Aztec A/B and TCPGlobal compressor

Bick

Hi Eagle90,

Sure hope I'm not confusing the issue but - looking at your second picture it seems to me that the compressor output is male 1/8" BSP (my HF clone is) and the Aztec hose is female 1/4" NPT so you need an adapter that will allow connecting your Aztec hose to the compressor ( the other end already fits the Aztec AB - right?). Good luck finding that it a local hardware store (at least in my small town with only Lowes and Home Depot). You can get one from AMAZON but you have have to buy $25 worth of stuff for them to ship it. My suggestion: If you have a Harbor Freight nearby, buy one of their AB hoses (blue braided and <$8) - it willl fit your compressor or buy TCP Global hose and an Aztec AB to Master hose adapter, both from TCP Global and you'll be set. Yeah, more waiting, I know. But by doing it this way, if you ever decide to buy a Master, Iwata, Harder & Steenbeck, Grex or most other ABs you'll be set. Badger, Paasche and Aztec are the only ones I know who don't use 1/8" BSP threads on their AB's.

PS Be aware that 1/8" NPT or NPS (which might be available locally) don't mate with 1/8" BSP. 1/8" BSP (correctly , BSPP is 28 threads per inch) and NPT or NPS is 27 threads per inch. BSPP is British Standard Pipe Parallel (there is also a BSPT - British Standard Pipe Tapered) and NPT is National Pipe Tapered or NPS ,  National Pipe Straight but the TPI is different between British and Imperial standards. Most AB specific compressors use 1/8" BSPP output though 1/4" NPT is common on shop size compressors in the US.

Hey Bick,  Absolutely not confusing me!  You are spot on my friend!  

After going to 2 hardware stores, you aren't kidding about the difference in sizes.  NOT ONE 1/8" anything fit on the compressor.  It was a bust!  So, like you said, I just came back went to the TCPGlobal web-site and bought ABD A-AZTEK (adapter for Aztek AB to fit their hoses), and ABD TH-025 (the hose that has THEIR 1/8" end and a 5mm end).  It looks like the Aztek hose end and I measured it and it is 5mm dead on, soooooooo hopefully one or both will work.  Guess I should have researched this a little better.  But, like Khalee2 said, it appears I have an early version of the Aztek...which makes sense.  I bought it at the Eglin AFB BX when it went on sale (got it for like $20) during the holidays and have never used it until now!  Of course the compressor I bought off a friend has been shipped all over the world with me and thus died and that brings me to today!   Murphy's law I suppose!  Thanks for the reply (and confirmation) that I'm on the right track.

Eagle90

Hi Eagle90,

Sure hope I'm not confusing the issue but - looking at your second picture it seems to me that the compressor output is male 1/8" BSP (my HF clone is) and the Aztec hose is female 1/4" NPT so you need an adapter that will allow connecting your Aztec hose to the compressor ( the other end already fits the Aztec AB - right?). Good luck finding that it a local hardware store (at least in my small town with only Lowes and Home Depot). You can get one from AMAZON but you have have to buy $25 worth of stuff for them to ship it. My suggestion: If you have a Harbor Freight nearby, buy one of their AB hoses (blue braided and <$8) - it willl fit your compressor or buy TCP Global hose and an Aztec AB to Master hose adapter, both from TCP Global and you'll be set. Yeah, more waiting, I know. But by doing it this way, if you ever decide to buy a Master, Iwata, Harder & Steenbeck, Grex or most other ABs you'll be set. Badger, Paasche and Aztec are the only ones I know who don't use 1/8" BSP threads on their AB's.

PS Be aware that 1/8" NPT or NPS (which might be available locally) don't mate with 1/8" BSP. 1/8" BSP (correctly , BSPP is 28 threads per inch) and NPT or NPS is 27 threads per inch. BSPP is British Standard Pipe Parallel (there is also a BSPT - British Standard Pipe Tapered) and NPT is National Pipe Tapered or NPS ,  National Pipe Straight but the TPI is different between British and Imperial standards. Most AB specific compressors use 1/8" BSPP output though 1/4" NPT is common on shop size compressors in the US.

Well it looks like a early style aztek. and it's definitely a different kind of air regulator than mine as mine is all black but the air hose adapter fit it

Sorry to have gotten your hopes up, but you might have to go to a hardware store as they did change things since that kind of airbrush and hose was out.

Khalee2

Not knowing what Aztek you got, you should have gotten a  little brass adaptor to go with the hose, just screw that onto the end of the hose and you're good to go

Thanks for the reply Khalee2.  Man,  you had me excited thinking I missed something in the box or dropped something, but no joy.  Here is the brush I have and a pic of the compressor output and the Aztec hose end.  I have the adapter for the propellant can and it unscrews, but it doesn't fit either.  Very frustrating!  I was ready to go last night!  Thanks again!

Not knowing what Aztek you got, you should have gotten a  little brass adaptor to go with the hose, just screw that onto the end of the hose and you're good to go