First impressions of the Harder Steenbeck Evolution 2024 is pretty impressive.

[Drastion]

I was holding out for a 2024 Infinity. When I saw a sale where I could get a a 2in1 Evolution, a Iwata cleaning kit, and a tankless compressor for the price of a Solo Evolution. I couldn't pass it up if they were just looking to clear out some unwanted tankless compressors.

I am basically a Badger fanboy. So I have gotten quite used to how they work. With the recent gold Sotar finish issue. I was pretty impressed with how smooth polished and squeaky clean the finish is.

This is with only a bit of practice as the Keats cleaning kit has some things I an using to fix up some of my airbrushes. The trigger has a much smoother range of movement than I am used to. With Badger the trigger goes from little to a lot in short order. The Evolution has a much greater range between a fine line and full open.

A nice fat trigger pad is still comfortable for the odd way I hold the trigger. Great fit and finish all around.

Was trying to trim down my collection an decide on a good general use airbrush that could be a jack of all trades a master of none. If this is just a first impression. I cannot wait to see what it can do when I get more familiar with it. Looks like I have found just what I am looking for.

 

[DaveG]

Congrats on the acquisition.

I have a lot of brushes. The Evolution 2024 has moved its way right up to role of a daily driver for almost any project I may undertake. Amazingly versatile brush. Fit and finish is as good as just about anything out there. The seals and springs i developed for this brush take it up to the next level. Super smooth. To me, I consider it to simply be a fantastic brush.

 

[Drastion]

That was exactly what I was looking for. After your post about the Patriot arrow air cap. A new general airbrush was on my radar.

Once the Infinity comes out I will definitely get one of those super tiny not quite micro cups. I have my Sotars for fine detail that I feel right at home with. So the Infinity itself will be a long ways off once I get bored with trying new airbrushes.

 

[Wizard_Theron]

I don’t have one yet but i have seen one in hand and thought the build quality and finish was top notch. Everyone who gets one seems to say great things about it. Sounds like you got a great deal!

 

[RK Ink and Focus]

Hmm this sounds like a brush that is being overshadowed by the new infinity release for certain. One for the wish list!

Has anyone tried the new trigger, needle/nozzle/cap combo in the old evo as a comparison on the performance between the new evo and upgraded old?

 

[_ESpy_]

They are good. I'm currently finding a slightly odd resistance at the start of the trigger pullback, almost like a sear. Might have to strip that bit & check nothing's obstructing. I've slackened the air valve off fractionally, which makes things more comfortable (for me); I'd love to be able to adjust the trigger tension too, but that'll require a new spring rather than adjuster.

Just been trying out some Golden High Flow in black, which seems quite prone to tip dry out of the bottle.

Oddly, I seem to be missing some chrome inside the smaller colour cup, at the base where it necks down to the threaded section. I don't know if that's wear (which seems unlikely given it's not that old and how I baby these things) or it's always been like that.

 

[Kingpin]

Sounds like a good deal Drastion, Nice score

I may have to wait a while before I manage to find a H&S 2024 brush for £40 on ebay

 

[Drastion]

Hmm this sounds like a brush that is being overshadowed by the new infinity release for certain. One for the wish list!

Has anyone tried the new trigger, needle/nozzle/cap combo in the old evo as a comparison on the performance between the new evo and upgraded old?

Assuming he triggers on the old ones are the same. I tried putting the Evo trigger in the old Infinity. There was no change in the delayed action. The new needle tube fits inside the crescent part of the new trigger differently than the old. Trying to put the new needle tube assembly didn't work. The threading in the body is different.

 

[RK Ink and Focus]

Interesting thankyou. I have an old rescued xl2000 and i am planning on getting the later head parts at some point, i was wondering if the trigger was worth getting. I remember, I think it was Dave, saying the "lag" being an initiation characteristic from the airflow around the nozzle. Rather than a trigger issue, maybe the trigger upgrade is more of a placebo, but it is legitimately better in its own right in other areas.

 

[tatocorvette]

Sounds nice!
What is the difference between Evolution and Infinity? I am not familiar with these.

Thanks,
Ismael

 

[Drastion]

Interesting thankyou. I have an old rescued xl2000 and i am planning on getting the later head parts at some point, i was wondering if the trigger was worth getting. I remember, I think it was Dave, saying the "lag" being an initiation characteristic from the airflow around the nozzle. Rather than a trigger issue, maybe the trigger upgrade is more of a placebo, but it is legitimately better in its own right in other areas.

Forgot about this one. Here is a great video about the viability of upgrading a old Evo with new Evo parts

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Sounds nice!
What is the difference between Evolution and Infinity? I am not familiar with these.

Thanks,
Ismael

There are a few things but the main one is a new titanium nozzle. They can make is thinner so air flows over it better and it is more durable with the flexibility if titanium.

It is a bit of a long watch but here is a video about all the changes they made to the 2024 Infinity.

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[Drastion]

It was not a big deal. But I found the edge digging a tiny bit to my finger distracting. Looking at the trigger I am almost sure they ment to do but could not find one of Dave's solvent proof rings in the right size.

It took me a few tries to find the right size that fit tight enough that it would not slip. Once I found one it gave a good cushion around the sides and gave a nice semi soft grippy ledge at the front.

 

[DaveG]

It was not a big deal. But I found the edge digging a tiny bit to my finger distracting. Looking at the trigger I am almost sure they ment to do but could not find one of Dave's solvent proof rings in the right size.

It took me a few tries to find the right size that fit tight enough that it would not slip. Once I found one it gave a good cushion around the sides and gave a nice semi soft grippy ledge at the front.

