i am in need of a good airbrush and air compressor, but i want them to be good quality and reasonably priced.

can anybody recommend a good airbrush and air compressor?

plus, is there anything else i have to consider when buying and using an airbrush?

I dont think is possible give an answer to this question..."what's the best airbrush and air compressor"...to generic and to personal

what's your budget for the AB?...and for the Compressor?...

I saving my $$$ for the Harder & Steenbeck Infinity CRplus 2 in 1,i tried once and feel soo gooood...
https://www.amazon.com/Harder-Steenbeck-Infinity-126544-SprayGunner/dp/B010XWRDSQ/ref=pd_lpo_201_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TW3W9BEFAPY2S0MB5VX2

For the compressor i like this one with tank and cooling fan, cheap and silent...
http://www.tcpglobal.com/MASTC-40T_4.html#.WHvoUFz15f0
but if you have the $$$ there are a couple of Italian companies that make super-silent hi-quality compressors they are fantastic and even custom make them on demand

I agree with the what's your budget approach. But you should also ask "what am I going to use if for". Fine detail, detail and area work or just for area. I've had several over the years and used to use two, one for big areas and single colors and a cheap dual action for detail. I've had both tankless and tank type compressors and a tank is so much nicer, the smooth air delivery is worth the extra money. Another thing to consider is you get what you pay for, buy cheap and you get junk. You don't have to spend a fortune but a $10 airbrush is not going to make you happy. But there are lots of people here to steer you into what is right for you.

Have you used airbrushes already ?

Let's forget the cheap stuff (see post above) and focus on the medium price and above.

Single or dual action airbrush, any preferences ?

General purpose or for fine details ?

Do you need a quiet compressor or can you hide the noisy "machine-gun nest" type in a garage?

Dual-use of the compressor (air-powered tools in the garage)
or desk-top airbrushing only?

so far, i've been using a cheap £15 airbrush (made by humbrol) which is ok for all over spray coat. in addition to the airbrush, I've been using spray cans, however, they're expensive, run out easily and i've lost interest with them.

i wanted one of those professional airbrushes that can be used for detail work and overall coating.

i'm looking around £70 to £150 for the airbrush and the compressor. i don't want to spend too much money, but i want good quality equipment

as for the sound, it isn't a concern for me.

OK. But your upper limit of 150 quid might be a little low so maybe you should reconsider priorities. ...

Compressor: Noise not an issue -> smallish compressor from DIY stores or automotive/garage vendors. Look for a tank (saves on compressor life, 6 litres is plenty big enough) and a pressure controlled on/off switch (compressor starts when air pressure in the tank goes below the lower limit and starts again when the pressure gets over the upper limit). Getting a used one could be an option but it might be worn out so you end up buying a new one soon ....

Two exampls, about the right size, seems a bit expensive:
http://www.ukhs.tv/Workshop/Air-Compressors/Powerplus-Oil-Free-6-33-CFM-Portable-Air-Compressor-POWX1705_2

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-bandit-iv-8-litre-air-compressor/
I checked a few other sites in the UK and those were more expensive.

Airbrush: My recommendation is to choose a double action.
Gravity feed is better for fine detail work, suction feed requires a little more air pressure so it is not so suited for very fine detail work.

Badger 100 series (gravity) or 150 series (suction) for instance. Get the medium or large size needle & head and buy fine size needle & head as spare parts, this gives you area and detail capacity in one airbrush.
Harder & Steenbeck have the Evolution, a bit better than the Badgers and a bit more expenssive but it depends on if you can find a good deal somewhere.

Higher up in the price ranges you will find Iwata and Paasche.
One thing to watch out for is the internal seals, some have PTFE seals and others have plain rubber O-rings. The PTFE seals will last a long time and hold up against solvent based paints, the rubber rings are not suitable for solvent based paints. If you never intend to use solved based paints this may not be an issue but PTFE seals last longer than rubber even with acrylics and similar "harmless" paints.

Airbrushes can be bought used as long as it is a quality brand so that it is possible to buy spare parts. The seals may get worn but usually it is the needles and nozzles/heads that may need to be replaced

Remember that you will also need hoses et.c. so buying a kit might be an option.

One UK vendor carrying Badger, Harder & Steenbeck and a few more brands. They seem to be having a sale at the moment
https://www.everythingairbrush.com/
I saw a few Badgers for less than 100 quid ....

Their Buyers Guide:
https://www.everythingairbrush.com/buyers-guide-airbrushes

Some vendors also sell used & refurbished airbrushes so you may want to look for that option.

