joliepa Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 I've been working on painting some blanks (a big shout out to 'predator baits' for some great blanks). Rattle can painting ain't working so well... Any way it makes me think once again about air brushes. Now I know and have always known there's simply Not money in the bank for the good, quality-grade hobbyist air brush with its seperate air compression. thats easily 150$. but there are other options. Instead of a big 75$ compressor you can buy canned air. and while a good air brush might go 75$ (and almost certainly is 50%+)... They are more inexpensive models. I'm wondering specificaly about the Badger 250-4. A little can operated model that goes for all of 33$. While that might seem laughably cheap. still by the time you add createx opaque, I'm up to $50. The question is, for all of $50 is it a step up?? I've only spent $6 on spray paint. but then with tempura in the house, I've been painting details for basically free. I just wish my spray paint made a nice transition. but then these are (relatively) little lures. ---- I need to add, that I only interested in a few simple foil patterns. It would just be nice to see my black back transition to foil without splattering onto the side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) Canned air is a major rip off if you are planning that route look into a scuba tank or compressed gas (forget which one) something that is on the cheap to refill, believe it or not guys use large tire tubes for their air source in a pinch. The worst thing to have happen is to run out of air in the middle of a paint job. I've never used it but it's known in the auto finish world its a system called PREVAL is the brand and you can shoot water based acrylics with it but your best bet would be a second hand compressor like a pancake compressor. I have some pricey airbrushes now but still love my little NEO for Iwata it was like $55 and works great for AB'ing crankbaits it's the gravity fed version because they require less PSI to operate. I would tell you from my position that Badger AB is not worth the money it's a single action outside atomization and does not provide a quality finish spend the few xtra bucks on the NEO you won't regret it. This was done with my NEO: Edited October 24, 2013 by Gon2long 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joliepa Posted October 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 yes, they do look very nice. I noticed that the NEO is dual action. somewhere I read that dual action air brush were a little tricky to use. Is there some reason why you don't recommend a single action AB? does anyone use the paache brand?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 If you want to shoot to the stars I have the Paasche Talon TG3 it has 3 needle/tip sets .25mm .38mm and .66mm that will cover all the bases but it was $109 with free shipping from Chicago airbrush supply. I've actually sprayed glitter craft paint with the .66mm needle/tip. The main difference from a single action AB and a dual action AB is that single action for most intents and purposes is nothing more than a rattle can you have very little control, a dual actin AB you can apply paint from a hair line (literally) and up to 3 or more inches wide it greatly controls application of paint very well, they are in fact quite easy to learn the knob is pushed down to start airflow and you then pull back up to an infinite amount to increase or decrease paint flow. If your stuck on the single action then Badger has one of the best lines of single action AB's out there but not quite as cheap as that 250, look over on Chicago airbrush supply under the Badger line you'll see what I mean. Also you are doing work that requires small amounts of paint, a siphon/bottle fed unit requires more clean up time in my opinion for the type of work you want to do as in a gravity fed brush you will sometimes be talking about drops when it comes to how much paint you put in the cup. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrybait Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 Joliepa, I can't tell you how to get started with any less money than you have mentioned but I am an engineer and I just can't stand the thought of a can of air to paint with. It is just compressed air in the can so every time you push the button the air pressure in the can drops so you never really have the same amount of air/paint coming out. Certainly not with a can you hold in your hand. If you do go with canned air, take Gon2long's advise and use a large compressed air tank or scuba type tank with a regulator is the best way to go. It is going to be more money but the regulator delivers steady air pressure until the pressure in the tank drops below the set regulator pressure. If you can't afford that, then I like G2Longs tire inner tube idea. Because inner tubes expand like a balloon, pressure delivery is much more consistent as you use air and you can re-inflate with a bicycle tire pump. In either case, if you go with limited air supplies like this you are probably better off with a single action airbrush because unless you really set up a dual action airbrush it is going to use more air. That's because you start the air and then cut in the paint. Single action just push the button and air and paint come out. Your set-up is probably a step up but only that. I still recomment dual action airbrush in the long run because it is all about control. Also G2L's advise about a pancake air compressor is good. I got started with one of these that I bought used