Airbrush and compressor

[Daniel C]

Sam asked a question about airbrushing.....

Here is my .02 cents ;D

I have used mostly the Badger single and double action airbrushes , model 150 and 200 (?).
I like both of them for most things I used them for.
Easy to clean, easy to use.

I bought a Paschaa brush than I did not enjoy, probably because it was different from the Badgers I was used to and I did not take the time to learn it properly.

I am now using a Grex double action brush, I find it ok. It has been hard for me to use and cleaning I find harder than the Badger...... I need to use this more and explore what it can do. Capabilities of this brush are better than the Badger and I like the top feed over the Badger's bottom feed.

I recently added a "Central Pneumatic" air brush kit (item 95810)
it sure looks like a copy of the Badger Anthem 155.....
It is cheap, mine was $14.95 at Harbor Frieght Tool stores. It will be interesting to try. Some members here do use it and like it, maybe they will give their experiances here.


The main thing is getting one and using it. Learning how to clean and spray with it, it is not hard. I had a "fear" of the brush for a long time.... "I don't know how.... I might mess up the brush... How do you clean it.... It takes to much time, its a hassle.... "
After a demo at IPMS SD, I just got out the Badger (I had for years before I used it) and started using it.
Kind of like everything in model building..... Just do it!

Part II Air supply

When I started with the Badger, it has a canned air adapter for people without compresers.... Yea, I tried that.... the badger canned air is expensive, under powered, and does not last long.
Bad Idea!

I moved up to a simple Badger air compressor (over $100)...... Much better, but it had no regulator, no water trap, and was very noisy!
BUT, it did work good for me for many years. I changed over when my wife wanted me to move the hobby room inside the house and the Badger compressor scared the hell out of the cat!

So I have moved up to this "Central Pneumatic" compressor.... oh my, very nice, it doesn't even scare the cat.
It cost me about $65, again at Harbor Frieght Tools, and comes with a regulator built on, and a water trap.
I don't know who they copied for it but I would recommend this one.



I know others in the club use different things, I think Mexmarine uses CO2 a good option.

My .02 cent recomendation.... Get a Badger single action and team it with the Central Pneumatic compressor.
I might recommend the Central Pneumatic air brush kit, but I have not personaly used it..... yet. It cleans different than the Badger single or double action brush.

Then......... Practice. Get an old junk model and spray on it..... reprime it a solid color and spray on it some more..... Try wide area, small area, lines, shading just get used to the brush.

I will probably find and get another Badger single or double action brush, because I like the way they clean and I also don't spray "complex" patterns.
Most of my subjects are single color (Sherman tanks, OD Green or F4F Wildcats, Blue over grey..... Ships, decks one color, hull another) with some simple masking needed.
Now, if you are into luftwaffe aircraft....... maybe a better system might be needed.

Anyone else have ideas?? Comments??

[sammuel]

That is a great overview. I will let you know of my progress. I will start off easy and see how it goes.

Sam