Badger TC910: need some feedback help

JackB

Hi Bick,

That sounds great, I would probably to do the same in future. Can I ask where did you get the 0-60 gauge?

The pressure gauge could be quite expensive from regular industry supply houses. So I got mine from Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Gauges-/56992/i.html?_armrs=1&_dmd=1&_mdo=Business-Industrial&_mspp=&_pcats=56990%2C42874%2C1266%2C12576

You need to know what you need before your order. The connector size, side or back connector and the gauge face size, etc.

Jack,

I, too, bought my gauge from Ebay. Don't remember the seller but it's a U.S. Gauge 1.5" diam, 1/4"NPT bottom (side) stem so it's drop-in replacement for the original. IIRC I only paid $5.00 + shipping but the seller only had 3 in stock when I bought.  Photobucket won't let me upload pics right now so I'll try later. There are several in the link that Keilau posted.

Ignore - Trial with Flickr - didn't work

Jack, a pic of the gauge on my TC910.

@ keilau, thanks I have looked at the ebay listings last time you post it. I see a couple of options there.

@Bick, looks good (nice big numbers). Figured it was ebay, but though maybe a brand store so I could get it locally. Thanks for the spec's and pic.

New Badger TC-910 unit arrive yesterday afternoon.

Out of the box with 10' hose and Iwata Revolution CR connected it filled up to about 60PSI. Good sign!

I first noticed when turning this one on, it was a tad quieter than previous unit but once it gets cranking to fill up the tank, noise was about the same. The motor dose seem a little warmer on the new one, but it's been a while between the two and I could be wrong or maybe because the old one was not working properly.

Will try and run it a few more times this week, but looks like a winner for now.

Jack,

Glad the new TC-910 arrived and seems to work as it's supposed to. BTW, my TC-910 is also very quiet when first turned on but does get louder as pressure rises. Enjoy the new one. Also, just curious,  did yours come with the 1/4" to 1/8" BSP adapter? Manual says 'yes' but mine didn't. No prob since I had a spare.

Bick,

No adapter. What page of the manual are you looking at? the last? #40 says "Adapter" but that looks like the part coming out of the tank to the regulator.

Jack,

Sorry, I misspoke - wasn't in the manual but in Amazon's description (see below) - I got mine from Amazon and expected an adapter. Mine came with 1/4" part 38 so I needed an adapter to connect my Iwata style hose. I see you also have an Iwata hose and wondered if you got and an adapter - from your picture it looks like you use one.

From the Amazon TC-910 description:

"Badger Air-Brush Co.TC910 Aspire Pro is a Quiet, maintenance free, no lubrication, portable compressor, providing an Automatic shut-off switch activated by the use of an attached airbrush. sturdy metal outer case with handle, Adjustable air regulator, and pressure gauge. Built-in moisture filter and two airbrush holders, 1-gallon (3 litre) air storage tank, 1/8th-inch hose connection, including a 1/8th to 1/4th-inch hose adaptor. 1/5 Horsepower 110 vac 1.0 A motor with a on-off toggle switch, Maximum pressure 57 psi (4 bar), weighing only 18.08-pound (8.2 kgs). Distributed by Badger Air-Brush Co. One year Warranty from date of purchase against manufacturer defect, repair, or replace as deemed necessary."

Bick,  I also purchased the compressor from amazon. It came 1/4" out... I did not use an adapter.

Did a little more testing this morning and I know we discussed pressure readings before but since I am too new at this...

With the AB on I regulated it down to 22psi and get good stead pressure. When I stop and AB is off it goes to 24psi... so 2psi difference no problem. But then I notice the gauge will creep up from 24psi to as much as 28psi when left alone for a moment. I also tested it with other psi settings and it dose the same. The last unit use to stay put and only 2psi difference when AB is on/off.

Should I consider this normal? Maybe talk to badger about this.

