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Old news, old topic: Aztek!

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  • Member since
    November 2005
Old news, old topic: Aztek!
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 4, 2005 11:15 PM
I've got a Paasche VL that I'm not really happy with; as good as I seem to clean it, it always has problems. Sometimes (usually!) I get uneven flow (have to pull all the way back and give it all the air I can to get it to go, then it stops again. Even though I've checked the viscocity pretty well).

I'm considering getting the Aztek 4709 as it seems to have a lot of tips, is gravity fed (would help with lower pressures, no?) and is supposedly eas(y)(ier) to clean.

My biggest problem with the hobby is TIME. When I have to set up, then fiddle with the brush, I don't enjoy it. I need to be able to get out there, set it up, shoot it, then clean it up real quick. Bing, bang, boom. It's not that I mind the work or the effort, or realize the importance of cleanup, but my biggest problem, again, is TIME.

Although the VL is a nice brush, from what I can tell, and is fairly easy to clean, I really think there's something out there that could work better for me. Dual action is something I'd rather have than not, personally. I also have a Badger whirlwind compressor - with trap/regulator, but it seems to not put out a whole lot of pressure (I have a shop compressor with tank that I'm gonna plumb up to this eventually. Just not now... Again, TIME). I also have a Badger 200 that needs some work, and I'll probably rebuild it as a spare (it needs a new tip, the external, non-slotted tip, the seals in the trigger seem to be bad, etc. Not sure if it's worth salvaging or not, really... Thoughts?).

Thanks to all.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Southern California, USA
Posted by ABARNE on Friday, August 5, 2005 3:17 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Bruce Webster
I'm considering getting the Aztek 4709 as it seems to have a lot of tips, is gravity fed (would help with lower pressures, no?) and is supposedly eas(y)(ier) to clean.


I own an Aztek A430, although I retired it after the thing broke forcing me to make use of Aztek's warranty. Easier to clean is a total myth. If blowing thinner through the brush is sufficient, then all air-brushes, including Azteks, are equally easy to clean. If disassembly to clean the needle and tip is needed, it is easier to breakdown a conventional AB than it is to take apart an Aztek tip.

QUOTE:
My biggest problem with the hobby is TIME. When I have to set up, then fiddle with the brush, I don't enjoy it. I need to be able to get out there, set it up, shoot it, then clean it up real quick.


Assuming that the Aztek doesn't break, it will be about the same as with a conventional air-brush. Contrary to Aztek ads, you actually don't have to completely break-down your AB after each use.

QUOTE:
I also have a Badger whirlwind compressor - with trap/reguator, but it seems to not put out a whole lot of pressure


I have their Cyclone which I think is their next model up. It doesn't put out a great deal of pressure, but since I normally spray at 15-20 PSI, it is more than adequate. What do you get from your whirlwind?

QUOTE:
I also have a Badger 200 that needs some work, and I'll probably rebuild it as a spare (it needs a new tip, the external, non-slotted tip, the seals in the trigger seem to be bad, etc. Not sure if it's worth salvaging or not, really... Thoughts?).


I suppose it depends on the price. I have a 200 NH, and find it to be an excellent air-brush. If it needed work (i.e. money), I might just upgrade to a 100.
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Phoenix,Az
Posted by 9x19mm on Friday, August 5, 2005 3:53 AM
I have a Badger 100 its way more AB then Ill ever need and its has without a doubt become my favorite model tool. It seems I mostly do 1/48th WW2 USAAF planes, either bmf or green over grey with the rare Naval tri color thrown in. For me the setup is really non existant. Im not sure but I would assume that free handing tight camo patterns 1/72 or smaller would take more setup time...but atleast youd have the AB for the job.
  • Member since
    December 2002
Posted by Delbert on Friday, August 5, 2005 8:30 AM
you want an airbrush that is fairly easy to clean go for the Badger 155 or 360.. both are basicly the same... I clean mine after use by first spraying a little thinner through it.. pulling the needle and wiping it with some thinner on a q-tip.. then I use a pipette (plastic eyedropper) to squirt thinner through the airbrush.. (you have to hold your fingers over a couple of spots back from the tip to prevent thinner from comeing out.. then I put the needle back in and put it away till its time to do use again..

total clean up time for me is about 5 min's.. every now and then I give it a better cleaning... I mainly use enamals.. when I use acrylics I have to spary a little more thinner through and do a little better job overall on cleaning the needle and stuff.



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