Airbrushes
asix
03-10-2002, 10:28 AM
I have not finished my first kit (a tamiya boxter) and already im thinking "hmm airbrush". how much am I looking @ cost wise considering im UK based and the UK it a total rip off. :D
flyonthewall
03-10-2002, 11:13 AM
I just recently got my first airbrush at xmas after years of model making and yearnig for one. I decided to go for the top of the range aztec model - A470 coz i want it to last and not end up feeling i need to replace with a better model when my airbrush skills are fully developed. I suggest u take a look at the aztec range coz i think they are the best available at the moment. The seperate nozzles make them easy to maintain and they are simple to use, im getting to grips with mine after a short time and im very pleased with my choice. I live in the UK too and mine was £89.99 which i thought was quite a good price considering the airbrush body has a lifetime guarantee. i also got a compressor from machine mart for £70 http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=000110300&r=2007&g=102 - cheapest ive found in uk! And its exactly the same as the compressor available from aztec but without the air tank. http://4toycars.com/index.cfm/fa/prod/CatID/8/DeptID/20/ProdID/89.htm
Im also picking up an air regulator with water trap £34 this week - u may also want to account for that in your budget if you plan to do alot of airbrush work.
Im also picking up an air regulator with water trap £34 this week - u may also want to account for that in your budget if you plan to do alot of airbrush work.
Thing-A-Majig
03-10-2002, 01:06 PM
i would also recommend that you get something from the aztec line. ive been using my A320 for some time now and ive been very happy with the results. the A320 im using was 45 USD quite a bit less than Fly's A470, but im still very satisfied with it. if you decide you dont want an aztec brush, then please do yourself a favor and buy an INTERNAL MIX brush. the external mixes a cheaper and easier to clean but the results you get with them are TERRIBLE.
hope ive helped :D
hope ive helped :D
daggerlee
03-10-2002, 02:10 PM
Iwata's are nice too.
www.iwata-airbrush.com
www.dixieart.com
www.iwata-airbrush.com
www.dixieart.com
Tyrell
03-10-2002, 04:46 PM
About 18 months ago, I looked at both Iwata and Paasche airbrushes and couldn't find any local (UK) suppliers, where I could go to get hands on experience before parting with my cash.
I'd considered buying from somewhere like dixieart over the internet, but eventually decided to visit art suppliers etc. in both my local area and around my mothers.
Other than single action Badger or Aztek airbrushes, the only ones I could find were made by SimAir.
Having looked at the available options, I took the plunge and got a SimAir SF2000 dual/action airbrush from a large art supplies store in Blackpool, Lancs.
Since buying the airbrush, I've found a couple of suppliers who stock Paasche airbrushes, but isn't that usually the case?
The manufacturer is based in Yorkshire, and I've had no problems getting spares or replacement parts for my airbrush and I've been very happy with the results (after the initial learning curve).
http://www.simair.co.uk/
After buying the seperate airhose and an adaptor to attach it to a can of compressed air, the total came to about £140.
You may wish to look at buying a decent airbrush at the outset, as the cost of the brush itself will probably pale in comparison to the cost of a decent air supply.
If you stick with canned air, you're looking at between £7-£12 for a single can. These are used quickly, prone to pressure loss due to freezing during use, and are mostly impractical in both cost and practicality for long term use. (I suffered from pressure loss/freezing using my first can, and never bought another*).
If you don't mind having a spare wheel around your house, you could get a cheap adaptor and fill the spare from your local petrol station for around 20p a shot, but once again, you'll suffer from pressure loss when the tube loses too much air - and pound to a penny, you'll run out of air whilst in the middle of a critical paintjob...
You can spend money on a compressor, but you'll need to get a decent one (read: expensive) if you don't want water in your air, or to keep the neighbours up if you're burning the midnight oil.
I found a decent way to throw paint through my airbrush was with a CO2 rig. Made from a brewers CO2 bottle (I fix the computer for a landlord near work), I took the airbrush hose, and the CO2 cylinder to a local welding suppliers, and asked them to set me up with a pressure regulator and adaptors to connect the two together. Total cost £35.
It's silent in use (when comparing the quiet hiss of CO2 with a compressor pump), and being CO2, you have no need for a moisture trap as you would with a compressor.
It lasts for ages (I got my first one within weeks of buying my airbrush, and It's still running now), and is cheap to refill (I've an agreement with the publican here, again), I exchange the empty cylinder for a full one and drop him the £6 it costs him for an exchange unit.
Not trying to urinate on your bonfire or anything like that, but unless you're serious about getting an airbrush you need to consider the costs.
Mine is used purely for detailing, and painting smaller parts/internals - I still use rattle bombs for the bodywork.
The adaptor BTW, went to my mothers (to decorate cakes, of all things) along with a single action Paasche airbrush that was given to me by a customer who had bought one but not considered the cost of air supplies.
*I've since bought her a can of propellant for use with it, as she's unlikely to ruin a fine gloss job due to the canister freezing up on her...
