Hi everybody - my first post.......

I'm struggling with sputter from my airbrush when trying to do fine cammo lines etc. I'm newly back to modelling after a 28 year break and have invested in a Gabbert Triplex (German double action product) airbrush and a good compressor with all the trimmings. I'm using Tamiya paints as there is not much else to get hold of in Norway apart from Humbrol stuff. I've tried to follow all the advice about cleaning, thinning etc. etc. What I have noticed though is that the needle is not centred in the nozzle when it retracts, it sort lies along one side of the nozzle. This goes for at least two of the needle/nozzle sets that the a/b came with. Is this a product defect or what? - Can't find any way to adjust centering of the needle nozzle and the instructions are sadly only in German of which I have about the same vocabulary as in the UK Commando comics from the sixties and seventies:|. Hope someone can help me here!

Try taking a close look at the shape of the spray pattern. When I get splattering, usually the pattern is off....not round. It comes out flat on one side, you can tell by spraying onto a piece of cardboard or scrap model. This means your needle is bent and needs to be replaced.
The other problems leading to splattering are usually clogs, and too-thick paint....but you've eliminated these already. If you insert the needle almost all the way and then spin it around, looking into the nozzle, you will see if it's bent. Sounds to me like it is since you said it touches the side of the opening.

If you have access to new needles you can experiment before you do a full replacement - try getting a rotary tool with a grinding bit on it. Then slowly regrind the needle so that it is centered. If that doesn't help, then replace it. I have a badger 175 and my tip bent and I did this and it worked out very well.

It does sound as if there is a needle problem.

Thanx for the tips y'all. I've done the check with rotating the needle - the needle lies constantly one side of the nozzle. The same symptoms show up on at least two of my needle/nozzle pairs. When i dissasmble the AB there is a small nylon (teflon) seal which the needle goes through which is the support/guidance point for the needle that seems to be closest to the nozzle. However - I'm not able to get this out (haven't tried brute force yet).
The only guy at the hobby shop that has experience with this AB is on vacation and I'm stuck for now.

At least I'm gonna try the pattern test as suggested by Grifter before giving up!

Anybody out there with experience in the Gabbert AB?

The off center needle would likely be tha culprit. When I find that hallening a lot, I'll replace the needle and nozzle and this wil cure the problem. If I had that problem at the level you describe, I'd return the AB and get a diferent brand. That's simply not acceptable.

I've tried checking the spray pattern now.... It seems quite regular, however, it still sputters and sneezes - damn! I'll certainly be contacting my hobby shop when the AB expert is back! (he swore this was one of the finest AB's available)

Hi Major Major

I have to say it sound like you've got two problems... I'm no expert, but the sputtering doesn't sound like an off-centre needle problem. It sounds like air supply or moisture...

You say the compressor has all the trimmings - does this include a moisture trap? If so, have you emptied it?

I periodically re-grind the needle to keep it sharp, but if it's off centre, the easy thing to do (in the short term) is to rotate it slightly... not the real answer, but it may help pin down your problem :-)

All the best

Rowan