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Is this a good combo for an airbrush beginner?


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Four words make me say no: "...for an airbrush beginner..."

That is a monster set up, professional grade, and a bit much for a beginner. You'd be better off shopping the individual parts from other brands/suppliers.

For example, you can get a good-for-a-beginner* dual action gravity feed 3mm airbrush for about £10 via Amazon UK; a cleaning station for £7-£8; clamp-on-table airbrush holder for £10, and tanked compressor for about £66 (and some of those include a dual action gravity feed airbrush).

 

So, £383.33 for the kit you linked to vs. ~£100 for individual parts. For a beginner, I'd take the cheaper route and upgrade at a later date (if you even need to upgrade).

 

*"Good-for-a-beginner" meaning something you can learn the basics with, but isn't going to break the bank if it's not for you.

Four words make me say no: "...for an airbrush beginner..."

 

That is a monster set up, professional grade, and a bit much for a beginner. You'd be better off shopping the individual parts from other brands/suppliers.

 

For example, you can get a good-for-a-beginner* dual action gravity feed 3mm airbrush for about £10 via Amazon UK; a cleaning station for £7-£8; clamp-on-table airbrush holder for £10, and tanked compressor for about £66 (and some of those include a dual action gravity feed airbrush).

 

So, £383.33 for the kit you linked to vs. ~£100 for individual parts. For a beginner, I'd take the cheaper route and upgrade at a later date (if you even need to upgrade).

 

*"Good-for-a-beginner" meaning something you can learn the basics with, but isn't going to break the bank if it's not for you.

Thanks for the response.

 

I looked at something like this for the reliability and ease of cleaning issues. Plus the dual needle setup is a bonus.

 

I plan on snooping around locally, seeing if someone nearby has a similar setup and would be willing to let me have a try etc

Maybe look up the Evolution from H&S its only half the price of the Infinity and a decent gun (i own both).

 

Then get a compressor with a tank and a water trap and you can start into the world of airbrushing.

 

If i follow the link to the shop i would recommend something like this:

https://www.everythingairbrush.com/airbrushing-kits-brand/value-kit-range/harder-steenbeck-kits/ab-as-186-airbrushing-kit-with-silverline-2-in-1-airbrush.html

 

You have a decent gun and compressor.

The Evolution Silverline is solvent proof too, so you dont need to limit your color choice.

I would consider getting a decent compressor - the cost differences are not huge, and if you decide to upgrade the airbrush in the future it saves you re-buying the compressor. Plus, if you ever decide to get rid of it, a good compressor is easier to sell than one lacking in features. It needs to have a decent capacity, a tank, a moisture trap, a pressure regulator, and ideally not be too noisy.

 

Airbrush-wise, it's up to you. Some people are less careful/practical than others and benefit greatly from a cheapo £10 airbrush to learn the ropes with. Others find a £60 beginner's airbrush a good start, and then perhaps keep it for simpler tasks like undercoats later on when (if) they graduate to a better bit of kit in the future. Few people jump in cold with a top-end airbrush though - it's a big investment risk!

 

Other items like cleaner pots, stands, hooks, brushes, fluids, etc... Well, it's easy to overspend. I'd suggest finding a cleaner pot that can double up as an airbrush stand (at least whilst in use).

 

Finally, I'd suggest spending at least an hour or two looking through the many airbrush tutorials and kit explanations on YouTube. In the absence of owning/trying it out in person, these are supremely helpful. Also, look at videos made the folks who airbrush motorcycle/truck art, as well as the historical modellers. Both offer a lot more insight into techniques and tools than I usually see on GW mini forums, and are totally worth seeking out IMO.

Well... as one of the first posters stated it is more of a professional set up. Now that doesn't mean it's too much for a beginner to handle as much as it means it's very expensive... you could end up with an excellent quality set up for less if you research and shop around. If you're new to airbrushing there will be a learning curve no matter what and it is much better to start with a higher quality brush that will give you less headaches than if you went with something like Masters. I have an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS and it is an amazing brush. I really wish I had started with it than wasted  the time and money on my masters. If you can find a good compressor and moisture trap and then purchase the Iwata HP-CS you'd be well under the cost on that site and would have a set up that would not even require upgrading from if you wish...

I have one of those set ups - actually I have a "better" dual compressor with quick connectors for the hoses- but I use the H and S brush. Both are excellent tools and will last a lifetime - I started off with this set up however I couldn't use it properly to start with. I have been able to since I went on an airbrush course - Barwell Body Works - for information. I would recommend the course - my airbrushing has come in leaps and bounds since I attended.

As others have said - a big step for a beginner - however you will not ever need to replace the equipment - the H and S brush is beautiful to use - a real "Rolls Royce" compared to some of my other equipment - however this can often come down to personal preference. The H and S brush really needs thin paint to work to its best - I tend to use the 0.4 set up exclusively, you need to keep the needle clean as well as you paint - I keep a stiff bristled paint brush for this and it works well.

The key thing about airbrushing is learning the basics like air and paint control and practicing the basic strokes - lines, daggers and dots.

The kit in many ways is secondary to how you use it - the issue with any type of miniature painting is that if you get the techniques right all you have to do is refine things with practice.

You won't regret buying this set up, but you may not get the best out of immediately.

Hope this helps

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