All-in-one airbrush system recommendations ...?

[telewhacked]

Howdy teleholics,

I've decided to try out doing bursts with an airbrush. I don't do a lot of bursts, but I want something that can give me a lot more fine control when doing the outer and inner bands of color on a burst. I'm spraying only lacquer.

I have a cheap Porter Cable pancake compressor sitting around and I already use a Fuji turbine spray rig for all of my colors and clear. I've seen folks online doing bursts with an airbrush and it looks like it just gives you a ton of control.

I'm cheap. Not looking to spend a lot of money or go "all in" yet. Just want to get my feet wet and would like to try one of those inexpensive all-in-one type airbrush systems that comes with its own small electric compressor. Maybe something along the lines of Harbor Freight or something similar.

Does anyone here use one of these systems?

Please advise on any cheaper airbrush system that you use or have had experience with.

Thanks!

 

[Peegoo]

I got one years ago from Amazon and it's served me well with no problems. One like this:

CLICK HERE

 

[telewhacked]

Thanks a lot Peegoo. This is exactly along the lines of what I was looking for.
Have you done any burst finishes with it?

 

[Peegoo]

@telewhacked Yes I have. It worked great; last one I did was a two-color under the custom raven artwork on this 7/8-sized Tele beast.

 

[Back at it]

Howdy teleholics,

I've decided to try out doing bursts with an airbrush. I don't do a lot of bursts, but I want something that can give me a lot more fine control when doing the outer and inner bands of color on a burst. I'm spraying only lacquer.

I have a cheap Porter Cable pancake compressor sitting around and I already use a Fuji turbine spray rig for all of my colors and clear. I've seen folks online doing bursts with an airbrush and it looks like it just gives you a ton of control.

I'm cheap. Not looking to spend a lot of money or go "all in" yet. Just want to get my feet wet and would like to try one of those inexpensive all-in-one type airbrush systems that comes with its own small electric compressor. Maybe something along the lines of Harbor Freight or something similar.

Does anyone here use one of these systems?

Please advise on any cheaper airbrush system that you use or have had experience with.

Thanks!

Don’t bother, the cheap systems pulse so any fine work is difficult. They also spit condensed moisture and you won’t be happy when your just about perfect and then…..

 

[telewhacked]

I got one years ago from Amazon and it's served me well with no problems. One like this:

CLICK HERE

Thanks a lot Peegoo. This is exactly along the lines of what I was looking for.
Have you done any burst finishes with it?

Don’t bother, the cheap systems pulse so any fine work is difficult. They also spit condensed moisture and you won’t be happy when your just about perfect and then…..

Thanks Back at it.

Hey Peegoo, awesome work on that tele! Did you experience any of the pulsing with your cheap Amazon airbrush system that Back at it described?

 

[Back at it]

You can mitigate some of the pulse with a decent moisture trap but don’t do any fine handwork

once you decide you’re into it get a decent compressor with a tank and maybe auto on/off your ears will thank you… the buzz from those little ones is annoying

 

[Peegoo]

Thanks Back at it.

Hey Peegoo, awesome work on that tele! Did you experience any of the pulsing with your cheap Amazon airbrush system that Back at it described?

I didn't have any problems. The airbrush kits that employ just the compressor (the ones with no little air tank) do pulse, and I've used them in the past. The unit I have doesn't pulse.

It also has a water separator on the tank outlet, so I've had no water spitting issues either. Not all of these kits have a water seperator.

 

[Back at it]

The one shown by peegoo looks decent and has a bunch of stuff with it

should work

 

[telewhacked]

I didn't have any problems. The airbrush kits that employ just the compressor (the ones with no little air tank) do pulse, and I've used them in the past. The unit I have doesn't pulse.

It also has a water separator on the tank outlet, so I've had no water spitting issues either. Not all of these kits have a water seperator.

The one shown by peegoo looks decent and has a bunch of stuff with it

should work

Thanks for the input guys.

I'm gonna give the Amazon one that Peegoo linked to a shot. It looks inexpensive enough. Think I'll try a 2-tone burst with it to get started. Once I get the hang of it, I'll eventually report back.

Much appreciated...

 

[telewhacked]

Hey Peegoo, one last thing... did you have any issues spraying lacquer through the tiny little needles that come with that airbrush kit?

It looks like it includes 0.8mm. 0.3mm, and 0.2mm needles. For most lacquers, I usually use a 1.3mm needle and cap set on my normal spray rig. I've never used anything with a needle that tiny and just wasn't sure if it would have trouble with lacquer.

With a normal spray rig, I usually thin my lacquer with Mohawk reducer anywhere from 20-50% depending on what I'm doing.

thanks!

 

[Peegoo]

Thanks for the input guys.

I'm gonna give the Amazon one that Peegoo linked to a shot. It looks inexpensive enough. Think I'll try a 2-tone burst with it to get started. Once I get the hang of it, I'll eventually report back.

Much appreciated...

I thined the lacquer to the viscosity of milk. An airbrush does not lay on thick coats; it's a slow process, and that's what gives you the control of application of color.

If you've never used an airbrush or any paint spraying equipment, there are several things to remember that really matter. Manage viscosities and air pressures. Take notes on mixes and thinning proportions and keep them for future reference because it can be hard to remember all this stuff. Several glass eyedroppers are handy to have because because single drops are a fairly standard measure. Filter your paints and inks; any foreign material in your media will cause great misery. Be surgical when cleaning the paint cups and airbrushes. You want sparkling clean with no paint residue anywhere.

I have a Thayer & Chandler airbrush that belonged to my mom's brother, who did lettering and coloring for Stan Lee in the 1950s. It's been well cared for and it still works like new.

