Paasche model H airbrush

'Tatty but useable' read the description in its entirety. And for less than a tenner I became the owner of a Paasche 'H' airbrush, along with a matching hose (since given away). The finger button for the air valve was missing, as was anything to hold paint.

Its a single action brush, like my recently aquired Badger 200NH, but unlike the Badger its external mix. Most Paasche 'brushes have the rear part of the handle made of plastic, on this one the rear is plated brass like the main body, which I feel makes for nicer balance.

Tatty it was, and quite dirty. First of all I fitted a quick disconnect coupling (a rather smart Harder and Steenbeck job) and blew some air through it, which proved that the air valve was working as it should. Then with a Badger colour cup fitted I sprayed some screenwash, playing with the paint flow adjuster, which also worked as it should. However the end of the tip (the conical part that fits over the needle and is moved back and forth to regulate the paint flow) was damaged and needed replacing. The entire colour adjuster can be removed by loosening a set screw and sliding the needle assembly out of the body. Which would have worked if the needle wasn't stuck fast, refusing to budge even when held tight in pliers. So, I sawed the needle in half and drifted the stuck part out with a hammer and a suitable length of steel. Strong-arm tactics in airbrush repair... Then I stripped out the air valve and set to the body with Brasso whilst it was in pieces. The finish isn't perfect, but now it looks like a tool that someone uses rather than one that's been abandoned in the back of the shed.

Here's the remains of the needle still stuck in the body;

And removed;

Air valve stripped down;

I bought a new needle/tip assembly. This wasn't a problem, spares are easy to find and I planned to replace them anyway. Here's the old and new ones;

And complete again;

Also fitted is a new finger button (I planned to turn one but the replacements are so cheap it wasn't worth the effort of making my own), and a colour cup;

Again, I've had the pleasure of making good an old and neglected tool.

Paul.