Does anyone here build scale models?

[SignOfZeta]

Get one when what you want to do requires it. Unless you need it they are too much of a PITA.

The only way to do airbrush is balls deep. I don't mean expensive stuff is necessary, just that you have to commit to total understanding of the tools so you can not waste time being pissed off. A see a lot of people will buy an airbrush and never take it apart because they think they'll break it, fuck that. If you don't want to completely strip the thing sometimes multiple times a day then you are doomed. Half stepping only results in gummed up equipment, terrible paint jobs, wasted paint, and misery. If you do things right you get good results and that more than powers you through the hassles. If you buy an airbrush uses it a lot as soon as possible. Embrace your fuckups because that's how you learn. Get to the point where mistakes don't scare you because you can fix anything. That's the comfort zone.

The Juaggu is almost totally AB, that's why it only took 20 hours. The techniques used require it (look on YT for "Mig weathering chipping" or something like that). The Nightengale is ABed because the pieces are small and I needed to achieve that gloss with much thinner layers than rattle cans usually produce. The interiors of the Fiat and Alpine were AB but rattle can is really good for car bodies so that's what was used there.

[xcrement5x]

Do you have a recommendation for a good airbrush to start with, there are tons on ebay so I'm never sure on overall quality.  In the end it's not that complex of a tool so I'm not too concerned about taking it apart if needed, I just don't want one that's so crappy it's frustrating to work with like you said. 

[SignOfZeta]

I like the Pasche Talon since it's cheap and made in the USA with very easy to find spare parts. For a compressor I use a 5 gallon shop compressor with a big enough tank so that it only runs once a day max. If you can get away with this, do it. Canned air is fucking GARBAGE and hobby compressor are quiet but not very durable or adjustable.

I have nothing against Iwata other than the spare parts being stupid expensive and hard to find in the US. I would advise against the "Neo" stuff from Iwata which is basically Harbor Freight junk polished up like it was JDM. It isn't. If you're buying cheap, just buy real real cheap. There's no point in paying $60 for a $10 tool.

Btw, this is all advice for model people, not makeup artists, cake decorators, motorcycle gas tank guys or dudes selling Def Leopard shirts down the shore. I haven't used an airbrush for actual fine art since Photoshop was invented so I don't know a lot about that either.

[xcrement5x]

Thanks for the feedback.  I've already got a nice little pancake compressor I use for a lot of stuff around the house anyways that would probably work fine here.  Would just need to regulate the pressure accordingly and have the proper connections for the hoses. 

I am very low on the scale when it comes to building/painting models but I've enjoyed it since I was a kid.  Just never sunk a lot of time/resources into it which may have contributed to my lack of enjoyment with it later in life as I got frustrated with cheap tools. 

[SignOfZeta]

I had a bad airbrush experience before a big event and quit the whole business for ages. I like to work with whatever I can be totally mindful of and totally in control of. Nowadays I have a huge space where I can make all the noises and smells I want so I'm comfortable stretching out into bigger messes. When I was sharing a one room apartment or living in a place for only a few months at a time I worked with what would fit in my bag.

I still build things to weird restrictions because that's the best way to work. Without limits you're a mess. I have a few "rattle can on the runner" builds I'll post soon where I build the entire kit in maybe 5 hours.

[SignOfZeta]

 BTW, if you do get a Talon know that they ship it a few different ways. Buy the one that has three sets of needles and nozzles, the fan tip, as well as the hose.

[ClodBusted]

I've done my spray work with Tamiya TS rattle cans so far. Well enough for my taste, as long as the colors available are those that you need for the job.

[SignOfZeta]

I use them quite often. They are getting really expensive now though,, especially the limited edition colors, like $13 a can I think sometimes.

When doing a car body you want the extra flow. I will almost never use an AB for a car body.