Hi Jack,

My ,

I wouldn't obsess over it. As long as the pressure doesn't continue to rise (i.e. stops somewhere reasonable - 7-10PSI above) and as long as it holds pressure steady while using the AB I wouldn't worry about it. I had a Paasche regulator that I put on an old Badger diaphragm compressor and it behaved that way - it would creep up as much as 10PSI while idle but held steady while using the brush. I checked my TC910 after reading your post and it, too, creeps up a little - maybe 4-5 PSI. I hadn't noticed before and didn't bother to check after I put the new gauge on, or I just couldn't read it accurately enough. But, sure 'nuf the new gauge does show a little creep. I'm not worried by it, it's still working fine after 8 months.

Bick,

Good to know thanks very much for checking yours. Do you notice any pressure changes while painting?

Badger support told me that it's caused by minute air loss in the system and that they are hard to detect and fix. I would have thought a bad regulator. Anyway, waiting on new air hose to arrive tomorrow and will test some more. I just don't want the pressure to be going up while spraying.

JackB

Bick,

Good to know thanks very much for checking yours. Do you notice any pressure changes while painting?

Badger support told me that it's caused by minute air loss in the system and that they are hard to detect and fix. I would have thought a bad regulator. Anyway, waiting on new air hose to arrive tomorrow and will test some more. I just don't want the pressure to be going up while spraying.

Jack,

No, no pressure changes while using the airbrush other than the 'it always has" drop of 2 PSI when I depress the AB trigger. I don't get any pressure rise while spraying.

I tried spraying air for up to 2 min+ and the pressure stayed at 24PSI which is what I set it to. On release 26PSI and then creeps to 31PSI. So shooting pressure seems to be OK and 7PSI is as high as it gets when at rest.

Sounds good Jack, now you've got to got to some put paint on some models.

When I went to paint the air pressure changes +/-6PSI, I found the issue. That little chip in the moisture trap was the culprit. It came with some abrasions in the plastic from manufacturing (didn't think much of it at first). So I got the unit replaced...

This is what I got today, NEW out of the box...

As you can see gauge is not at zero and not even working properly, maybe because motor is mounted all wonkers! Motor dose not even work, nor dose the regulator. I don't know how this got past QC.

I am trying 1 more replacement (only because I got a good price this last time). Then that's it, if next one is bad I give up on Badger.

Jack,

Gotta be really frustrating! I'm beginning to think I was very lucky with mine. I agree, you have to wonder how that one ever got out of the factory. I was under the impression that Badger was supposed to perform a 9 point inspection before shipping but maybe that's statistical sampling and not each individual unit. Anyway, I hope the replacement is a great one.

In all fairness, it's quite probable that the motor "misalignment" has been caused by the box being slammed on it's side during delivery at some point. The motor is quite heavy & if there isn't any supporting packaging between the motor & the case, this is the likely outcome - the outer packaging may not even be damaged if it's been squarely dumped on it side.

You have certainly had a few problems with this unit, but I don't think for one second that it left Badger looking like that....

Milairjunkie,

I think it's all from manufacturing. It would have take a lot of force to bend like that. You can't even budge the assembly if you try by hand. It's welded and bolted together very strongly.

The only support  badger puts in are a cardboard liner insert around motor, 1 cardboard liner inside the box and styrene on top of unit next to handle. This was delivered via UPS from a local amazon warehouse. The last 1 came all the way across country and issues was not from shipping.

I have however complained to both UPS & amazon. Too bad one can not select the carrier they want when shopping at amazon. I would not choose UPS for such an item.

Another replacement Badger TC 910 unit arrived today. Upon delivery, I noted to the UPS driver what was going on and he pointed out the package he was holding also had damage (to both the outer Amazon and Badger box inside). He waited a moment and I opened it up and took out the compressor for a quick peek. Looked OK, motor not leaning, gauge at zero, and for the 1st time this unit had the sticker markings on the moisture trap. I accepted it but driver did note in system that the box arrived damaged and then left.

