cheap airbrush?

At a local flea market, there is a guy selling model kits and he has these testors aibrushes. Only 25 bucks and use cans of compressed air. Now I realize the uber expensive are more effective but can these achieve good results? I don't want to buy one and find out I am no good at using one. That is why I would like to practice on a cheap one.
Thanks,

I bought one of those cheaper ones that uses compressed air before and it failed on me the second day. For some reason it didn't suck the paint up and I found myself just spraying air. I wasn't able to fix it.

Just don't waste your money. If anyone else have good results from these airbrushes, please correct me.

Winston

I started with a Testors single action brush and air cans.. I wouldn't recommend getting one. I would save and get something decent if you really want an airbrush. The Paasch VL is a double action and is usually around $45-50.

Is it possible to get good results with a cheap airbrush? Sure- if you know how to airbrush because you've been doing it for years, you may be able to coax some good results out of a POS airbrush. But it's not a good place to start. If you get a crappy airbrush to learn on, it's likely going to frustrate you- you may even want to write of airbrushing altogether when you can't get your POS to do what you want it to.

Get a real airbrush, and learn to use it. Specificly, get a double action airbrush, preferably one with gravity feed (not siphon). They're as cheap or cheaper than siphon feeds, simpler to use and clean, and spray better.

If you're wondering if it's worth the investment, it definately is. If you like building model cars, you WILL like building model cars BETTER with a good airbrush. It's that simple.

Don't buy a cheap airbrush, it will get you frustrated. My firts airbrush was a Badger 200 and I think most of the airbrushes in that category are good beginnertools. Like MPWR said: it's possible to get good results with cheap airbrushes, if you have experience with airbrushes... Spend money on a decent one, you'll take you'reself for it.
Singel action-dual action. Singel action is easier to use, dual action gives you more control. I recommend gravity feed, you can spray at lower airpressures.

If you have a Michaels Craft store close by, wait for the 40% off coupon in the Sunday paper and pick up a single-action Badger 350. It is a nice kit, all you need to do is get a better hose to make it easier to use.

Don't even consider the cans of air. Look around for deals in small air compressors. I saw a decent one at Pep Boys (made by Coleman) for $50. Home Depot or Lowes should have one for less than $90. You'll need to pick up a water trap and regulator if it doesn't come with one.

Bob

I echo all the sentiments about cheap airbrushes and using canned propellant. Don't do it! You're better off w/good quality spray cans than a cheap airbrush setup.

Save your $$ and buy a good-quality airbrush and compressor/air source. Shop around for deals/discounts and the coupon idea is good-I got an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS recently w/a Hobby Lobby coupon and it's a fantastic investment, I wish I had brush this good sooner (and I love my Badger 175's but the gravity feed Iwata is far superior, from far easier cleanup to versatility in spraying). It's an investment that isn't worth scrimping on, it will last a long time with the right care.

Harbor Freight has a nice hobby airbrush compressor with auto on/off, a regulator and moisture trap on sale in their latest ad for US$44.95. I have the super cheapie Testors single action external mix that was my first AB, an Aztek A320 single action internal mix that I love, a freebie brand new Paasche VL that I've yet to use and just got a Paasche H set with all three tips, bottles, nice hose, etc for US$42 shipped from Ebay. The Harbor Freight is new to me, I got it to use indoors and it is real quiet.

I've seen Iwata AB's on Ebay for much less than US$100 too.

I agree with everyone here, you can get good results with a cheapo airbrush if you know what you are doing. You need a good air supply and a good airbrush. Get the best you can afford. Do your homework, shop around, and you will probably get "top shelf" products for not much more than you would pay for the cheap stuff.

I bought one of those cheaper ones that uses compressed air before and it failed on me the second day.

Mine failed after 3 weeks. It's crap and compressed air cost as much as spraycan. Not worth it.

Those airbrush are pos and really not recommended for "beginning" with. You will find it hard and unpleasant to work with and the result will be very bad (unless you have previous airbrushing experience)

Don't look at airbrush unless you have a cheap way to get air to it, and pay at least $50 for the airbrush (there is good Badger at that price, Iwata start at $75 and are VERY good)

Save your $$ and buy a good-quality airbrush and compressor/air source. Shop around for deals/discounts and the coupon idea is good-I got an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS recently w/a Hobby Lobby coupon and it's a fantastic investment, I wish I had brush this good sooner (and I love my Badger 175's but the gravity feed Iwata is far superior, from far easier cleanup to versatility in spraying). It's an investment that isn't worth scrimping on, it will last a long time with the right care.

I had my trusty 40% off coupon in hand yesterday and saw the Eclipse HP-CS and almost got it. There was a kit that had a braided hose and a couple of cleaners or something in it. I think it was $129, but after 40% off, it would be $77!!! I have no AB yet, but for that price, is it worth it?!

Also, they had Testors aircompressors there. They were like $110. I did not get a model number, but they were clear blue plastic-looking-things. But that would even be $44 off.

Any ideas please. :banghead:

the HP-CS for 77$ with hose is a good deal.. jump on it.

The blue testor compressor at over $100 is a scam. Not worth more than $40.. You can't even adjust the pressure !

Thanks guys, I think ill buy a good airbrush. I bought a 8 gallon compressor so today Im gonna go looking for one, I like how those Iwatas look.

So if I get the Eclipse AB, do I need to get an AB specific compressor, or are there better alternatives?

no any compressor will work with it. (maybe need some fitting, that cost like 2$)

Personally, I use a 1.5HP / 2 Gallon compressor that I got from the hardware store.

OK guys, i went airbrush shopping and the best thing I could find is a brand called cresendo or something, the badgers at Micheals were not gravity feed and they looked fairly cheap. The Iwatas look cool, but theres five different types of Iwata and each type has 3 or 4 models. Are they really that different. Is the iwata hp-c a good tool, I can get one for about 130.
thanks

I have the HP-C Plus airbrush.. Awesome airbrush, but might be overkill for a "newbie". HP-CS would be a better "overall" choice.

Badger Crescendo is a good airbrush too, but Iwata have an edge. (for $15-$30 more, I would go with Iwata all the way)

tnaks for the help guys, Ive bought a IWATA eclipse CS. Hopefully saturday if its nice outside, I can start practising.