Airbrush questions from a complete newb

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fubar

New member
G'day all,

I've recently decided to give airbrushes a go, but I've run into a few problems and was hoping those with some experience could help. I'm going for a very cheap airbrush set up, under $100au for both the airbrush itself and the air compressor.
I've had a look around, and found both cheap from an automobile store-
Airbrush: http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/on...rush-Kit-Professional.aspx?pid=161683#details
Air Compressor: http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/on...mpressor-Mini-250-PSI.aspx?pid=129245#details
Was wondering how suitable this would be for painting 28mm minis (warhammer specifically) as I'm not to sure how adequate the compressor is (if it includes a regulator).
Thanks.
 
F

fubar

New member
Thanks for the reply Tercha, I would get that compressor if I could, but I am really eager to say within my budget. I'm only planning thus far to use it for basecoating and some light shading if required. So do you think that the ultra-cheap $22 compressor would be adequate for this task?
Thanks.
 
DXM

DXM

New member
A word of warning, those workshop compressors are really loud.
Most people who use them will store them in the garage and run an air line to their workshop.
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
I've never seen a 12v cigarette lighter compressor that could push an airbrush. They just do not have the CFM (L/M) volume of air to run an airbrush. You'll need to add a container of some sort to hold enough air to let you paint for a while. The costs of adding a tank to that puny thing will easily offset buying a better one to start with. Even if you did add a tank, it would be: Paint for 30 seconds, wait 5 minutes on the tank to fill back up, cuss because paint has set in the needle, wait 5 minutes on the tank again.....

As to the gun. Airbrushes tend to run in direct relation between cost and quality (you get what you pay for). Can you get spare needles and cones for that gun? At what price? Go ahead and order a set as I've never seen anyone do much painting that didn't have a tip crash somewhere along the line. (that means you hit and bent the sharp end of the needle and probably oval-ed the cone where the needle comes out - resulting in a need to replace both).
 
Einion

Einion

New member
fubar said:
I'm going for a very cheap airbrush set up...
Click to expand...
Unfortunately that's nearly impossible to do. Decent metal-body airbrushes are now available for much less than the minimum spend some years ago but the price of the compressor nearly always drives the cost much higher than you initially hope for.

And from everything I've read, a cheap compressor is generally an even worse choice than a cheap (non-brand) airbrush. Both tend to just end up costing you in the long run; it's better to wait, save your money and buy at least reasonable quality for both AB and compressor to have some assurances of how they'll perform and last.

fubar said:
Was wondering how suitable this would be for painting 28mm minis (warhammer specifically)....
Click to expand...
How exactly are you intending to use it?

Einion
 
dewil

dewil

Member
I tought it would be best to post my guestion in here instead of making a new thread.

It concerns this little compressor http://www.iwata-medea.com/index.php/products/smart_jet/
Has anyone in here ever used or even own/owned one of those??
I have been dreaming about a good brush that would save me some money and time and get my figures (and some other stuf) quietly painted at my kitchen table.
And now when i do have some money saved i looked up some deals on the internet and found a set that includes Hi-Line HP-CH airbrush and the mentioned above compressor.
So if some of you hardcore painter veterans have some useful info regarding those items i would really appreciate the quick replys before i spend my money on booze and figures (mostly on figures).
I really dont want to make any hasty desicions that i would regret later ;)

Thank you very much.
 
Tercha

Tercha

Member
I have one, unfortunately due to work commitments I don't get a lot of time to use it at the moment so I can't be classed as "Hardcore", but I have found it ok for undercoating and shading on a larger model, but in my opinion it really does need an air reservoir, was going to make one but time limitations have prevented it.
 
C

Chrome

New member
I've been pondering something for a while now... Anyone ever used a gas bottle to operate the airbrush? I remember it being stated as an option in some instructional video to minimize noise and to ensure a stable pressure. Safety issues aside(I wouldn't want to be in the same house as a pressurized bottle if there's a fire, and I'm sure my neighbours wouldn't want a surprise visit by said bottle either) does this sound like a good idea? Note that I'm not asking about safety or safety regulations, if I were to rent a pressurised bottle I'm pretty sure I can get a very thorough explanation through the company.
Does it feel practical? How long would you estimate a bottle of say, 5L would last?
Cost-wise I'm pretty sure it won't be able to compare to a compressor but it might be an option if minimal noise is required...
 