So atm I will try work with this for a couple of days to see how it goes. So far today... it goes up to 55-56PSI and kicks in at 45PSI (these gauges are not 100%). Spray pressure is consistent. I tried it set at 24 & 32PSI. When idle the gauge will show it creep up +8 to 10PSI (is this really normal with all brands when AB is off pressure gauge goes up that much?).

Only con I noticed so far is when tank is empty and I am moving the unit, I heard bits of metal clanging inside the tank. I opened the drain and a few came out but 1 larger one is still inside. Bits look like from welding. Though it dose not seem to rattle when in use.

I do have a question for you guys, how dose that pressure valve with ring on it work? how do I check it?

Thanks

JackB

I think it's all from manufacturing. It would have take a lot of force to bend like that. You can't even budge the assembly if you try by hand. It's welded and bolted together very strongly.

You would be surprised!

JackB

I do have a question for you guys, how dose that pressure valve with ring on it work? how do I check it?

That's the ring pull on the pressure relief valve, shouldn't really be any need to check it, but with a pressurised tank a reasonable pull on it should open the valve & release air, it should close when released & re-seal. Should the unit over pressurise for some reason (faulty pressure switch or wiring), the valve will blow open to release air & protect the tank.

Milairjunkie

That's the ring pull on the pressure relief valve, shouldn't really be any need to check it, but with a pressurised tank a reasonable pull on it should open the valve & release air, it should close when released & re-seal. Should the unit over pressurise for some reason (faulty pressure switch or wiring), the valve will blow open to release air & protect the tank.

That's what I thought. Guess I was not pulling it hard enough, I just tried and it dose work fine. Thanks

JackB

So atm I will try work with this for a couple of days to see how it goes. So far today... it goes up to 55-56PSI and kicks in at 45PSI (these gauges are not 100%). Spray pressure is consistent. I tried it set at 24 & 32PSI. When idle the gauge will show it creep up +8 to 10PSI (is this really normal with all brands when AB is off pressure gauge goes up that much?).

Jack, no, it is not normal for a pressure reading to drop 8-10 psi when you push/pull the airbrush trigger. It is an indication of the Chinese manufacture who makes the regulator has no engineering background and change the pressure port design to save cost. I have discussed this in this and the ARC forum.

Someone has argue that the reading is not important because you adjust the pressure setting based on the result of your atomization and overspray, not a simple number. It may have some truth to it. But the argument does not hold water when you try to help a new compressor owner to start out. Besides, why should I pay to same money for a defective design?

Your pressure setting seems too high for the Iwata CR. Try lower it to 15-20 psi when there is no flow. The reading may drop to below 10 psi. If the mist is fine and the overspary small, it will be a good setting for your combination. Good luck.

keilau

Jack, no, it is not normal for a pressure reading to drop 8-10 psi when you push/pull the airbrush trigger. It is an indication of the Chinese manufacture who makes the regulator has no engineering background and change the pressure port design to save cost. I have discussed this in this and the ARC forum.

Thanks for your input. Let me make sure we are on the same page here...

I have been setting the pressure to spray at about 24psi when CR AB is on. When the air brush is off for a few seconds gauge goes up +2-4psi, if it's off for more than 1 minute gauge reads up to 16psi higher (so it stops at about 40psi). This is what I have bee referring to as creeping up. So basically when I start to spray again from that point it's starting at 40 and quickly snaps back down to the set 24psi (dose not drop lower than what i set it on).

btw. Badger has not been responding to support email (could be on vacation). Last I heard from them is that this is normal and there are leaks in the system that would be hard to detect and fix.

I am still trying to work with this new unit for a couple of more days. I am also toying with the idea of returning it and going with something of better quality even though I know the price would 2x.

JackB

keilau

Jack, no, it is not normal for a pressure reading to drop 8-10 psi when you push/pull the airbrush trigger. It is an indication of the Chinese manufacture who makes the regulator has no engineering background and change the pressure port design to save cost. I have discussed this in this and the ARC forum.

Thanks for your input. Let me make sure we are on the same page here...

