Airbrushes By Harbor Freight And The Paasche H

[@sharonamorse7587]

I bought a Paasche H from my ceramic studio but it didn’t have any instructions with it. I was so pleased to find your video on how to care for my new toy. Thank you so much for making this video. I now know how to take care of my airbrush and how to use it. I will be using it to do airbrushing on ceramic pieces with acrylic paints, which is something I did many years ago and loved doing.

[@Raildig]

The Paasche really is a beast that holds up incredibly well, I'm glad you got some value from our video! Have fun with your Paasche :)

[@agcacustoms2852]

I got one of those airbrushes when I was 12 on my birthday, never got to use it till now when I’m 19 almost 20. I will have had that airbrush for about 8 years in 3 weeks and finally got to use it after getting the compressor fixed and getting the fittings and such. It worked out well and after cleaning it seems to be just fine.

[@Raildig]

Cool story! These inexpensive brushes, along with the Paasche H, really do nice work.

[@tommcmanus5774]

I've been using a Paasche H since my dad bought it for me when I was 10. I'm 65 now.

[@Raildig]

I love hearing this, thanks for sharing that! At one point I bought some extra tips and paint cup, just in case. Haven't used them yet as the original ones are just fine. To use the cliche that's associated with the Paasche H, it really is a workhorse!

[@waveemann8857]

Not much of a scale train/realistic scale modelling person, but your buildings look absolutely incredible and I love your narration here.

[@Raildig]

Thank you so much! These are Micro-Trains Z scale laser cut building kits. It's a shame they don't make them anymore as they were really nice. Also nice that these were themed buildings for a waterfront feel. I still have these stored as I'm waiting for a perfect project to use them on. Thanks again for the nice words here :)

[@animalyze7120]

I have Several Paasche H kits for model car and aircraft painting. It's best for Enamels with the .5 and lays mirror finish paint with minimum fuss. I use my Hardeer & Steenbeck infinity or Badger Patriot 105 for fine work with acrylics and Lacquers. I still have my Badger 350 which was my 1st airbrush and it had 3 needles just like the Paasche H. Over the years though the Paasche H and the Paasche VL had been my main go to brushes till I got my Patriot, that was when I retired the VL which just recently became my Daughters first Dual action Airbrush and She has my other H for large jobs.

[@Raildig]

Some great insights here, thank you! I have yet to play with a double action mainly as most of the models I paint are wood or scenery material... adding highlights to soil and synthetic ground cover. For the finer coloring I tend to use weathering powders and thinned washes. I really do treat the Passche H like a little rattle can, albeit a very high quality little rattle can :)

[@davidcampbell4053]

Nice video thank you for the info on the different types of single-phase airbrush kit from Harbor Freight was just there today looking at him so thank you so much good info

[@Raildig]

Really glad this was of help to you! And on an very unrelated tool note, just picked up a ratcheting chuck key tool for my tabletop drill press for $5 at Harbor Freight yesterday: www.harborfreight.com/universal-fit-ratcheting-chuck-key-95473.html HF doesn't have the great cheap prices they used to, but still possible to find little gems like this. Thanks again for letting me know on this video!

[@SteveH-TN]

Great information, you have thinking about HarborFreight airbrush’s. Also ideas on variety of paints I might enjoy trying in the future !

[@Raildig]

Some of these HF brushes, while they don't feel as premium in the hand as the Paasche, can achieve good results with practice!

[@tatocorvette]

Great video! I totally agree. I too have tons of cheaper tools that could make the job in a pinch, as long as you know their limitations. When it comes to airbrushes, my story kinds of resonates with this. About 30 years ago I bought a cheap Harbor Freight airbrush that was a knock off of the Badger 150, the one I first used and learned the basics with. Guess what, 30 years later that one is still my main go to airbrush. Proper care and knowing its virtues/limitations will get you farther than you think.

[@Raildig]

I couldn't agree more! So many tools like this are far more useful than many give them credit for IF you take the time and just a little practice using them. Thanks!