D

DangerousBrian

New member
Chrome said:
.......but it might be an option if minimal noise is required...
Click to expand...

to be honest a decent airbrush compressor (no point going for some cheap make one as it'll break quick in my experience) are pretty dam quiet, my partner can bearly hear my iwata powerjet from 1 room away if i have the door closed.

also, by the time you buy an air bottle, a suitable good quality regulator, moisture trap, hoses and correct fittings, i'm pretty sure it'd be cheaper to get a good quality airbrush compressor.
as well as the added cost of getting your bottle tested regulary ( or u wont be able to get it filled ) and the time and fuel going to get it filled.

DB
.
 
Einion

Einion

New member
dewil said:
I tought it would be best to post my guestion in here instead of making a new thread.

It concerns this little compressor http://www.iwata-medea.com/index.php/products/smart_jet/
Click to expand...
Try a quick search for Smart Jet in the forum, see if it throws up any hits. If not a Google search should find some comments/reviews.


Chrome said:
I've been pondering something for a while now... Anyone ever used a gas bottle to operate the airbrush?
...
Does it feel practical?
Click to expand...
It can work, but the simple truth is probably that it's not really as viable as a compressor. You could think of it this way: even if you can get it refilled cheaply, each one of those payments could be money put aside to buy a decent compressor. Plus it will require two regulators - the first to limit the tank pressure to more normal numbers, the second to act as your variable pressure regulation along with a moisture trap.

Airhead I'm sure has brought up some of the other reasons they might not be the best option - speed of refill and the hassle of getting it done, whether you can get it refilled on weekends or over holiday periods.

Einion
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
Iwata jets are not bad. I'd prefer a air tank with auto 0ff/on features.
Those large rubber diaphragms last forever. Make about the same noise as a fan, but at a lower rumble.
I've got one in my cart that I've had over 25 years now. Still going strong.

Really quiet: Get a rotary compressor, but hold onto your wallet.
They use the same compressors you find in your fridge. Need some maintenance, are expensive, but they are really quiet.

Absolute quiet: Bottled air. Nitrogen is a good solution here. You can get large bottles at welding supply places. CO2 not so good. Cheap, but tends to have a lot of moisture in the bottle. You can get refills from any cola distributor. Initial start up tends to be very pricey.. dual stage compressors to get you from 1000 to 10,000 psi down to 10 and stay consistent don't come cheap; deposit on bottles and refill fees. Freeze up may be an issue if you shoot lots. Refills are also an issue. Murphy says you'll run out on Friday night on a holiday weekend with a Sunday deadline. Oxygen is not an option unless you want to turn your airbrush into a flame thrower.
 
N

Noddwyr

New member
Right so in a similair vein I read on some thread earlier that these airbrushes werent too bad but wanted to clarify: They are from Airbrush- pro.co.uk found here I was looking at the BD 135 for an airbrush and for the Compressor I was looking at the AS186. Would they be any good for basic base coating and some basic shading highlighting on 54mm and up minis? I know Einion said that cheap airbrush set up was nearly impossible but one can hope right?
 
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SciFry

SciFry

Member
I got my Air brush and compressor through this site. You may have to save a little more cash but worth it in the long run. You can save a bit if you buy a set (brush and comp together) Plus they have all models from high end to cheap. .http://www.tcpglobal.com/
 
dewil

dewil

Member
Thanks for the replys folks.
I havent heard or read a bad thing about those iwata products so it seems like i have to burn some mony on em.
Propably going to order them from a finish shop even thou it might cost a little more but i think it still will be money well spent.
I think i actually own a little over thousand miniatures by now and most of em are not even base coated ( some not even put together ) and i surely dont want to spray paint em on the long run. Here in Finland the winter is a bit of a hard time to find a warm place where the odours of the spray painting dont bother people, Luckily i have such a place but i still think its not good for my health to be inhaling the fumes. One time i actually sprayed a whole can on my minis without a mask, i was spitting out black &%¤ for the next few hours.
Back to subject =) I tought i could actually try to start paint something other than minis with the airbrush also, it even might earn me a few euros (or something weird like markkoja if Finlands economy collapses and the hillbillys that take over on the politic field decide to go back to good old times) in the future if im lucky =)
Oh and i tried to google the smart jet but all i could find was porn, whats up with that ?? =P
Now im just rambling too much, gotta stop.
Good day folks and thanks again for the replys.
 
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