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Airbrush

Larry Parker

Larry Parker

Joined
Jan 7, 2019
Messages
92
Likes
36
Location
Grottoes, VA
I’m looking to buy an airbrush, would like to get a good quality one but not have to pay a fortune. It’s not like I’ll use it all the time but want something reliable.

Thanks in Adavnce
 
1. Look for a double action - just air with the first stop on the trigger- then a further pull controls the volume of paint added. The double makes it much easier to control the paint flow.

2. You need a compressor.
An airbrush line,
in line water filter,
in line pressure regulator.
I mounted these on a board with a hose connection that I clamp in my workbench vice)

This is a more expensive option -
I bought a grex from tritium from Joe Fleming at Swat a couple of years ago
It has a trigger pistol grip - a real advantage for someone who doesn’t use it often
https://www.airbrushingwood.com/store/c2/Airbrushes.html

Joe has a couple of kits too.

I have an iwata too but the Grex is so much easier to clean and use.
 
I second Al Hockenbery's advice. I have 4 airbrushes. A Master purchased off Amazon for around $50; an Iwata Hi-Line purchased from Binh Pho, and 2 Grex TG3 from Joe Fleming (who acquired the line after David Nittmann passed.) The Master airbrush never worked. I spent more time trying to get it to work, and never really learned how to use an airbrush. The Iwata was a very good quality airbrush, but using the trigger mechanism, that uses the index finger on top of the brush (most common among brushes at that time, as well as to date) never worked for me. Despite 2-3 years of trying, I could never develop the right control/finger dexterity to accomplish what I needed to do.

In 2014, I attended the AAW Symposium in Phoenix where Joe Fleming was demonstrating airbrush basics. During that demo, he was using a Grex airbrush that the late David Nittmann was selling in his booth in the trade show. Joe had never used it before that demo, but watching him use it during the demo led me to Nittmann's booth right after the demo. The key that sold me on that airbrush (and yes, I bought one) was the trigger mechanism was akin to pulling a trigger. That mechanical use was more comfortable for me; in a few minutes of playing, I was able to write my name - cursive - in very small lines. Disclaimer - there are firearms in the house and I can shoot - but have not fired a gun in 30 years? The point I'm making is that the trigger mechanism is easier to control, and the majority of people can adapt quickly to that. I've noted that Iwata now has a line of airbrushes that feature the trigger mechanism - Neo. I would expect that other airbrush makers will develop a line to include the trigger mechanism.

Are these airbrushes cheap? No. Expect to pay in the area of $200, plus. But I found that in this very specific area, trying to do it on the cheap will result in a lot of frustration.
 
If you are going to get serious about airbrushing I second Donna on the Grex airbrush. Joe Fleming lent me one for a review for More Woodturning Magazine and for a trigger airbrush there was no equal but I did find two others. The Iwata Neo at about half the price of the Grex but it was shorter than the Grex and the way I like to hold the trigger style it put my index finger past the nozzle. On Ebay I found a trigger style kit that had three cups and three needles for under $30 so doing an article I could not pass it up. It worked fine for me but who knows how long it will work but it was comfortable. When Nick Agar was at my place doing hands on for his Viking Sunset Bowl we ran to Harbor Freight and I purchased this 6 or 8 airbrush kit for the hands on. This kit also worked fine for the 8 people using them each day. Counting the Harbor Freight and what I had prior to that I have about 16 airbrushes of which they are all double action with the lever on top. I found by doing the review that myself I liked the trigger style better. I have the Neo and the cheapie from Ebay but could not convince my better half that I needed the Grex. Who knows maybe some day.
 
I am a fan of the Grex also. Just for interest I bought some really cheap brushes from Harbour Freight. Surprisingly they work well.for some air brush applications. These were 10 and 20 dollar units. They dont hold up well. The mid price unit's like The lower priced Iwata and Pashe are excellent. I have had both and used them for years with success. The Grex with the pistol.grip is easier for me to use when its necessary to be able to fine control the paint.
 
I was looking for a Iwata Neo a couple of months ago. Hobby Lobby had the lowest advertised price, however "(*40% off Coupon may not be used with this item)". Michaels was over double the price with no coupon restriction. I ended up purchasing the Neo from Craft Supply for other reasons. My only experience to date has been with a $15 Harbor Freight unit.
 
When I bought the Neo I was able to use the 40% off coupon so about $80. At that time there were a few on Ebay for about $70 now they are all around $130. Although I didn't like it as much as the Grex Iwata has been around forever so parts will pretty much always be there.
 
I noticed that Hobby Lobby has some parts but can't remember the brands- might be Iwata and Paasche.
 
Thanks for everyone’s post, they give me places to start searching and to decide how much I want to spend. :D
 
I have made my living running an airbrush for the last 35 yrs and have owned most of the major brands. There are some very good high end airbrushes such as Grex, Iwata, and others that are great tools however my favorite for every day use is a Vega 2000 by Thayer and Chandler. You can buy it from the Badger website with all three tips and needles for under $100. They are simply foolproof, easy to disassemble and clean and just keep working.
 
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