Anyone have a H&S airbrush? Or any gravity feed?

[Mofo]

I've got an H&S Infinity. I've had it for, err, a couple of years now, it's my go-to brush, and I'm really happy with it. But it's got a "quirk".

When I release the trigger, I keep getting a tiny amount of airflow. I've actually got to pull the trigger up ever so slightly to get it to completely seal.

Breaking down the air valve assembly, there's a tiny gasket between the trigger (in the brush) and the valve pin. The original gasket is a tiny rubber o-ring. H&S have a new teflon gasket that is supposed to be better (somehow?); I just replaced mine last night, swapping the stock rubber for the new teflon. I *thought* it would alleviate my trigger quirk, but I've lubed it up, put it back together and done a few test pulls on the trigger and I *still* seem to be getting some airflow. Pull up on the trigger and it stops.

So... is this intentional? Designed in to avoid paint spatter on the next trigger-press? I know that's a bigger concern with gravity feed brushes, so maybe this is H&S's cure? Or should I do a thorough breakdown and cleaning of the trigger mechanism? Maybe something is binding inside (since it DOES seem trigger related). As I said, I lubed the trigger thoroughly and don't see any obvious problems, but maybe there's a tiny blob of something gumming up the works. The only other possibility is that it's a problem inside the air valve assembly (a weak valve spring?), and I *really* don't want to get into disassembling that... mostly because I don't want to have to RE-assemble it.

[colin]

Time to get a real airbrush......badger all the way lol
Do they have a support you could contact?
I have had that issue from time to time with my 150 but cleaning typically will get rid of it. I have sent my a/b back to Badger and twice they have rebuilt back to new specs no charge.
Maybe they would be kind enough to do the same thing!

[lazycat]

I had no such problem with it but similar with Talon. Turned out that it was wrong direction of the trigger.

[Mofo]

Badger-schmadger.

Turned out that it was wrong direction of the trigger.

Problem solved. Wasn't actually the trigger, but big thanks to Chris for starting me down the path.

One of the first things I did to the brush was swap the trigger around. It's grooved; the 'right way' makes it a little slippery, the 'wrong way' gives it grip. Tried putting it back. No difference (in fact, it was worse). Finally broke down and decided to take a look at the air valve assembly. Was just about to take a screwdriver to it when it hit me... it uses a set screw. If I tighten it, that'll increase the spring tension, and improve the seal. Which it did. Fixing the problem.

Added bonus: I've just discovered that in addition to adjusting the trigger tension for the PAINT flow, you can also adjust the trigger tension for the AIR flow. Nice. I like a firm, snappy trigger action, and now mine is even firmer and snappier. With *zero* air bleed.

[bluebottle]

I threw mine away... total pants.. gone back to Iwata, witha Neo back up........

[gnat]

I have more airbrushes than anyone in their right mind. I have nothing but gravity feed brushes. I find that the best TX for most Brush problems can be fixed by stripping them to the component parts and and dumping them in my sonic cleaner with Simple Green in it.
The combination of vibration and detergent cleans out almost everything.

Next I replace both tip and needle. If you examine them after a year of use you find that they are either slightly bent and the tip orifice is worn unevenly.(and I bet I've bent every needle I ever had Just careless I guess)

I also find that a drop of light machine oil in the air valve help prevent sticking.

Anyway its what I do.

Gnat