Buying Airbrushes

I get this question so much that I really need to make a specific PAGE here so I can direct people to. :)  So here we go. Instead of pointing you to a bunch of specific videos, I'm just going to lay it all down here.

Chung's Recommended Airbrush Buy Set Up

First, let's get this straight. In my videos I try and be as open as I can about different airbrushes and compressor and what I suggest getting first and stuff. This post nullifies all this because, honestly, people want to know exactly what I would buy if I were in their shoes.

If you have an itch to bring up the following arguments in the comments, I respectfully ask you to go pound sand and then I will go delete the comment:

• Which airbrush it better, which compressor is better... etc.
• Getting a Chinese made airbrush is just as good.
• That using brush is just as good as using an airbrush.

It sounds like I'm throwing out some iron law here but the truth is EVERY TIME I bring it up, there's always those the same old arguments. We can hash out those arguments else where.  This page is specifically for THOSE that want to get into airbrushing and want to know what >>I<< recommend buying. They are asking me, that's why I made this page.

Fine Print:
THIS IS WHAT I RECOMMEND AND MY IN MY OPINION ON WHAT YOU SHOULD BUY FOR WHATEVER REASON BUT THE MERE FACT IS I KNOW THESE PRODUCTS WORK AND WHAT I BASE MY EXPERIENCE ON. OTHER PAINTERS WILL HAVE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS.  I SUGGEST YOU COVER ALL YOUR OPTIONS BY ASKING OTHER AWESOME PAINTERS OUT THERE AND MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. AND IF YOU DO AND GET CONFUSED, JUST LISTEN TO WHAT I SAY THEN.  I'M MUCH MORE GORGEOUS, SEXY AND MODEST THAN THE OTHERS OUT THERE AND LET'S BE HONEST...  THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS. *FLEX*

AND BEFORE THE FEW WANT TO PISS AND MOAN ABOUT ME BEING SPONSORED BY BADGER AND THAT'S WHY I AM RECOMMENDING THEIR PRODUCTS, LET ME STEAL THEIR THUNDER NOW.

I AM SPONSORED BY BADGER, BUT I RECOMMEND THEM BECAUSE I ALSO USE THEM, AND I AM INVOLVED IN PRODUCTIONS WITH COMES OF THOSE PRODUCTS. OF COURSE I'll STAND BY THEM.

Now that that's out of the way. Also note, I point to http://www.webairbrushes.com a few times.  I know their website is a bit hard to use but I will be changing that soon for them.

Also, please share this where you can. Thanks.

Airbrushes

There are two I recommend if you are starting:

The Badger Patriot 105
This is a very good brush that still can get details in with no problem.  You just have to hone in on your control.  But it's very forgiving in that fact and you learn much easier.  It has a .5 needle (there's more too that but let's not get into it here) and can cover primer/base coating and still do some fine details.  Because the needle is larger, there's less chance of clogging if you have to thin non-airbrush paints or from dry tipping.

The Sotar 20/20
I love this brush. The different between this and the Krome is really in the feel. The housing is built differently. With the Sotar, I love that the nose is shorter so my finger/trigger is closer to the model when I get up close. This is usually the one I reach for to do really low PSI, very close to the model detail work. As with the Krome, this is hard to learn with for the same reason listed in the Krome explaination.

The Krome
This is an awesome airbrush, great for detailing, ok for larger work like primer/base coating.  It's sports a .21 needle and come with a conversion kit to go up to a .3.  It is a harder to learn with as it's not as forgiving as the Patriot 105.  You'll deal with a lot more clogging, either from not thinning enough or from dry tipping. This might frustrate you if you are just learning to airbrush. BUT if you're up for a challenge, then this is a very good option as later down the line you might want something like this when you move from Airbrushing Padawan to an Airbrushing Jedi Master.


These three are the work horse airbrushes in my arsenal and if you sat and watch me paint, you'll notice that I WILL switch between them a lot depending on what I'm doing. The Patriot is the go to airbrush for me and I find I do most of my work with it. I have the super fine detail needle set on it. The Krome and Sotar are usually for detailing when I really need to get in close. The Sotar I end up using more than the Krome as the feel gets me closer to the model's surface.

If you wish to buy these airbrushes, here's two places to get them:
You can buy them at http://www.webairbrushes.com and use the code CONSORTIUM.  That will get you 40% off the order.  This is not always the cheapest option but does get you the airbrushes at decent prices. I get a kick back if you purchase from them with the code.

Amazon.  You can sometimes fine that they do good deals on them there:

The Compressor

This is pretty simple.  I suggest getting the ones from TCPGlobal.com.  They work great and last you for a good while if you take care of it.  If you live outside the US and the shipping might kill you, look on Amazon at your country and look for something similar.  They might even sport the model number TC-20 or TC-20t. TCP Global just rebrands these generics. Also make sure there's a regular moister trap on them.  They look like the picture on the right.

IF you want to go a bit more expensive, then you can always do the webairbrushes thing,  http://www.webairbrushes.com and use the code CONSORTIUM and get the Badger ASPIRE compressors. That's what I have it's a pretty good quality compressor.

As always, I suggest getting the one with a tank. Tanks help the motor life and eliminate pulsation in the line.

The TC-20 models are on amazon here:

The Hose

If you get the Patriot/Krome separate from the compressor, you'll need a Badger hose. Again, you can get them at http://www.webairbrushes.com and use the code CONSORTIUM.  Or get them on Amazon here:

Paints

Minitaire Airbrush Ready Paints are great airbrushing paints.  The tints are extremely useful.  Vallejo Model Air are great as well.  And again, you can get the Minitaire at http://www.webairbrushes.com and use the code CONSORTIUM or get them on Amazon here:

Accessories

Most of the stuff you can buy are at the Recommended Buy page but I suggest watching this video of this handsome guy going over various stuff you might need for airbrushing.