What is the needle?

Do you have a compressor etc. ?

Thank you everyone for helping out.  Reading and seeing that Paasche uses grooves to indicate what needle size makes me wonder the history since the needles I have do not have grooves, but they actually have the number "1" embossed at the end.  I wonder when they cut over to the grooves.  Maybe this tells me how old this airbrush is.

I have no idea where I got this airbrush and I was never an airbrush modeler.  Only one family member built models, but he does not remember ever using an airbrush.  Maybe when I bought the desk from a garage sale, maybe it was in there.  Who knows.  So a rabbit hole to go down.

Just bought a set of needles, aircap, airbody so I can expand and utilize these for my builds that I want to get back in to.

Thank you again everyone and thank you for the tips.

I've gotten Paasche parts from Paasche, it was nice to just call up and talk to a human being. But I've ordered from Amazon too and they have the whole 3 needle set with nozzles and air caps there for the VL, fwiw. It's in a set, I think it's $32 or so. Course I don't know what anyone would need the large needle for in model painting, maybe it would be good for airbrushing murals on a wall.. You could probably do most things on models with that smallest needle with a VL.

Hello!

Glad I could help you. On the Page Don posted is this picture:

In the lower rigt corner, on the dull end of the needle you can see the grooves I mentionend. It might well be that the needle #1 just doesn't have the grooves - I always had a problem with their coding. From what I remember it isn't #1 - 1 groove, #2 - 2 grooves. That would be too easy.

As for parts - some years ago I ordered Paasche parts directly from Paasche - and that worked pretty good, so I can recommend doing it just like that.

Good luck with your airbrush and have a nice day

Paweł

You can see a photo of all three needles and other info on this page.

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Here is my manual that came with the Paasche VL

https://docdro.id/9Bk9eh0

Well, I found out.  I came home then went back to work where we have microscopes.  At the butt end I can see the number #1 engraved so case solved.  Both needles are #1 and so I must assume that the tip is matched for #1 needles.

So looks like I need to go and buy #3 and #5 with matching tips.

Are there descent stores online where I can buy more needles or should I just stick with going to the manufacturer?

Thank you for helping Pawel, when you mentioned grooves I just thought that maybe there is a some identifier on the needle?  Hence the microscope avenue I took thanks to you mentioning the grooves.

UPDATE - here is the newest manual from Paasche

https://3372523.app.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=17888&c=3372523&h=Xe2YFULyMTnRkICM5qYCf9B4n_fc77zoqJBhhg_Rc8NyRvrq&_xt=.pdf&fcts=20201127051524&whence=

Hello!

Photos would help here, but I guess the "half needle" could be the reamer - a tool for removing gunk out of the nozzle. By the way it should only be used in emergency or as last resort - using it regularily would probably wear the nozzle out very soon.

Now for the needles - Paasche usually has #1 and #2 and they work together with nozzle #1 and #2. Both the needles and the nozzles are marked with a groove, two grooves or no groove at all - granted the descrition which is which could be clearer here. Anyway the needle with one groove should work with the nozzle with one groove and so on.

I hope it helps and good luck with your airbrush - many modellers dream o f opening a drawer and just finding a Paasche in there! Use that opportunity and have a nice day!

Paweł