Airbrush opinion question....

gedenke wrote:

I have a Badger 200 and lately, it's been giving me nothing but headaches. I've had problems from pulsing to no paint flow to inconsistant spay to air bubbles in the paint cup, you name it. Needless to say, I'm about fed up. I can usually get it to work (sortof) by cleaning the crap out of it and tightening everything up very tight, but it's still nothing even close to what it should be.

If yours is the "classic" Model 200 with the 100/150 head (ie. not the "NH" model), the problems you have described are symptomatic of an air leak at the head/body washer. When you unscrew the head, you should see a small washer on the "neck' of the head where it screws into the body. This washer can become flattened over time and not form an effective seal. Likewise, if there is any paint built up on the body or head parts either side of the washer, this may cause an air leak.

Check that these parts are clean and free of paint and dust. Replace the washer and see if it improves, before shelling out for a new airbrush.  

From your descriptions I'd say you're not cleaning it as well as you think you are. The 200 is a venerable airbrush, and should last decades.

Consider removing the air valve assembly and soaking the entire brush over night in lacquer thinner. There is an O ring in the valve assembly that would get destroyed if you didn't take it out.  Also consider sending it back to Badger for a rebuild. Here's a link to their website listing how to do so properly: http://www.badgerairbrush.com/contact.htm

OTOH I like gravity fed brushes as they have better control due to not requiring as much air pressure. The Badger 100LG is the gravity fed, dual action version of the 200. If the 200 you have now is the "older" non NH version, it even shares the head, tip and needle for the 100 series.

lets see, i've used a paashce H & VL, the gravity fed badger 200, the thayer and chandler omni 5000, the iwata HP-C,and the  iwata  eclipse.   i  used  all  of  these  airbrushes  extensively   and the last airbrush i purchased was the eclipse.  i fell in love with it.  she's an all around great airbrush for spraying anything used for modelling.  i'm not saying this is the best airbrush on the market, i'm just saying that i have had NO problems with it what so ever.  each of the other airbrushes i used lacked something in some department, but the eclipse satisfied my every need.  good luck with your purchase friend.  later.