Nooby airbrush?

[TinyTurner]

I am looking at getting a trigger airbrush.  It has to be trigger for dexterity.
This for mostly N scale work.
Does anyone have experience with Gaahleri GHAD-68 or Gaahleri GHAC-Swallowtail, how is the quality?

Any other brands you could suggest?
This will be my first proper airbrush.

Thanks.

[dem34]

I stand by my Iwata Neo TRN2. Paired with the cheapo Amazon/Harbor Freight Compressor+Vapor trap its a bit cheaper than what you found. Iwatas are easy to maintain and pretty high quality. And the pistol grip I found works better for long use which helps since I use airbrushes more for scenery than models.

[gi-depp]

Why a Trigger?

After 25 years I bought a new airbrush pistol this year, a Harder & Steenbeck Ultra 2024.
I love it.

https://www.airbrush4you.de/service/newsticker-neu-im-sortiment/3258/ultra-2024-airbrush?c=4525

[TinyTurner]

Simple answer is pain and discomfort. 
The more ergonomic the better.
Harder & Steenbeck is the brand recommend to me by some Games Workshop nerds a while back, it's what I was originally going for.
Their results were good.

[NtheBasement]

Not sure if it meets your needs but I've been using one similar to this for weathering and it works well.  Seems like you could use it on a layout without worrying about Godzillaing your scenery with a hose.  https://www.amazon.com/Airbrush-Rechargeable-Cordless-Compressor-decoration/dp/B0CTGZBJVY

[peteski]

Not sure if it meets your needs but I've been using one similar to this for weathering and it works well.  Seems like you could use it on a layout without worrying about Godzillaing your scenery with a hose.  https://www.amazon.com/Airbrush-Rechargeable-Cordless-Compressor-decoration/dp/B0CTGZBJVY

When weathering things on a layout one often needs to get really close to the layout surface with the airbrush, and looking at the product photos, the large "scrotum" (battery/compressor) dangling from a conventional looking airbrush will not allow for close-to-surface weathering. At least that's what it looks like to me.

We had a good size thread about this type of an airbrush when it became widely available some time ago.

[TinyTurner]

I already got a used Badger with the pot underneath for larger areas and primer, but have not used it yet, as I have to mess with an 'antique' army tire compressor I have tried to improve.
I might need to upgrade that thing, I had to take it apart to get it up the stairs and it's still not finished.   

Also discovered a Sparmax GP-35.  That's a side pot gun so It wont get in your pro painting scene camera shots.

Apparently its the finish of the needles that make the difference between high and low end.

[Lemosteam]

Earlier this year I purchased this unit from Amazon.  Th kit comes with a 3 foot hose to allow for what @peteski mentions.  Although it is not a trigger style,  I do not fint it uncomfortable at all and I have large hands with dexterity issues.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP82T1CD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1



I LOVE THIS THING!

[TinyTurner]

Looks good for starting.  One has to wonder if the rainbow paint is included 

China is a box of treasures, wonder and surprises.

In most things I try to get the best I can so as to last.  I went with the Gaahleri Airbrush Ace Series GHAC-Swallowtail & Barbatos Rex.
Barbatos Rex seems to know how to paint things, so it must be good   

The Bucasso with wood handle also seems nice to start with.

I need to work on clean dry air now, and a bit of probing reveals an oil cooler mounted before the water trap works well.  It should fit nicely under the table, and I can also run a stapler of it.     

[robert3985]

...I need to work on clean dry air now, and a bit of probing reveals an oil cooler mounted before the water trap works well.  It should fit nicely under the table, and I can also run a stapler of it.     

I've been airbrushing (art, technical, graphics, commercial models & model trains) since 1971, and I know how to get oil-less, dry air to my airbrushes.

First, if you're not going to use CO2 (which supplies the most trouble-free "air" for airbrushing, but is inconvenient and is airbrush specific), then the first thing you need to consider is a compressor that is oil-less, and has a tank.  Oil contamination in your air comes from conventional compressors that require oil in a crankcase for lubrication, and most oil-traps that you use will filter out "most" of the in-line oil, but (since no filter is perfect) it won't filter ALL of the oil.

So, the best solution is to have a compressor that doesn't produce any in-line oil contamination in the first place.

Second, depending on the general humidity where you live, in-line water is a problem.  Unlike oil, a bit of humidity in your airbrush air isn't a big problem, but drippage and condensation in your tank and in your air line that causes sputtering or discolored, rusty spattering on what you're brushing, IS a problem.  Luckily, most compressors that have tanks, also have a water trap to catch water condensate before it gets to your airbrush, and these are simple mechanisms and are pretty effective, but not perfect.  Even with the compressor-supplied water trap, in excessive humidity climes, water condensate can happen in your airbrush hose, especially if the air tank hasn't been drained and there's water sloshing around in it.

To insure that my air is dry, I always put a tiny Paasche in-hose water trap about 18" from the airbrush end of my hose to guarantee virtually no water is going to splat out of my airbrush onto what I'm just about finished with...ruining hours of tedious work (don't ask me how I know about this!)  These are cheap, and I have them installed on every airbrush hose that will get attached to whatever airbrush I'm using (I often have as many as three different airbrushes attached to my manifold, ready to go for a given job).

