Aztek and my world of Fun!

Man, that bites!  I had the same type of problems with the Aztek.  They work great for a while, then, presto..it fails.  After 6 years of this, and not to mention..the numerous nozzles I had purchased over the years..the bank was getting thin.  It just cost too much to own and very enconvienent, having to send it away for a replacement at least 6 times due to each ones failure.  Back then (1996), I replaced it with the simple Paasche-H.  It sprayed the pants off of the Aztek..even fine lines! (1/32 inch.)  I still use it occasionally for my 1/72nd scale jets.  The wonderfull things about the ol' H is that it can spray any type of media, easy to clean and it is extremmely consistant, and most importantly; very user friendly.  The Iwata Revolution is my workhorse these days, but I imagine when or if it starts giving me trouble...I'll reach for the ol' H every time.  10 years going strong, with not so much as a replacement part...not bad for a 80+ year-old airbrush design.

What the Paasche H can do for a small 1/72nd scale Saab Grippen fighter...

I don't know anything about the Aztek airbrush, but I thought your idea about sending in the funny looking aircraft to distract the Germans was pretty funny! That would be a good "what if" project!

I guess I got lucky with my Aztek A430.  When it conked out, it simply refused to spray anything.  In my case, the problem had nothing to do with dirty nozzles since I had not one but two previously unused nozzles, and it would not spray through either of them.  I sent the body back to Testor's and they cheerfully honored their warranty, although the turnaround was ultimately about three weeks.

Since you seem to get the same results, even after changing your nozzles, it seems unlikely that a dirty nozzle is the problem.   

IceDragon122 wrote:

I am so glad im Getting a Badger 150. So HAPPY!

While waiting for the Aztek to get fixed, I got Badger 200NH.  Although it's not exactly like the 150, I have been extremely HAPPY with the airbrush upgrade.

Andy

I have the Badger 150, and you will be happy with it. It will eliminate a lot of inconsistancy. Of course, all future problems will most likely be operator error. You have been warned!

i've had the same problem and like other people said cleaning the nozzle is important, including taking it apart, but i've found sometimes it'll do what you're describing even when the nozzle's clean.  you didn't say which nozzle you're using, try a bigger one.  especially one of the plastic-needled ones like the red or orange.  those hardly ever clog for me, i pretty much use the red one for mostly all acrylic spraying.  the black or beige for ink and tried orange for clear coat with good results.  also try lower pressure.  paint the crap out of a piece of plastic to make sure it works right before you go pointing that thing at a model.

any pictures of the polka-dotted wonder?

I have the Aztek 8770 AB, I stopped having any problem with it when I disassebled the nozzle when cleaning. It looks like there will be paint left on the needle if you do not take the nozzle appart.

Been realy happy with the Aztek AB, just a little different to clean.

Michael