Is it necessary to have a "good" airbrush?

[Tojo72]

It's like if you give me Tiger Woods golf clubs,the best you can get,it's not going to upgrade my game much,but if he took my department store clubs,he will probably play almost as well as he always does,it's the skill of the user more then the tool.Whatever works for you at this time is good until you feel you want yo upgrade.

[LyleW]

That is so true in many endeavors. I remember reading a photography article about "good" cameras - someone saying to a pro the reason their pictures were not good was the camera. He took an old Polaroid and took a set of pictures and pointed out to the person, that it is not the tools as much as it is the skill, vision and passion of the user.

[mostrich]

A master needs high quality tools to reach the peak of his skills. For amateurs or even most of the pros tools from the DIY store are more than sufficient.
Of course this is a generalization. And every one wants to work sufficiently. A low quality side cutter for example costs you extra time on every cut for cleanup. It always needs consideration. How often will I need this tool? Will it legitimate its extra costs?
When it comes to me I'm a tool whore. I buy the cool stuff because... reasons.

[tempestjohnny]

No....it's not necessary to a point. Sometimes cheap tools of any kind will hinder your work. My father once told me buy the best tool you can afford for the job. Unless it's a one time deal.

[BorgR3mc0]

It does depend on the type of modelling that you do. For cars you want a smooth and homogeneous coat. A single action airbrush can deliver that.
I primarily build aircraft and I like to ad shading and weathering. You cannot do that with a single action airbrush.

I started with a Badger 200, it was the worst of both worlds, single action internal mix. I quickly added a Badger 350 as it was much easier to clean. I still use that for base coats, dioramas and “experimental mixes”.
When I learned the black base technique (thanks Fermis and Doogs!) I reached the limit of what my 200 could deliver in finesse. I upgraded to an H&S Ultra, a world of difference, easy to use, easy to clean. Great and solid airbrush for a very reasonable price.
Then I got an Infinity as a gift and it is just so much better. Very smooth, I can make 1mm lines consistently, add layers and effects. It has been such a great experience using that tool.

As for the analogy of DIY tools, my first drill was Black & Decker and it thought it t was nice. Until is used the Makita my BIL had. I upgraded to a Metabo and it is so much much more precise and powerful then the B&D. Definitely worth its money.


Afterthought: air supply is very important to. I started with a Revell Beta membrane compressor. The air came out pulsating, not good enough for real detail work. No I have a Hansa Silent compressor with a pressure tank. Smooth airflow is very important when you are up close and try to do motteling or other detail work.

[jeaton01]

I find the sound of my 1 1/2 hp compressor comforting. Guess I'm an outlier on that score.

[BorgR3mc0]

If it delivers a smooth airflow you are good!