Thread: New to AB, Looking at guns

hi all, im new to air brushing and new to this forum. ive been wanting to try airbrushing, so the other day i want out and bought a cheap testers aztec starter set and gave it a shot. so far i like what ive been able to produce, and i realize that i need a better gun. so im looking to get a paasche vl single action kit Paasche VL Single Action Hobby Kit, and a hobbico da400 double action Hobbico Model Maker DA400 Double Action Pro Airbrush. do you guys see these to be good choices? if not any suggestions? im looking to get two brushes so i can use a few colors with out cleaning in between, and my price range is about $150.

First off, welcome to your new addiction.

As to the choices of brushes...
Before you go buying anything else, you need to decide what type of work, or range of work you want to do with your brushes.
The kind of work dictates the kinds of detail and coverage needed, the type of paint required, the mechanical or working requirements, etc.
Look ahead, think in reverse.
By doing your homework, and seeing what the requirements will be, it lets you buy your tools knowing your aren't wasting your time and money on tools that won't fulfill your long term goals.

Single action brushes are great for simple repetitive work, but they are very limiting too. Because they typically require you to change the volume setting for the paint as a separate operation from pressing the trigger, they make you stop on a regular basis to adjust your settings.
I don't know the second brand or model you listed, but keep in mind that things get worn out, lost, or damaged. It happens to the best of us. So buying a brush that you can't get parts or service for is just buying you an expensive paperweight when something goes bad, and it WILL happen.
Ask the vendor about the purchase of spare needles, nozzles, seals, auxillary/secondary levers, etc., if they can't get them for you at the time you go to purchase your brush, then you don't want the brush. Don't fall for the "We'll have them in a few weeks" or " they're on back order", those are just tricks to get you to do*the big investment, after that, they don't really want to deal with you*unless you are coming back to buy another brush.
If it is a major brand, you should be able to find other vendors for the parts, if you are stuck with just one vendor for the brand, then beware, one vendor means they have you in a choke hold, they control the prices and availability, and the shipping costs YOU have to pay.
Good quality brushes will last many a year if they are properly cared for, and that means cleaning them after every painting session. If you think you can just walk away from a brush for a few days with paint left in it, and expect it to spray paint properly, you are in for a sad surprise, regardless of the make or model airbrush.
Look ahead, think in reverse.