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I am thinking of dabbling a bit in this but I have no clue as to what to look for. There are so many different makes and models out there to choose from! I am basically wanting to add some highlights etc... to vinyl lettering. Here are my thoughts:
Entry to mid range Airbrush ($$$ is a factor). Fairly easy to clean. Easy to change colors. Beable to use both water and oil basded paints. Fairly easy no use.
I will also need to buy a compressor to run it with so any thoughts on that would be helpful.
I did a search and read quite a few older posts on airbrushing but didn't really see anything directly related to a first time set up.
------------------ Greg Gulliford aka MetroDude Metro Signs and Banners 1403 N. Greene St. #1 Spokane, WA 99202 509-536-9452
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Hi There, I am no expert but have been playing with my pre-loved pasche for some time now and find it a bit tempramental. I recently bought a Star which is based on the iwater design and it's great! No changing needles all the time to achieve different widths.The same brand in a touch up gun is also a gem- fairly fine line right upto a 15cm spray also with 2 different spray nozzles. your prices on iwata are heaps better than ours; so for me the star was the perfect option, they can be purchased through viponds paints in Oz.
------------------ Freeloner
Posts: 94 | From: Q.L.D Australia | Registered: Jan 2001
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I'll vote Itawa ecipse (and I have a couple badgers and a pashe too ... that I like/hate ... but itawa is best bang for buck IMO) I have a nice quiet diaphram compressor and a 5hp jump'n/loud crapsman compressor, one works better than the other depending on what I want to do. a regulator/watertrap is esential for both. I don't air brush for a liv'n or nothing ... it's zen when they get dusted off ...just my 1.37 cents
------------------ If the world didn't suck we would all fall off ... but, on the other hand ... there's different fingers
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The Iwata Eclipse is a good alround airbrush. I have two gravity feed eclipses - good for changing colour quickly. I also have an Iwata HP BCS which does finer lines and has a small gravity feed. Good too.
I just connect up to my large 200 Litre compressor but I would like a silent type for inside work.
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Iwata Eclipse is my favorite. Cost is $74. thru Bearair. As an all around brush--fine line ( hair line ) to two inches.. Double action with a nice smooth action, and easy to clean. You can spay any kind of paint thru it as long as you clean real well before changing to anyother type. I would reccemend having an airbrush for enamels and another one for acrylics. I would reccemend getting THE AIRBRUSH BIBLE from BearAir. It's a small book that tells you everything most air brushes are good for and has many compressers to choice from in all price ranges. Have fun playing, you might want to pick up a tape like Pat Reynolds beginners letter--he has some real nice practice steps that will make you more comfortable with your airbrush.
------------------ Ed CJ Williams CJ Graffx Christiana,Pa. cjgraffx@epix.net Just have'n fun....
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In my opinion, I'd get a Paasche VL. It has the same abilities as my beloved eclipses but it is a more durable gun. I paint every day and I put more money into the Eclipses than the VL's. If you throw a gun aside, the eclipse may get damaged before the VL. I started with a VL and never really spent much else on them. You can get the whole kit for $50 and your set up with the gun that made airbrushing what it is today. Everyone has their opinion and likes different things as you will too. Each gun has it's pros and cons. Some of my students have bought and love Badger and I've even tried a few of those that I like. Hook it up to any old compressor that will deliver you 60psi. Whichever way you go, the important thing is that you have fun! Let us know how it goes!
------------------ Robert "Bobby" Salyers Airbrush & Graphics Studio Clearwater, FL website:http://airbrushbobby.com
He put in your heart certain wishes and plans, in my heart he put other and different desires. Each man is good in his sight. It is not necessary for eagles to be crows.---Sitting Bull
[This message has been edited by Airbrush Bobby (edited January 12, 2001).]
Posts: 505 | From: Clearwater Florida USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Iwata Eclipse Is my vote here. I'm still learning, but I've sprayed some paint out of Badgers & Paasches. As far as compressors go, I'm using a 5hp 20 gallon that I got at Lowe's.
Good Luck!!
------------------ I'm so happy I'm a resident in Letterville! "If you keep doing what you have been doing, you'll keep getting what you have been getting."
