Reddit mentions of Badger Air-Brush Company RK-1 Krome Airbrush 2-in-1 Ultra Fine Airbrush with Additional Fine Tip, Spray Regulator and Needle

FIRST, Read this guide (It should answer most questions)

https://miniarmyhugetimesink.wordpress.com/2014/05/15/so-you-want-to-airbush-a-beginners-guide-part-1/

Then, My intro recommendations: (I've included Amazon links, but you can likely find better prices elsewhere)

Badger Krome (a solid intro airbrush) https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-RK-1-Additional-Regulator/dp/B0078MEXX8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494523163&sr=8-1&keywords=badger+krome

Compressor (make sure it has a moisture trap and hose or purchase these seperately)

https://www.amazon.com/AIRBRUSH-COMPRESSOR-Airbrush-Published-Exclusively/dp/B001738DXU/ref=sr_1_5?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1494523192&sr=1-5&keywords=airbrush+compressor

Respirator (a must have for safety):

https://www.amazon.com/3M-07193-Cartridge-Respirator-Assembly/dp/B00079FOK0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1494523296&sr=8-3&keywords=respirator+mask

Cleaning pot (pipe cleaners optional)

https://www.amazon.com/Naturebelle-Airbrush-Cleaning-Holder-Nozzle/dp/B01D41W04U/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1494523444&sr=8-6&keywords=airbrush+cleaning

Other things you will probably want

• Airbrush medium for thinning paints
  
• A spray booth
  
• pipettes for transfering and mixing
  
• wash bottles for cleaning
  
• airbrush cleaner (I use windshield fluid)

IMO, buy decent stuff once. I've heard some horror stories about components dying in these master airbrush sets.

Compressor:

Badger Whirlwind 80-2
You can't buy them new, but they're bullet proof. I've used the same compressor since 2003.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.Xwhirlwind+80-2&_nkw=whirlwind+80-2&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Brush pick:
Text is BigZ's recommendation

"You are going to see a lot of people say things on this thread, but please listen to me on this one. Look at this link: http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ECL4500CLASS

That is a refurbished Iwata Eclipse for $95. They are used for 1 weekend by professional artists in a classroom setting, then the needles and tips are replaced and they are checked to make sure they are good as new. This brush can base coat, shade and do damn near anything you need it too for Gundams, plus it's actually well made and not knockoff garbage that you can't find replacement parts for.

I airbrush for a living and use this exact model brush 40+ hours a week on custom motorcycles and it handles everything except for the smallest of details which I use different brushes for."

Alternative Brush pick
Badger Renegade Krome

I did a short review of one here:

http://goodguydangunpla.blogspot.com/2013/03/badger-renegade-krome-review.html

This compressor

With one of these airbrushes [badger 105](Badger Air-Brush Co. 105 Patriot Fine Gravity Airbrush https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002W84GTO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_WG48BbRAZVATA) or [badger krome](Badger Air-Brush Company RK-1 Krome Airbrush 2-in-1 Ultra Fine Airbrush with Additional Fine Tip, Spray Regulator and Needle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0078MEXX8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_EI48Bb3DAG4C5)

Do it. You can get a good quality setup for about $200

I use this

https://www.amazon.com/California-Air-Tools-CAT-1P1060S-Compressor/dp/B01LYHYHEA/ref=sr_1_4_acs_ac_1?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1540393854&sr=1-4-acs&keywords=QUiet+air+compressor

And this

https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-RK-1-Additional-Regulator/dp/B0078MEXX8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540393900&sr=8-1&keywords=Badger+krome

I've asked this before and the general gist of budget ones will be buy this: [Compressor](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TO578Q/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?
ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A23ADOZFIJNPFB)
and this airbrush

I've got the exact same Master set and it works very well for a beginner!

I also highly recommend a Badger airbrush once you get a feel for how to use them, they are leagues above the Master line IMO.

This is the one I am using now.

Which Badger? I've been using this Badger Krome for about a year now and it's a really excellent airbrush. Easy to clean too.

I purchased this guy for $64.82. It was an Open Box unit on the Amazon Warehouse Deals. Literally, still shrink wrapped, just in a different box. No damage. Usually a $200-250 air compressor. I was given my first airbrush (my daily driver) as payment during a commission. It is a Badger Patriot 105. I was intimidated by it for over a year and then I decided to jump head first one day and honestly, I haven't looked back. Only regret was not starting sooner. Amazon has the Badger Patriot 105 on sale for $75. At the beginning of the year Badger Airbrush company ran a Happy 54th Birthday Sale and I picked up the Badger Renegade Krome for $54 haha. It retails for $200-250 but Amazon has it on sale for $102. I have yet to use this guy yet, but I am nearing the end of a project and I am going to give it a whirl in a couple weekends. The Airbrush hose for the badgers are listed as well.

My Compressor:

Alternative Compressor 1

Alternative Compressor 2

My 1st Airbrush

My 2nd Airbrush

Compressor Hose


With that being said, you can find deals ALL OVER THE INTERNET....you just have to look for them. I am always scowering the web for the best deals possible haha. For the past 3 years I have been using a 5hp construction grade pancake compressor with a moisture trap. Let me tell you....I REGRET not upgrading to an airbrush compressor much sooner. The air is more consistent, you can fine tune the correct PSI and it is exponentially more quiet. I personally don't care about the tank feature, but that is a personal preference.

Hope this helps you all :D

-B

Save your money you are like $100 bucks off getting a decent set up.

Edit: Let me elaborate on my reasons a little bit.

You want an air compressor with a tank and an automatic on/off switch.

This will keep your airbrush from getting pulsating air and the on/off switch will extend the life of your compressor (so will the tank as it isn't running all the time). Some added bonuses is being able to work without a lot of noise.

There are some cheap ones you can buy on amazon. ( TheTC-40T and the Master Tank Compressor)

Airbrushes are tricky. but you still can get soem good ones under $100. Like the Badger Krome RK-1, Badger 105 Patriot, Iwata Neo (Not made by Iwata but supported by them), and Iwata Revolution

I use a Grex TG3 with an Aspire Pro compressor. I hear good things about the Badger Krome Renegade if you want a lower priced airbrush but I love the pistol grip for long sessions and the compressor is the best i've ever used and I find it fairly priced for how awesome it is.

> Badger Krome

Shit man. I saw that at a pawnshop... that's something out of my range for a gift! http://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-RK-1-Additional-Regulator/dp/B0078MEXX8

thanks for the tip tho

Badger Air-Brush Company RK-1 Krome Airbrush 2-in-1 Ultra Fine Airbrush with Additional Fine Tip, Spray Regulator and Needle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0078MEXX8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_yJz7ybF57XSBB

I recommend a compressor with a tank. I use this compressor and my brush is a badger krome.

I definitely recommend Badger brushes. They're great little workhorses and (at least in the US) parts are super easy to get if you need a new needle or something.

As has been stated already by others, the Patriot 105 is great for Priming, basing and broad highlights, but to start doing finer detail you'll want a finer needle brush.

If you're already set on buying something in that price range, may I suggest my personal favorite, the Badger Krome RK-1 it comes with two interchangeable tips and needles, a .3 for Priming, Basing, and broad highlights, and a .2 for finer detail.