Thinking About Buying An Airbrush

[262leatherworks]

I have been looking into buying an airbrush for applying finish to my products. Is an gravity fed airbrush or a siphon fed better for this? I know a lot of people on here are using them and was just wanting to get ideas on how everyone had theirs set up.

[rlpullman]

I use an Iwata Eclipse. It uses small plastic bottles for the dye. I really like it because I can keep the dyes in seperate bottles, and just change to a different color whenever I need to. It has a double action trigger, that makes feathering the edges easy. It is a very well made airbrush, and is easy to maintain.

[jackd942]

I use an Iwata Eclipse BCS just about every day. It is siphon feed and as RL pointed out, you can change bottles quickly. Plus the bottles generally hold more than the gravity fed kind. I'm sure many people use the gravity feed as well, just a little different. As far as brand, I have heard good reports on the Harbor Freight airbrushes as well if cost is a concern...the Iwata brushes aren't exactly cheap.

[Casca47]

Air brushes generally either control only the air flow (single stage) or the air flow and media (paint, dye, ink, etc.). Single stage air brushes create low pressure in a nozzle which "sucks" the dye or paint into the air stream, spraying it onto the surface. You may change the density of the media by altering the air pressure, adjusting the nozzle or, replacing the nozzle and "needle" with a different size.

All these comments also apply to the two stage air brush however, it will also feature a more adjustments which my be varied while in use.

For a single stage I would recommend the Paasche or Badger. Two stage, definitely, the Iwata; expensive and worth every dime.

[tiggertlee]

I have a Badger 360 but would go with an Iwata if I had a second chance. BUT the Badger is better than a dauber any day of the week!

[ENC]

I got a paasche vlstpro because it was the only one I could find that had a nut to hold the paint bottle on, instead of just a friction fit. I was worried that if the bottle fell off it would ruin the piece I was working on.

[farmtrain]

I am also looking into buying an airbrush. I am not only looking at one for dying, but also for spraying the acrylic paints on some of my projects. I am very new to leather work, and even more novice in the airbrush world. Can anyone shed some light or tips on what to buy? Should I be looking at one brush for dying and one for the acrylic work? I have searched around a little on here, and the internet, and havent come up with much in the way of advice for acrylic use/care.

Just to help give more info on the uses, I will be painting stamped lettering and (once I have gotten a little better) some tooled "graphics." I dont plan on blending dyes, but plans always change and I would like to try and get the best bag for my buck when I purchase an airbrush.

Thanks so much for everyones help, and extreme kindness on the forum, and sorry for hi-jacking your thread 262...

Matt

[ReneeCanady]

I have the paasche vl and LOVE it! My first airbrush was from harbor freight and it didn't do so well for me. I actually think I got one with a bent needle, but I didn't know any better The paasche vl came with 3 needles, the #1,#3, and #5. When it arrived it had the #3 already installed and I haven't changed it since lol. I am really bad at detailing with the airbrush, but I bought it mainly for finishing. The #3 works great for finishes. However, if you are into detailing then you are set because you already have the other needles to work with as well.

Jack, I just checked out your FB page and I have to tell you those holsters are bad a**! Wow.

[jackd942]

Jack, I just checked out your FB page and I have to tell you those holsters are bad a**! Wow.

Thank you Renee...I like your stuff at alteredleather as well. Pretty cool!

[ReneeCanady]

Thank you Renee...I like your stuff at alteredleather as well. Pretty cool!

Thank you very much!