Devilbiss Aerograph Sprite parts assistance

[RK Ink and Focus]

Fingers crossed it gets better with a serious soak and clean.

 

[Wizard_Theron]

For the sprite, i bought it on a whim when i found it on our local market surplus. the owner of the brush talked about his history working as a retired illustrator and since he has the trigger finger and cant brush anymore at his age at 72 he is selling this brush.. it was cheap at around 30 usd converted.. he told me that its still working so i took his offer and brought it home..

Since joining this group, i have been affected by AAD and I'm quite frugal but i dont know now.. i usually wanted something that has some background before buying...

I have a takumi eclipse on the way from mr. tom from tag team hobbies he helped me on my order and was very patient as well as you guys trying to help me fix this brush! It might went over the budget but i hope to revive it soon when i save up!

I used to be frugal till I met people here. Now I’m just broke. Enjoy your AAD. Sounds like a serious case already.

 

[Bisky]

Quick update, i managed to free the gunk and the nozzle isnt busted thank god!

It was heavily clogged

The only problem left is either the airvalve assembly, or the diaphragm (not to mention the clutch piece)

Air keeps flowing still...

But she finally sprays!

Can you guys tell me more about this brush?

Is the diaphragm responsible for controlling the airflow or the airvalve?

 

[Kingpin]

I am pretty sure the air valve controls the air flow through the brush and the diaphragm stops air blowing up through the trigger

 

[Kingpin]

Great to see her spraying, I will scan the manual that came with mine later and post it up

 

[Bisky]

Thank you sir, even if i cant fix the air, i can use it with the air always blowing just need to buy that clutch piece... Wish the valve wasnt out of stock (

 

[RK Ink and Focus]

Just as king pin says the valve does the air, the diaphragm is like the oring you get on top of an air valve in a harder and steenbeck around the pin.

Have you taken the airvalve apart? It is a ball and spring, it may even be that the screw in piece is too loose that you can do up from the bottom of the air valve. Or there is a little gunk in the airvalve too.

I cannot remember if the airvalve ball sits against an oring in the airvalve body without taking my sprite major apart. If there is an oring that may be perished.

 

[RK Ink and Focus]

Just a note that the airvalve hose fitting is an UNEF thread so standard 3/8" bsp hoses do not screw straight on, they are availabe on everything airbrush through.

 

[Bisky]

Just a note that the airvalve hose fitting is an UNEF thread so standard 3/8" bsp hoses do not screw straight on, they are availabe on everything airbrush through.

Here's a picture of the airvalve disassembled

Or what's left of it..

I cant seem to find what you've mentioned...

But when i assembled it and attached the air it just keeps leaking

 

[Kingpin]

Give me a minute and I will take apart the one I have to compare.

 

[Kingpin]

 

[Kingpin]

The ball bearing is 4mm

 

[Bisky]

The ball bearing is 4mm

Oh there was really a ball bearing .. ive got one of from the mixing balls but i think its 1 mm thicker

 

[Bisky]

Do you know if theres an o-ring or a teflon inside the valve? I managed to fashion a seal with my sanded ball bearing but upon pushing down the first time, it started leaking again

 

[Bisky]

Do you know if theres an o-ring or a teflon inside the valve? I managed to fashion a seal with my sanded ball bearing but upon pushing down the first time, it started leaking again

 

[Kingpin]

It looks as though something is in there, it could be a part of the plastic part on the other on the end! not sure if or how it comes out thought!


I have also scanned the manual and put it in the resource section

https://airbrushforum.org/resources/devilbiss-sprite-manual.94/

 

[RK Ink and Focus]

Looks like it is sealing on the plastic insert. I dont think you should have that disc in there, someone has pit that in instead of the ball it seems. A new ball bearing and making sure that insert face looks like it will make a seal and preload the spring enough that it will push back up.

Is the old diaphragm hard and crispy and making it stick down?

 

[Bisky]

Looks like it is sealing on the plastic insert. I dont think you should have that disc in there, someone has pit that in instead of the ball it seems. A new ball bearing and making sure that insert face looks like it will make a seal and preload the spring enough that it will push back up.

Is the old diaphragm hard and crispy and making it stick down?

My orders are on the way! (Clutch piece, diaphragms etc) The diaphragm rubber is still good but the hole is bigger, making the valve rod to slip..

Ive tried some testing on the sprite the spray angle is pretty wide so i get bigger sprays on a smaller nozzle

 

[RK Ink and Focus]

 

[Bisky]

Update on my Brush: She lives! Thank you everyone for encouraging me to push through!

Our collective efforts are not in vain!



So my parts arrived i started to work on this brush again, the clutch piece was the key to make this brush fully functional.

I will mention that the diaphragm was already brittle when it arrived and it tore open when i tried it first .. and i kept my original parts and thankfully it still works


I also ordered the ball bearing as you guys have mentioned! The ball bearing that arrived was only 1 mm in diameter ... I kept the previous attachments including the disc and it was air tight once again!

Here is my spray demo:


I was so amazed that an old vintage airbrush can still spray at an acceptable level and for some reason this brush doesn't clog .. i sprayed everything in one go without cleaning the tip

There are still issues with this brush that i think is damaged: the bent needle near the clutch piece and the nozzle i think its busted but still sprays...

Although i dont have any references on how does this spray at its prime, but i will definitely save up some $$ to buy the nozzle needle set...

Thank you again for all your support and help! I thought this brush will just be a museum piece in my collection but you guys are the best!

You helped me revived this old fossil! From an old amber into an AERO-Dactyl