DaveG
Airbush Analyst
I had read a post by someone claiming that they had purchased an Olympos 100SB that had been "upgraded to Micron specs." Well, the sound of that had me feeling: 1) quite doubtful, and 2) quite curious - so, off to work I went!
First bit was to research what was what, and how would it be possible. I studied schematics, wrote down part numbers, cross referenced, and searched for all of what might be needed. Between the Olympos HP-100SB and one of the Olympos Micron's, the part list of things that are different starts at the head. The Micron has a removable head, the HP100SB does not. So, we start at the nozzle and needle. We get to the trigger (which is similar between the two) but, everything else in the body is different. The HP100SB uses a one piece spring retainer/chucking guide, while the Micron brushes use a multi-part arrangement that offers a good deal of adjustment, to enhance and customize the feel of the trigger. I was able to find all of the needed parts by scrolling through the Olympos parts list, and added everything up. Hmm, a bit pricey to say the least. Looking at what was available on the Olympos website, I realized that I could purchase an Olympos 200B (irregular b grade) complete brush for less than the sum of the parts I was looking to order. I wound up ordering 1) hp-100SB , and 1) 200B (irregular b grade) brushes -
Below we have the HP200 on the upper right, HP100 lower left - if you look closely you will see that the shape of the nozzle contour is different between them. The nozzle on the HP200 is the same nozzle as the .18 Olympos Micron, as is the needle used in the brush. For our custom build, the two nozzles are easily swapped from one brush, to the other.
Below - HP100 parts on the left, HP200 parts on the right. The 200 sprays much softer then the 100 does, and atomizes much nicer. The interior of the air caps varies greatly. There is a secondary "tube" inside the 200's air cap that really cuts down on free space within the air cap, and helps direct airflow over the nozzle. Fine details are the name of the game with the 200 series. The performance approaches that of a Micron.
Trigger and needle chucking/guide parts of a HP100 series brush (in this case, and HP100A). The spring retainer, chucking guide is a one piece affair. Any spring adjustment here is done by screwing the whole unit in or out of the brush body. With the rear handle screwing into the body, there is a limited amount of space for adjustment. The other option is to clip the spring...
The HP200 series (in this case a HP200B) has a multi piece sping retainer, and adjuster, along with the needle chuck, and guide. These pieces are actually the same as those used on the Olympos Micron(s), and offer a wide range of adjustment on the needle spring, so you can tailor the feel of the trigger pull to suit your needs.
I added the teflon needle packing and screw from an Iwata HP-B+ to this build. The Olympos screw in on the right, and it holds a rubber o-ring in place as a needle packing. The threads are the same between the two brands, and the Iwata packing screw is a simple screw in replacement.
Picking a rear handle - The top is the standard handle on a HP200 series brush. The middle two are off 100 series brushes, one with a preset, one not. When switching the brush guts, you need to go with a 200 series handle, because there will be a male threaded boss on the back of the brush body. I chose a handle from an MP200 with the preset back - same handle used on a Micron.
Last tid-bit on the HP100/200SB Hybrid is that I chose to go with a trigger from an Oympos F1. It is a bit shorter than the standard HP100 series trigger, and has a unique shape. Not as short as the 200 series triggers, but the actual triggers are not swap-able between the two series brushes. One brush uses a one piece trigger, the other a two piece unit.
The end result of the parts mixing is an Olympos 100/200SB Hybrid. It comes out to be a brush that is quite similar to an Iwata HP-SB+, only maybe a little finer. Being a .18 rather than a .2 of the Iwata, coupled with the internal structures of the air cap, and soft airflow of the 200, this Olympos SB works so well, it is a real pleasure. It has a narrower range of spray as compared to the Iwata SB, especially once you get past about half way on the trigger draw. So, it lives in the range of nice, tight details, and smooth gradations, and soft shading. I generally don't find the 100 series brushes to be much to write home about. Their performance is no more than middle of the road, and there are many brushes I would choose over a 100 series. The combination of the parts when mixed with the 200 series, is a whole different story. This is a brush that I really enjoy using. For me, it is not a Micron, but maybe the next best thing - especially out of the Olympos line of brushes.
First painting a did with the newly assembled Olympos 100/200SB hybrid -
I have a bit of a step-by-step on my Facebook page if interested -https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1234046663367586.1073741851.1063587837080137&type=3
I will also add - I generally do not recommend Olympos brushes, due to the fact that once you purchase you are on your own. They offer no warranty, and really no support of any kind after purchase. If you have a question about parts for a brush you purchased, they will apologize while telling you it is a "company secret". Really? Replacement parts are secret? Every other maker on the planet will provide a schematic with part numbers... With that being said, they do tend to work quite well, and can be rewarding for those willing to take a risk.
