Iwata HP-C fluid nozzle broke

Sanctum1099

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Since I've been experimenting airbrushing an image on my fencing jacket for fun, I did a little cleaning and then slowly removed the fluid nozzle with the wrench that came with it. For some reason, it broke off despite my being careful. I noticed the H3 part on the Iwata site for that part is nearly $45 that made my eyes water and now am either considering getting that OR get a brand new airbrush from scratch.

Mine is the original Iwata HP-C 8F airbrush since the early 1990s for close to $150 and loved it. I believe there is some of the fluid nozzle screw ( snapped off ) section is stuck inside the body of the brush.

I've attached two thumbnail photos to illustrate what I'm talking about. I'm quite bummed about it. The closest local store in Vermont is Hobby Lobby that carries these airbrush ( if that store is still there ) and it's literally an hour south of where I live.

Ideas? Suggestions? Thanks!
IMG_3805.jpg IMG_3803.jpg
 
With an x-acto knife or scalpel with a #11 blade carefully insert it into the stem where the nozzle is broken and unscrew. It should unscrew the bit that's left in the stem. It wont damage anything as the bit of nozzle stops it damaging the thread.

Lee
 
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I’m sure I’ve seen another video of this somewhere, but after all the Christmas booze my brain is struggling today. More than usual... Before anybody else gets there LOL.


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Here’s one that shows the same technique as the Coast Airbrush feed, but a different angle. And the same as Lee has described.
Hope it helps as I think the Iwata is worth saving even if the nozzle is a little pricey.



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With an x-acto knife or scalpel with a #11 blade carefully insert it into the stem where the nozzle is broken and unscrew. It should unscrew the bit that's left in the stem. It wont damage anything as the bit of nozzle stops it damaging the thread.

Lee

I have an X-acto knife but I need to replace the blade first to be safe since the front part is now blunted from years of use. But that was almost exactly what I was going to do last night and I refrained from it until I got suggestions here. Great idea!
 
Unfortunately, I have seen this before :cry:. This sort of break (while removing a nozzle) usually occurs when the nozzle is actually broken while installing it. The nozzle is basically torn in between threads, but not all the way around... when you turn it the other way it completes the tear, or break...

First order of business is getting the rest of it out... as mentioned already, a toothpick may be your best bet. Jab it in there good, and keep some pressure inward while turning it to unscrew the broken nozzle base. When installing a new one, apply some chapstick to the threads of the new nozzle, and just get it snug with the wrench. If you think you need to give it just one more little bit of tightening pressure, well, that is when they break.

Price on a nozzle for the HP-C (i-080-3) should be more like $26-$30, but then again I am sure there will be shipping involved... The nozzle, in my opinion, is a consumable part - deciding to buy a new brush because of it may be a bit of an extreme decision ;). On the other hand, I not sure anyone really needs much of an excuse to buy a new brush :thumbsup:...
 
Here’s one that shows the same technique as the Coast Airbrush feed, but a different angle. And the same as Lee has described.
Hope it helps as I think the Iwata is worth saving even if the nozzle is a little pricey.



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I'm doing everything I can to save my iwata and the crown was just replaced a year ago. From there, I'll probably have to order the fluid nozzle then when I get around to it. And probably a new needle for sure since this current needle I have is at least 25 years old and in great shape, shockingly. However, I tend to think it's not a bad idea to have a second airbrush just in case with modern parts.

I'm using Wicked Colors paint now. Back in the early 1990s, I don't think these were around at the time and I've used different ones that looked like ink jars with eyedroppers as I don't remember the name of the product.
 
Unfortunately, I have seen this before :cry:. This sort of break (while removing a nozzle) usually occurs when the nozzle is actually broken while installing it. The nozzle is basically torn in between threads, but not all the way around... when you turn it the other way it completes the tear, or break...

First order of business is getting the rest of it out... as mentioned already, a toothpick may be your best bet. Jab it in there good, and keep some pressure inward while turning it to unscrew the broken nozzle base. When installing a new one, apply some chapstick to the threads of the new nozzle, and just get it snug with the wrench. If you think you need to give it just one more little bit of tightening pressure, well, that is when they break.

Price on a nozzle for the HP-C (i-080-3) should be more like $26-$30, but then again I am sure there will be shipping involved... The nozzle, in my opinion, is a consumable part - deciding to buy a new brush because of it may be a bit of an extreme decision ;). On the other hand, I not sure anyone really needs much of an excuse to buy a new brush :thumbsup:...

It sounds like you've experienced a similar thing as well. It's the first time that thing broke off which caught my attention when I tried to re-install it. Last year, I was able to remove and install it back in cleanly after giving the airbrush some maintenance. I definitely will use the toothpick suggestion and give it a shot. It should come off the thread eventually. From there, I'll get the nozzle that's for this brush.

Is this i-080-3 particular for this model or the H3 part? I assume they're not manufactured equally. If it's $26-$30, then that's not bad. But $44 is pretty high and that must be for the newer airbrushes.

Last resort would be buying a new airbrush ad I think an Eclipse or something closer to the HP-C would do the trick. I'm all about double-action trigger and gravity feed. Old school. I'm not big on the side loading cups for some reason unless they've improved the flow where paint goes through it.

