New Badger Patriot Question

Everything  moves back & forth freely and functions perfectly from what i can tell. The trigger feels good on it. Ive actually been pretty impressed so far. I did a little painting with it this afternoon. The only hang up is the needle issue. Its so tight it pulls the needle tube back when you remove it. I'm really hoping it's one of those things that works itself out with a little wear. I appreciate the feedback. 

Have a look at this video at about 8 minutes in.  Teflon has a bit of a memory.  It may have felt fine when it was installed and shrunk a little in storage.  It may loosen some with use.

Don

Matt B

I just received my new badger patriot today and as I was stripping it down I noticed that the needle is really hard to remove and replace. Even after I cleaned everything and put some regdab on the needle, it still fits really tight. Is this normal for the patriot? The needles go in & out of my krome really easily. I don't want to have to send this back already. Is there anything I can do?

 

Sound recommendations from all. If overall the function is good, it's better a bit too tight as you're assured it will prevent material getting to the aft body and the air valve. In time and with use it likely will fit better.

Might try a small amount of needle polishing, in the area of the bearing fit. That worked noticeably for me once, (caution, it doesn't require much,) just a few swipes will do.

Once all is well, you'll love your new Patriot.

Patrick

Would it be ok to polish the needle a little with some high grit wet/dry sandpaper? I have some going all the way up to 2000 grit.  Would it affect the performance if I stayed away from the tapered part of the needle? I had considered doing that but I don't want to do anything that could make things worse. For the time being it's just an annoyance. It doesn't necessarily hurt anything at the moment. I have noticed that it's scratching the needle though. Thank you guys.

Don Wheeler

Have a look at this video at about 8 minutes in.  Teflon has a bit of a memory.  It may have felt fine when it was installed and shrunk a little in storage.  It may loosen some with use.

Don

 

Wingman_kz

A little polishing wouldn't hurt anything. A drop of oil or lube on 2000 grit should be fine. If it's moving ok with the trigger but dragging the needle tube back then maybe it's dragging on the needle tube where the lock nut is and not the needle bearing. Could be the tube is just clamping a little tight on the needle. Tony

 

Matt - On re-reading your first part and then later post, I'm puzzled by a couple of things.

1. The tight fit of a bearing should not have an affect on pulling the tube back, when withdrawing the needle.

2. Even an overly tight bearing would not leave scratches on the needle, I feel quite sure.

3. How far back on the needle do the scratches begin?

4. If the tube is causing the friction problem, the scratches will  begin well back on the needle. Even if it was the bearing, the surface marks would only begin about one inch or so from the needle tip.

Unless the needle is severely bent, or the guide tube setup is somehow mis-aligned and the parts just not functioning together, I see no way for this to happen.

For needle polishing, I do only the area where the needle fits in the bearing, the first couple of inches from the front of the needle tip and the needle travel length, about one inch total. I start with well used 600 grit, push and pull the needle through the 600, rotating it as you go. Very little polishing is required to make a difference.

Please keep us posted, it would be great to see this sorted.

Patrick

The scratches begin almost at the start of the tapering of the needle and go the entire length. It happened as I was working the needle back and forth in hopes of getting it to loosen up. I stopped doing it as soon as I saw what was happening. It was carving a groove into it about milimeter wide. 

Matt,   Are you sure those scratches weren't there to begin with?  I don't see how you could have caused them by sliding the needle through the bearing.  At any rate, a little polishing couldn't hurt.

Don

Matt B

The scratches begin almost at the start of the tapering of the needle and go the entire length. It happened as I was working the needle back and forth in hopes of getting it to loosen up. I stopped doing it as soon as I saw what was happening. It was carving a groove into it about milimeter wide. 

 

Matt -  the scratches running the full length of the needle, tell me the fit problem is at the back. Sounds like the the damage is done when the needle is withdrawn, at this point I would recommend return to Badger, or the seller if they will accept it and handle it.

I bought a new Badger 200G, and inserting the needle felt quite rough from the start, there was lot's of drag both directions. I had plenty of new parts in my spares box, replacing the back two parts that screw into the handle fixed it 100%.

Now it should be Badger that unwinds this problem, and they certainly will. Don't give up on it, once sorted it will serve you well.

Best of luck.

Patrick

Don Wheeler

Matt,   Are you sure those scratches weren't there to begin with?  I don't see how you could have caused them by sliding the needle through the bearing.  At any rate, a little polishing couldn't hurt.

Don

 

patrick206

 

 

Matt B

The scratches begin almost at the start of the tapering of the needle and go the entire length. It happened as I was working the needle back and forth in hopes of getting it to loosen up. I stopped doing it as soon as I saw what was happening. It was carving a groove into it about milimeter wide. 

 

 

 

 

Matt -  the scratches running the full length of the needle, tell me the fit problem is at the back. Sounds like the the damage is done when the needle is withdrawn, at this point I would recommend return to Badger, or the seller if they will accept it and handle it.

I bought a new Badger 200G, and inserting the needle felt quite rough from the start, there was lot's of drag both directions. I had plenty of new parts in my spares box, replacing the back two parts that screw into the handle fixed it 100%.

Now it should be Badger that unwinds this problem, and they certainly will. Don't give up on it, once sorted it will serve you well.

Best of luck.

Patrick

 

I have an update. I spoke with Jesus at Badger. He said it's possibly one or two things: The area where the needle chuck goes on is smashed together and simply needs spread apart, or its the needle bearing as he suspects. He recommended taking a drill bit that's equal or slightly larger than the needle and reaming the needle tube. Of course I can also send it in for him to repair. I'm going to attempt this myself when I go home at noon for lunch. I have to see if I have the appropriate sized drill bit. I'm hoping this goes well.

Matt,   The Badger needle in .05" in diameter.  A number 55 drill bit is .052 nominal.  A 1/16 bit is .o62" and that's really too big to jam in the needle tube.  Remove the needle chuck and examine the tube.  Try sliding the rear of the needle in it.  If it doesn't go in easy, call Jesus and tell him you need a new needle tube and a replacement needle.  You shouldn't have to rework a new airbrush.

The needle bearing is Teflon.  There is no way it could scratch your needle.

Don

Great news guys!! It was the area where the needle chuck goes on. Sure enough, it was smashed together. I feel stupid now for not seeing that or realizing it on my own. All I had to do was take one of my leather sewing needles and push it in there a little bit to spread things open. Everything is operating perfect now. The needle slides in & out like it should. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to assist me with this. I'm excited  about putting this thing through its paces. Thank you .

Don Wheeler

Matt,   The Badger needle in .05" in diameter.  A number 55 drill bit is .052 nominal.  A 1/16 bit is .o62" and that's really too big to jam in the needle tube.  Remove the needle chuck and examine the tube.  Try sliding the rear of the needle in it.  If it doesn't go in easy, call Jesus and tell him you need a new needle tube and a replacement needle.  You shouldn't have to rework a new airbrush.

The needle bearing is Teflon.  There is no way it could scratch your needle.

Don

 

That is good to read, Matt. Now that you have it workable, may I suggest that you polish the needle just a bit, to avoid any rough surfaces from the scratches you described damaging the bearing.

I'll also bet that Jesus would send you a replacement needle, since the scratch marks were not your doing. At any rate, glad to learn you have it sorted.

Patrick

Thank you Patrick. I was really happy to be able to get this resolved and find out it was something simple to fix. It seems like a really nice airbrush and I didn't want to have to part with it already. I'll go over the needle with some high grit sand paper this evening, like you suggested. Tomorrow I'll give Jesus a call back and see about getting a new needle. Id like to have one that isn't gouged up, now that you mention it. I appreciate your help with all of this.