AZtek A4709 airbrush.

NO!!!

get a badger instead, the aztek WILL blow up or jam or self destruct.

and badger's cheaper: $49 for a 155

Do a Google search of the internet for more info. I did when I was looking for a new AB as well. It seems some people love it and others hate it. From what I've been able to gather, it seems to have quite a problem with tip clogging. Also,it looks like you get a lot in the box but why bother with six different spray tips when you can buy other ABs that use only a single needle/ spray tip for all jobs? Take a look at the Badger 155 or the Omni 4000. You won't regret buying either of these. Hope this helps.

I agree with the others.
While the Aztek is popular with some people, I consider it more of a gimmick then a real airbrush.

Mike

that's right.... do a search for airbrush in this forum and you will pull up 100's of posts about the aztek, about the others... you can decide which one is right then... I used to have an Aztek and am happy I switched to something else... there are some on here that love their Aztek..

Myself I would buy a Badger, Paasche or Iwata

If you get the 50% off coupon for Michaels in the sunday paper, you can get the compete set of the Badger Crescendo ot Anthem for about $70.00 hose, paint jars everything... less than the Aztek.

Scotty, I couldn't agree more with what's been said here. I used to use an Aztek but it eventually self destructed and I replaced it with an Iwata through Dixie Art.

IMHO the difference between the Aztek and the Iwata is chalk and cheese in terms of quality and the results you can produce.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a Badger, Paasche or Iwata, you won't regret it.

Cheers
Darren

I personally love my Aztek!!!!!
Did some of the best camo jobs ever with it, and never had a tip clog problem while using acrylics (which is all I use unless BMF)
I still use it from time to time, and have no problems.

But I would have to agree with the other guys, do yourself a favour and look at the Badger or Iwata range.
Both excellent brands, both have pro's and cons, and both will do what you need them for, painting models.
Spend your money once, and do it wisely.

Ditto with mikev, better buy an iwata or badger.

Although I used to stick up for Azteks, I think I now have to join the chorus against them. I have double action A430 that is a few years old, but with very little actual use. While it was working, it performed adequately, but then it that up and conked out on me. I sent it back to Testor's for warranty replacement three weeks ago, and have not seen nor heard of it since.

I also have a Badger 200 single action, although its longitudnal needle is easily adjustable, so it has almost as much control as a double action. I've used it only a for a couple of models, but really how it has performed. With the needle adjustment on it, I can open up the spray for large areas such as the whole vehicle, or tighten it down to do free hand camouflage.

I also picked up a real inexpensive ($19.99) Paasche single action -external mix unit for shooting acrylic clear coats. I am also pretty impressed with this unit. It gives a fairly fine spray, and although not as adjustable as the Badger, is excellent for overcoats.

go badger or iwata. you will not regret either

Thanks for the advice I think my next AB will be badger. also what is the best compressor for airbrushing bearing i8n mind that I only do limited amounts of airbrushing I was thinking of getting the aztek ice blue, any good.

Scott

QUOTE: Originally posted by scotty Thanks for the advice I think my next AB will be badger. also what is the best compressor for airbrushing bearing i8n mind that I only do limited amounts of airbrushing I was thinking of getting the aztek ice blue, any good. Scott

how much is limited? for the price of the Ice Blue, maybe a little more you can get a decent compressor with a tank (from 69 to 77 dollars) with a 2 gallon tank, which if noice is ever an issue will get you through a little brushing without a refill... it's not too big and about the same noise level of the ice blue, maybe a TOUCH more... oh I forgot to say where... Lowe's and Walmart both have the compressors... both about the same quality etc... at Wal Mart they are in the tool section, at lowes same place.... with a bunch of BIG compressors... and who knows? once you get hooked you might do a lot MORE airbrushing! I know I do!!!

oh yeah... in regards to the quality of the ice blue... it's ok.. one: it's plastic, and in my house that would be bound to crack or break, two you have to buy a regulator and a water trap for it... add another 50 or so to the price, the ones at Lowes and such.. they have a regulator already... (although I recommend getting a lower calibrated regulator at some point, the one that comes on the compressors goes 0 to 20 in 5 MM/Hg increments... the modelling one in 1 mm/hg increments... can really crank down to a low pressure for fine detail like camo.

so: about 70 dollars or so for the ice blue, plus around 50ish for a watertrap and a regulator.

about 70ish for the hardware store compressor, 25ish for the water trap.

you save a little.. and if you ever get into the hobby more you have a more suitable compressor. plus you can air up your car, blow out dirty things, and stuff like that with it...

badger's cheaper. $49 for a 155, $55 for a 100lg. that's much less than a $70-80 piece of plastic

I have this airbrush and have been using it for the last two months and honestly I have not had a single hangup or problem with it. I'm sure as others atest to their own experience there are other just as good or better airbrushs. But in regards to the Aztec I don't had any negative comments. As for a compressor I use a Craftsman with a one gallon tank that ran about $90.00 at Sears. Good Luck