As for chapstick, good idea. I'll have to buy it just in case. When I tighten the nozzle, I think the question is how tight it should get.
 
I am not sure what you are looking at to get the H3 number, but the i-080-3 is the current Iwata skew for the OEM part. Coast Airbrush has them listed for $26.95, Merri Artist has them at $30.

I tend to use Gravity feed brushes more than other styles as well, but realize it is simply a matter of personal preference(s).

Iwata makes a small nozzle tool - sorry I could not find a better picture of it on this computer (sure I have one on the desktop) - it is the small red thing on the right hand side of the attached photo. It has a small opening in the silver end that fits the flats on the nozzle. They are great for reinstalling the nozzle because they don't allow for as much torque to be applied as the flat wrench does. With chapstick on the threads, you only need to screw the nozzle in until it stops - no more.

test stuff1.jpg
 
I am not sure what you are looking at to get the H3 number, but the i-080-3 is the current Iwata skew for the OEM part. Coast Airbrush has them listed for $26.95, Merri Artist has them at $30.

I tend to use Gravity feed brushes more than other styles as well, but realize it is simply a matter of personal preference(s).

Iwata makes a small nozzle tool - sorry I could not find a better picture of it on this computer (sure I have one on the desktop) - it is the small red thing on the right hand side of the attached photo. It has a small opening in the silver end that fits the flats on the nozzle. They are great for reinstalling the nozzle because they don't allow for as much torque to be applied as the flat wrench does. With chapstick on the threads, you only need to screw the nozzle in until it stops - no more.

View attachment 61380
I love this nozzle wrench, it has a much nicer feel to the spanner version that you get in the box. It’s a better option all round in my opinion.


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I am not sure what you are looking at to get the H3 number, but the i-080-3 is the current Iwata skew for the OEM part. Coast Airbrush has them listed for $26.95, Merri Artist has them at $30.

I tend to use Gravity feed brushes more than other styles as well, but realize it is simply a matter of personal preference(s).

Iwata makes a small nozzle tool - sorry I could not find a better picture of it on this computer (sure I have one on the desktop) - it is the small red thing on the right hand side of the attached photo. It has a small opening in the silver end that fits the flats on the nozzle. They are great for reinstalling the nozzle because they don't allow for as much torque to be applied as the flat wrench does. With chapstick on the threads, you only need to screw the nozzle in until it stops - no more.

View attachment 61380

Now I see that red tool you're talking about. That's pretty cool! The wrench like spanner was the one that came with it in the box back in the 90s. I should've known about this new tool which would be super useful. But airbrush in the pic with the engraved handle is awesome! I think that's probably what I'll have to do is clear out the remaining nozzle stuck inside and get this new nozzle wrench. You're right because the H3 was probably not the one I'm supposed to be looking at. As for Merri Artist or Coast Airbrush, thanks for the tips on those. Those prices are much more reasonable.
 
Now I see that red tool you're talking about. That's pretty cool! The wrench like spanner was the one that came with it in the box back in the 90s. I should've known about this new tool which would be super useful. But airbrush in the pic with the engraved handle is awesome! I think that's probably what I'll have to do is clear out the remaining nozzle stuck inside and get this new nozzle wrench. You're right because the H3 was probably not the one I'm supposed to be looking at. As for Merri Artist or Coast Airbrush, thanks for the tips on those. Those prices are much more reasonable.
They still include that little flat wrench with every new brush. Way too easy to generate too much torque on those little nozzles :mad:. I've had a few break over the years, or picked used ones up that had the nozzle broken off - the nozzle base will usually come out fairly easy, because there is nothing tension it. If it feels stuck, soak the front of the brush in a solvent for the types of paints you used to use - if acrylic, rubbing alcohol will work. Don't soak the whole brush, just like the cup forward. You'll have that thing back up and running in no time.
 
If you’re not 100% sure in which part number I would definitely call Coast Airbrush. They pride themselves on answering the phone and being able to provide the information required without customers having to make a bit of a guess as to what they need.


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They still include that little flat wrench with every new brush. Way too easy to generate too much torque on those little nozzles :mad:. I've had a few break over the years, or picked used ones up that had the nozzle broken off - the nozzle base will usually come out fairly easy, because there is nothing tension it. If it feels stuck, soak the front of the brush in a solvent for the types of paints you used to use - if acrylic, rubbing alcohol will work. Don't soak the whole brush, just like the cup forward. You'll have that thing back up and running in no time.

Okay. I'll have to buy rubbing alcohol but I also have hydrogen peroxide but doubt that would be useful.
 
If you’re not 100% sure in which part number I would definitely call Coast Airbrush. They pride themselves on answering the phone and being able to provide the information required without customers having to make a bit of a guess as to what they need.


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I can try emailing them since I'm deaf, but will see if they got this nozzle in stock especially the new red tool to replace the wrench. I'm pretty sure I'll want to get a second airbrush sometime in 2020 next year, to be safe or stock up on more Wicked Colors set to expand the range of color options and more airbrush cleaner solutions as I'm running low on it.
 
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