!@#$$% Aztek!!

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

!@#$$% Aztek!!

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 21, 2003 6:27 PM

I know everyones dislike of the aztek systems, Ihave defended them in this forum because their customer service is A+. Now, here is my latest experience with aztek.

Yesterday had a nice painting session with my a320, one color,
MMacryl US armor desert sand. Cleaned my brush with the usual procedure and put it away. Today I prepared to spray the same color with the same brush, filled my color cup and got ready to go, when I pushed the button the air went not thru the nozzle but into the cup. The result: 1/4 oz. paint explodes onto my shirt, my eyes and the wall behind me!!! What the...!!!??... any ideas?? clue me in before I weaken and become a hater of the aztek system.

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Sunday, September 21, 2003 7:56 PM

I feel your pain, except I didn't have the same problem. With mine I don't get it. I can spray water through it, but the moment I spray paint, it won't come out. Angry [:(!]

I thinned it very well. I ended up ditching it for a Badger. I love it. Sprays effortlessly and evenly. Also, it cleans up with little effort. Many people don't seem to like the Aztek. I prefer the Badger even when the Aztek worked. Hopefully, someone can help you.

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

Eric

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 21, 2003 9:46 PM

18co

I used to be an Aztek sufferer too.
How do I spell relief?

I-W-A-T-A

You'll put your eye out with that thing, I'm tellin ya..

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Sunday, September 21, 2003 11:54 PM

I can fix it! Replace these three little parts and your in business. 1)Replace the Aztec supplied body with the brass body of a double action Paasche. 2)Next install a chrome brass or plastic handle unit. 3)Your almost there, insert the correct size color cup for your needs. 4)Hook the airhose up and start painting! If you make these slight upgrades you should be good to go for the next 20-30 years. Just kidding Tongue [:P]

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 22, 2003 1:04 AM

Woody:
Thanks for the tip. I am going to see if my MHO (modeling Health org.) will pay for the procedure. As it is not an elective surgery I dont' forsee any problems.... Maybe a new IWATA, I've heard so many good things...

Thanks also to tigerman and Merlin . Its always good to hear from fellow sufferers. Anyone interested in forming an Aztek users support network?? Cool [8D]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 22, 2003 10:00 AM

I've had pasche VL, Badger 100LG and Aztek. My Iwata HP-CS blows them all out of the water. An expensive lesson, but learned well.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 22, 2003 3:33 PM

i had the same problem with mine as tigerman, with paint in it, it seemd the air went in, but went out somewhere else, still havent figured out where. Even if I had a paint/thinner mix of 1/20 it still owuldnt work! But with water in it, it sparayed like a charm. I now have a Badger Sotar 20/20, works just perfect.

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Monday, September 22, 2003 7:04 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by monsterarmor

I now have a Badger Sotar 20/20, works just perfect.

A Sotar 20/20 for model painting? That's a bit overkill. Wink [;)]

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Monday, September 22, 2003 7:56 PM

Small world monsterarmor, I thought I was hullicinating form the paint fumes. Dead [xx(]

Sadly, there must be others in our plight. I even tried new tips, still didn't work. [:0] Angry [:(!]

. Oh well, its nothing a new Badger couldn't fix.

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

Eric

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 7:30 AM

I'm in the market for a new airbrush, but don't have a ton of money to spend. I'm thinking like nothing over $100 right now, i just need something that will do the job. any thoughts.....i was thinking of either a badger or aztek, because my local AC MOORE has a 50% off coupon and they actually have a good stock there. I made a list of the models available there, but i don't have it with me. Anyways, any help would be appreciated.

Brian

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 8:28 AM

I bought a Sotar and found that enamels didn't flow through it very well. Then I bought the Iwata HP-CS. The Iwata is just too easy to use and clean. Paint flows great, cleans like a dream. Near perfecdt results first try, virtually no learning curve if you've used double action before. I'm still shocked at how much better a brush it is for modelling then all the others I've bought. ...and less than $100 from bear-air or dixie-art.