Look around and ask again before buying

/ Robin

thanks a lot Robin.

i want to know what's worth getting and whether its good. there's a lot of cheap looking items on amazon.

i found these compressors and airbrushes on amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01D0D4T78/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2183NW12C4OGU&coliid=I15UDL659JB8R8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004XP7K9W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2183NW12C4OGU&coliid=I19BEJTV7JNHRY

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EPPVAA0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2183NW12C4OGU&coliid=IUJPWPXOTMUYL

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0090ZD6WA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2183NW12C4OGU&coliid=I2VABO5LIXYC0C

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004ORE7DQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2183NW12C4OGU&coliid=I2DY2HS7NWPZVG

p.s. what's the big deal with airbrush cleaners anyway?

Compressor's is all good,for AB if you can buy the Infinity you going to buy a super AB like buy a Rolls Royce!...than in the future you can always buy dufferent set up for thet AB 0.15,0.4 different cup MAC valve etc....is in my "i want to buy" list

Harder & Steenbeck is a really good and well know brand

My thoughts and comments

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01D0D4T78/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2183NW12C4OGU&coliid=I15UDL659JB8R8
Wolf Air Sioux 24 Litre
Probably quite OK but a 24 litre tank is quite a large item so I'll leave it up to you if you have the space (and muscle) for this one. The included AB is more or less garbage, the one you already own is probably better ...
The rest of the accessories are probably OK so if you have a need for them ...


https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004XP7K9W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2183NW12C4OGU&coliid=I19BEJTV7JNHRY
FoxHunter.
Forget this one. Honestly. The airbrushes are clones of an Iwata and probably a Badger 150 respectively. The Iwata clone is the one with the little bulge on the "belly" in front of the hose attachment. They are OK but they are not quite the same precision as the originals and spare parts might be difficult to get. You have already got a cheap AB so why get two more? If you really want these for simpler jobs then buy them separately.
Google 'compressor AS186' to get more info and make up your own mind, I found this:
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/65847-as-186-compressor-major-disaster/
a tank can be replaced but maybe the motor & pump is of the same quality....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EPPVAA0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2183NW12C4OGU&coliid=IUJPWPXOTMUYL
Clarke Bandit IV 8 Litre
Right size, looks good. I didn't find anything negative using Google, lots of vendors seem to carry it for DIY purposes and similar level of craft work. Maybe you can sell the nailer/stapler kit if you don't need it yourself

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0090ZD6WA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2183NW12C4OGU&coliid=I2VABO5LIXYC0C
No. Spend some more and get an Evolution instead.
https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/harder-steenbeck-ultra-x-review
There is a risk that you will feel that this AB doesn't quite deliver what you hoped for and then you may get the itch to buy something better so why waste the money now ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004ORE7DQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2183NW12C4OGU&coliid=I2DY2HS7NWPZVG
Definitely a very fine AB, if you can fit it into you budget (maybe hold off on buying some kits for a while), otherwise the Evolution (or Badgers, Iwatas et.c) could be an option.

This guy has a long list of reviews and seems to know what he is talking about:
https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/

Check this dealer:
https://www.air-craft.net/acatalog/Harder-Steenbeck-Airbrushes-p1.html
This is probably better than buying from Amazon.
Access to spare parts, advice and expertise et.c

"what's the big deal with airbrush cleaners anyway?"
For those that are too lazy to clean the AB themselves.
After a while you usually need to take the AB apart and clean it properly anyway. I disassemble, clean and reassemble my Badger in less than 10 minutes, occasionally it gets a more thorough cleaning.
Spend that money on a better AB instead.

/ Robin

thanks for guiding me through with this Robin, i really appreciate it. it's gonna be some before i save up some money to by good airbrushing equipment, but in the meantime i could research on the AB to get the best option and to know how to use it effectively.

Don't paint any models in the meantime, just build as far as possible and then set them aside and wait with the painting until you get the proper tools

does anyone know if this compressor with airbrushes is any good? especially for an airbrush rookie like me?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TC80T-Airbrush-Compressor-ROYAL-130-133-Airbrush-3-Ltr-Tank-1-5th-HP-Motor/331914818779?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

The compressor is pretty good the brush I don't know but they looks Chinese cheap stuff

I guess i'm gonna go for this airbrush kit since it's good enough for me. it may be cheap, but i still regard it as being quite expensive.

Expensive ≠ Quality

airbrushes.com is in the UK, talk to them for a quality suggestion within your budget. Many of the guys at International Scale Modeler have dealt with airbrushes.com and regard them as "top notch"..


I don't think you'll be happy with a Royal brand AB. I have an Royal AB-125 and all I use it for is to blow dust off my models. Biggest POS I've ever bought. It only cost $25 U.S. so my expectations weren't high.

Thanks for that. i messaged them, now i'm waiting for their reply.