube before you store it, how do you get that oil out of the gun before you shoot water based paints?

If you're shooting oil-based, then run some reducer through it after it's cleaned.

One thing I do before putting them away is to pull the needle back a bit out of the tip. Less chance of damaging the cone.
 
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Demihuman

Demihuman

Active member
airhead said:
Never used airbrush lube. Clean well with soap and water. Run some dry air through it, call it good. Iwatas are stainless, my other guns are stainless and brass. Corrosion is not a major issue.

If you do load it up with a bit of lube before you store it, how do you get that oil out of the gun before you shoot water based paints?

If you're shooting oil-based, then run some reducer through it after it's cleaned.

One thing I do before putting them away is to pull the needle back a bit out of the tip. Less chance of damaging the cone.
Click to expand...

I pull the needle back for storage too.

My air valve was sticking open so I had to clean it and lube it. There is a little O-ring in there that was a little goopy. It cleaned up nicely and a little lube got the action smooth again.
To clean the lube out of the gun I will just run a little rubbing alcohol through it before I get to work.

When I did that I also did a major cleaning and pulled some serious funk out of the mixing(?) chamber so hopefully that will help things.

Thanks Airhead!
 
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