Testor's air brush kits, any opinions? can propell vs. compressors
John Fischer
years and need alot of advice. Times sure have changed.
I'll be posting frequently.
Looking at the Testor's air brush kit at Walmart, it seems like a great
deal. Anyone use these? I don't want to sink alot of $$ into this yet,
but I'd really like an airbrush. Any suggestions?
I see they (Testor's) makes a few, The detail one with changable tips
seems to be the way to go. Can you adjust the psi output on these?
Anyone?...Advice?...Anyone?...
Is it possible to hook up an adapter from an LP compressor to these
brushes? I found a really nice compressor at Costco, 3 gallon ,
regulator, electric type. $129. I think would work well, however I need
some advice.
I'm sure Testor's probably couldn't hold a candle to Paache, is there
that much difference?
Thanks everyone for all your email's and posts. You've been a great help
already.
John R. Fischer
Please respond via email.
capt...@sprintmail.com
Wayne C. Morris
> Looking at the Testor's air brush kit at Walmart, it seems like a great
> deal. Anyone use these? I don't want to sink alot of $$ into this yet,
> but I'd really like an airbrush. Any suggestions?
>
> I see they (Testor's) makes a few, The detail one with changable tips
> seems to be the way to go.
Yes, I love my Testors/Aztec airbrush. Much easier to clean than any
other airbrush I've ever owned, very little danger of damaging a needle,
fast & easy to change nozzles, and spare parts are easy to find.
> Can you adjust the psi output on these?
The psi is determined by the air supply, not the airbrush.
If you use the cans of "airbrush propellant", you have no control over
pressure; in fact, the pressure will drop drastically after only 1-2
minutes af use, after which you have to wait for the can to warm up
again. (Putting it in a bowl of warm water helps a bit.)
If you buy a cheap compressor, it probably won't have a pressure
regulator, but it'll at least supply a relatively steady pressure for as
long as you need it. You can buy a pressure regulator separately, or
better yet, buy a better quality air compressor that already has a
regulator.
> Is it possible to hook up an adapter from an LP compressor to these
> brushes? I found a really nice compressor at Costco, 3 gallon ,
> regulator, electric type. $129. I think would work well, however I need
> some advice.
I assume that's a 3 gallon air tank on it? It ought to work fine. And
with that size of air tank, the compressor won't have to run
continuously while you're airbrushing, so it'll be a lot quieter.
Just check to make sure the regulator can go 10 psi or lower, and 35 psi
or higher; that range should cover all your modelling needs. If you buy
the airbrush first, just take the hose with you so you can see whether
it'll screw onto the compressor's fitting; it should, since that fitting
is practically an industry standard, but if it doesn't you'll have to
look for an adapter.
> I'm sure Testor's probably couldn't hold a candle to Paache, is there
> that much difference?
Some people say the Testors airbrushes aren't quite as precise and the
controls are a bit mushy, but it's never bothered me. I think it's
mostly a matter of what you're used to. If you've been using one brand
of airbrush for several years, you'd need time to get used to anything
else. My last airbrush had a pistol-style trigger, so it had a quite
different feel from anything else, and when I switched to a Testors, I
_knew_ it would take me a while to adjust.
Kurt Laughlin
on it (I think the innards are the same). I switched from a Badger 350.
I'll never go back. The Badger worked fine but had two problems: 1) a pain
to clean. I loathed painting as it was such a chore. 2) Nozzles & tips
suceptible to mortal damage when ham-fisted moron drops it on a concrete
floor.
The Testor's brush solves both problems. Clean-up is very quick: I
primarily use acrylics. I bought two 1 pint squeeze bottles with narrow
nozzles for a dollar. One is filled with *clear* windex and the other with
water. I put a bit of windex in the color cup and spray it through. Take
off the color cup and put the windex bottle's nozzle in the cup hole. Give
it a squirt while spraying. Take cup apart (if two-piece type), squirt with
windex/water as required. Squirt water through brush, take off nozzle &
flush with water. Done. Literally, it is quicker to do than to type about.
I now don't hestitate to paint.
The brush is quite light and durable. Dried paint easily removed with
denatured alcohol (DA) without effect on plastic. Nozzles left to soak in
lacquer thinner or DA for weeks without effect. Falls are survivable.
I don't have much finese with the double action controls - I used a single
action for too many years - but it does what I want. My only dislike is
that the new one-piece color cups have the drain at the bottom. I like to
mix the paint in the color cup. If the cup isn't in the brush, workbench
gets painted instead of model.
I would recommend it to you, as I have to others in the past.
KL
didiumus
However, do yuor homework and take your time before you buy one. Their are a
lot of differences in types of airbrushes. I have an Aztek brush, and I also
have a Badger Crescendo. The Aztek is nice but the Badger is better. It also
cost alot more. As to the propel cans, don't bother. Get a compressor or a
large air or Co2 tank. As to the compressor for $129, it will probably work
but remember it will be VERY loud. Good luck, I use a Co2 tank. It is good
for about two years and is silent.
P.S. Get a solvent proof respirator mask and use it......
Scott Gentry
Didi...@mci2000.com
John Fischer wrote in message <362220...@sprintmail.com>...
>Yep, it's me again. I'm just getting back into model building after 20
>years and need alot of advice. Times sure have changed.
>I'll be posting frequently.
>
>Looking at the Testor's air brush kit at Walmart, it seems like a great
>deal. Anyone use these? I don't want to sink alot of $$ into this yet,
>but I'd really like an airbrush. Any suggestions?
>
>I see they (Testor's) makes a few, The detail one with changable tips
>seems to be the way to go. Can you adjust the psi output on these?
>Anyone?...Advice?...Anyone?...
>
>Is it possible to hook up an adapter from an LP compressor to these
>brushes? I found a really nice compressor at Costco, 3 gallon ,
>regulator, electric type. $129. I think would work well, however I need
>some advice.
>
>I'm sure Testor's probably couldn't hold a candle to Paache, is there
>that much difference?
>