Air Brushing – Air Brush

Question:

Hi all! I am a hobbies and not an artist.  I am looking to purchase an airbrush for multiple uses and need advice from those who know.  I do a big Halloween thing every year, and work on several new props each year.  I am thinking an airbrush would let me doctor masks bones and other items with much greater detail.  Things important to me are flexibility in pattern, (very tight to fairly large), ease of use (beginner), ease of clean up and the ability to use just a little paint for a touch up or a lot for a larger item.  I have been surfing around and am thinking either the Badger Anthem or Universal. I realize there is a tool for every job and not necessarily a tool for all jobs.  Price is not a problem, and I think I have the air source covered. Currently I have a full size compressor with 26 gal tank and a little diaphragm job I can add a reservoir to for portability. Thanks in Advance, Doug

Response:

I know the H is capable of everything you’re talking about.  Things are just substantially more of a hassle to do with a single action, external mix airbrush.  It’s just an all-around nicer experience with internal mix. On a positive note regarding the H: if anyone wants to say that the H is the best external mix, single action airbrush in the world, I’d be agreeing with that.  If they’re gonna build a single action / external mix, that’s the way to do it. David Kennesaw, GA

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That would be because he isn’t using Paasche or Iwata… by choice. Douglas was originally asking about a Badger Anthem.  Jay’s site is an ideal demonstration of what he asked about. Sorry mate…I guess I misjudged you I want to yell at ya for recommending an H, but I won’t.  I have one of those.  He bought a VL, so he got internal mix already. Hey David you went to far there, from your response you know little about airbrushing props…I do… An H is what the masters of movie, theater and even Sydney Opera Company prop departments use by choice. By the way…We also supply the TAFE colleges here in the Sydney metro area(That’s the four year college programs for tradesmen)…Two of the Automotive course TAFEs offered, use Paasche VL kits for the students. One other college uses Sparmax SP-35 for their courses. The TAFE colleges’ signwriters courses use Hansa Aeropro’s, Sparmax DH-125 (with 0.5mm fluid nozzles to handle waterborne urethanes)…. The make-up uses sparmax DH 101 with 0.35 fluid nozzles (I change them for nails) and Iwata HPC… My point? All those courses have "H"s in the classrooms for the students to use and try out, as there are many times that old H is great. Want to see an H in action…try Ivan’s site www.ivanbenic.com It’s the only brush he uses…:-) Ken

Response:

Some awesome stuff can be done with a Badger Anthem.  This guy, Jay, mainly uses an Anthem: http://www.jaysgrafx.com/  Of course, that’s mostly a demonstration of skill, but it shows that the limits of the Anthem are hard to find.

Mate I went to jay’s site and he’s sponsored by Badger! I used to demonstrate for that company and service there equipment…if you have an hour I can lay out the limits of a badger for you…lol.. I’m always amazed how people seem to believe the magic is in the brush.. I am thinking an airbrush would let me doctor masks bones and other

items with much greater detail.  Things important to me are flexibility in pattern, (very tight to fairly large), ease of use (beginner), ease of clean up and the ability to use just a little paint for a touch up or a lot for a larger item. Mate, you have just discribed a Paasche Mdl H….. We sell tons of airbrush equipment to the movie industry, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Matrix, Fox, etc and most the prop work and makeup is done with the mdl H. It does all the things you asked about and a 3 tip kit from Paasche in the US is next to nothing in price. I realize there is a tool for every job and not necessarily a tool for all jobs.  

Doug, you hit the nail on the head, and since price isn’t a problem…I’d make a choice a little later on. First kind of get the feel of the Paasche and your needs for detail. You’ll have a better understanding of what the brushes can do. Then when you are ready, get yourself a dual action. by the way …"Price is not a problem" (Do you know any of my ex-wives!!!LOL…) and You’re covered in the compressor department mate…for sure. Later, Ken

Response:

I think the diaphragm compressor won’t be able to push pressure into a tank. The big one with the 26 gallon tank will do great.  You’d just have to add a regulator/gauge/moisture trap.  They’re about $30.  You can put a quick disconnect male (with 1/4" threads on the other side) in the regulator’s in side and it will be able to plug into the compressor air hose or right into the hose disconnect. Some awesome stuff can be done with a Badger Anthem.  This guy, Jay, mainly uses an Anthem: http://www.jaysgrafx.com/  Of course, that’s mostly a demonstration of skill, but it shows that the limits of the Anthem are hard to find. David Kennesaw, GA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all! I am a hobbies and not an artist.  I am looking to purchase an airbrush for multiple uses and need advice from those who know.  I do a big Halloween thing every year, and work on several new props each year.  I am thinking an airbrush would let me doctor masks bones and other items with much greater detail.  Things important to me are flexibility in pattern, (very tight to fairly large), ease of use (beginner), ease of clean up and the ability to use just a little paint for a touch up or a lot for a larger item.  I have been surfing around and am thinking either the Badger Anthem or Universal. I realize there is a tool for every job and not necessarily a tool for all jobs.  Price is not a problem, and I think I have the air source covered. Currently I have a full size compressor with 26 gal tank and a little diaphragm job I can add a reservoir to for portability. Thanks in Advance, Doug

