"Really cheap airbrushes..." Topic

Harbor freight?

Never used harbor freight airbrush, but I bought a $15 USD special on Amazon and it performs flawlessly.

The harbor freight ones are siphon fed, great for terrain and sealing. Amazon ones tend to be gravity fed, great for base coating and priming I think. Both are good for if you're starting out.

"Harbor freight?"

Don't forget to use the #% off coupon… ;-)

I've entertained ordering some women's makeup, and their airbrush and mini-compressor for wargaming.

Entry price deals seem quite reasonable, especially if you forego additional makeup purchases and just use paints in the airbrush instead.

Anyone else done that, or considering it?

They make both single and dual action airbrushes for this, depending upon the company selling them, and they can also be purchased on eBay.

Michael's, and/or Joanne's Fabrics also sell them, and frequently have 40% – 50% off coupons, so those are worth checking out too, for better quality airbrushes.

Hobby Lobby has them as well. they also do a 40% off coupon every week. I picked up my last Paasche airbrush kit there on clearance for 25 bucks.

One thing to do not do is buy an air brush air compressor. An air brush air compressor will just run an air brush. For the same (or better) price get a real air compressor.
You also need a pressure regulator, usually included. With a real air compressor you can blow up sports balls and car tires. You can also crank up the pressure and clean your air brush.
You will want an air filter/water trap.
See if they will let you listen to the air compressor run. I see Harbor Freight has a "ultra quiet" one. For the price that might be worth considering. Other wise, I must use a hose and put the compressor in another room. Needing to do this only when no one else is at home really cuts into my spraying time.
Don't forget proper ventilation. At minimum spray facing an exhaust fan. If you can smell the paint you have overspray and are damaging some thing.

auction

masters airbrushes at TCP global.. skip the harbor freight stuff

99 nailed it, better quality for not much more $$$ + they currently offer free shipping on most products.

The Badger siphon single action airbrushes are OK for beginners but if you do much more than base coating or terrain you will find yourself wanting more. If you are using one of those with canned air, it will probably be cheaper and more satisfying to just use rattle cans from Walmart or wherever.

The original question I posed, which has mysteriously vanished, was can these really small and cheap airbrushes be used for base coating (and may be varnishing)? As rattlecans aren't cheap and my wife detests the smell! I think I've got an answer from the assembled posts, thanks!