DaveG
Airbush Analyst
One of my very first airbrushes purchased in the early 80's was a Badger 100iL, or 100SF. I quickly moved on to other brushes, but that one has always held a sentimental place. I purchased a new 100SF when I wanted to take a stab at converting it to a side feed Sotar, but really did not care for the feel of that conversion. The 100's are not the same as they were back in the day - small model revisions make it feel quite foreign to me, compared to what I remember it to be, with it's slim, tapered handle, and small size. Now, they come with a big, heavy, straight handle -
So, I set out to make the brush into something that I would not only keep, but actually use
.
I have never liked that these brushes could not be used without a needle cap on them, because it is incorporated into the nozzle cap as a one piece unit. So, my first mod was to machine the regulator cap to expose the needle, so I could use it similar to say, an Iwata, with the needle cap off. I did make a small change to the regulator cap, based on something I have seen on an adjustable regulator Thayer & Chandler, but that change is not for the faint of heart (or unskilled machinist)... so I will keep it as noted as a generic "change". I also cut a new blanking plug to fill the off side color cup hole, and plated both parts to match the rest of the brush. I should mention here that to me, "iL" has always put me in the mindset of "illustrator", so in that spirit the "medium" head set was ditched in favor of the "fine" with matching needle.
Next step was to come up with a new regulator cap that will allow a "paint picker" crown cap to be slid on, say similar to a Harder and Steendeck Infinity - so, back into the machine shop, and -
The crown cap slip fits, and can be positioned at any angle the heart desires, to expose a view of the needle tip while working. I'll get this buffed out and plated in the next few days. Other alterations to the brush are the installation of an older, smaller trigger button (much nicer machine work than current stock), the side feed holes were reamed to accept the larger stems of Iwata, and Aztek color cups, softer trigger spring custom wound and installed, new needle spring, and the rear handle is one that Badger offers as an extra. I have smaller O-rings on order to reduce their profile, yet still fill the gaps machined in the handle - just less obtrusively.
This brush, I like. It works quite well the way I have it fitted, is very small, and light, and handles very nicely.
I wanted to do a 100G ("B" cup) brush, but found out they changed the shape and position of the color cup on new production, so I set my sights on finding a used one I can rebuild.
So, I set out to make the brush into something that I would not only keep, but actually use
.I have never liked that these brushes could not be used without a needle cap on them, because it is incorporated into the nozzle cap as a one piece unit. So, my first mod was to machine the regulator cap to expose the needle, so I could use it similar to say, an Iwata, with the needle cap off. I did make a small change to the regulator cap, based on something I have seen on an adjustable regulator Thayer & Chandler, but that change is not for the faint of heart (or unskilled machinist)... so I will keep it as noted as a generic "change". I also cut a new blanking plug to fill the off side color cup hole, and plated both parts to match the rest of the brush. I should mention here that to me, "iL" has always put me in the mindset of "illustrator", so in that spirit the "medium" head set was ditched in favor of the "fine" with matching needle.
Next step was to come up with a new regulator cap that will allow a "paint picker" crown cap to be slid on, say similar to a Harder and Steendeck Infinity - so, back into the machine shop, and -
The crown cap slip fits, and can be positioned at any angle the heart desires, to expose a view of the needle tip while working. I'll get this buffed out and plated in the next few days. Other alterations to the brush are the installation of an older, smaller trigger button (much nicer machine work than current stock), the side feed holes were reamed to accept the larger stems of Iwata, and Aztek color cups, softer trigger spring custom wound and installed, new needle spring, and the rear handle is one that Badger offers as an extra. I have smaller O-rings on order to reduce their profile, yet still fill the gaps machined in the handle - just less obtrusively.
This brush, I like. It works quite well the way I have it fitted, is very small, and light, and handles very nicely.
I wanted to do a 100G ("B" cup) brush, but found out they changed the shape and position of the color cup on new production, so I set my sights on finding a used one I can rebuild.
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