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wildwilliam

Member since
December 2009
From: West Grove, PA

Posted by wildwilliam on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 11:57 AM

18co,
the other night, my Aztek was blowing bubbles.
(but not explosively!)
i unscrewed the nozzle and saw that it (the punger on the back) was jammed in.
flicking it w/ my finger popped it free on the spring.
now i check it begore i start.
not sure how or why it got that way, but it was an easy fix.

good luck.
ed.
(the only other Aztek user on the forum, it seems!)

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 6:36 PM

Mike V Re: I build alot of large scale figures, thats where the 20/20 is best. And I only use acrylics, which work perfect if thinned correctly. So, if anyones looking for an airbrush that can paint a fine thin line, thats the one. Just watch out for what people are charging, the retail is around $350, but Ive seen a few places that had it for around $175, I just got lucky and won mine on Ebay for $120, otherwise, I wouldve went the Iwata route.

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 7:29 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by monsterarmor

Mike V Re: I build alot of large scale figures, thats where the 20/20 is best. And I only use acrylics, which work perfect if thinned correctly. So, if anyones looking for an airbrush that can paint a fine thin line, thats the one. Just

Have you ever compared other quality double-action airbrushes to the Sotar with acrylics?

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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plasticmod992

Member since
January 2003
From: The Hoosier State

Posted by plasticmod992 on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 10:48 PM

I've owned them all and without a doubt, the Iwata Eclipse series airbrushes are a true modelers dream to use. I did however have some excellent moments with the Aztek A470. I would mainly spray enamels through it with no problems, except when the airbrush would eventually fail! When I sprayed acrylics such as MM Acryl or Polly scale, I would not only get the dreaded back-blast paint explosion, but lots of ruined paint nozzles due to hyper-drying acrylic paint. I still use acrylic accassionally, but I have switched to Tamiya and Gunze. These clean up extremely well with 91% ISO Alcohol, Windex and water. My Aztek is now framed as a relic, while my Iwata Revolution has had free reign.

Greg Williams Owner/ Manager Modern Hobbies LLC Indianapolis, IN. IPMS #44084

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djrost_2000

Member since
February 2003
From: Where the coyote howl, NH

Posted by djrost_2000 on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 10:58 PM

Getting paint in the eye ain't a fun experience. I got enamel paint right in one of my eyes when I was a kid Black Eye [B)]

Since then I've always airbrushed with safety goggles. Cool [8D]

AND a respirator with windows open, fans blowin'.

Waltz, check out this site: http://www.bearair.com
Prices for airbrushes are good, customer service is excellent!

DJ

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South Aussie

Member since
August 2003
From: South Australia

Posted by South Aussie on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 3:49 AM

I had a similar problem with my first Aztek (or should I say modelmaster) air brush many years ago, traced the fault to a fibre washer that is inserted into the body that mates with the base of nozzle. This washer is extremely hard to see. The one in mine had fallen apart, couldn't find a replacement here in aussie, so I replaced the brush with a new model Aztek. Have had no problems with the new brush.

(WildWilliam you are not alone - but by the looks of it we are an endangered species)

Wayne I enjoy getting older, especially when I consider the alternative.

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wildwilliam

Member since
December 2009
From: West Grove, PA

Posted by wildwilliam on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 6:19 AM

Wayne,
you have that right!

i just can't figure out why i don't have the problems so many others do.
(not that i am complaining!)
i was going to say that "i can't figure out why they have so many problems", but that sounds like i am 'blaming the user'.

i shoot mostly Tamiya acrylics thinned w/ Tamiya thinner. (tan nozzle)
and Future (black nozzle)

i clean w/ tap water (run thru until no color comes out)
between colors.
and then when i call it a night,
lacquer thinner (small color cup full, shot into filtered jar)
i soak the nozzle in lacquer thinner for a few minutes as well.

