GONNA LOOSE IT.............HELP

[installer]

o.k......now i know i am a newbie and just trying to learn, but the instructions with my airbrush don't specify why or even what the needles are for.
i have a BADGER 150, i'm sure it's garbage compared to what others are using but, it's all i can afford right now. here is my questions:
1-what does the actual needle do?
2- the section that the point of the needle sits in can be changed, does this mean that all 3 needles will interchange with these parts?
3- what does it mean when the airbrush won't spray consistantly? i have to pull the trigger all the way back, then i can control the flow. it's like i have to make it clear itself, then it's good for a while.
4- do createx paints have to be thinned out? if so what is the ratio?

these are only a few. i will post pics later on the equipment i have.


thanks!

[flyer615]

1-what does the actual needle do?
2- the section that the point of the needle sits in can be changed, does this mean that all 3 needles will interchange with these parts?
3- what does it mean when the airbrush won't spray consistantly? i have to pull the trigger all the way back, then i can control the flow. it's like i have to make it clear itself, then it's good for a while.
4- do createx paints have to be thinned out? if so what is the ratio?


1) The needle moves in and out as you move the trigger back and forth. It's what regulates the amount of paint coming out of the gun.

2) There should be a different "tip" for each needle. I don't know much about the Badger, but that is the case for the Paasche VL. If you're spraying Createx, use the largest pair. (.5)

3) Probably there are a couple of reasons that you're not getting a consistant spray. With Createx I use about 50 psi. Do you have enough pressure? Also, you may be getting some tip dry. Most people "pick" at their tip with a fingernail constantly as they paint. A small ball of paint will dry on the tip of the needle and close off the flow of paint. When you pull the trigger all the way back, you dislodge it.

4) Createx paints are ready to spray right out of the bottle. Some say you can thin them some, but for the most part, you don't have to.

Badger is a good place to start. Some people get good results from them. I can't say too much about them because I started with a Paasche. I'm using an Iwata, now.

Welcome to the forum. There is much to learn here.

Ken

[airarts]

1. I believe there are needles that corolate with the tips and nozzles.

2. You want your paint to have the viscosity of 2% milk, so try water to thin it. Next time try some Golden, E'TAC, or Hoblien.

3. What is your PSIs set at? Do you have a moisture trap?

4. ALWAYS keep the air flow on. Don't become a "tagger", learn to control your paint flow.

[Whit]

First,,, the lil 150 is a great lil brush for certain applications,,,
very good for illustrations and such,,, in a way,, on the same
level of iwatas,, with the needle/tip configurations !!!
Fine needle needs the fine tip,, to seat properly,,,
Med needle same,, same for large,, Needle/Tip needs to match !!!
With the createx you'll prob have better luck with the med needle
and tip config,, if not,, try the large settup !!!
Correct on "Blowing" it out every so often to "Clear" it,,, you'll
find you need to take your fingernail as well and remove "Tipdry"
from the needle end as airbrushes in general get it !!!
Just don't underestimate your lil 150,,, they've been around a long
time with a pretty good track record !!!
Save the fine needle for illustration colors,, or thin whatever paint
your using to accomodate the fine needle/tip arrangement !!!
It's just going to take practice,, whichever brush you use to get
the feel,, as each brush has a personality all it's own !!!
Good Luck on it,,, Post some of your practice if you want,,, someone
can give pointers if you need ,,, or ask specific questions,, your call !!!
Just keep us posted on your progress,,,
Happy Spraying !!!

[anderekel]

Well, the first two are answered fine, the last on is more or less preference, so I'll put my .02 in.

As for the clogging, it's my guess that it's either tip dry, like airarts said, or your air pressure is too low, for not thinning the createx.

Createx does not have to be thinned at all. If you are doin' clothing it's actually better to leave it thick and shoot at at least 45 psi, I like to shoot 60. If you're workin' on paper or canvas you can thin it. You don't have to pound the paint into those. Thinning will also make the paint last a little longer, that's a plus.

Hope that helps ya.

