I was wondering if anyone had advise regarding buying my first airbrush. Should I go with a single or dual and for now I have been looking at the Aztek and Paashe. Paashe seems to be pretty popular, however, Aztek seems to have an inovative tip etc. I would like to stay in the $50-$100 range. I'm new to all of this and any help would be greatly appreciated. Scott
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I personally like the aztek because it is easy to clean. i have used several airbrushes and ended up throwing them in the trash. but thats just my opinion, i have heard others say they dont like the azteks.
Cheapest, simplest, easiest to clean regardless of the medium. Been using one for 30 years.
without a doubt the best spraying less finicky there is
I would agree with George. The "H" model Paasche is hard to beat. They don't come any simpler to use or clean. I would us the #3 tip. It will do anything that you need to do and not clog as bad as the #1.
If you decide to go dual action, go with the Paasche VL-3. This is my favorite. I have been airbrushing for 25 years. I have used them all. I keep coming back to a Paasche. It is the workhorse of airbrushes. You can spend more money but I don't think you will get much more airbrush.
Chip Stamper
Missouri Taxidermy Institute
i haven't got the experience that chip or george have but i have a single action paschee h and it is just fine. I think you would be happy learning on this one. I sometimes wonder if i would be happier with a double action just because i don't always mix and thin my paint like i should and i start and stop alot, so i am continually turning my tip out to let out the clog(dried paint) and get the paint flowing again. I figure i might not have to go through quite as much trouble if i had a double action, but other than that i don't know how anything other than an 'h' could really do any better, for me anyways, but i ain't painting 8 hours a day like graphic artists do or anything like that. Of course lots of fish guys still swear by the h or at most the vl. And like chip said the number three tip will do anything you want it to do, until you get into world fish competition :)
I quickly learned it doesn't matter what kind of brush you have if you don't mix your paint right. WHEN you get frustrated don't blame the brush, just practice getting your paint right, using retarders and thinners or whatnot. But when it comes to that there is oodles in the archives that will answer your questions, i am nowhere near able to give advice on that yet :)
It's easy to clean and nice to work with. If you like a single action with a double action to go with it, then get the Aztec. With the tips they give you try the gray or the blue.
It's also guaranteed for LIFE, no other bush has this! I have two of them along with those Paasche (3 of them they sit all alone and nobody plays with them any more lol) and compared to the Aztec I'll take the Aztec any day over them. I usually mess up with the Aztec now and then and ship it back to them for repairs. My cost is just to ship it. I get back a brand new one every time.
Now if your really looking for the quality then Iwata is the brush.
The one problem with most air brush's is the tips. If you drop them you can bend the needles very easily and then they have to be replaced. Or if you push the needle in to far you stretch out the tip on them and then you have detail problems. With the Aztec no needles to break and if you drop it so what! Pick it up and use it nothing to break.
The only problem I see mainly with an Aztec is that their very light weight in the hand. When you get use to a heavy brush and use them it just feels different in the hand.
...practicing is far more important than the brand you choose. I use a Paasche single action/number 3 tip. I've tried a double but thought it was a bit more difficult to master and gave up. The Paasche single action with the open cup has got to be the easiest to clean by far. And in the hands of a talented artist they'll do anything the other airbrushes will do.
Another plus is they last forever (if you don't drop it - lol). But even if you do, most Hobby Shops carry their parts. I don't have to wait for parts to come in the mail. Although, most of us carry spares and/or several back up-parts so that really isn't a major issue.
Most of the higher end airbrushes are used in graphic design applications. And they are truly overkill in commercial taxidermy. Even at the competition level many a ribbons have been won with this simple airbrush. Again, the talent level of the artist and practice is far more important than the airbrush chosen...
all three mentioned above, as they each fuction better (FOR ME)on different applications. The bulk of my work is done with the Paasche VL-3.
Also keep an eye out on ebay. I bought a complete Aztec set for $60
it works great. I also have a Paasche I bought new. Just depends on
my application as to which one I use. Good Luck.