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Fine lines from a Badger 360

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  • Member since
    September 2008
Fine lines from a Badger 360
Posted by Dash Driver on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 4:07 PM

G'day all - first post, though I have long been a huge fan of the site and mag.  My query relates to getting as fine a line as is possible using my airbrush.  I bought a Badger 360 airbrush late last year and fially got a chance to use it only a week or so ago.  It is powered by a 24L DIY compressor/tank, which came with a regulator installed.  I am very happy with the brush, particularly given the beautiful results it gave, however I can't get anything finer than about 6-8mm (1/4").  If I try getting closer to the work I get spidering of the paint, and I think the factory-fitted regulator is quite poor at controlling anything lower than 30psi (the graduations below 30psi aren't even labelled, and I don't believe the factory in some remote Chinese village that this compressor was made in really spent a great deal of time marking 6psi intervals on the guage).  I am spraying thinned Humbrol enamels, which come out great so I don't believe I have the paint too thick.

So the direct questions: Is the clunky regulator a likely contributor, and should I invest in a better in-line version?  Further, does the airbrush's spray regulator have any influence over spray size?  When I trid backing the regulator part off the head just a bit, I saw no noticeable change in the spray, but unscrewing it a bit more resulted in air coming back up into the woefully small paint cup.

There it is - my first query.  Thanks in advance, and let the games begin.... 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Beavercreek, Ohio
Posted by Wrinkledm on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 8:22 PM

Hello,

I'm not a pro when it comes to air brushes, but I've got a little time as a novice with a 360.     See my post about my 155 (same as 360)  /forums/881031/ShowPost.aspx  See what the pros say to do...

As far as the pressure issue, I purchased a regulator on ebay that is designed for precise control between 5 - 30 psi.  I put it on my sears compressor and now its much easier to control the output. (I got two regulators for $9, so keep your eyes open.)   Without that finer control of the new regulator, brushing was a pain. The normal stock compressor regulator will not hold a steady output at the lower psi's.  

Again, please reference the NOVICE caveat at the beginning of my post.

I'm able to get ~1/8" lines with the stock 360 setup.  When I purchased the 360 at the Badger Garage Sale, I was told by Badger that you can put the Cresendo 175 fine needle, tip regulator combo in the 360.  That should knock the lines down a bit smaller. 

 Just my .02 cents...

Cheers


David

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Windy city, US
Posted by keilau on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 5:41 PM

The Badger airbrushes have 3 sizes of nozzle/needle set according to some Badger dealer web sites.

  • Fine (F) - pencil line to 2" spray pattern.
  • Medium (M) - 1/32" to 21/2" spray pattern.
  • Heavy (H) - 1/16" to 3" spray pattern
  • You may want to check which is on your 360. However, 1/4" minimum seemed to indicate that your AB may be clogged and needs a good cleaning.

     

    • Member since
      September 2008
    Posted by Dash Driver on Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:54 PM

    Thanks for the replies.  The day after I posted the question I finally had a chance to play with the airbrush and practice (wife away, kids at school AND a day off....all at the same time!!).  I can fall on my sword and admit to the problem being nothing more than technique, although I am keen on that regulator from ebay. 

     Thanks for taking the time to provide your advice.

    • Member since
      September 2008
    • From: WI
    Posted by kosmonot on Sunday, September 28, 2008 11:16 PM
    David,  the Crescendo needle is a larger diameter than the 360 needle, so I don't think you can interchange them, someone may have given you a bum steer on that.  I think the Badger Hybrid parts can be put in the 155 and 360 to have a finer needle/nozzle configuration on those guns.
    kosmonot out
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