[@djp828]

Ive seen many brands with exactly same airbrush in different packaging and price points. Master has the same exact single action air brush its called Master Airbrush | MAS E91.

[@shawnpowell5876]

Great video and tutorial of Airbrush techniques and the different makes of them to get quality results! I bought the Harbor Freight airbrush. I have experience with airbrush work and find this model as good as the Badger unit I had way back. I just recently started weathering my own rolling stock and am pleased with the results. I even use the Pastel powders to add to creating rust effects. Its definitely an art that you have to practice at. And like they say "Practice makes Perfect" Thanks again for sharing your videos with us.

[@Raildig]

Thanks Shawn. Although my Paasche is my main brush as it was my first airbrush, the spoon painting tells an interesting story, that is just how good your results can be with any brush. I still use the others from time time and they continue to behave pretty well. There really is a part of me that enjoys these inexpensive gadgets as I truly feel it's what you do with them that counts.

[@Rob-qe3cg]

On the topic of the jars, for people like me who play Warhammer and need to base coat a lot of miniatures the same color, it's very useful to be able to mix a recipe and just have it in the jar for when you need it. I don't need to wash the jars between applications because the cap gets switched, and it goes back on the rack. I should get one of those cups for doing off the cuff mixes, though, it is good to know they fit those badger style brushes as well.

[@Raildig]

I haven't done the Warhammer thing (though have to admit, it looks pretty interesting) but having paint mix formulas is incredibly useful, as is having a base color always ready to go!

[@xer0vi]

Nice shout out to Rex. Love that dudes paint videos!

[@Raildig]

He's got a great channel, definitely worth checking it out: kzbin.info/door/_66OBQNO8jXkHjlxnnxT-Avideos?view=0&sort=dd&flow=grid

[@janinelew2483]

I love watching Barbatos Rex! I’ve learned so much from him. I just found your channel today. My new airbrush will be here on Monday. I’m subscribing to your channel so I can learn from you as well.

[@Raildig]

Agree 100% on Barbatos Rex, great channel. Thank you for subscribing here and good luck with the new airbrush. Just remember they can be sort of weird when you first work with one, but you'll pick it up quick! I now wonder how I got along without one :)

[@musoseven8218]

Great review and video, very useful, especially to newcomers or those on a budget👍✌️💜😊

[@Raildig]

Cool., I'm glad you liked it! Some of these budget options really can get the job done for you.

[@musoseven8218]

@@Raildig You're most welcome, credit where credit is due. I gave my cheap SA Badger to my dad. The Paasche F and H are great ABs and I'm rapidly going off of rattle cans for painting base coats and primers etc. For weathering I have nice DA airbrushes and more often than not I like to weather with quality paint brushes. An easy to live with SA airbrush like the Paasche is a great asset💜✌️👍😊

[@mgabriel74]

Extraordinary and detailed explanation. Excellent review!

[@Raildig]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@nallen6559]

Awesome step by step and great explanations on your video! My plan is to paint plastics under the hood of a Corvette, some 1 off custom colors, this helped immensely.

[@Raildig]

Thanks, and glad you found it useful! Good luck on your project.

[@CHixon]

That's what I use - The Harbor Freight Badger style brush. For enamels and lacquers too. Use an ultrasonic cleaner with solvent to clean jars and components. Have to replace the smallest Oring frequently. Especially when using lacquers, because it swells. Every time if I'm not quick, every three cleanings If I have my act together. Have a standby assembly if something happens because I mostly spray enamels with a hardener and have 20 minutes before the paint solidifies whether sprayed out or not,

[@Raildig]

I've only used acrylics so far, thanks for the enamel tips here!

[@rudiloof7064]

Thank you! I'm thinking about buying an airbrush in the future and I mostly tend to buy 'good stuff' (wich is also expensive most of the time). You made me realize that I don't need an expensive one and a singe action will do for just a little wheatering and spraying some scenery. Thanks for the tips about what to keep in mind when looking for a good but not so expensive airbrush.

