My first Badger; airflow does not stop

dariencharlie wrote:

Well, returning it would save some trouuble.  I bought it at a local paint/artist type supply store.  Strangely it took 5 or 6 weeks for them to get it however.  I don't know what that was about.  I think I'll mail it back to Badger though.

Sounds like they sold you a used airbrush.  If that hole in the bottom is round, it could be because somebody used the wrong size allen wrench on it.  I read in one of the airbrush forums that some people remove the air valve assembly because they prefer having the air on all the time.  Assuming you can't get your money back, Badger is your best bet because there might be other parts that need to be replaced.

Don 

Here's the scoop.  "I was robbed".  I unscrewed the air intake cylinder, and there is nothing inside.  No spring, no plunger, no o-ring that I could see.

So, am sending it in to Badger...

Brian

I've just been thinking about this a little...

Before you attempt to disassemble the air valve, try this test.

Withdraw the needle. After you do this, it will release the trigger and the curved lever which depresses the needle actuator when you draw back on the trigger. With these parts removed, there will be nothing at all in the airbrush which should be able to open the air valve under normal circumstances. Connect your airbrush to your air source. If air flows out of your airbrush under these conditions, then yes - the valve is stuck open.

If you are not confident in your ability to rectify this yourself, as detailed in Scott's post above, then definitely make arrangements to return the airbrush to Badger, following the procedure detailed here: http://www.badgerairbrush.com/Service-Supprt.asp

Good tips by both Scott and Phil. If you are unwilling to disassemble your airbrush to this level, just box it up and return to Badger. They have a lifetime warrenty and they'll get it working perfectly for you.

Cheers,

Bill

MusicCity wrote:

On the end of the valve where the hose screws on is a hexagonal-shaped hole.  A small Allen wrench fits that hole and can be used to unscrew the end cap.  When the end cap is removed there are a plunger, o-ring, and return spring inside.  Clean it thoroughly, I use lacquer thinner on all of the parts of mine EXCEPT the o-ring. Lubeeverything with airbrush lube or glycerine, and reassemble.  Unless something is physically broken it should be good as new.

If you do take this approach, disassemnle the air valve over a small, high sided tray (eg. a clean take-away food container), with a tissue or paper towel liner to prevent the parts from bouncing out - they are TINY and you don't want to lose any.

The air valve CAN be disassembled and it consists of 5 parts.  Remove the hose and unscrew the air valve from the airbrush body.

Before disassembling it press on the air valve plunger.  If it moves smoothly and returns under spring tension there is nothing wrong with the valve.

On the end of the valve where the hose screws on is a hexagonal-shaped hole.  A small Allen wrench fits that hole and can be used to unscrew the end cap.  When the end cap is removed there are a plunger, o-ring, and return spring inside.  Clean it thoroughly, I use lacquer thinner on all of the parts of mine EXCEPT the o-ring. Lubeeverything with airbrush lube or glycerine, and reassemble.  Unless something is physically broken it should be good as new.

Have you recently removed the trigger?

Is this how it was when you received it?