Yes, you can use a regular airbrush, you'll just need to dedicate it to cakes. I got a Badger from Michael's using a 40% off coupon, DH already had the compressor, so it saved me a lot of money compared to what the KopyKake set would have cost.
I should tell you ahead of time that there is a label on some of the airbrush boxes that say they contain chemicals that the State of California has found to cause cancer. I emailed the company and their rep replied (can't seem to find the email so I don't remember exactly) that said chemical is used in the manufacturing process or something but regardless, doesn't come in contact with the artist's medium at all. They are required to put that label there by the same state that outlawed dragees.
I bought the Anthem - it's the one in the blue box. I bought it mainly because the needle it has works for a variety of finishes - from fine line to wide spray - without changing needles. It works great but I do have one regret about it. I wish I had gotten a gravity feed airbrush (where the color cup is part of the top rather than removable on the bottom)
Iwata makes a gravity feed airbrush that Hobby Lobby sells for around $100 ($60 with their 40% coupon), you just have to buy the hose separately.
Also, I haven't had occasion to use luster dust with it yet, but it sprays white just fine. I'll actually be doing a cake this weekend that I may decide to use pearl dust on. I'll let you know.
When I was at my local Crafts 2000 they had some air brushes in a display case and was wondering if they would work or not. Now I know they will I will just have to get a little more serious about getting one. 
Do you buy your paints from Kopykake?
Thanks
Tammy
I bought the Anthem - it's the one in the blue box. I bought it mainly because the needle it has works for a variety of finishes - from fine line to wide spray - without changing needles. It works great but I do have one regret about it. I wish I had gotten a gravity feed airbrush (where the color cup is part of the top rather than removable on the bottom)
Iwata makes a gravity feed airbrush that Hobby Lobby sells for around $100 ($60 with their 40% coupon), you just have to buy the hose separately.
Also, I haven't had occasion to use luster dust with it yet, but it sprays white just fine. I'll actually be doing a cake this weekend that I may decide to use pearl dust on. I'll let you know.
I was looking at the airbrushes at Michael's on Monday when I went in to teach, but didn't get hands on to look since they are under lock and key. Does Badger have a gravity feed one? My kopykake one is giving me problems so I am trying to figure out my options on what to do. It may just be one little part that I need to replace, but not sure. But I know with the KK ones they are not good for dusts because they get clogged so easily. For the Iwata one, do you have to buy the hose? Is it special for that model or can I just use the one I have? I was actually looking at the Aztec one the Roland Winbeckley recommends, too, but I'm not sure how much I want to spend on a new brush since I just bought the whole system a couple of months ago... Thanks for the info and yeah, let me know how the pearl dust works. 
i have the kopy kake airmaster(red caseing). it has the top filling cup and allows for thin "writing" lines or all over color. i love it and have used it loads!! my mom got it from kopy kake with the color pack of 11(?) small bottles and a bottle of cleaner. i think it all togethor cost 250.oo but was sooo worth every penny. hope you find one you like !!!! good luck and have fun!! 
I have an awesome double action Paasche airbrush that I got from Hobby Lobby using a 40% off coupon. It includes several sizes of glass bottles as well as a metal color cup. I bought the 11-color set of large airbrush colors from KopyKake as well as the airbrush cleaner (which I suspect is just Windex), and got the Airmaster Plus compressor off of eBay. Harbor Freight Tools has a nice and very affordable small compressor that I would have bought had I not found a great deal on the Airmaster Plus on eBay. I also bought the Ronald Winbeckler book, which provided alot of instruction.
This is a super fun toy!! I mean tool!
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