off ebay for 40 bucks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) Here's a rough sample from my NEO and to not confuse you that is my Talon at the bottom of the Pic: Edited October 24, 2013 by Gon2long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAboveThe49th Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 What kind of stands/clamps are you using in that first picture you posted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent R Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 What kind of stands/clamps are you using in that first picture you posted? you can get those stand with the clamps from Harbor Freight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent R Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 I've been working on painting some blanks (a big shout out to 'predator baits' for some great blanks). Rattle can painting ain't working so well... Any way it makes me think once again about air brushes. Now I know and have always known there's simply Not money in the bank for the good, quality-grade hobbyist air brush with its seperate air compression. thats easily 150$. but there are other options. Instead of a big 75$ compressor you can buy canned air. and while a good air brush might go 75$ (and almost certainly is 50%+)... They are more inexpensive models. I'm wondering specificaly about the Badger 250-4. A little can operated model that goes for all of 33$. While that might seem laughably cheap. still by the time you add createx opaque, I'm up to $50. The question is, for all of $50 is it a step up?? I've only spent $6 on spray paint. but then with tempura in the house, I've been painting details for basically free. I just wish my spray paint made a nice transition. but then these are (relatively) little lures. ---- I need to add, that I only interested in a few simple foil patterns. It would just be nice to see my black back transition to foil without splattering onto the side. Just my two cents.....if you are sure you want to start paint lures then you need to use the search feature on the top of the page and read all you can about painting. This will give you some idea of what your getting into and what you need to get started.....Before you spend money you worked hard for learn all you can.... Save your money and then buy what you need. Instead of something that you will regret buying later. This hobby is not a cheap one if you don't believe me just ask others that have been doing this for a long time. It takes time to learn what you need to know and you will never stop learning. You will have to practice, practice and practice some more. There is a great bunch of guys on this site and most will do everything they can to help you. All you have to do is ask. Good luck, Brent 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfrog Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 Some times you can visit your local body shop, they throw away partial cans of paint all the time . There is enough paint in those cans to paint quite a few baits . Make a deal to get those . Good stuff to practice with . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 you can get those stand with the clamps from Harbor Freight Correct they are called helping hands from Harbor Freight and are like $2.99 each. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt M Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 I bought the iwata neo gravity feed from Hobby Lobby using the 40% off coupon and I think it was about $30. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 I bought the iwata neo gravity feed from Hobby Lobby using the 40% off coupon and I think it was about $30. How do you like it? I love mine and its the cheapest in the box so to speak, I have 2 brushes 3 time the cost but still love my little NEO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt M Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 I love the NEO. I started with a siphon feed Pasche and stepped up about eight months ago. It made a world of improvement. JoliePa, if you can wait about a month, Lowes and Home Depot usually put an air compressor on sale for cheap for the day after thanksgiving. Then you can start a great set up. You can also check garage sales and flea markets for cheap air compressors. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted October 26, 2013 Report Share Posted October 26, 2013 The artist world is prolly laughing at us for loyalty to such an AB but painting lure blanks is so far off the chart from what artists do with an AB they prolly don't get it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted October 26, 2013 Report Share Posted October 26, 2013 Some times you can visit your local body shop, they throw away partial cans of paint all the time . There is enough paint in those cans to paint quite a few baits . Make a deal to get those . Good stuff to practice with . Just a heads up I know that the auto business is starting to use waterborne paints so make sure these paints are not solvent based? If so you'll need to ensure that your AB is designed for it, the 0-rings and needle packing will need to be solvent proof, not all are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhersh Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 Listen to these guys on here, they wont steer you wrong. Also to learn more on airbrushes and airbrush painting, get on you tube and watch all you can on painting with an airbrush and painting lures. The guys on here are the best for any help you need just ask them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