Here's a link for the Paasche Moister Trap for Hoses: https://www.amazon.com/Paasche-Airbrush-1558-1003-Motorcycle-Jacket/dp/B00397IKOY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=Y17P9B6DXA7R&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7auvSXVRgHVJVJoZCu9yxDxSPhlTO5A5wCYaJJdDHI6eSqxpDxN78nTSNMTjyF-t8d4j_dsiq3K-OMPF0htdWS1ygLpG3HueYbAoMCtsztLm0g-JNzt9gGdHfpXGJytAyUxxogOkSrPDhqJLs2eM0QZFaUvhfjckAbIbXgdjqN3-APbCg-dcyOSw3X6un5t9QzQsl8x2IoRxsLyp1UFrbZMpORgKf1xRejA4bB9fHqfZKLrGRcf7bccpVgph18PYxN_1UydnrXahpytXSjj2VWs8eChzCHAyuXW2RFrrR9U.v_CxrRQekR-408F9czd1KHaRsZHAY0IlFWXhOnG5O6o&dib_tag=se&keywords=paasche+moisture+trap+for+air+hose&qid=1734549713&sprefix=paasche+moisture+trap+for+air+hose%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Photo (1) - Paasche Moisture Traps for Hoses mounted on two of my airbrush hoses hanging from my spray booth:


Third, NOISE...having an oil-less compressor with a tank (so the compressor isn't constantly running and also to smooth out air-delivery to your airbrush) and that is portable if you want to use it for nailing or stapling is a good idea, but a lot of small, portable oil-less compressors used for running a nail-gun or stapler, can be very noisy, and take a long time to re-charge the tank when they're being used.  BUT, there are very quiet oil-less compressors available, and by "quiet" I'm talking about 60db or less, which are also quite efficient and don't take forever to charge their tanks.  Additionally, these are not excessively expensive, and have aluminum tanks, so they won't rust out in a few years.

When two of my compressors' air tanks rusted out, rendering them unusable, I went on a search to find good ones with aluminum tanks so that wouldn't happen again.  While doing this, I found what I consider to be my ideal airbrush compressor...actually two of them, both fairly inexpensive, well-reviewed, and...ultra-quiet.  These are from Harbor Freight Tools, the smaller one being the FORTRESS 1 Gallon, 135 PSI Ultra Quiet (57db) Oil-Free Hand-Carry Jobsite Air Compressor for $159.99, and the one I chose, the FORTRESS 2 Gallon, 135 PSI Ultra Quiet (60db) Oil-Free Hand-Carry Jobsite Air Compressor because of its larger tank, greater air-delivery volume, and two quick-connects, which happens to be on sale right now at $169.99 ($20 off). Here's the link: https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=quiet%20compressor  I am particularly impressed with its quality, how quiet it is, and how quickly the tank comes up to pressure.

Photo (2) - My FORTRESS 2gal Ultra-Quiet Aluminum Tank Air Compressor sitting by my spray booth:


With this combination, your air delivery will be completely oil-less, and you'll never have water spattering if you remember to drain your tank, drain your compressor water trap, and drain your hose-mounted moisture trap.

Photo (3) - Just for giggles, here's a photo of some of my airbrush equipment...


Lastly, I don't shake my model paints any more, I mix them with my Badger 121 battery-powered Paint Mixer.  This makes sure that my paint is well-mixed, smooth and with my old Polly Scale acrylic paints, the scum that always forms while the bottle has been sitting for a while wraps around the mixer's shaft, making it very easy to remove before using the paint.  I also use it when I'm making a bottle of thinned paint for my airbrush.  I consider this little mixer to be essential, and so I have a spare in case the original gives out after 25+ years of service!  Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-Co-121-Paint/dp/B000BROV02/ref=asc_df_B000BROV02?mcid=180782eb3a8d321bb6e25aaad94c3ff1&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693127141871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8765164040021140495&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9198449&hvtargid=pla-307260208540&psc=1

Photo (4) - Here's a product shot of the Badger #121 battery-powered Paint Mixer:



These items work perfectly for me, and if the OP or anybody else needs good airbrush air and well-mixed paint, then these will work excellently for you too. 

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[peteski]

Remember not to pull the mixer out of the bottle while it is  still spinning!   
Those mixers are also sold as alcoholic drink mixers, usually cheaper than the branded (Badger) version. Some might have a different head attached.

[nickelplate759]

I use that same Fortress air compressor and am very happy with it.

Much nicer and quieter than my old 1/2 HP Campbell-Hausfield that was always trying to shake the house down.

As a bonus, it even has enough oomph to put air in my car tires!

[wazzou]

I use that same Fortress air compressor and am very happy with it.

Same.

[robert3985]

Remember not to pull the mixer out of the bottle while it is  still spinning!   
Those mixers are also sold as alcoholic drink mixers, usually cheaper than the branded (Badger) version. Some might have a different head attached.

 HahaHa!  @peteski - Peter, Yeah, I was gonna include that in the description, but forgot...BUT, it's definitely something you'll do only once! (don't ask me how I know this!)

That permanently spattered T-shirt is now my official painting shirt! The Scalecoat UP Armour Yellow still looks good on it!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Jesse6669]

Earlier this year I purchased this unit from Amazon.  Th kit comes with a 3 foot hose to allow for what @peteski mentions.  Although it is not a trigger style,  I do not fint it uncomfortable at all and I have large hands with dexterity issues.
I LOVE THIS THING!

I second this.  It's so easy to use and cheap.  Thin your paint enough and you won't have any issues (I personally use mostly Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics).  Certainly good enough for a newbie, good enough for an oldbie as well IMHO.
Jesse