First bit was to research what was what, and how would it be possible. I studied schematics, wrote down part numbers, cross referenced, and searched for all of what might be needed. Between the Olympos HP-100SB and one of the Olympos Micron's, the part list of things that are different starts at the head. The Micron has a removable head, the HP100SB does not. So, we start at the nozzle and needle. We get to the trigger (which is similar between the two) but, everything else in the body is different. The HP100SB uses a one piece spring retainer/chucking guide, while the Micron brushes use a multi-part arrangement that offers a good deal of adjustment, to enhance and customize the feel of the trigger. I was able to find all of the needed parts by scrolling through the Olympos parts list, and added everything up. Hmm, a bit pricey to say the least. Looking at what was available on the Olympos website, I realized that I could purchase an Olympos 200B (irregular b grade) complete brush for less than the sum of the parts I was looking to order. I wound up ordering 1) hp-100SB , and 1) 200B (irregular b grade) brushes -
Below we have the HP200 on the upper right, HP100 lower left - if you look closely you will see that the shape of the nozzle contour is different between them. The nozzle on the HP200 is the same nozzle as the .18 Olympos Micron, as is the needle used in the brush. For our custom build, the two nozzles are easily swapped from one brush, to the other.
Below - HP100 parts on the left, HP200 parts on the right. The 200 sprays much softer then the 100 does, and atomizes much nicer. The interior of the air caps varies greatly. There is a secondary "tube" inside the 200's air cap that really cuts down on free space within the air cap, and helps direct airflow over the nozzle. Fine details are the name of the game with the 200 series. The performance approaches that of a Micron.
Trigger and needle chucking/guide parts of a HP100 series brush (in this case, and HP100A). The spring retainer, chucking guide is a one piece affair. Any spring adjustment here is done by screwing the whole unit in or out of the brush body. With the rear handle screwing into the body, there is a limited amount of space for adjustment. The other option is to clip the spring...
The HP200 series (in this case a HP200B) has a multi piece sping retainer, and adjuster, along with the needle chuck, and guide. These pieces are actually the same as those used on the Olympos Micron(s), and offer a wide range of adjustment on the needle spring, so you can tailor the feel of the trigger pull to suit your needs.
I added the teflon needle packing and screw from an Iwata HP-B+ to this build. The Olympos screw in on the right, and it holds a rubber o-ring in place as a needle packing. The threads are the same between the two brands, and the Iwata packing screw is a simple screw in replacement.
Picking a rear handle - The top is the standard handle on a HP200 series brush. The middle two are off 100 series brushes, one with a preset, one not. When switching the brush guts, you need to go with a 200 series handle, because there will be a male threaded boss on the back of the brush body. I chose a handle from an MP200 with the preset back - same handle used on a Micron.
Last tid-bit on the HP100/200SB Hybrid is that I chose to go with a trigger from an Oympos F1. It is a bit shorter than the standard HP100 series trigger, and has a unique shape. Not as short as the 200 series triggers, but the actual triggers are not swap-able between the two series brushes. One brush uses a one piece trigger, the other a two piece unit.
The end result of the parts mixing is an Olympos 100/200SB Hybrid. It comes out to be a brush that is quite similar to an Iwata HP-SB+, only maybe a little finer. Being a .18 rather than a .2 of the Iwata, coupled with the internal structures of the air cap, and soft airflow of the 200, this Olympos SB works so well, it is a real pleasure. It has a narrower range of spray as compared to the Iwata SB, especially once you get past about half way on the trigger draw. So, it lives in the range of nice, tight details, and smooth gradations, and soft shading. I generally don't find the 100 series brushes to be much to write home about. Their performance is no more than middle of the road, and there are many brushes I would choose over a 100 series. The combination of the parts when mixed with the 200 series, is a whole different story. This is a brush that I really enjoy using. For me, it is not a Micron, but maybe the next best thing - especially out of the Olympos line of brushes.
First painting a did with the newly assembled Olympos 100/200SB hybrid -
I have a bit of a step-by-step on my Facebook page if interested -https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1234046663367586.1073741851.1063587837080137&type=3
I will also add - I generally do not recommend Olympos brushes, due to the fact that once you purchase you are on your own. They offer no warranty, and really no support of any kind after purchase. If you have a question about parts for a brush you purchased, they will apologize while telling you it is a "company secret". Really? Replacement parts are secret? Every other maker on the planet will provide a schematic with part numbers... With that being said, they do tend to work quite well, and can be rewarding for those willing to take a risk.
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