Beginner air brush.

[Dave Lehnert]

Can anyone recommend an Airbrush for a beginner?
Like to get my feet wet on a cheaper model first before investing in something more expensive.
Reviews are hard to tell if the owner knows how to use one vs a defective airbrush.

Have done a Google search but a lot of pages just seem to be recommendations only to get you to click an Amazon link.

Of course, as a beginner I looked at what Harbor Freight has.
https://www.harborfreight.com/deluxe-airbrush-kit-95810.html

[John K Jordan]

What do you want to do with it, apply lacquer, add color to wood? Paint with stencils or paint designs free-hand on tee shirts?

You might send John Lucas a note. He has experience with several air brushes. From my studying you need to make sure it is double action. Gravity feed can waste far less paint than a suction feed since you might only need to use a few drops of paint. I like the trigger brushes which are easier to use for me although it seems like most pros who produce artwork like the top button models, perhaps since the forefinger isss. A compressor with a pressure gauge is nice for repeatability.

I ended up buying a Grex kit with compressor but it's not cheap. However I think it would be fantastic for a beginner since it would eliminate fighting with a cheap brush. If you found out you didn't like airbrushing you could sell it. I also have an Iwata which is a high quality brush.

JKJ

Can anyone recommend an Airbrush for a beginner?
Like to get my feet wet on a cheaper model first before investing in something more expensive.
Reviews are hard to tell if the owner knows how to use one vs a defective airbrush.

Have done a Google search but a lot of pages just seem to be recommendations only to get you to click an Amazon link.

Of course, as a beginner I looked at what Harbor Freight has.
https://www.harborfreight.com/deluxe-airbrush-kit-95810.html

[Dave Lehnert]

What do you want to do with it, apply lacquer, add color to wood? Paint with stencils or paint designs free-hand on tee shirts?

You might send John Lucas a note. He has experience with several air brushes. From my studying you need to make sure it is double action. Gravity feed can waste far less paint than a suction feed since you might only need to use a few drops of paint. I like the trigger brushes which are easier to use for me although it seems like most pros who produce artwork like the top button models, perhaps since the forefinger isss. A compressor with a pressure gauge is nice for repeatability.

I ended up buying a Grex kit with compressor but it's not cheap. However I think it would be fantastic for a beginner since it would eliminate fighting with a cheap brush. If you found out you didn't like airbrushing you could sell it. I also have an Iwata which is a high quality brush.

JKJ

For now I plan to use my SENCO compressor.
senco-portable-air-compressors-pc1010-64_1000.jpg

Just want to try my hand at painting parts to a plastic model truck.
https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?270349-Remember-as-a-kid-building-a-Plastic-Model-Kit

[Malcolm Schweizer]

This is a great little brush for just over $50. This is what I started with. A single action lets you get the feel for it before you go to a dual action.

https://www.amazon.com/Paasche-H-SET...85342974&psc=1

[John K Jordan]

For now I plan to use my SENCO compressor.

Should work fine. Some people use a separate regulator and pressure gauge at the table where they paint. Something like this, but you can probably find one cheaper: https://www.airbrushingwood.com/stor...nd_Filter.html You probably want around 20psi at the brush.

A single-action airbrush might be find for painting models. Maybe not so much for creating artwork since you can't control the paint flow independently from the airflow.

Joe Flemming has some info on his web site that might be useful. (Joe is a Grex dealer and has a booth at many of the woodturning symposiums around the country)
https://www.airbrushingwood.com/education.html Specifically, the first document in his Tutorials section has some basic info: "Selecting an Airbrush System" Just keep in mind that he's in the business of selling air brush systems to woodturners and such so he might be biased toward the better quality equipment, but that's not necessarily a bad perspective!

JKJ