Regards
Mark
I'd considered buying from somewhere like dixieart over the internet, but eventually decided to visit art suppliers etc. in both my local area and around my mothers.
Other than single action Badger or Aztek airbrushes, the only ones I could find were made by SimAir.
Having looked at the available options, I took the plunge and got a SimAir SF2000 dual/action airbrush from a large art supplies store in Blackpool, Lancs.
Since buying the airbrush, I've found a couple of suppliers who stock Paasche airbrushes, but isn't that usually the case?
The manufacturer is based in Yorkshire, and I've had no problems getting spares or replacement parts for my airbrush and I've been very happy with the results (after the initial learning curve).
http://www.simair.co.uk/
After buying the seperate airhose and an adaptor to attach it to a can of compressed air, the total came to about £140.
You may wish to look at buying a decent airbrush at the outset, as the cost of the brush itself will probably pale in comparison to the cost of a decent air supply.
If you stick with canned air, you're looking at between £7-£12 for a single can. These are used quickly, prone to pressure loss due to freezing during use, and are mostly impractical in both cost and practicality for long term use. (I suffered from pressure loss/freezing using my first can, and never bought another*).
If you don't mind having a spare wheel around your house, you could get a cheap adaptor and fill the spare from your local petrol station for around 20p a shot, but once again, you'll suffer from pressure loss when the tube loses too much air - and pound to a penny, you'll run out of air whilst in the middle of a critical paintjob...
You can spend money on a compressor, but you'll need to get a decent one (read: expensive) if you don't want water in your air, or to keep the neighbours up if you're burning the midnight oil.
I found a decent way to throw paint through my airbrush was with a CO2 rig. Made from a brewers CO2 bottle (I fix the computer for a landlord near work), I took the airbrush hose, and the CO2 cylinder to a local welding suppliers, and asked them to set me up with a pressure regulator and adaptors to connect the two together. Total cost £35.
It's silent in use (when comparing the quiet hiss of CO2 with a compressor pump), and being CO2, you have no need for a moisture trap as you would with a compressor.
It lasts for ages (I got my first one within weeks of buying my airbrush, and It's still running now), and is cheap to refill (I've an agreement with the publican here, again), I exchange the empty cylinder for a full one and drop him the £6 it costs him for an exchange unit.
Not trying to urinate on your bonfire or anything like that, but unless you're serious about getting an airbrush you need to consider the costs.
Mine is used purely for detailing, and painting smaller parts/internals - I still use rattle bombs for the bodywork.
The adaptor BTW, went to my mothers (to decorate cakes, of all things) along with a single action Paasche airbrush that was given to me by a customer who had bought one but not considered the cost of air supplies.
*I've since bought her a can of propellant for use with it, as she's unlikely to ruin a fine gloss job due to the canister freezing up on her...
Regards
Mark
Chia
06-06-2003, 07:06 AM
I though about buying an aztec, but after doing some research, i heard that it's plastic body..well wasn't as good as iwata's as they were metal.
I live in he UK, and they only seem to badgers or azteks. I managed to bet my hands on a "wave" airbrush, you guys are probably not familiar with it, but i had to import it from japan. I believe it's very popular iwth japanses modellers. :)
I live in he UK, and they only seem to badgers or azteks. I managed to bet my hands on a "wave" airbrush, you guys are probably not familiar with it, but i had to import it from japan. I believe it's very popular iwth japanses modellers. :)
RallyRaider
06-07-2003, 06:57 AM
Can't help up on UK info sorry. But we're in a similar situation in Australia with all imports being a total rippoff. I've just ordered an Iwata airbrush from Dixieart in the US so will have to wait and see how their service pans out.
Decided to upgrade from my single action, external mix Paashe that I've had for a long time. A good dependable brush but not capable of the finer work I hope the Iwata can do. I did a bit of reaserch, including talking to guys like Dan on this forum, and decided Iwata seemed the best. Can't wait to get my hands on it but will be a few weeks yet.
Decided to upgrade from my single action, external mix Paashe that I've had for a long time. A good dependable brush but not capable of the finer work I hope the Iwata can do. I did a bit of reaserch, including talking to guys like Dan on this forum, and decided Iwata seemed the best. Can't wait to get my hands on it but will be a few weeks yet.
Marco_Wrc
06-08-2003, 06:27 PM
Originally posted by RallyRaider
I've just ordered an Iwata airbrush from Dixieart in the US so will have to wait and see how their service pans out.
Dixieart doesn't seem to mind about their future customers. I send them a question 3 times now (2 by their website, 1 by email), and never got a reply.
What do you think of their service so far Philip? Experiencing the same problems as me? (no response)
I've just ordered an Iwata airbrush from Dixieart in the US so will have to wait and see how their service pans out.
Dixieart doesn't seem to mind about their future customers. I send them a question 3 times now (2 by their website, 1 by email), and never got a reply.
What do you think of their service so far Philip? Experiencing the same problems as me? (no response)
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