i must be lucky.

ed.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 3:44 PM

hey Mike, no I havent compared it with other a/b's , but then again, I havent had the extra money to do that. I was fed up with my aztek-nical difficluties and I found the Sotar at a great deal , and have read many reviews about it in Amazing figure Modeler , so I snagged it up. why do you ask, I really havent had any experiance with the Iwata, but Ive heard many good things about it. I am needed a good general purpose a/b though. When I have the moolah , I was thinking of getting an Iwata, and save the sotar for those really detailed a/b projects, like 1/35th camos and my large scale female figures ....I'll post a pic of a 1/35 German figure I a/b on here for an example...

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 3:53 PM

heres some examples of the a/b camo. All the figures in this scene were a/b using the Sotar, even the camo.

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 5:48 PM

Nice scene monster. You should post that in the armor forum. Is that the Dragon or Italeri Elefant. Nice cammo job.

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow so fond of it."-R.E.Lee

Eric

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 6:04 PM

Nice scene monsterarmor! Big Smile [:D]

The reason I asked about comparing the Sotar 20/20 with other airbrushes was because I was curious if the Sotar sprayed that much finer to justify it's cost. That deal you got on Ebay was great and I don't blame you for buying it at that price. Wink [;)]

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 7:16 PM

thanks guys for the compliment. I guess I will post it, i didnt realize we could do that , cool. In response Mike, as you can see in the photo, the camo on the figures was done using the Sotar, so, yes, I think its worth it if your doing that small of work with an a/b. Id recommend it to anybody. Badger? you listening? do I get a commission here? lol

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 7:17 PM

I got what you mean now tigerman. I thought you meant there was a picture forum. oh, and this is the Dragon kit.

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 8:33 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by monsterarmor

Badger? you listening? do I get a commission here? lol

Badger is the best customer service airbrush company period!

When you email Ken at Badger you are talking to the owner and Ken listens and helps the best he can. I am very impressed with Badger's commitment to airbrush artists and hobbyists.

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 8:50 PM

I"ve had an Aztec for about two years now and have had a few of the problems mentioned, including the bubbles scenario. The bubbles in my case were produced when the head was not snug in the body. In the last few months I haven't had any problems at all, I double check fit and heads before using (No, I don't work for the manufacturer!). Actually, I've started enjoying using it.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 25, 2003 8:07 AM

I have a Sotar and an Iwata HP-CS. The Iwata can do the same detail that the Sotar can and enamels flow better through the Iwata. Save yourself money and get the Iwata cause it can do just about anything and is cheaper and easier to clean than the Sotar.

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styrene

Member since
May 2003
From: The flat lands of the Southeast

Posted by styrene on Thursday, September 25, 2003 11:10 AM

I am deeply hurt Sad [:(]

and saddened Sad [:(]

*tears fall from cheeks*
No one has brought up or supported Paasche as a viable alternative to the Aztek.
*tears hit superglue joint, and dissolve glue*
I've had an H for the past 30 years, and it performs as well as the day I got it. Also, several years ago, my brother gave me a VL kit for Christmas. Great brush!
*goes to model room, picks up Paasche H, and strokes it tenderly*
Overall, they're less expensive than Iwatas, too. Especially for us that don't got no money! Tongue [:P]

Gip Winecoff

1882: "God is dead"--F. Nietzsche

1900: "Nietzsche is dead"--God

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 25, 2003 11:57 AM

I had an H and a VL and hated them. Liked my Aztek better. Then Iwata came down from the heavens and yea verily, I saw that it was good. and the multitudes rejoiced...

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djrost_2000

Member since
February 2003
From: Where the coyote howl, NH

Posted by djrost_2000 on Thursday, September 25, 2003 12:50 PM

I've used a Paache H for almost 20 years. Works great. Never had a problem until recently when the tip and needle got a little bent. Parts are cheap and it works like a champ again Cool [8D]

DJ

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