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some awesome stuff can be done with a Badger Anthem.  This guy, Jay, mainly uses an Anthem: http://www.jaysgrafx.com/  Of course, that’s mostly a demonstration of skill, but it shows that the limits of the Anthem are hard to find. Mate I went to jay’s site and he’s sponsored by Badger! I used to demonstrate for that company and service there equipment…if you have an hour I can lay out the limits of a badger for you…lol.. I’m always amazed how people seem to believe the magic is in the brush.. I am thinking an airbrush would let me doctor masks bones and other items with much greater detail.  Things important to me are flexibility in pattern, (very tight to fairly large), ease of use (beginner), ease of clean up and the ability to use just a little paint for a touch up or a lot for a larger item. Mate, you have just discribed a Paasche Mdl H….. We sell tons of airbrush equipment to the movie industry, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Matrix, Fox, etc and most the prop work and makeup is done with the mdl H. It does all the things you asked about and a 3 tip kit from Paasche in the US is next to nothing in price. I realize there is a tool for every job and not necessarily a tool for all jobs. Doug, you hit the nail on the head, and since price isn’t a problem…I’d make a choice a little later on. First kind of get the feel of the Paasche and your needs for detail. You’ll have a better understanding of what the brushes can do. Then when you are ready, get yourself a dual action. by the way …"Price is not a problem" (Do you know any of my ex-wives!!!LOL…) and You’re covered in the compressor department mate…for sure. Later, Ken

Ken, thanks for the response! I just spent 1.5 hours at Perl Art supply and let the guy talk me into Paasche VL. I paid about $30 +tax  more than I needed to but got to play with both prior to buying. I still like the Anthem better then the VL but I guess I should play with it for a while before I make up my mind.  The demo VL had a #5 needle in it so it didn’t do thin lines to well, but the thing I disliked the most was the thickness of the body and the roughness of the trigger. I will get the adapter for the compress tomorrow and give it a run for fun!  Time will tell, and I have a birthday coming up and a sister-in-law that loves to order stuff off the internet.  Maybe I can have both and figure it out for myself! Thanks Doug

Response:

Hey Doug, The VL is a good workhorse of an airbrush…I don’t know of any ol’ timers who don’t have one. The #5 tip/needle is 1.0mm, the same as a touch-up gun…I would guess miles too big for your needs. Install the #3 assembly, from the set and lube the trigger assembly with some type of needle lube…(badger calls theirs needle juice) to help you break it in. Believe me, the trigger will smooth out after a little use. I would later swap the aircap for a Paasche #PP "Picker Cap" It will allow you to paint lines as it allows the needle to protrude past the air cap. Just be sure you take care to protect the needle. It’s a good all around airbrush and as you said, later you can pick up a smaller detail airbrush. By the way,I know a guy who makes up glow in the dark pigments/paints in the USA, as we also sell the stuff here. PM me at my address above if you’re interested and I’ll put you in contact with him….great for halloween.. Still on R&R Ken

Response:

That would be because he isn’t using Paasche or Iwata… by choice.  Douglas was originally asking about a Badger Anthem.  Jay’s site is an ideal demonstration of what he asked about.

Sorry mate…I guess I misjudged you I want to yell at ya for recommending an H, but I won’t.  I have one of those.  He bought a VL, so he got internal mix already.

Hey David you went to far there, from your response you know little about airbrushing props…I do… An H is what the masters of movie, theater and even Sydney Opera Company prop departments use by choice. By the way…We also supply the TAFE colleges here in the Sydney metro area(That’s the four year college programs for tradesmen)…Two of the Automotive course TAFEs offered, use Paasche VL kits for the students. One other college uses Sparmax SP-35 for their courses. The TAFE colleges’ signwriters courses use Hansa Aeropro’s, Sparmax DH-125 (with 0.5mm fluid nozzles to handle waterborne urethanes)…. The make-up uses sparmax DH 101 with 0.35 fluid nozzles (I change them for nails) and Iwata HPC… My point? All those courses have "H"s in the classrooms for the students to use and try out, as there are many times that old H is great. Want to see an H in action…try Ivan’s site www.ivanbenic.com It’s the only brush he uses…:-) Ken

Response:

Mate I went to jay’s site and he’s sponsored by Badger!

That would be because he isn’t using Paasche or Iwata… by choice.  Douglas was originally asking about a Badger Anthem.  Jay’s site is an ideal demonstration of what he asked about. I used to demonstrate for that company and service there equipment…if you have an hour I can lay out the limits of a badger for you…lol.. I’m always amazed how people seem to believe the magic is in the brush..

As though the very same limits would not apply to the Millenium or the Revolution BCR? I said "that’s mostly a demonstration of skill".  Skill doesn’t come from the airbrush. I want to yell at ya for recommending an H, but I won’t.  I have one of those.  He bought a VL, so he got internal mix already. David Kennesaw, GA

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some awesome stuff can be done with a Badger Anthem.  This guy, Jay, mainly uses an Anthem: http://www.jaysgrafx.com/  Of course, that’s mostly a demonstration of skill, but it shows that the limits of the Anthem are hard to find. I am thinking an airbrush would let me doctor masks bones and other items with much greater detail.  Things important to me are flexibility in pattern, (very tight to fairly large), ease of use (beginner), ease of clean up and the ability to use just a little paint for a touch up or a lot for a larger item. Mate, you have just discribed a Paasche Mdl H….. We sell tons of airbrush equipment to the movie industry, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Matrix, Fox, etc and most the prop work and makeup is done with the mdl H. It does all the things you asked about and a 3 tip kit from Paasche in the US is next to nothing in price. I realize there is a tool for every job and not necessarily a tool for all jobs. Doug, you hit the nail on the head, and since price isn’t a problem…I’d make a choice a little later on. First kind of get the feel of the Paasche and your needs for detail. You’ll have a better understanding of what the brushes can do. Then when you are ready, get yourself a dual action. by the way …"Price is not a problem" (Do you know any of my ex-wives!!!LOL…) and You’re covered in the compressor department mate…for sure. Later, Ken

Response: