Airbrushes and compressor deals.

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Airframes

Benevolens Magister
62,428
11,573
Aug 24, 2008
Cheshire, UK
Thought I'd just let you all know of some great deals going at the moment.
I have used a number of airbrushes over the last thirty years, but I admit, I only tend to use one for large areas, single colour or varnish covering, and mottles and/or effects. I'm a bit traditional (O.K., old fashioned!) when it comes to 'normal' painting, or smaller ares, and still use brushes. But, I decided to invest in a small compressor, which would suit my limited needs, and be better than using propellant cans, which always seem to either run out, or lose pressure, at the most critical moment.
I've just taken delivery of a Mantua Mini-Compressor, and will let you know how it performs soon, when I have used it for a number of differing jobs.
Anybody who is considering buying their first airbrush and / or compressor, could do worse than look at what's on offer from Mantua Model Company. They're an established Italian company, more known for their wooden model ships and accessories, and they have a range of 'brushes and compressors at very attractive prices. The kit appears to be a copy of, or probably IS, Badger equipment, labelled as Mantua.
I've only been able to find the U.K. web site, but I'm sure a trawl of Google will find your 'local' outlet/Mantua branch. Now here's some examples of the 'package deals' the U.K. branch has on offer:-
Mantua Mini-Compressor, with 350 airbrush kit, 3 metre braided hose and Badger adaptor, £51. (approx. $100 U.S.)
Mantua Medium Compressor, with as above, £76. (approx. $150 U.S.)
Outstanding value, if you want something to do the job in modelling.
The compressors and 'brushes are, of course, available separately and, even if they are not up to the present-day standard of, for example, Iwata kit, they can't be far out at that price! Bear in mind, most compressors / airbrushes, are designed for use in graphics studios and so on, and are built for hard, continuous work, hence the fairly high prices. In modelling, the equipment is probably employed at less than 25% of its potential, so, with a 'cheaper' piece of kit, although it may not be of the high standard or quality of the 'big boys', it should be more than adequate.
Only time will tell, and I'll keep you posted.
The U.K. web site, showing details of the kit, is:- www.mantuamodel.co.uk
It's worth a look. Terry.
 
Very good advice.differnently look into deals before buying.I spent $600 on my compressor and Aztek a740 which when I think about it was proberly a bit much
 
Good stuff Terry....I managed to buy my NEW Iwata Smart Jet compressor on ebay for LESS than half of it would have cost out on the shelf....lucky there, same with my Iwata HP-CS Eclipse airbrush.... I can't wait to try them out! 8) :lol:
 
You're probably right, 109. My first airbrush, thirty (!) years ago, cost me about £50 then! About 1991, I bought a badger 350 kit, fine tip, which I still use, and I beleive I paid £70 for it. A year or so ago, I bought the same brush, with a medium tip, from a local art shop for £14 ! And now, that Mantua place is offering the 350, badged as a Mantua, at £6.30, about $13 U.S. !!! (Don't know the exchange rate for the land of the long white cloud!)
There's nothing wrong at all in buying an expensive 'brush, but, you need to look at what you're buying, as you might be buying a Rolls Royce, when all you need is a delivery van, if you know what I mean. Also, as the years roll by, certain bits of kit become 'the' thing. Once it was DeVillbis, then Paasche, Aztec etc., now, the flavour of the month seems to be Iwata. Nothing wrong in that, but does one really need to spend so much for something that's being under-utilized? Plus, like many 'specialist fields', the price is often high due to a relatively limited, and often 'captive', market.
I'm not saying buy cheap, but, as long as the kit does the kob you WANT it to do, and it's looked after, then why pay a fortune? I just hope that this compressor I've bought doesn't cause me to eat my words now!!!!
Terry.
 
Yeah I know what you mean Airframes,my mummy brought it for me so I'm not that worried but yeah with how much I've used it..One model in the last 9months!
 
I'm still happy with brush painting and using the occasional spray can for larger models. For instante a Sunderland thats waiting to be built, stuff hand brushing that! :lol:

I will eventually get onto airbrushing I guess.
 
Of course, that is also the part of the hobby I enjoy most, the small details. Nothing more pleasing than dry brushing a radial engine and watching the detail become highlighted. Im wired weird :lol:
 
Plus wth airbrushing you've got all the fumes ,complications of using an air brush increases 10 fold compared to a brush

I'd like to know how guys here actually avoid the overspray and fumes?do the rest of ya wear masks or what?
 
Dead right! No names, no pack drill, but I saw in a modelling magazine recently, one particular guy using an airbrush to paint the yellow, leading edge I.D. stripes on the wings of a Spit, and, in a later issue of the same mag, the same guy airbrushing the throttle quadrant on a 1/48th model! COME ON! What's wrong with the good old paintbrush?
Nothing wrong with using an airbrush, but, when it can be done just as well, and just as easily, with a paintbrush, why go to all the trouble of using an airbrush? Fifteen minutes preparing the paint, 2 or 3 mins, spraying and adjusting, one minute painting, and anothet twenty or more minutes cleaning!
Glad to hear that not everyone is tied to the tool!
Don't normally use a mask, should I suppose, but.......
 
Well some people I've spoken to use respirators for the fumes and paint particles in the air.

I also agree 100% Airframes.
 
There's something about the smell of Testor's enamel that takes be straight back to being 10 or 12.......

I have a cheap Chinese knock-off of a Badger DA airbrush. I got it at the Napa store that my machine shop is located in. It works ok for my purposes. The compressor I use the most is a Testor's 9169. It was dirt cheap and it works good enough for me.

I guess I should mention that I can be a real cheap SOB.

tom
 

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