I have been setting the pressure to spray at about 24psi when CR AB is on. When the air brush is off for a few seconds gauge goes up +2-4psi, if it's off for more than 1 minute gauge reads up to 16psi higher (so it stops at about 40psi). This is what I have bee referring to as creeping up. So basically when I start to spray again from that point it's starting at 40 and quickly snaps back down to the set 24psi (dose not drop lower than what i set it on).

btw. Badger has not been responding to support email (could be on vacation). Last I heard from them is that this is normal and there are leaks in the system that would be hard to detect and fix.

I am still trying to work with this new unit for a couple of more days. I am also toying with the idea of returning it and going with something of better quality even though I know the price would 2x.

The point is that, with a regulator behaving like this, there is no way to tell what pressure you were at.

A good pressure regulator should be the diaphram type. It takes a full turn of the knob to change pressure by 1-2 psi and the action is quite linear. When you remove the pressure gauge, you see a small (< 1/8") hole in the port area. I paid $12 for mine at TCPGlobal a few years ago. Badger used to make a good regulator too, but cost about $50. You can see several brands here.

Many of the cheap (under $20) airbrush regulator sold on Ebay today are just a simple orifice and pressure port is a gapping hole where you can see the orifice screw truning. This type will not do much regulation and provide poor pressure readings.  

I use an Iwata HP-CS with the Paasche DA-400 compressor. For most acrylic paints thinned, I use 17 psi which I set statistically (no flow). The reading will not change more than 0.5 psi when I start airbrushing.

In most case, a change of 1-2 psi in reading may be considered acceptable. Anything more than that, I will question the quality of the regulator. If you decide to keep the TC-910, you may consider replacing the regulator with a better quality one.

Thank you guys for all your help, info and taking the time, I really appreciate it.

I spent a little time each day the last few days working with this current Badger TC 910 unit and I found that when left alone for more than 8 minutes (without any use), the motor would kick back on. I don't know where it's leaking but there has to be a leak somewhere. This should not be with a brand new unit out of the box and I don't expect to have to buy replacement parts to fix a new one.

I've decided to return it for a refund and will look for another brand.

Jack,

You've certainly had frustrations with theTC910. It's said that all air tanks leak but 8 minutes is a little on the 'fast leak' side of a small leak. If it's not a hose or AB connection that leaks then something is amiss. Mine holds pressure for several hours; in fact I've never had it come on other than when spraying even though it's plugged in and ready to go. If it leaks it's very very slow. But, there are other good compressors out there and you might take a look at the Paasche one shown in the most recent MicroMark catalog - twin cylinder, 3.5L tank and $265. Know nothing about it but specs sound good. Also, take a look at the Sparmax TC620 referenced earlier in this thread - $299 shipped from Dixie Art Supplies and a known value. Because my TC910 is still working fine, I'm disappointed that you've had three that didn't work as expected but good luck with the next one, whichever you choose.

Bick,

Thanks, I will take a look. Also I sent email to Dixie Art regarding the Sparmax. That seems to be a good choice for the price since the Iwata models w/tank are $400+. I was talking with 1 gent on youtube who has a Sparmax TC610. It's a single head unit w/tank, but can't find it in USA. Anyway, no rush here.

Has anyone here purchased from Dixie Art and can recommend them?

JackB

Bick,

Thanks, I will take a look. Also I sent email to Dixie Art regarding the Sparmax. That seems to be a good choice for the price since the Iwata models w/tank are $400+. I was talking with 1 gent on youtube who has a Sparmax TC610. It's a single head unit w/tank, but can't find it in USA. Anyway, no rush here.

Has anyone here purchased from Dixie Art and can recommend them?

Jack,

If your budget allows, go to Hobby Lobby and take a look at their offers. The Windstorm and Storm Force are both excellent value when you use the 40% coupon. They are Sparmax compressors.

With the twin piston Storm Force, you will not need an airtank. The 2 cylinders balance each other out to give very smooth air flow which is enough to support 2 airbrushes.