I would go along with Iwata too I have a Iwata Custom Micron around $260 and a couple of Eclipses at about $70, and like Ed said give Bearair a call and ask them to send you the Airbrush Bible free, you have everything you could wish for there at the best prices. They also stock Deka Sign-Air Createx Auto-Air and One Shot paints www.bearair.com
------------------ Henry Barker #1924 akaKaftan SignCraft AB Stockholm, Sweden. A little bit of England in a corner of Stockholm www.signcraft.se info@signcraft.se
Posts: 1552 | From: Stockholm, Sweden | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I have to agree with Bobby here. As a professional airbrusher, the VL's have been by far the "workhorse" of my studio. Yes, I do have several Iwatas, including several Eclipses and several HP-C's. These guns are reserved for the very fine canvas and automotive work. If you are just looking to add highlights and do fades, the VL is the gun for you. As far as the different tip sizes, these are NOT used to get the different effects, but are to be changed for different viscosities of paint; the size 1 is for inks and dyes, the size 5 is for very heavy and thick paint, the size 3 tip should be the one that you need, and you shouldn't have to worry about the size 1 and 5. Perosnally, I feel the siphon feed guns are easier to change colors, as you should have each color in a bottle, and all you have to do is squirt reducer in between color changes, very quick and easy.
By far more important than the gun is going to be your compressor. I would recommend that you stay away from any diaphram compressor and get a compressor that has a tank. This will provide a steady flow of air.
Also, for strictly airbrush related questions, you can reach many professional airbrushers at www.airbrush.com on their message board. There are everything from t-shirt airbrushers to photo retouchers who frequent this site and any questions you could have can be answered. Sorry about being so long winded.
Even though I do very few signs, I really enjoy reading all of your posts and have learned quite a lot about making the few signs I do better.
------------------ paintchick Laurie Pfaff Pittsburgh, PA 15229 www.paintchick.com
Posts: 10 | From: Pittsburgh, PA 15229 | Registered: Feb 2000
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I like my Paasche VL's.. nice and fat, good weight.. makes me feel like Im actually holding something.. =)
Better yet, they are a breeze to clean.. dont even need to take them apart.. just pull the needle out (loosen one thumbscrew to do this) and remove the tip.. I use pipe cleaners on mine.. I just wet an end in solvent (depends what kinda paint) and fish it through one end of the gun and pull it out the other.. that's it.. unless the guns sit for a couple weeks without being used (which is quite rare)
I got my VL's right around $60 each but they all came with the 3 sizes of needles and cones for different viscosities of fluids.
I have the paasche D500 compressor.. got it for $100.. works fine.. but when I need to do a large volume of work I actually bleed air from my truck's air assisted suspension.
------------------ Mike Pipes -----trapped in a box with a computer and a slice of cheese-----
Posts: 145 | From: Lake Havasu City, AZ | Registered: Dec 2000
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Hello greg, I haven't bought an airbrush in over ten years because my Iwata HP-BC just won't quit(although I carry a spare just in case). I rebuild it every few years and I always keep a spare tip and needle on hand. A cleaning tip: When using oil-based paint such as one-shot, always clean by running lacquer thinner through till clear, and occasionally backflushing by holding a rag over the tip when spraying the thinner through, which sends the fluid back down the inlet. Then finish by running a "slower" thinner such as hitemp or mineral spirits (I've heard of people using WD40). If you don't, the lacquer thinner dries any leftover paint like glue. It's the same principle as oiling your brush. Hope you have fun
Bruce
------------------ Bruce Deveau 331 Main St. Amesbury, Ma USA 01913 pop04667@tiac.net
Posts: 139 | From: Amesbury, MA USA | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
Thanks everyone for your input! It clearly looks like there is 2 favorite airbrushes here on the board. Now to make my choice?!?! I'm going to hit a couple of the local art supply stores over the weekend so that I can "touchy-feely" these things and who knows, I might even come home with one.
------------------ Greg Gulliford aka MetroDude Metro Signs and Banners 1403 N. Greene St. #1 Spokane, WA 99202 509-536-9452
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