BEWARE: Iwata Airbush & Triple Action Handle

Andy

Thanks for the heads up on the QR handle.  I have an HP-CS and never had an issue with anything breaking, but I use the supplied handle.  I almost picked up the triple action handle about 3 months ago, but with my penchant for keeping things tight would have probably had the same issue.  Good to see the Iwata CS folks (at least the one you talked with) know it's an issue, and offered a free replacement.

I have no use for the handle but would like to add I've had a very pleasant experience with Iwata customer service also. Top rate people.

Exactly!  Thanks HKshooter.  It would be even great if the replacement arrives before Friday becuase I usually work on my kits on weekends.  I will keep y'all posted if it really happens.

Andy,

I have the same airbrush and the Triple Action Handle but have not used the new handle yet (not sure if I will now).  Did the lady at Iwata say how much you should tighten the handle to not have any problems?

Thanks!

Mark Gauding

I have the same set up and have not had any problem...yet. Is it caused by turning it too far in or too far out? That is an odd piece for the handle to be breaking, I can see if the silver part of the set up was breaking it, i.e. the part at the end that serves as the neddle chuck.

I will have to be on the lookout for this. Did it give you any indication before it broke?

I didn't ask the lady about this.  She said it happens when it is overtighten.  I am not sure if I really did it...  the silver knob in the end of handle I may have overtighten. At least it is good to know that I still got the strength being 40 years old.   When it happens, you will immediately notice that the trigger (lever) doesn't feel right and it will spray spots and thicker.  I was very fortunate that it happened twice during primer stage so my work was not ruined!

Are you saying that that part being broken free affects the ability of the AB to work properly?

That's right. Here's the picture when it happened while I was airbrushing on my little Panzer I Ausf A last summer.  Was applying light gray during pre-shading stage and you will see the spots on the wheels and other area.  It must snapped while airbrushing...

Ordered a replacement from TCP Global online and it arrived within 3 days.  Great service!

No worries... I think my Panzer came out good after I replaced the broken part.  It was not a total loss...  

\

Hope this helps...

I don't doubt your experience but find it odd. When installed, that part is captured and cannot mislocate itself. I'd have thought the operation of the AB would not have changed. There are actually some designs that do not capture those pieces as one assembly and one has to locate the little curved part manually, just like if it's broken loose.
I don't use the handle or even own one but I'll look at my three assemblies a bit closer the next time I clean.

You are right. The old style was having the "plunger" and S-shaped "spacer" separate. 

If the new version would break, as in the picture above, an easy solution would be to file the end of the plunger even, and just leave a millimeter or so, to guide the spacer. And then assemble the parts separatly, just as you do on an older version.

Guess what I found in the mailbox today... a package from Iwata as it has arrived already!  Its customer service didn't just send me a replacement.... I got two replacements because I mentioned it broke twice.  And a bottle opener shaped like an Iwata airbrush.   And a nice note from the lady I talked last Monday.  I have to say that it was one of the best customer service I ever experienced.  Not just a replacement but 'modified'... I recall the lady said something about filing just like denstore mentioned earlier. 

THANK YOU Iwata, Kristin  & Kirk.  Because of this I will continue to use Iwata for a very long time and recommend to anybody.   

Can't wait to pop a with my new bottle opener over the weekend... cheers!

Handwritten note from Customer Service?  Now that's something you don't see every day.  Bonus points for Iwata, says I.

I knew I liked Iwata for some reason.

Can you tell what kind of mod Kirk did to the parts?

m@

deafpanzer- thanks for sharing your experience and what Iwata sent you in the mail. It's nice to hear when someone goes the extra mile, and while I don't currently own any Iwata products, I will certainly reference your anecdote the next time I go shopping.

Thanks guys!  Just wanted to help friends here in the forum. 

Watchmann, I wish I can answer your question.  I examined the broken and replacement parts... both looks alike but the replacement rod is little shorter.  Kristin mentioned something over the phone about having the part filed. 

BigSmitty

Handwritten note from Customer Service?  Now that's something you don't see every day.  Bonus points for Iwata, says I.

 

Try Badger's service sometime!

Thanks Andy, I suspected that was what would do.  I want to get one of those triple action handles sometime in the future.

m@

About four or five years ago I had a Paasche airbrush that wouldn't work anymore after 30 years of use.  I could no longer get replacement parts because of its age.  I talked with Paasche customer service and they told me to sent it to them and they would try to repair it.  I did and forgot all about it when after two months a package was on the front porch.  When I opened it, there was a new airbrush and a note from the repair center.  It is their polocy if they can not fix it, they will replace it.  Even though the airbrush was over 30 years old, they sent me their newest model as a replacement.

I have the same A/B and use the Triple Action handle with great results.  That piece comes off all the time but I just snap it back on with no problems.  My fear is the day I drop it and it's eaten by the carpet monster.