N Gauge Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mikecu on March 29, 2016, 08:36:03 PM

Title: Airbrush & compressor
Post by: mikecu on March 29, 2016, 08:36:03 PM
Hi,
I am thinking of buying an airbrush and compressor can anybody recommend one please. Money is tightish so can't afford anything too expensive, but I would like a reasonable setup.
Cheers,
Mike
Title: Re: Airbrush & compressor
Post by: JasonBz on March 29, 2016, 10:05:00 PM
I have an AS18-2 which is pretty cheap and cheerful....It isn't top end by any means but it does what I want it to do.
Title: Re: Airbrush & compressor
Post by: mikecu on March 30, 2016, 12:13:07 AM
Hi JasonBz,
thanks for the reply. How noisy is it? Which airbrush do you use with it.?
Sorry to ask more questions but I am a complete novice when it comes to anything scenicwise or arty.
Mikehttp://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/Smileys/NGF/thankyousign.gif
Title: Re: Airbrush & compressor
Post by: JasonBz on March 30, 2016, 12:46:37 AM
It is claimed to be about 47 Decibels, but it is pretty quiet in real life operation.

I have, or had, several air brushes, at the mo I have two unbranded ones, that came with it; they are more like mini spray guns really, and a Badger 200 which is good ( but now I think of it, I dunno where it is!)

It does supply a pretty level air flow and pressure, which is important, and it seems to work from the off...
Could be a lot better, but for what we are likely to be doing it is more than ok.

Title: Re: Airbrush & compressor
Post by: Railwaygun on March 30, 2016, 01:01:54 AM
A search for airbrush in the whole forum ( top right of the screen) reveals several reviews and lots of tips

A water trap/ pressure meter is a useful piece of plumbing to add to the system.

Nick R
Title: Re: Airbrush & compressor
Post by: jrb on March 30, 2016, 01:06:58 AM
I bought one of these (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200600974912) just after Christmas. I think it's the same compressor as JasonBz, but with the addition of the tank.

I haven't used it extensively, but it seems great for the price, and is very quiet. The supplied airbrushes are OK too, though I did buy a slightly different model separately (but still a cheap Chinese one like those in the set). I now have 4 to choose from... :-[

It now seems to be around £10 more expensive than it was in January, but even so I think you get quite a lot for not very much money. I'd say it's probably not the best quality, but if you're looking for something cheap to get you started, I think this is it.

Hope that helps.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Airbrush & compressor
Post by: mikecu on March 30, 2016, 12:32:48 PM
Hi,
thank you for the answers, Do I really need a tank or is the as186 sufficient?
It seems the more I find out about airbrushes the more I need to find out.
Title: Re: Airbrush & compressor
Post by: Paul B on March 30, 2016, 06:46:33 PM
The tank on the compressor helps to stop 'pulsations' coming from the pump, and means that you always have a smooth supply of air at the airbrush.

I also got the same compressor, although I haven't got as much use out of it as I would have liked. I have to admit that I haven't used either of the two airbrushes that came with it, but went out and bought an Iwata revolution BR -

https://airbrushes.com/product_info.php?cPath=400_403_1_9_46&products_id=1430 (https://airbrushes.com/product_info.php?cPath=400_403_1_9_46&products_id=1430)

Not the cheapest of airbrushes, but certainly not the most expensive that you can get! I went on one of the training courses run by the company in the above link. If you have never used an airbrush before (and I hadn't) then it is a good start, where you get to practice without spending any money on your own kit (although I do appreciate that the courses aren't cheap either!)

A good website to have a browse through is this one - https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home (https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/home) i like it as he talks on basic language and covers everything that you need! Another option is to do a search on You Tube under 'airbrushing and various combinations - there are loads of 'how to' vids available!

... oh yes - and I got this boo (half way down the page), as well as the DVD of the same title - a very good guide to airbrushing from the very start to complex paint schemes!

http://georgedentmodelmaker.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page.html (http://georgedentmodelmaker.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page.html)