Restoring a Thayer & Chandler vintage airbrush

[ismaelg]

Hello,

I recently acquired this Thayer & Chandler Model A airbrush from eBay relatively cheap as it is missing the cup and the description was a bit vague. So it was a bit of a gamble. I have been restoring vintage cameras and other equipment for years but this is my first "vintage" airbrush.
The Thayer and Chandler Model A airbrush was made for decades. Its origins date back to the late 19th century. From what I understand, serial numbers are not very useful in dating them.  From the features it seems this airbrush was made between the early 1950's to the mid 1960's.
As with my other restorations, I document everything as received, some during the process and the final "after" pictures.

Before  (as received)
The case seems to be in good shape. Only dirty. Some initials written at the bottom.

The airbrush looks complete but a bit dull. As mentioned, no cup or any other accessory included.

Handle threads are a little worn out but still work. Overall, signs of use but not much. Some small corrosion spots but overall, looks complete and straight.

Some parts like the tube shank put a fight to come out.

Nothing looks broken. Just dull. Many scratches.

During:
Can you tell the difference in the needle tube? I've always been a sucker for shiny brass.

Seems that what I thought was corrosion was just actually old dried paint

The brassing on the trigger suggests some mileage.

Did not mess with the air valve. Did not cooperate to come out so I left it alone. For now.

Each and every part received personal care while the others patiently waited. The case was no exception.

AFTER:  (The end result)
Eventually everything went back together.

Coming up next, once I get the proper cup (in transit) I'll test it.
Hope you approve. I may be biased (and I am) but this is one gorgeous looking airbrush.

Thanks,
Ismael

[stavanzer]

Great Restoration!

Like New.

 

If you like restoring things, Check out this guy at the link.

Not only does he restore vintage tools, but he shows what products he uses, explains their use, and shows how they work. Very Clear directions on what he does, and why he works the way he does. Goes by the handle "357 Magdad". He is one of a number of folks who do the same things on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/@357magdad/videos

 

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Great info here.  

Makes me think we otter have a pinned "TOOLS" section in the Tips and Tricks area so stuff like this doesn't get lost in the continuous shuffle.

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Ismael!

Truly meticulous work, and spectacular results. Bravo!

CT

[Bugatti Fan]

Nice to see an older airbrush restored to working order.

I think that I saw the Thayer and Chandler brand within the Badger website. Perhaps they have acquired the brand name and hold any spares?

[ismaelg]

Hello,

  The Thayer and Chandler Company closed in the late 90's.  Badger bought it in the early 2000s. But their relationship goes back to the mid 60's.  The Badger 100 was basically a Thayer and Chandler Model A.  I'm not sure but I think Badger was a supplier for T&C or the other way around.  

  The history of the airbrush is fascinating but severely under-documented.  Jens Paasche worked for Wold before going solo. Both him and Wold worked for Thayer and Chandler.  In fact most T&C patents were submitted by Wold.  T&C started doing airbrushes based on Burdick's design, who in turn founded the Aerograph company.   In essence, they all share a common DNA.

I can spend hours talking airbrush history!

Thanks,
Ismael

Edited April 21, 2023 by ismaelg

[peter31a]

Great restoration of that airbrush, Ismael, and very interesting piece of airbrush history.

[Bugatti Fan]

How about writing a book about Airbrush History Ishmael?

I was under the impression that Paasche were the originators of the airbrush.  Obviously not by reading your last post.

[ismaelg]

Thank you Noel!

I've been researching a lot but the airbrush is under-documented.  There is an excellent airbrush museum website (airbrushmuseum.com) if you are interested.  I also recently joined an airbrush forum (airbrushforum.org).

One of my loooong term projects is I started to compile my camera restorations material for a possible publication, which the people at the photography forums are encouraging.  Maybe a chapter on airbrushes?   After all, one of the first and most popular uses of airbrush was photo retouching.  

Thanks,
Ismael