[@Raildig]

Glad this might help you! I do find too with the single action brushes, you can pick up your brush and get good results almost right away as they're dead-simple to use. I really like this, as I kind of treat my airbrush as kind of a basic spray can, just better :)

[@richardhertz7345]

Great video. I'm looking at switching from double-action airbrushes to single-action just because I, like you, use them as glorified spray cans. The double actions are too fiddly, I'm hoping SA bridge the gap between a can of Tamiya and double-action airbrushes. Thanks for showing technique and results. Too many videos skip the stuff we really want to see.

[@Raildig]

I think that idea of SA as a bridge between a can of Tamiya and double actions is perfect. As I talk about in the video the Paasche H really is, to use a cliche, a workhorse. Fast to set up, fast to clean and remarkably durable. Thanks for watching and glad to hear this was useful for you!

[@richardhertz7345]

@@Raildig Very useful, I just bought a Paasche H online. It's going to be a long week of waiting before it gets here!

[@Raildig]

@@richardhertz7345 Nice, congrats and have fun with it!

[@biggstile]

Great thoughtful video which I appreciate for being frank/honest.

[@Raildig]

Thank you!

[@landonlester7079]

Excellent video raiser, looking forward to my airbrush adventures with tools like your vids, Thanks so much! V

[@Raildig]

Just take your time and have fun with it and you'll be in good shape! Takes a little getting used to but once that happens, you'll be hooked on the airbrush :)

[@JamesGames.]

"in harbor freight, and, as you do, you buy stuff you don't really need because it's cheap" "if it's 10 bucks, and it's in harbor freight, I'm probably going to buy it" I'm in this video and I don't know how I feel about that.

[@Mr.Monster1313]

What is that little paint mixer thing.. i need that in my life. Haha...brand model ? Cool video.

[@Raildig]

Ah, the little Badger paint mixer: www.amazon.com/Badger-Air-Brush-Co-121-Paint/dp/B000BROV02/. It really is a handy little thing!

[@Mr.Monster1313]

@@Raildig thank you.

[@hiflyer53qwc]

Super video!

[@Raildig]

Thank you, I appreciate the nice words!

[@Airborn2volleyball]

I just bought the harbor freight airbrush for 30% off the 9.99 today. They have a sale. Cant beat that price.

[@Raildig]

That's great! I got a 30% off email today from HF. Work with the brush and it will get good results. I was surprised at the results it brush gave me, have fun with it!

[@ernestgalvan9037]

A nice video, lots of good info, and opinions based on experience. EXCEPT the phrases such as “High pressure” or “Low pressure”. These give absolutely zero information…..there is nothing to compare them with. For those of us who have less (or no) experience. Giving actual values is SO much more helpful.

[@Raildig]

Thanks, and good point on the pressure. I'm a little vague here as I personally tend to use high pressure for finer atomization, around 45 PSI. Lots of texts I've read have the low side around 12 PSI. On this kind of low side, I don't get good results. I think lots of testing with high and low pressures are important for each person to see what would work best for them.

[@strangleholdoutdoors]

Sweet! Thanks for sharing!!

[@Raildig]

Thanks for watching :)

[@gvet47]

I wish you would have said a little more on what air pressure was used and if adjusted for the different paint types. A little more on the paint to thinner ratios if needed. I have an old version that has set in a box for years! Maybe I should try it again.

[@Raildig]

I didn't want to get too detailed on pressure and mixes here as that's almost a whole new video. That said, I generally run high, I'd say over 40 PSI and always thin my paints by about 1/3 thinner to 2/3 paint. I like the fine, fine atomization at high pressure for very thin coats.

[@TVguy9999]

Extremely helpful!😎

[@Raildig]

Cool, glad it was helpful to you!

