Cleaning an old Binks Wren airbrush

here's Don Wheeler's review:

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/Binks-Wren-Review

I looked on line this afternoon and parts are available, but they are expensive.

External mix airbrushes are an older design, but if Don says it works well, that's good news.

Clearly designed with binks' customers in line, industry. I'd thoroughly cleasn it with lacquer thinner, put it back together and see how it works. I personally probably wouldn't spend any money rehabilitating it as a brand new Iwata or Badger can be had south of $ 100.

I still have mine.  Bought it when I was 13 or so.  I checked and dont have any spare as I moved on to Paasche ages ago.  It was a good general purpose single action airbrush though. 

GMorrison

here's Don Wheeler's review:

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/Binks-Wren-Review

I looked on line this afternoon and parts are available, but they are expensive.

External mix airbrushes are an older design, but if Don says it works well, that's good news.

Clearly designed with binks' customers in line, industry. I'd thoroughly cleasn it with lacquer thinner, put it back together and see how it works. I personally probably wouldn't spend any money rehabilitating it as a brand new Iwata or Badger can be had south of $ 100.

 

For about thirty years I used the Binks Wren's, A and B models, then moved on to Iwata, Badger and Paashe. With practice the Wren is able to produce very nice finishes, even free hand camo, just not quite equal to the double action airbrushes available today.

Mine are still very usable today, never a parts replacement, they are easily over 50 years old. Keeping them clean is easy enough, just be sure to be careful with the handling. The little funnel shaped part that the needle passes through, I guess it would be called the needle, has very thin walled surfaces at the small end, easy to distort.

As to the little washers and seals, they hold up quite well but be careful with using tools to remove them, they can be damaged. I rarely removed mine, careful cleaning was sufficient for long term maintenace. And be sure to check with Don's Airbrush website as GM referenced, priceless resource for all things airbrush.

Prices are quite high for parts, but you might well not need them. If you put it back together and it works, great. If not, before I'd spend much money on it I'd just get a Badger or Paasche, the 100 series can be had new for around 70 to 80 bucks.  Good luck with it.

Patrick

Hi;

        I was given a Paasche like that. Those little rings can be had in an Automotive parts Store if you cannot get them there then Your local Paint equipment store could be a source.Are the little rings stiff? If so you will have to replace them .I take mine once in a while and soak them overnight in Mineral oil. This has worked for over forty years with no bad effects.

I have an old Binks Wren airbrush from back in the 60s and while it isn't as sophitocated as the Iwata's, Badger's, Paasche's and Grex's of today, it makes up for this downside by being quite possibly the most reliable airbrush I have ever used.  It is tough, durable, forgiving and does a great job of 'getting the paint on'.  

As so many critics would hasten to remark, it is not sophisticated, does not do finite painting that woudl ever compare to the paintbrushes of the current decade.  But it cannot be beat for reliability, ease of use and ease of cleaning.  

We all need to sometimes just do some non-detailed painting a nd this is the airbrush for it.  If you can find one on ebay, you should buy it, you will never regret it!