Does anybody know where i can get a fairly cheap airbrush kit, that is worth its price?

Question

My daughter wants a airbrush kit where she can make temporary tattoos. Any refference websites will work too no negative comments please.

Answer 1

Definitely try ebay and craigslist.
I personally always go there first when looking for a value.
Also, there is a great art store that you can find online, that has a lot of really good art supplies at all levels-
www.DickBlick.com

Answer 2

Years ago, at an art supply/craft store, I bought a kit made by a company called "Badger." It was VERY inexpensive, compared to the many professional quality equipment brands available. I don't know if they still make it.

I just did a Google search and see that they still make them. I saw a Model 350 for under $50. This a GOOD price, since many models are over $300!

It was a sturdy little beast and got me through several seasons of craft fair and flea market custom tee shirts. It never gave out on me. I just found the business too exhausting to continue.

The biggest limitation in the cheap model I used was that the finest line thickness I could manage was about 1/16th of an inch. Fine for tee shirts, but, perhaps too heavy for tatoos. I suggest you do some research on the various models to see if they offer specs on line thickness.

Besides inks, you will find the biggest expense, after the purchase, will be propellant for the brush. Craft stores will sell cans of propellant, but, they can get very expensive, since the cans do not contain much propellant. Also, the cans get very cold after losing pressure, and the cold cans cause even greater pressure loss. The inconsistant pressure effects paint flow, and, in a critical design, may cause some real problems.

For my tee shirt business, I solve the problem by purchasing a CO2 container, (like those used in soda fountains and resaurants) and pressure regulator. Came to about $150 in the early 90s. Expensive, true, but refills cost only $15 and lasted over six months of, nearly, daily use and hundreds of shirts. I know other tee shirt artists who used an inflated automobile tire for propellant. Air is free and the tires would only have to be refilled about every two weeks.

Otherwise, professionals use an air compressors to drive the airbrush. They can be noisy and pricey. They also require electricity, which was not always available at the craft fairs.

Another alternative is a handyman's garage compressor with an airtank. The noisy compresor can fill the tank, and then be turned off. The tank can be wheeled in to where you daughter works and that should last her all day, if not more.

Good luck to her, and you.