[@ThreeDaysOfDan]

harbor freight seems to be discontinuing its airbrushes , that quick swap brush is amazing at shooting thinned down nail polish paints, I have painted many many 1/64 scale diecast with it . I did have to swap it out with a glass cup though

[@Raildig]

Harbor Freight has changed lots of things in the past couple of years. I wouldn't pretend to know exactly why their prices have risen, often times by quite a bit, but I do know I now shop there a good deal less. They also seem to carry less of the impulse-buy tools I would purchase more or less on a whim. After your comment on them discontinuing airbrushes I just checked and you seem to be 100% correct, very few items and several on clearance. For buyers it's a shame, for them I'm assuming it was necessary. Thanks for checking out our video and also for the information!

[@ThreeDaysOfDan]

@@Raildig really a bummer , their tools have helped me maintain my 79' Rx7 . Alot of tools they sell are 5x more expensive elsewhere and are of marginally better quality . What's odd in reguards to the air brushes is the fact they discontinued their newest top tier airbrush a air compressor after only about two years on the market. My guess is the fact that amazon has killer deals now, and HF no longer gives out 50% or even 10% discount coupons. I haven't been to hobby lobby or Machel's since they did away with the coupons honestly, it's all overpriced.

[@Raildig]

@@ThreeDaysOfDan I agree on a lot of their tools... I'd rather just buy "name" brands for just a very few dollars more. Ridiculous as it might sound, I think they should have kept the little trinkets they'd give away... the flashlights, the multimeters, magnetic parts trays, etc. I'd often buy more once I was there. A great example, I needed a coping saw today. I just went with the Husky brand at Home Depot for a few bucks more and a lot less driving, and I bought about $70 worth of other bits when I was at Home Depot. They must have had to make these changes to keep in business? Still, I miss the old Harbor Freight as it was fun. How many pliers and clamps do I have now from HF... can't even count them all but this number won't be growing anymore any time soon I'm afraid.

[@landonlester7079]

Excellent video railer…

[@Jermz1979]

What compressor PSI and tip are you using on the Paasche? I just bought one to use to drop shadows and fill stencils on a motorcycle tank and you had the best flow I've seen using the brush

[@Raildig]

I tend to use very high pressure, between 40 and 50 psi. I know that's not terribly popular but it seems to work pretty well for me. As far as the tips on the Passche, I've experimented a bit with all three tips and really I don't see that much difference between them. Maybe it's because I use high pressure? There are definitely people who are way more experienced than I am with this, this is just what works for me.

[@NAMVETSTARLITE]

THANKS FOR THE REVIEW

[@vincentfasano6780]

As usual, an excellent video. But just curious; you mention using a higher air pressure, but could you quantify that? And how much do you thin your paints? I've found I have to make then thinner than I'd like to get a good flow. Finally, you mention some problems with air leaks on the cheaper brushes. Is the leakage from the threads so might respond to a bit of sealant or teflon tape, or from the fittings outer hoses themselves? Thanks again for a great post.

[@Raildig]

Thank you! On air pressure, I do go higher than most people suggest, usually above 30psi. Because I use a siphon feed brush and also I like the paint to atomize very finely and dry quickly, this higher pressure works for me. On the paints I generally use inexpensive craft paints and I like to thin them down to about the consistency of milk, maybe a little thinner. Between this thinning and the higher pressure I like the results. I don't know that I'd even mess around with the cheap plastic hoses and fittings that come with the Harbor Freight brushes. I'd be more tempted to buy one of the more popular 10' braided hoses. The fittings on these seem a lot more substantial. They're almost the price of the brush itself, but likely it would be a one-time purchase and not leak.

[@nw24153ns]

You gave me enough info to better understand what I do and don't know. But where's the air compressor, what kind, size and does it use oil?

