I'm looking into buying an airbrush system just for personal use. And I was wondering if anyone has recommendations on an economical system. I've been looking at them on Amazon and at cake store websites, but there so many out there. Like what is good air compressor and how much PSI should it have. Please help!! Thank you

I would NOT recommend the Tester Aztek airbrush. I started with the Aztek and I hated it! Grex makes an awesome airbrush, but they are very pricey. I bought a Badger airbrush this year at ICES and so far I have been very happy with it. I'm not near my compressor right now, so I'm not sure what model or PSI it was. I'll try to remember to look at it, but it may be next week as I'm about to leave town for the weekend.

I bought a portable Pegasus and love it! I got it from my cake supplies store. In Michaels, there is a similar airbrush with Duff from Ace of Cakes. It's easy to clean and very portable. I believe you can also find it at Global Sugar Art. I paid about $119 + tax.

Cheers!

Thanks for the responses! I did look at the Ace of Cakes system at Michaels, but I wasn't sure if it was strong enough to do whole cake. I also have been eyeing Badgers cake systems too. But which one? And is more about the compressor or the actual airbrush that makes the difference? My head hurts!

Thanks for the info about the coupon! Have you tried it out yet?

I'm glad that I found this thread because I was just at Michael's and was contemplating whether or not the Duff Airbrush would be worth using my 50% coupon on. I have the new one that expires on Monday, so I think I wil go buy it!

After lots and lots of research I have taken the plunge and bought an airbrush. Instead of buying the expensive airbrushing sets, I made one for myself! I just purchased a Badger Co. Thayer & Chandler T88K Omni 5000 Airbrush on amazon for$67.27 (its coming in the mail on 10/24/11). This guns retails from the price I got it for to $150.00. Its a really high quailty gun and Badger states that it is recommended for bakery use. Then I went to Harbor Freight and bought the 1/8 HP, 40 PSI Oilless Airbrush Compressor by Central Pneumatic. Its their brand and I got that for $70.00. I have airbrush color already so now I'm just waiting for the gun! Let you know how it goes!!

I'm just following up on my last post. Well I have used my new "system" that I put together and I am very happy! The only thing I had to do was get an air pressure regulator since there wasn't one on the compressor. It blew the chocolate I was coloring right off the table. But now that I have it set at the right pressure, everything is going good. I love the airbrush gun. It really was worth all the researching and shopping around for a good price.

I bought an airbrush made by FatDaddios. I like it well enough...I just suck at airbushing so far. It is easy to use.

I would trust Edna de la Cruz and this is what she has in her store

http://www.designmeacake.com/catalog/i95.html

I just bought the same airbrush Edna is selling, but through cake supplies 4 u for $99.99. It's still in the box. Plan to get it out just as soon as I can find the time.

I do love Edna de la Cruz. She is the best!!

I do love Edna de la Cruz. She is the best!!

Has anyone tried the airbrush that Edna de la Cruz has on her site? If yes, how do you like it? Any problems? There is one recommended by Roland Winbeckler, but it is much more expensive.

Another question for you airbrushing veterans: My hubby is very reluctant to get an airbrush because he is fearful that it will make a huge mess...getting color everywhere. Is this truly a huge problem?

The airbrush on Edna's site is a Pegasus, the Duff airbrush at Michaels is a re-branded Pegasus. Same machine, his logo on it (just like all Duff products, they are just re-branded cake supplies sold at a huge mark-up). I have a Pegasus, I love it. It's small, compact and works great. If you can use a coupon it's worth it, IMHO. Get some airbrush color kits and you'll be using it for all kinds of things.

It can make a mess, just get a piece of poster board an put it behind where you are working. It does get in your nose. It's more of a LOL when you wipe your nose and it's blue or silver sparkles But it's not like stuff goes "everywhere" like you think.

I bought an airbrush off ebay, I tried to fit in with the specs of Edna's airbrush and it is working fantastically. I wanted to buy something cheaper to play around with and practice so that as my skills improve then I will invest in a better one. So far this on is doing everything I need it to do. I airbrush outside in my patio, it's all covered and protected from the elements but outside where I can clean up with a hose and if there's a bit of colour left somewhere then "oh well". I certainly wouldn't be airbrushing inside the house.

I used a Michaels coupon for the Duff system a few months ago and have loved it! I'm pretty new to the airbrush world so it's been perfect for the finishing details I've been doing. A great place to start I think. (and you're not out too much if it only last a few years)