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Airbrush Quick Release Issues


LSP_Kevin

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Fellas, I recently bought myself a quick connect adapter for my airbrush (both adapter and airbrush are Iwata brand). I'm having issues with it though, and thought I'd seek some advice to see if there's anything I can do.

 

What's happening is that, when I hold the airbrush at certain angles, or pull the air hose in a certain way, most of the air from the compressor comes out of the top of the air hose, rather than the airbrush! Now, I have to emphatically state that the issue is not with the connection between the air hose and the quick connecter adapter; rather, the air comes out of the small metal interface that sits between the air hose proper and the threaded nut that goes onto the airbrush (or quick connecter adapter in this case).

 

I'll put up a photo if that explanation doesn't make any sense. This doesn't happen when the hose is connected directly to the airbrush, only when using the quick connecter adapter - and it's very annoying! It also happens when I'm using my H&S airbrush too, not just the Iwata. FWIW, I 'fix' it by twisting the aforementioned metal section on the hose around until the leak stops. There's a bit of length-wise (vertical, if you like) play in that area, as it slides up and down between where it joins onto the house, and the base of the connector proper. I think what might be happening is that the compressed air is hitting the quick connecter adapter in way that it doesn't do for a direct airbrush connection, and then 'bouncing' back down and forcing its way out at the sliding section. Make sense?

 

Whatever's happening, it seems very wrong to me, and I have no idea how to stop it from happening. It's making airbrushing a right pain at the moment, and if it can't be fixed, I'll have to ditch the quick connecter adapter - which would be a shame.

 

Kev

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Hi Kev,

2 things to try. Is it possible to switch the quick release fittings end for end? If yes disconnect everything and switch directions of the fittings. Are the fittings brass or the other material? If the other than brass buy a complete brass quick release setup. What you have is not sealing completly. These are just my thoughts, I'm sure more ideas will come up.

Mike Horina

Edited by mhorina
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Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm wondering if perhaps the air hose is not screwing all the way onto the quick release fitting properly. I've done it finger-tight as far as it will go, but there's still plenty of visible thread in evidence on the quick release fitting. Or perhaps my air hose is faulty, though I'd expect to see symptoms of it when it's attached directly to the airbrush too.

 

Mike, the QR fitting doesn't appear to be brass; it's Iwata branded though, so I'd expect it to fit, and work with, their own airbrushes flawlessly. It wasn't that cheap either! I'm pretty sure the ends aren't interchangeable, but I'll have to wait until I get home to have another look.

 

Kev

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  • 2 months later...

Just bringing this one back out of the dungeon, as these issues are still ongoing, and I've finally figured out what's happening. The quick release connector is not screwing far enough into the airbrush hose to fully engage the o-ring and lock the otherwise loose end of the airbrush hose into place. Consequently, that fitting on the airbrush hose remains loose, allowing both vertical and lateral movement, and each time there is any of either, the airflow all but stops. Dreadfully frustrating!

 

My remaining question then, is why doesn't the thread of the quick release connector screw all the way into the fitting on the airbrush hose? I suspect the thread may be damaged. There's a definite area on the thread that doesn't look right, although it doesn't look specifically damaged either. I've tried to take a couple of photos, so if you guys would care to take a look, perhaps you can tell me if the thread looks damaged to you?

 

file-17.jpg

 

file-18.jpg

 

If so, I'll just have to plump for a new quick release adapter (and stop using this one).

 

Kev

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If that is a hard foreign object restricting seating, that needs to be romoved. Maybe with an X-Acto blade. That should allow it to seat properly. Once removed try seating it again and run your compressor. If it seats all the way and still leaks, maybe teflon tape as a seal is in order.

I don't know what else to suggest.

 

Sincerely,

Mark

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I had a similar problem recently. I fitted a manifold on the compressor that allows me to supply two airbrushes at the same time. For the last twenty years I have been using a brass connector made in Germany for a Hansa airbrush (my first "proper" airbrush), so I needed a second connector for the second hose. I purchased a no-brand generic item I got from an on-line retailer that used to sell books, but now sells everything. The price seemed quite good, so I thought I was a good deal. It leaked like a sieve. Looking at it, I could not see what was wrong. Every time I moved the airbrush it leaked between the "male" and "female" connectors. I sent it back and got a refund. After that, I purchased a genuine Iwata quick-release connection from www.airbrushes.com and it works like a charm. They even tested it for me before sending to make sure it was right.

The difference between the two was the price, but "cheap" was actually no saving.

My suggestion is to get a genuine branded item. H&S make a beautifully-machined connector.

Radu

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I think the fitting is faulty. I have the same type for my H&S and it works perfectly. Much easier to just get a new one than to ruin a good model and have to deal with the frustration everytime you want to paint. I have had up to 60psi through the H&S and never had a problem with the quick connector.

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My suggestion is to get a genuine branded item. H&S make a beautifully-machined connector.

 

Radu, I failed to mention that this is an Iwata-branded connector. As far as I can tell there is no foreign matter in the thread. The discoloured part appears to be just that - discolouration. I can't explain what it is, or how it might be affecting the fit. But clearly it is! It won't screw into the hose past that point, even though the thread flanges appear to be undamaged. Oh well, I'll get another one when I can.

 

Kev

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Hi Kevin,

The connector in your photo does not quite look like an Iwata quick connector... You can Google for images of Iwata Connectors.

Radu

 

Maybe so, but I bought it as an Iwata connector, and it came in an Iwata-branded packet. Here's the exact link:

 

http://www.amcsupplies.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_100&products_id=1619

 

Not sure if I can buy just the hose connector on its own. The part that goes on the airbrush is available separately, but I can't find any evidence of the hose connector being available separately. I bought mine as a kit, with 2 airbrush connectors and the hose connector.

 

Kev

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That section of the thread looks knackered. I'd get it replaced.

 

Matt

 

I'll contact them and see what they say, but it's likely that they'll simply say that I ruined the thread somehow after purchase. I'm happy to buy a replacement if I can find them separately.

 

Kev

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I'd say you'd have to have given it a good thrashing to strip all the chrome plating off so tidily! Maybe try going straight to your Iwata importers as they are likely to look at the 'replace part vs poor reputation' equation somewhat differently to a retailer....?

 

Matt

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I'd say you'd have to have given it a good thrashing to strip all the chrome plating off so tidily! Maybe try going straight to your Iwata importers as they are likely to look at the 'replace part vs poor reputation' equation somewhat differently to a retailer....?

 

Matt

 

I've just sent a message off to the retailer, along with links to the photos in this thread. I don't like my chances however, as their returns policy states you must notify them within 7 days, whereas I bought this unit in early January.

 

Kev

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