[@Raildig]

I didn't go into the compressor info here as I didn't want to make the video too long. I use a small pancake compressor that was picked up at a yard sale cheap! Even though I don;t need another, I was tempted to buy this oil-free one while at Harbor Freight: www.harborfreight.com/3-gallon-13-hp-110-psi-oil-free-hotdog-air-compressor-57572.html?_br_psugg_q=air+compressor It has a quick connect fitting which is handy. I also use an inline moisture trap to make sure only dry air gets through to the airbrush. The quick connect fittings are incredibly handy, as it having the air tank. Nice to be able to pump up the tank and not have to make any other noise while I'm painting. I might shoot a video on my setup. It's simple, but it works well for me.

[@taOGrimace]

Harbor Freight sells and electronic air compressor kit for ~$80. That includes air brush with a few extra tools.

[@taOGrimace]

1:30 I feel attacked. But, LMAO, you're right! Almost bought me a welder for $50 last time.

[@Raildig]

I always fight the urge to buy their sandblaster. I have zero need for it, but I sort of want one :)

[@donsunden5906]

thanks like what you do

[@Raildig]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!

[@gustavette8487]

Nice video... Do you know the thread specs for the male connector on the 7-piece Quick-Change gun? I want to connect it to my shop compressor, which surely has 1/4 NPT.. Thanks

[@Raildig]

I just checked the HF site and they show the size as: Air inlet size 1/4 in. NPT. Sounds like you should be good. Also, they're showing this as a clearance item as of today, July 19, 2022.

[@gustavette8487]

@@Raildig Thanks,,, that 1/4 NPT is the side that goes to a typical airbrush compressor. I was wondering about the other side of the hose, the one that goes to the gun...

[@Raildig]

@@gustavette8487 Ah... ok. I just looked at air brush hoses and they seem to be standard at 1/8" on the brush side.

[@gustavette8487]

@@Raildig Yes, it look like it. I'll check again. Thanks!

[@Raildig]

@@gustavette8487 Happy to help... good luck with these. For the price... tough to argue with these even as an experiment!

[@jeanmoore1525]

Try using lighter fluid to get your labels off jars. I worked retail for years and this is what worked the best for all labels . I went to Harbor Freight and they had nothing like these. I wanted to try them before getting an expensive air brush. Nice review.

[@Raildig]

Thanks! I've heard that before but it hasn't sunk in with me... yet. I'll pick some up! I'm surprised your Harbor Freight didn't have these although... I've seen Harbor Freight seems to be moving away from lower priced items (and all those freebies they used to have!) and moving more in line with higher priced version. Still, I think you can order through their webpage: www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-spray-guns/air-brushes-kits.html

[@rexmontana3058]

I got one of the harbor freight brushes and I’m wondering if you’ve ever tried to spray plastidip through it?

[@Raildig]

I'd think that would be way too thick, unless massively thinned. The do have more industrial style air guns, but I'd still think it would have to be thinned on an epic scale. Of course, part of the fun / learning is sometimes bashing up a piece of gear and if cheap enough, maybe?

[@peterchessell28]

I bought 2 of the badger copies neither will syphon.

[@Raildig]

If you're using the thin air hose that came with them, you can check around the fittings for a leak. These hoses in the kits are not overly robust... they can be leakers!

[@daddycremecake4260]

Is the paint too thick?

[@artkusserow6448]

You show all of these great MicroTrains structures but none of them seem to be on their website. Where do you get them? Thanks.

[@Raildig]

These are older kits and I believe they're sold out at Micro Trains unfortunately.

[@artkusserow6448]

@@Raildig Thank you! Appreciate the time you took to reply. Enjoy all of your videos.

[@Raildig]

@@artkusserow6448 You are welcome Art! Just wish it could have been with better news on those kits.

[@oneproudbrowncoat]

Anyone know what canned propellant the HF brush takes?

[@Chally2OES]

i would say grenadey not waffley but alr lol

[@Linylou1]

Do you need a compressor

[@Raildig]

Yes! Any basic compressor will do. I didn't go into detail on compressors in this video in order to keep the video at a reasonable length.