new to the hobby - looking for best airbrush. compressor kit

[stephenCC]

Hi

I am looking for advice for an airbrush/compressor kit (Gravity feed). I will use if for very fine work, including using paints such Moltow chrome on fine chrome detail.

the item will only be used infrequently.

any suggestions for affordable / quality kit?, and where to source it?

Stephen

 

[KarlW]

That depends if you like marmite or not.....
I would say get a fengda compressor coupled with a H&S Ultra 2in1 and make sure you get a braided airline.
Others will tell you different, but they will be wrong.......

 

[stephenCC]

That depends if you like marmite or not.....
I would say get a fengda compressor coupled with a H&S Ultra 2in1 and make sure you get a braided airline.
Others will tell you different, but they will be wrong.......

Thanks. any suggestion for the Fengda compressor - they make a lot!

S

 

[AlanG]

Would be easier to advise if you gave a ball park figure of a budget.

 

[stephenCC]

Would be easier to advise if you gave a ball park figure of a budget.

let say £300.

 

[KarlW]

let say £300.

Oh that's plenty, what I've suggested would be about £200 and that leaves lots for paint and thinners.

 

[AlanG]

Personally, i'd say an AS186 compressor and a H&S or Iwata airbrush

 

[stephenCC]

Oh that's plenty, what I've suggested would be about £200 and that leaves lots for paint and thinners.

thanks - and which compressor from the Fengda range?

 

[stephenCC]

AS186 and the H&S ultra 2in1 seem to be perfect. best place to buy in the UK?

 

[AlanG]

www.scalemodelshop.co.uk

 

[BarryW]

I would agree with the AS186 compressor and a H&S, as you have a sensible budget. Your reference to using it for fine work should, perhaps, push you upmarket towards the £200 mark for the airbrush. Use Google and look at reviews.

 

[Dave Ward]

Been using a AS186 for many years of trouble free air - I've used all sorts of airbrushes, from really cheap Chinese models ( I still use a £12 model for primer & basecoat! ) to the Iwata Neo and it's not necessarily the most expensive a/b is the best, it's how you use it - practice, practise and yet more practice will give you the best idea of what you can achieve, and limitations!
As a suggestion - buy quick release couplings for airbrush to hose - it makes things much easier when cleaning & storing
Dave.

 

[NonnyM]

I have had dealings with Bartsharp As have others on this site. My queries and purchases were handled professionally and quickly. Might be worth a look.

unfortunately it seems they may have a covid problem ?

BARTSHARP Airbrush Home - BartSharp Airbrush

BARTSHARP Airbrush® Range, IWATA, Airbrush Spares & Accessories, Airbrush Compressors & Kits, Airbrush Spary Both & Spares. FREE UK Shipping

www.bartsharpairbrush.co.uk

Rgds

I have had dealings with Bartsharp As have others on this site. My queries and purchases were handled professionally and quickly. Might be worth a look.

unfortunately it seems they may have a covid problem ?

BARTSHARP Airbrush Home - BartSharp Airbrush

BARTSHARP Airbrush® Range, IWATA, Airbrush Spares & Accessories, Airbrush Compressors & Kits, Airbrush Spary Both & Spares. FREE UK Shipping

www.bartsharpairbrush.co.uk

Rgds

My apologies, I did not realise this forum is hosted by a model shop selling air brush equipment. Try here first !

rgds

 

[Bugatti Fan]

I have a couple of old Badger Airbrushes that have served me well for many years.
Back in the 70's they were the 'go to' airbrush marketed at the time. They are still going strong and have a UK distributor Barwell. Modellers of a certain age might remember Morris and Ingram down in Poole who were their first distributor. The Badger is still a very well made airbrush as is the Paasch but they seem to have dropped out of favour for the Iwata plus Harder and Steenbeck brands.

 

[john]

We do the AS186s, the difference betwen the 186 & 186s is the cooling fan, I would agree with what has been said choosing a H&S airbrush, send me a message I’m sure I can do you a deal

AS-186S Airbrush Compressor with Cooling Fan AS-186S | Scale Model Shop

AS-186S Airbrush Compressor with Cooling Fan AS-186S Scale Model Shop, UK supplier of plastics Model kits and accessories, fast UK delivery

www.scalemodelshop.co.uk

 

[mog]

I use an H&S ultra , good brush, good company, however I'm also going back to Badger to have a single action brush for better control on smaller items.

 

[Gern]

Got to agree with Barry. I have that set up (AS 186 and H&S Ultra) and find it simple to use, but it has taken me a while to develop a routine for cleaning it afterwards.

The ultrasonic cleaner I bought from John fairly recently has proved a Godsend by eliminating all the problems I had with my cleaning routine. I used to use wipes, cotton buds, a nozzle reamer, a small brush and a range of cleaners depending on the paint I used, and clean each bit separately - a lot of faffing around.

Now it takes me 30 seconds to strip my brush down (taking the needle out from the front to stop dragging paint back into the main body which used to cause me endless problems!!) and put everything into the cleaner, add water and a squirt of hand soap, two 3-minute cycles and 30 seconds to reassemble my A/B and I'm done - ready for the next job.

 

[mog]

Dave , Ya know my main draw back on the Ultra was the cleaning, way too much clogging even with thinned or Vallejo air paint. I have an ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning 3D parts, but never thought to use it on the AB , will defiantly give it a try