NecronautDrummer
Member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2011
- Messages
- 804
I'm at the stage in my current build that it's time to start laying down some paint. The school I teach at has an airbrush kit from Holbein. However, the thing's been sitting in storage since the early 90's. Anyone ever heard of it before? The model number's a Y-3.
Being new to modelling, I have no airbrush, other than this one at school. I tried it out today... dual action trigger, internal mix, and a tiny, tiny gravity feed top cup. My findings:
Pressing the trigger down should just release air. This releases the paint too, in a small, but spattery amount. Trigger's a little clunky when you pull back too, and the paint spatter continued all the way up to full paint blast.
I adjusted the air pressure down from 35 PSI (what it was set at originally, long ago) down to about 15 PSI, thinking that this might help with the trigger action and spattering. It did not.
I was spraying straight water with a little food colouring, just as a test of this brush.
The air hose needs replacing (dried o-ring), but the compresser is really quiet. It even has a moisture trap. ;D
My thoughts:
Seeing as it's a public school, they would have dropped a minimal amount of cash on this setup. I shudder to think of finding a replacement needle for this 20+ year old airbrush of unfamiliar make. And I think that the cup needs to be bigger. At 35 PSI, I'd be out of 'paint' in about 5 seconds. At 15 PSI, it would last about 20 seconds. That might be good for small details and touch-ups, but I want to prime and undercoat my model too, and the cup doesn't seem up to the task. Finally, I'd feel better if the cup had a lid. But the compressor is definitely worth keeping.
Is this brush worth salvaging? Have I found some hidden gem? : Or should I just get myself a Badger 100 or equivalent Paasche and a replacement air hose?
Is this even a valid test? Should I try shooting some properly thinned acrylic or enamel just to be sure?
Being new to modelling, I have no airbrush, other than this one at school. I tried it out today... dual action trigger, internal mix, and a tiny, tiny gravity feed top cup. My findings:
Pressing the trigger down should just release air. This releases the paint too, in a small, but spattery amount. Trigger's a little clunky when you pull back too, and the paint spatter continued all the way up to full paint blast.
I adjusted the air pressure down from 35 PSI (what it was set at originally, long ago) down to about 15 PSI, thinking that this might help with the trigger action and spattering. It did not.
I was spraying straight water with a little food colouring, just as a test of this brush.
The air hose needs replacing (dried o-ring), but the compresser is really quiet. It even has a moisture trap. ;D
My thoughts:
Seeing as it's a public school, they would have dropped a minimal amount of cash on this setup. I shudder to think of finding a replacement needle for this 20+ year old airbrush of unfamiliar make. And I think that the cup needs to be bigger. At 35 PSI, I'd be out of 'paint' in about 5 seconds. At 15 PSI, it would last about 20 seconds. That might be good for small details and touch-ups, but I want to prime and undercoat my model too, and the cup doesn't seem up to the task. Finally, I'd feel better if the cup had a lid. But the compressor is definitely worth keeping.
Is this brush worth salvaging? Have I found some hidden gem? : Or should I just get myself a Badger 100 or equivalent Paasche and a replacement air hose?
Is this even a valid test? Should I try shooting some properly thinned acrylic or enamel just to be sure?