Copic Airbrush Fly Tying Starter Set

[mic]

Has anyone tried this airbrush system for flies or lures.

[Flysmallie]

Personally? No. But I have spoke to some guys that use them. They work well. You don't have the control or color choice that you would have with a regular airbrush but you also don't have the expense, smell or clean-up that goes along with a regular airbrush. I plan on getting one that I can use in the house when the garage gets too cold. You can also get an adapter that will allow you to attach it to a regular air compressor because cans of air get expensive.

Hobby Lobby has about as good of a price on them as anyone and usually you can find a 20% to 40% coupon for HL on a single item.

They also have just about any kind of pattering material that you can think of. It's not going to be with the copic stuff but dig around in there long enough and you will find all kinds of useful crap like I do.

[ness]

I was recently in the market for an airbrush setup, but I didn't seriously consider the Copic system. I didn't really want to get into a 'system' and be constrained by their paint selection, air cans, parts, adapters, whatever. I went with a Badger 150 and a Master Airbrush compressor. The set I bought came with fine, medium, large tips/needles. I've only used medium so far so I can't offer much else. About the only ongoing costs will be for paints, and I can run about anything through it if it's thinned properly. I've only done water-based paint so far and plan to stay with that for now. Cleaning only takes a minute or two when I change colors. I picked them both up on Amazon (and a brush/compressor adapter) -- free shipping and no tax shipped to MO -- for about $150.

I'm liking it so far. Compressor is very quiet and comes with a built-in regulator and water trap. Regulator doesn't seem to regulate -- it's always pushing about 30 psi no matter what, which is ok for what I'm doing. The water trap catches water, but I'm still getting some in the hose at times. Ronnie had some suggestions for me for a cure to that issue.

[Flysmallie]

30 psi! Little high to me with an airbrush. I like to be around 15 or less. You have better control and less overspray. I'll look around tonight and see if I have any extra regulators. I had a whole box of small new ones at one time. Now if I can just figure out what I did with them.

Lower air pressure would also mean you use less air (obviously) and that would help with the water problem you are having.

[mic]

Flysmallie... what airbrush setup are you using.

[Flysmallie]

Badger 175. Not really any different than the 150 John is using.

I also have a cheap external mix that I use sometimes for basecoats or clear.

The thing about a real airbrush is that you can dial it in to get a fine line or a wide pattern. Plus, being dual-action, you can really control the amount of product you are putting on.

[ness]

I'll have to look more closely at what I'm doing with the regulator. I wasn't too worried because I'd read 30 was the number. I'm really green at this and don't know what I don't know.

[BilletHead]

Oh boy,

Something else the BilletHead doesn't need. Or does he? Badger 150, hummmmmmmm?

BilletHead

[ness]

Poppers, cranks, decoys, fingernails, t-shirts, tats. It's a real multi-tasker, BH.

BTW -- it seems on my regulator it's lefty/tighty righty/loosey. I never even noticed the arrows on the knob. All is well.

[BilletHead]

Fingernails? Thanks Ness. Mrs. BilletHead has asked me to stipple her nails like the poppers. IF I did that would it make me less manly? Now a temporary tat on her might be fun?

BilletHead