Hey all, I'm headed toward buying my first airbrush soon. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good, durable, double-action airbrush. Thanks for your help!

Hey Mike, I would consider an Aztec.. Pretty durable, and easy to clean.. The nozzle can be taken apart and cleaned, and no need to worry about bending a needle.. Once you get comfortable with that, you can look at other brushes.. Check them out here Aztec

Hope it helps
Dave

Hi Mike,
My suggestion would be the Iwata Revolution HP-CR. It's versatile enough to serve you very well for general coverage and with some practice it can be used for some camo schemes and detail work. It's easy to use and clean. The price isn't too bad, about $65.00 from Dixieart.com, especially when you consider you can use it well past when you consider yourself a beginner.
Here is a review of the Revolution CR:
http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/other/iwata.htm
As for the Aztec, well...been there done that. I know a lot of people swear by them but you can find just as many that swear at them . You still might want to check one out, also take a look at the Badger 150 as I have heard good things about it. Try a search here or on other modeling sites as this topic comes up quite often.

HTH,
Mike

My first airbrush which im currently using is still pretty good in my books and that is the Tamiya Airbrush with compressor. The airbrush itself is easy to clean and i love the fact that you could load the compressor with a battery and move it wherever you want.

I would recommend it fully.

I'll 2nd the Iwata. I just bought one not long ago and it has been a great difference for me.

I started out, and still have, an Aztek, at first I had problems because well...I'm simply impatient somtimes, but now I love the thing. WAY easy to clean, especially the nozzle and just great to work with in general

Hello Mike,

I currently own 4 different airbrushes and each one has its positives, as well as drawbacks. My Aztec, which I have owned for over 10 years has served me well, it is easy to use and easy to clean. However, I find it frustrating at times when it comes to shooting different paints, particularly acrylics. Next, I have a Badger 150 that I primarily use for general spraying, easy to use, easy to clean and needles and other parts are readily available at local art supply. The other two are Paasche, “VLM” and “V”. The “VLM” is the all metal version of the “VL”, versatile, easy to use, can be a pain in the butt at times if not thoroughly cleaned and properly set up but an all around good AB; lastly, the “V” is not particularly versatile it is really designed for fine work but it is operates exactly as the “VLM.” All of the brushes are well under a $100.00 dollars and matched with a good compressor should give years of quality service. As with any aspect of modeling, there are as many preferences and opinions as there are modelers and these are just my personally experiences.

Jay

Iwata Revolution CR

I paid $80 cdn for it, it comes with a hose bottle of cleaner, regulator and an aerosol can of propellant.

Its a gravity feed dual action brush, miles ahead of the badger 350 I was trying to use. I'd advise buying a compressor as well, aerosol cans will quickly cost more than a compressor, and will produce better results.

For compressors you can get 2 gallon noisemakers for likely less than $80 USD, though you will need a regulator and water trap for it.

The Badger 350 is a siphon feed brush similar to the aztek in that you can add a paint cup to it, or use a bottle, the only drawback to this setup is colour changes. The gravity feed (cup on top of the brush) is, IMO, much easier to clean between colours.

I wish I has purchased the Iwata first, instead of the siphon feed brushes I started with.

Martyn

I bought an Aztek as my first airbrush and find it easy to use, there are different sized nozzles which can be fitted, it is supplied with glass jars and gravity feed cups and is easy to clean.

I have many types but my Aztec is great especially for a beginer. I have more complex and expensive ones and find myself useing my aztec. whatever u do make sure u get a double action. Aztec can do single and double with the 420 model.

Got a Badger 350 w/ Fine, Med., Large tipes, braided hose and two paint jars for $50US at AC Moore Crafts (had 40% off coupon

Ill add my name to the Iwata list. Im an absolute newbie to airbrushes and in just a few minutes, I had my Revolution CR doing very nice finishes. Im actually getting better at it to the point I can do some small detail work.