[redanner]

First,,, the lil 150 is a great lil brush for certain applications,,,
very good for illustrations and such,,, in a way,, on the same
level of iwatas,, with the needle/tip configurations !!!
Fine needle needs the fine tip,, to seat properly,,,
Med needle same,, same for large,, Needle/Tip needs to match !!!
With the createx you'll prob have better luck with the med needle
and tip config,, if not,, try the large settup !!!
Correct on "Blowing" it out every so often to "Clear" it,,, you'll
find you need to take your fingernail as well and remove "Tipdry"
from the needle end as airbrushes in general get it !!!
Just don't underestimate your lil 150,,, they've been around a long
time with a pretty good track record !!!
Save the fine needle for illustration colors,, or thin whatever paint
your using to accomodate the fine needle/tip arrangement !!!
It's just going to take practice,, whichever brush you use to get
the feel,, as each brush has a personality all it's own !!!
Good Luck on it,,, Post some of your practice if you want,,, someone
can give pointers if you need ,,, or ask specific questions,, your call !!!
Just keep us posted on your progress,,,
Happy Spraying !!!

Yea what Whit says! Actually I use Thayer & Chandler and they are made by Badger! I have 2 Iwata HP_BC ! I would sell them if I could get what I payed for them! Don't get me wrong they are good airbrushes but I can't do any more with them than I can with Thayer & Chandler!

[installer]

wow, i underestimated some things here. i didn't know you needed to run such a high psi........and i'm almost certain now that is my problem. i was running about 20psi......i must have read wrong somewhere, but i thought that 20 psi is plently, i do like this little airbrush, but it seems like the needles i have are ready to be replaced, i'm going to buy new ones and give it a shot. i started out using the badger airbrush ready water colour set, then i bought some cretex paint........it seemed thicker so i did thin it a bit, but if i was running to low of a psi, then thats a great place to start.


THANK YOU VERY MUCH GUYS AND GALS!

[ABD]

wow, i underestimated some things here. i didn't know you needed to run such a high psi........and i'm almost certain now that is my problem. i was running about 20psi......i must have read wrong somewhere, but i thought that 20 psi is plently, i do like this little airbrush, but it seems like the needles i have are ready to be replaced, i'm going to buy new ones and give it a shot. i started out using the badger airbrush ready water colour set, then i bought some cretex paint........it seemed thicker so i did thin it a bit, but if i was running to low of a psi, then thats a great place to start.


THANK YOU VERY MUCH GUYS AND GALS!

Big trial and error with this stuff....20 Psi for some paints IS plenty......It's all a matter of thinning and finding the correct Psi to get the paint to work for ya......I'll go from below 20 to around 50 on some days..Just depends on how the paint is acting and what I want to do with it.............Try not to get to caught up in "which is right and wrong"......Just use some guidelines and find the "happy medium" that works for you....Eventually you'll see what the paint is or isn't doing and adjust accordingly without even thinking much about it..
..........good luck!!:)

[airarts]

Good answer Dell! I use 20 psi for canvs and illustration board, but for t-shirts you may want the max psi.

Also regarding your needles, try this...

If you discover that your needle has a hook, get a fine grade whetstone (knife sharpening stone) at your camping/outdoors store. Take your needle at the top, and pull downward while spinning your needle to make sure that all corrections are made evenly. Next take beeswax and coil a small amount between your fingers before putting it on your needle, then pull it across the needle and wax it like your vehicle. The wax will fill any incosistancies that may have occured while using the whetstone. I have been airbrushing on and off since 1980, and never had to buy another needle for replacement.

[Whit]

Did a wall mural once,,, went thru about 8/12 needles
and a couple a tips as well doing "Grass" on the wall,,,
but then I get a lil "Rambuncious" on stuff like that !!!
Ya get close,, you're gonna hit something,, an that's
usually the needle,,, I'm bad about "Snaggin" shirts as
well,, by getting close and moving to fast !!!
I've found the more delicate needles don't last long
here so they're reserved for finer work,, the workhorse
around here is the VL,,, takes a lickkin,, keeps on a tickkin !!!
Many,,, Many ,, Years ago,, my first brush was a 150,,,
at that time,, after breaking the paint jar and nowhere
to get replacements except catalogs,, made paint jars
from babyfood jars and brass tubing,,, that's when I
first learned to use two hands when brushing !!!
Hey,,, am I rambling here or what,,, scuze please !!!
Never Hurts To Have an Extra Needle Handy !!!

[airarts]

Whit is right! I need to get a few extra for my Olympos B and HP-Cs.....

[installer]

thanks guys!..........i am gonna try repairing the needles and see how that goes, but am i to beleive that if you have the correct needle with the correct tip, the first thing to try when having problems is too increase the pressure in the tank? providing the colour has been reduced.

[colourshift]

The rule of thumb is, the thicker the paint, the higher the air pressure....and vis versa. (the thinner/the lower)