How can I fix a bent needle??

[green I]

Hi Guys, been a while since I’ve posted or been here on WETCANVAS (too busy!!). Finally found some time to airbrush till I dropped my micron and landed on the exposed needle…
Luckily I did not damage the gun but, I did bent the needle. I remember a while ago someone posted a "how to fix a bent needle" thread but cannot find it .
Anyone can help me with some information on how to fix this bent problem of mine,or should I just purchase A new needle????
Thank you in advanced;
Robert

[bugbiter]

Depends how severe the damage is. If it's bent to the degree it is no longer round you have to reshape the whole needle tip, not just staighten it. I would anyway keep a spare needle for emergencies.
To straighten a bent needle tip: Straighten as much as you can with your nails/fingers or any small tools suitable before you remove it or you will damage the nozzle as well. Put the needle on a hard, smooth surface - like glass, use a metal tube - like the airbrush handle, and roll that over the needle tip to straighten. Allow the needle body to lift or else you will get an off-center tip.

[Draggo1969]

me personally i would buy a new needle and use the old one for cleaning clogged paint out or something.

[slaterza]

Do a you tube search there is a video on there somewhere that shows how to polish a needle this is the same technique you would use to straighten the needle. I usually start by rolling the needle on a hard flat surface and pressing with my thumbnail on the needle as I roll it out from under my thumbnail. Being careful to keep it at the right angle. I have straightened many a needle in my time and brought them back to like new condition it can be done. Good luck.

[Bizkit]

Originally Posted by Draggo1969

me personally i would buy a new needle and use the old one for cleaning clogged paint out or something.

I second that...........time is precious, Its going to take you more time and energy to try and straighten that one that if you just bought a new one. Chalk it up to experience and call it a day.

[LeeLynch]

Yup, I use bent needles for getting into those tough to reach areas when cleaning. Put a new needle in and keep going

[Hidiho]

I've never had a great deal of joy in trying to fix a bent needle through using the rolling method.

What works for me is using the two coin approach where you place the needle tip between two coins and squeeze while pulling the needle out.

Then I follow up with sanding the needle tip and a polish and it's all good to go.

It doesn't beat replacing with a new needle but it is an alternative when you have no spare needles.

Hidiho

[jumpforjoy61]

you can do it but afterwards the needle will more often than not need repolishing

you have nothing to lose by trying the rolling method i recomend clean plate glass underneath and a flat metal object to do the work ,remember you need to contact the taper and not your flat surface so keep your metal object off the surface of the glass and on the taper of the needle


with practice it becomes very easy to correct bent needles in fact i daubt i own a brush without a reworked needle in it



another tip for 0.18 microns harder steenbeck 0.15 needles have the same taper and they are lots cheaper


Paul

[green I]

Thank you all for helping!! Did straighten the need but the nozzle was damaged too ,just noticed after the need problem was solved!!!
After all that work still end up ordering a new needle and nozzle!!
Thanks again!!
Robert