Look online for tips that will get you up and running fast. And practice a bunch before committing to a job that really matters.

Example:

 

[24 track]

I got one years ago from Amazon and it's served me well with no problems. One like this:

CLICK HERE

I did find those small compressors sputter , I found a Jun-air noiseless compressor with a small tannk allowed me to run 4 brushes at a time I had 3 dual action brushes 2 single action brushes and a Pasche A/B that allowed me to blow lines as thin as a human hair you can see it in the capilleries in this pic.

 

[Archtop Bill]

I have a Paasche VL paired with a Paasche compressor (looks like. Apistone compressor but it is actually a diaphram). I have had this for upwards 25 years and surprise myself with the results. Added a pressure regulator just this past year.

There are more expensive airbrushes and if your budget allows go for them, but for a modest amount a Paasche offers a lot of bang for the buck.

 

[telewhacked]

I did find those small compressors sputter , I found a Jun-air noiseless compressor with a small tannk allowed me to run 4 brushes at a time I had 3 dual action brushes 2 single action brushes and a Pasche A/B that allowed me to blow lines as thin as a human hair you can see it in the capilleries in this pic.

View attachment 988987

I have a Paasche VL paired with a Paasche compressor (looks like. Apistone compressor but it is actually a diaphram). I have had this for upwards 25 years and surprise myself with the results. Added a pressure regulator just this past year.

There are more expensive airbrushes and if your budget allows go for them, but for a modest amount a Paasche offers a lot of bang for the buck.

I'm plenty experienced with using an HVLP spray rig for guitar finishing, but a total newcomer to airbrush systems (which I'm sure you can tell). From doing some research, I'm thinking I would definitely want a dual action airbrush over a single action, which is what a lot of the cheaper ones seem to be.

It does look like Paasche actually makes their stuff here in the USA (Wisconsin) which I like and want to support, but wasn't 100% sure if their cheaper entry level stuff may still be made over seas..?

Looks like I could get one of the cheaper Paasche systems for around $200ish, maybe less if I shop around. Do you guys think its worth the extra money to just spring for a dual action Paasche system over something like this one for $129 from Amazon? Or given that I'm just dipping my toe into airbrushing, would this unit from Amazon be perfectly fine and all I would need for now?


Amazon product ASIN B009YNG21U

 

[Back at it]

Dual action allows more control but it adds complications because your touch is key, a single action is easier to start with especially if you’re not doing fine line work. Should be fine for doing a sunburst

you want to do dragons etc you’ll want a double action

 

[Peegoo]

With some practice a double-action unit is pretty simple to master.

WAY easier than learning how to play a guitar

 

[24 track]

I'm plenty experienced with using an HVLP spray rig for guitar finishing, but a total newcomer to airbrush systems (which I'm sure you can tell). From doing some research, I'm thinking I would definitely want a dual action airbrush over a single action, which is what a lot of the cheaper ones seem to be.

It does look like Paasche actually makes their stuff here in the USA (Wisconsin) which I like and want to support, but wasn't 100% sure if their cheaper entry level stuff may still be made over seas..?

Looks like I could get one of the cheaper Paasche systems for around $200ish, maybe less if I shop around. Do you guys think its worth the extra money to just spring for a dual action Paasche system over something like this one for $129 from Amazon? Or given that I'm just dipping my toe into airbrushing, would this unit from Amazon be perfectly fine and all I would need for now?


Amazon product ASIN B009YNG21U

each airbrush has a specific purpose, a single action will give you a wider spray 1"-1.5" roughly and is good for appyling wide broad strokes
a dual action will ( with practice ) give you control over the spray as well as air flow good for detail work
I used Paasche exclusively , wanted an Iwata for fine illustations, but I ended up painting 3-D models to pay the rent. so I stuck with Paasche , if you do go there make sure you buy spare needles etc just to have incase and always clean the machine thuroughly( Iused a margerine container with windex to clean acrylics and ink), If you have not seen a Paasche A/B heres a pic for you, this unit is not for a beginner. white is a heavey pigment and will clog the brush more often,FYI

 

[old wrench]

I'm certainly not a pro, and I like cheap when it works

I've been using two different little guns from HF for shading and bursts


This small one -

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

It's good for the finest details


And this slightly larger one -

4 oz. Adjustable Detail Air Spray Gun

Amazing deals on this 4Oz Adjustable Detail Air Spray Gun at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

It works really nice for wider bands like bursts - it just sips air, the small pancake compressors deliver all the air you need for it



I've got a Fuji HVLP myself, but for small details or repairs these little guns are way more manageable - I bought these cheap guns thinking that if I liked the way they worked, maybe I'd buy a better model - but I found they work perfectly fine and are all I need for the small volume of work I do



edit - All you really need for using your PC pancake compressor for air-brushing is a decent filter with a moisture trap and a way to accurately regulate your pressure - it already has a built-in pressure tank so you shouldn't have problems with surging

A little tip that might help - I use a separate little dedicated setup (Filter, regulator, and air hose) that I keep nice and clean for my spraying and finishing stuff - a skinny, light-weight, easy to maneuver 1/4" hose passes plenty of air for these little guns

I keep the bigger hoses and other stuff that I generally use with my air tools separate from the finishing setup because they might have oil or other contaminants in them - stuff I don't want in my gun or finish

.

 

[eallen]

The smallest gun I have ever used for burst is a detail gun. And that hasn't been a need but because it seems like my other 5 guns always end up with something else in them already!

Learn to adjust a gun fan and mixture and you can spray mighty minute areas.