A bit of help please

[Mickc1440]

I’ve been having problems with my neo on and off, just stripped it down and given it a full clean but managed to damage the tip of the needle being clumsy.
I love the finish I get from airbrushes but have a real problem with looking after needles. I have put a business case forward to swmbo and have been given the go ahead to invest in something a little more upmarket. Are there needle less ones out there that are good quality or if needs must a nice reliable good one I could invest in. Obviously the needle bending numpty is still in the equation
Thanks

[KarlW]

H&S have a different, tool less, style of nozzle so may help, but then a needle is still a needle.
Also bear in mind the Neo isn't actually made by Iwata, so doesn't have the same quality.
I only ever hooked needles on cheap brushes.

There are needle sharpening tools available as well.

[rtfoe]

Mick, if you can still find an old Badger 150 medium head, you'll find the needles less likely to be bent or tip breaking as the tip is not exactly sharp but is beveled at the tip. It still sprays sharp between 1mm and 2mm. They're made for rough handling.

Cheers,
Richard

[langy71]

I’ve been having problems with my neo on and off, just stripped it down and given it a full clean but managed to damage the tip of the needle being clumsy.
I love the finish I get from airbrushes but have a real problem with looking after needles. I have put a business case forward to swmbo and have been given the go ahead to invest in something a little more upmarket. Are there needle less ones out there that are good quality or if needs must a nice reliable good one I could invest in. Obviously the needle bending numpty is still in the equation
Thanks

Although I didn't bend the needle on mine, I did have problems with my Neo, despite very thoroughly cleaning it I couldn't stop it blowing bubbles back into the paint cup, fully stripped it multiple times, cleaned it, soaked it in cellulose thinners, cleaned it again paying special attention to every area that paint could get anywhere near, and it still back fed air into the paint cup. in the end i put it back in it's box, tossed it in a draw, and bought a H&S Ultra.. never locked back, I like it so much i'm toying with grabbing an Infinity CR

[Mickc1440]

Many thanks for the input gents, back to the boardroom with my plan

[Guest]

The newer H&S airbrushes have the v2 needle which doesn't have the very fine end that many have, which should make them less susceptible to bending.

I haven't managed to bend mine yet, and I'm a clumsy oaf!

[KarlW]

The newer H&S airbrushes have the v2 needle which doesn't have the very fine end that many have, which should make them less susceptible to bending.

I haven't managed to bend mine yet, and I'm a clumsy oaf!

It's like a double chamfer, means they're not as sharp but then they don't need to be just mate with the nozzle.

[Guest]

Indeed. A shape much more commonly found in spray gun needles.

[Guest]

Hi Mick, after buying and trying 3 other brands I now have three H&S airbrushes, each with a different needle size for convenience. I can't recommend them highly enough. Not only do they spray better than the others I tried, they are by far the easiest to clean.

[PaulTRose]

theres a brand called Aztek which dosnt use needles, in the same sense as a 'normal' airbrush............has interchangable nozzles which has needles inside which are only an inch long......and some are plastic rather then steel

they are a bit marmite......some love them, some hate them.......ive had 2, still use one for some work........they are 'different' and can be infuriating (but thats my cock ups not the airbrush) but no more than any other airbrush......just different..............they are american, and not as common as the big names, but there is an importer somewhere in the uk

ive used all sorts of brands....cheap chinese ones that work great for a year, then die........had a badger i just couldnt get on with.........had a iwata neo that went in the bin after 3 month cos it was complete rubbish............i now have a sparmax and very happy with it

[KarlW]

had a iwata neo that went in the bin after 3 month cos it was complete rubbish..........

Because they are cheap chinese clones with Iwata endorsement, not actually made by Iwata. I bought mine when RRP was £50 and sold it a few months ago for a bit more than that as they now retail at £80, absolutely not worth it compared to anything else at that price point.

[adt70hk]

I've recently got a Sparmax 0.4mm and so far been very happy with it. Have less problems and with my tamiya super fine, which shares many parts with iwata.

Prices are in the mid £50 and spare parts are much cheaper than the 'big' brands...

[Tim Marlow]

The Aztek brushes are ok, and very flexible. They are able to be easily used as single and double action, and can limit the line size without changing needles. However, I found the nozzle quality was variable. If you get a good one they are great, but a bad one is just a pain in the rear....
They are no easier to clean than a normal brush, and you really have to dismantle the nozzle by removing the needle and spring to get them properly clean. The other thing I found is that they use far more air than a conventional brush, so are not suitable for all compressors. My AS 86 wouldn’t supply enough air for continuous operation, so airbrushing large items was a chore.

[Guest]

They are no easier to clean than a normal brush

Though I only really have experience with a few airbrushes, I find my Aztek far easier to clean than the Badger I used to use before.

you really have to dismantle the nozzle by removing the needle and spring to get them properly clean.

I don’t normally do this. I pull the outer sleeve of the nozzle off the inner/needle/spring assembly and clear them separately, but have never had a need to remove the needle from the inner part of the nozzle. Rinsing with plenty of water and blowing through it with my mouth gets all the paint out — though that’s invariably water-soluble acrylics, it may be different with enamels or other paints that you can’t clean up with water.

[Tim Marlow]

I don’t normally do this. I pull the outer sleeve of the nozzle off the inner/needle/spring assembly and clear them separately, but have never had a need to remove the needle from the inner part of the nozzle. Rinsing with plenty of water and blowing through it with my mouth gets all the paint out —

That is what I meant Jakko, I obviously didn’t describe it very well. I‘ve never taken the spring and needle assembly apart either, just the needle assembly out of the shroud. My current Iwatta is far easier to clean though, possibly because it’s a side feed. I can access the paint path to clean it when the paint cup and opposite blank are removed, and the needle is withdrawn from the back by simply loosening a knurled nut, so it can be cleaned off the brush..