New airbrush or compressor

luft46models · May 30, 2006, 01:46:59 AM

My wife has said I can have either a new airbrush or a new compressor this year. This is not bad as I'm also getting new display cases - all glass - she's feeling flush. The old display cabinet is destined for storage of dishes etc.

I currently have an Aztec airbrush - it's ok but very temperamental. Suggestions on which brand also welcome

i also have a Sagola 777 compressor that has to be at least 15 years old - no holding tank etc - just a simple pulse

My only dilemma is what to replace first - I have been promised that I can change the other over next year also. So in the short term which is best.

Discuss

Thanks

William

Gary · May 30, 2006, 03:55:06 AM

Unfortunately you sound like one of those honest guys who doesn't fib to the wife. If it were me, and it's not, I'd be tempted to go compressor first, a version with a holding tank. The Azteck is a pretty good airbrush system and it may be worth trying a few inexpensive fixes to make it less fussy.

What are the problems with it? Perhaps it's easy to fix. The other point is, you can get a nice Vega for a 100 bucks or less and I know lot of pros who use 60 dollar single action Badger 200's. The compressor is where the big money is. To get one with a tank and feel the difference... It's worth it.

lancer · May 30, 2006, 06:26:54 AM

William,
Go for the compressor first, as the Aztec can be sorted out. I've currently got an Aztec and it works very well, although I did swap the internals from my old one into the new one. I still get consistantly good results with it.

BlackOps · May 30, 2006, 06:06:14 PM

I picked up my compressor in 1982 from Sears and still chugging along although it seems to warm up faster than it used to.

My airbrush is a Badger 150 double action and is about the same vintage, If I had to choose right now I would pick an airbrush just because a nice shiney squeeky clean airbrush would be cool...of course mine still works well so what the heck. If nothing else I can't say I didn't get my money's worth out of them!

I'd probably just buy more kits

Jeff G.

Leigh · May 30, 2006, 06:13:13 PM

If yer not fussed about compressors and are just looking for function get one from the hardware wharehouse. Mines a Husky with a 1.5G tank for less than $80 from Home Depot, most of the time it's getting slung around the back of my truck cos I use it for work alot, works like a champ always. I did invest in a decent regulator that I attach to it for airbrushing.

Bluesteel · May 31, 2006, 01:01:25 AM

Get the compressor. Then with the cash you save from all those propellant cans you won't be needing, you'll quickly be able to afford a new airbrush...

Bluesteel

Dork the kit slayer · May 31, 2006, 09:33:11 AM

QuoteGet the compressor. Then with the cash you save from all those propellant cans you won't be needing, you'll quickly be able to afford a new airbrush...

Bluesteel

It seems he already has a compressor.

Luft46 where are you? Your compressor change options will differ greatly from say UK to Canada.

Ive just got a new Iwata compressor and airbrush,A real treat using some unexpected tax rebate. The compressor I bought in UK and the airbrush came off Ebay( works for me) came from Thailand ant a third of the uk price.

Im using (and have been for 10years) an Aztek brush.Ive heard a lot of people give them bad press but Ive had very good results from mine. ( although Im not saying Im a show stopper by any means) The quality control on the heads does vary,in my opinion.

I traded in my old Sag compressor after nearly twenty years of use and the compressor upgrade changed the Aztek performance for the better,especially the water trap ( I use mainly acrylics).

My suggestion would be buy the best compressor you can afford,as with you Sag,it will last you a long time. Look at the cost from this perspective..when you bought your Sag. it cost a lot for the day,the same investment now will last you all the way through your stash and into your next one.

If your interest in the Iwata drop me a line and Ill send the email address and all the details. Whatever you decide good luck and may your tip never bend.

luft46models · June 01, 2006, 03:08:26 AM

Thanks guys for all the advice, very much appreciated so I think I'll get a new compressor and maybe buy some new heads for the Aztek - I think I've stuffed the current one with not enough cleaning. Mostly the results from the Aztek are acceptable - any problems are more due to lack of ability but it's hard to ignore the whispers on the Iwata especially as I want to do more mottle paint schemes.
As for the stash I need to sell about 40 kits to get down to a realistic total of 200 given my current build rate and modelling till I'm 90

I use acrylics - either Aeromaster or Xtracrylics and just lately I've been having the problem of no matter what setting I use I get no paint out and this seems to be almost regardless of how thin I make the paint . I'm not sure if it's weather related given it's cold now and usually I only spray autumn or spring and some of summer depending on the humidity.
I live in Sydney Australia for whoever asked.

BTW it looks like I might be going OS next year - very tentative plans are for a week each in France ( esp the awful towe as my youngest used to call it ) Austria, Czech Republic and Turkey . I'll be asking about model shops later esp in Prague as I mostly do resin.

Thanks again - sorry for the late reply but the new job is a killer.

William

Sisko · June 01, 2006, 06:54:43 AM

Hey william welcome back been awhile.

I have an aztec to be honest it has served me well. Great results and it just keeps on keeping on.

As for compressors I got mine from Bunnings for about 99 bucks. Bit on the large side but for 99 bucks can't complain.

Mind you that was on special don't know what they are now but it's worth a look.

BlackOps · June 01, 2006, 08:22:15 AM

I use Acrylics exclusively on my models now and one thing you might want to try is Liquitex Flow Aid

Flow Aid Link

Stir a couple of drops in your mixing cup and it makes a big difference. It smooths the paint and helps keep paint from clogging up your airbrush.

Jeff G.

P1127 · June 01, 2006, 03:48:41 PM

An alternative is a CO2 or N2 tank

Gary · June 01, 2006, 04:27:11 PM

Hey William,
you don't live in Canada do you? Canadian Tire has a compressor with tank for 55 bucks. A Coleman I think.

Hobbes · June 01, 2006, 11:47:20 PM

The drawback of general-use compressors is that they can be rather loud (esp. the cheap ones).

luft46models · June 02, 2006, 02:01:36 AM

I'd always thought the problem with the cheaper compressors was the pulsing effect as opposed to the more expensive ones with a holding tank that gave a consisitent flow at the one pressure . Thanks for the tip on flow Aid.

I'm a proud Aussie - is there any other sort

- done my share of travelling OS but love this place.

William

Hobbes · June 02, 2006, 03:04:08 AM

That also plays a role. Cheap airbrush compressors have a small tank (or none at all). Cheap general-use compressors usually do have a tank, but are made cheaply (loud, wears out quickly).