[kombatkarl]

So, I was at the local Harbor Freight Tools store the other day, just browsing around for ludicrously low prices on tools and hardware and stumbled upon their clearance shelf. On this shelf I found their '6-color airbrush kit', (which is actually a nice kit, comes with 6 double action airbrushes of decent quality, 6 paint jars, a stand/air manifold combo that allows you to use the 6 simultaneously, all for $160USD) sans manifold/stand, marked down to $50 USD! I quickly snatched it up and bought it. Once I got home, I popped it open, and there, basking in the envious glow of its five lesser counterparts, was a Paasche VL1, all shiny and -slightly- used. A victory for me, as I inspected it and found that it appeared to be in working order. But Paasche had succeded in foiling my plans for a test of the thing because of a strange size of air fitting, of which I have no adapter to fit.

But, a score anyway! Just figured I'd gloat about it here. YAY.

Now, please commence with the TL,DR posts!

[MAGNA]

Good on you!! You don't get a win like that too often.

[kombatkarl]

yeah, i mean its not like finding a super high end Iwata or some stuff, but it sure was a suprise!!!

[McCoy]

That's a good steal mate...

[RAF Liberators]

The Paasche is one of the best airbrushes you can get (according to artists), it's the reason I bought one when I started modelling again a couple of years back. Being an American airbrush it will be easy for you to get new cups, needles etc for it.
Gratz mate.

[Panzermacher]

Nice Find.....I may have to look at our local Harbor Freight too!!

[kombatkarl]

Panzermacher said:

Nice Find.....I may have to look at our local Harbor Freight too!!

I Like that place, I get so much useful modelling stuff from that store...from cheap sandpaper to airbrush cleaner brushes to boxes for all of my gear, its the place to go!

[Aussie Dave]

Cool, its great when you discover a nice bonus.


I had the same thing happen to me once when I bought a pair of joggers.
Went and bought a $90 pair of Adidas joggers from the Sports Shop but when I got home and opened the box, inside was a pair of Nike's worth over $200.
(And they were the right size too.)



Cheers,
Dave

[Whiterook]

Sweet find mate....excellent!!!!! Glad to hear good stories like that!

[Geek44]

kombatkarl said:

yeah, i mean its not like finding a super high end Iwata or some stuff, but it sure was a suprise!!!

Back in the day, Paasche were the ones who made the 'super high end' airbrushes. when I was an art student, I really wanted a Paasche Turbo but at $110.00 Aussie (in the eighties) it was well out of my reach. Having said that, I used a cheap, Chinese airbrush (Richpen) for years...if you get the right adapter, you'll get good service from your Paasche. If it's second hand, just check that the needle is straight.
Peace

[kombatkarl]

The needle is straight, it just had a little burr on the end, like it had been dropped. I fixed it. As soon as I get an adapter, I will have a second airbrush! YAAAAAY

I have since used the cheapo Harbor Freight airbrushes, they are actually pretty good for basic stuff or wide coverage. Great as backup or general purpose brushes.

[Geek44]

They actually sell cheap, Chinese knock-off's of the better airbrushes in the Auto stores...big chain store ones. Here, they retail for about fifity bucks. I've never used one myself but a guy I know who knows what he's talking about in this area says his is the 'best' he's ever used.
Peace.

[Whiterook]

I have a cheaper airbrush that I want to start off with, to get the hang of the whole experience; then I'll move up to the Badger. Fronm there, not sure what I'd buy next. I watch these threads with interenst so that when the day comes that I do invest in a more high end unit, I'll be able to make an educated purchase.

[kombatkarl]

Em, what kind of brush do you have? The badger I have was only about 70 bucks from amazon, and it came with 2 glass jars, a paint cup, and 3 different needle/nozzle combos(small, medium, large) It is a great all-around brush, and the different needles, once you get used to using the brush, make for nice versatility. Its the Badger 150, dual action, siphon feed.