View attachment 93533

I'll send you set of springs and seals for that brush. They make a BIG difference in feel. That right there is still my top pick from H&S. I just love working with mine.

 

[Drastion]

I'll send you set of springs and seals for that brush. They make a BIG difference in feel. That right there is still my top pick from H&S. I just love working with mine.

Yeah getting the F-2 shortly after the Evolution really showed me what a difference feel can make. Such an even amount of pressure needed to press the trigger and pull back makes it feel very natural. I am guessing it is a rubber needle seal it is hard to describe but feels really different to my Badger airbrushes.

Now going back to the Evolution feels off. Part of it may be the needle bushing. Did not really think about it at first but now I noticed it does drag on the needle a lot and probably why I need to clamp down the chucking nut so hard.

I tried loosening it but nothing changed until it just fell out. When yours was brand new was the needle bushing stiff? Its not hard but it feels weird. Makes me think it is dragging on the needle too much. Never paid attention to something like that before. When I pull the needle out is kind of sounds like a suction cup or blowing someone a kiss. Really strange now that focused my attention on it.

 

[DaveG]

Yeah getting the F-2 shortly after the Evolution really showed me what a difference feel can make. Such an even amount of pressure needed to press the trigger and pull back makes it feel very natural. I am guessing it is a rubber needle seal it is hard to describe but feels really different to my Badger airbrushes.

Now going back to the Evolution feels off. Part of it may be the needle bushing. Did not really think about it at first but now I noticed it does drag on the needle a lot and probably why I need to clamp down the chucking nut so hard.

I tried loosening it but nothing changed until it just fell out. When yours was brand new was the needle bushing stiff? Its not hard but it feels weird. Makes me think it is dragging on the needle too much. Never paid attention to something like that before. When I pull the needle out is kind of sounds like a suction cup or blowing someone a kiss. Really strange now that focused my attention on it.

teflon does not rebound - so if it is compressed to tightly around the needle it will stay that way until it wears. Loosening the screw won't change anything. You can use a toothpick to lightly ream the teflon out at the front of the packing screw - the front is the only part that is compressed. Go slow, and check needle fit often. You want the needle to slide through without feeling anything. Put the screw back in the brush, and tighten just until it stops. Add just a few more degrees of a turn, and check needle fit. You want to just feel resistance... repeat until you just feel it starting to rub. Better to have it leak a little and have to tighten again versus going too tight.

There really is no comparison between rubber and teflon - you will not feel the rubber, while you will always feel the teflon. I will warn you, a good trigger will spoil you!

Seals and springs will go today (already packed).

 

[tatocorvette]

In the case of traditional Badger seals, I have seen elsewhere using a drill bit the size of the needle to carefully ream the teflon seal. Just work slowly and carefully as like Dave says, it doesn't rebound so if you go too far you can't go back.
Maybe compressing it with the screw could help tighten it a little bit, but there is not much room to wiggle.

 

[DaveG]

I have seen elsewhere using a drill bit the size of the needle to carefully ream the teflon seal. Just work slowly and carefully as like Dave says, it doesn't rebound so if you go too far you can't go back. Maybe compressing it with the screw could help tighten it a little bit, but there is not much room to wiggle.

You are used to the Badger seals, which are a bit different. The new adjustable ones are more in line with the rest of the industry. The through hole in the teflon is oversized to the needle. The front of the seal pocket in the brush is tapered, so when you press the front edge of the teflon against it, it compresses the face, squeezing the needle at the front, but remaining free in the back. The Badger seals needed to be even through the entire length to maintain a seal...

 

[tatocorvette]

Fixed

 

[Drastion]

In the case of traditional Badger seals, I have seen elsewhere using a drill bit the size of the needle to carefully ream the teflon seal. Just work slowly and carefully as like Dave says, it doesn't rebound so if you go too far you can't go back.
Maybe compressing it with the screw could help tighten it a little bit, but there is not much room to wiggle.

I was trying to find a dealer kit for Badger reamer kits. They must have discontinued it a long while ago because I could not find one. It looked like the teamed was a electric guitar string. But I have not gone through my collection to figure out which one it is.

teflon does not rebound - so if it is compressed to tightly around the needle it will stay that way until it wears. Loosening the screw won't change anything. You can use a toothpick to lightly ream the teflon out at the front of the packing screw - the front is the only part that is compressed. Go slow, and check needle fit often. You want the needle to slide through without feeling anything. Put the screw back in the brush, and tighten just until it stops. Add just a few more degrees of a turn, and check needle fit. You want to just feel resistance... repeat until you just feel it starting to rub. Better to have it leak a little and have to tighten again versus going too tight.

There really is no comparison between rubber and teflon - you will not feel the rubber, while you will always feel the teflon. I will warn you, a good trigger will spoil you!

Seals and springs will go today (already packed).

I really appreciate that. I totally forgot you had my address from b that box I sent you. I was a bit hesitant the customize this airbrush so it wouldn't spoil me compared to my other airbrushes. But since I got this as a middle ground airbrush I can use on anything. So this would be the best one to do that to since it could be the airbrush I use the most.

Have always been curious about the "Dru Blair spring" never had a airbrush to put one in. This will be a interesting thing to try out that I have thinking about for literally years. Again I really appreciate your generosity and time with this.

 

[DaveG]

I like to still have some feel to my trigger, so my springs are not quite as soft as the ones that Dru uses. On the Evolution, it is pretty easy to use the trigger to regulate the air once you get a feel for it. You can just sneak the air on, and work very tight details, or mash it down and really open it up for some broad coverage. I threw in another spring you can play with in stuff like the F2. I find that trigger to be very intuitive.