Aztek- pls. don't hate

jwb wrote:

mucker wrote: From what I've seen it's not the airbrush, it's the person's skill using it. I good artist can use a the cheapest airbrush on earth and do well with it, but the finest airbrush in the hands of a rookie will not produce good results.  That's the bottom line! You are correct.  And the only way to get experience is by using your airb rush, which means... BUILDING MORE MODELS! Woo-hoo!

So THAT's the secret..."buy more models"...sounds like a reasonable plan. Brilliant!

I had been using my 3000 Aztek for a couple of years until one day I got curious and tried to open it to clean it.  I couldn't put it back together =/

Now I just use my Iwata HP SBS and clean it regularly with no problems.  When it works, the Aztek works fine and is convenient and lightweight.  I do like the trigger near the tip design.

jwb wrote:

MikeV wrote: Friends don't let friends use Aztek's. Iwata's either. I wondered where you were! LOL

I reconed into this forum. Shhhhhh

mucker wrote:

From what I've seen it's not the airbrush, it's the person's skill using it. I good artist can use a the cheapest airbrush on earth and do well with it, but the finest airbrush in the hands of a rookie will not produce good results.

That's the bottom line! You are correct. 

And the only way to get experience is by using your airb rush, which means...

BUILDING MORE MODELS! Woo-hoo!  

From what I've seen it's not the airbrush, it's the person's skill using it.

I good artist can use a the cheapest airbrush on earth and do well with it, but the finest airbrush in the hands of a rookie will not produce good results. 

MikeV wrote:

Friends don't let friends use Aztek's. Iwata's either.

I wondered where you were! LOL  

TempestAce wrote:

Yeah, I was just feeling a little put off by the negativity directed at this airbrush and wanted other users to know that it hasn't been all bad for some of us.

I'm glad you're having success with the Aztek and wish you well with it in the future.  I used to use an A430, and for as long as it operates, there is nothing wrong with it.  I've read negative opinions about the plastic body and/or the position of the air hose, but I never had issue with either.  In fact, I used to like my Aztek until it died after a very short service life (3 models with the clear overcoats sprayed with another airbrush).  The was no apparent reason for its demise because I had followed all the cleaning and care instructions to the letter.  It was nice that they have a lifetime guarantee on the body, which Testor's willingly honored, but during the three week turnaround, I was without an airbrush, so I bought a Badger 200 NH, and have never used the Aztek since.

About the "negativity" directed toward the Aztek, I no doubt have contributed to it.  Certainly I have related my experiences myriad times whenever someone posts a "should I buy an Aztek?" type question.  However, you should not be put off or take any offense from those kinds of comments.  For the most part, certainly there are exceptions on both sides, myself and others are not writing negative opinions about the Aztek, but are simply giving factual recounts of our experiences.  If those experiences are negative, the blames lies with the airbrush and not with the person reporting the fault.

Andy 

 

 

Friends don't let friends use Aztek's.

Iwata's either.

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, I was just feeling a little put off by the negativity directed at this airbrush and wanted other users to know that it hasn't been all bad for some of us.

I will say a couple more things-

One kind of pedestrian trick related to the light weight of the Aztek, but something I like about it-

I learn quick: one time, while attempting to paint one of my 1/72 scale birds, I tilted my 3000s at an angle. The reservoir I was using had an open top (unfortunately) so the paint started to spill. Messy! I decided to try one of the siphons. I then took the cap from the propellant can I started with and attached it to bottom of the bottle. Perfect fit. So now I hold the airbrush by the cap/bottle, and have a greater surface area to place the airbrush onto the table, while all the added weight helps keep it in place. And in case you're wondering, the siphon caps fit bottles from many of the paint makers. With a little prep, you'll be swapping bottles with ease.

The project was a gift for my uncle's father-in-law, a lieutenant aboard the USS Atlanta during Guadacanal. The Coursair was a symbol of Naval/Marine aviation, and even though the Atlanta was a light cruiser (and one of the first AA marks at that), he still seemed pleased to receive it. I had the opportunity to later present him with a thick tome with extensive specs on the Atlanta and other ships, for his memoirs, but sadly he passed before I was ready to build him the cruiser :(

Tom

beauty is in the eye of the beholder tempest.  if you like the aztek, thats wonderful.  i've personally never used one.  i'm an iwata fan and have the hp-c and hp-cs and wouldn't have it any other way.............cept i might buy the hp-cr just for the heck of it.  i have used many different airbrush brands and types but you can't talk me out of what i like in an airbrush.  you seem to be the same way.  if you can accomplish the finish that satisfies you with your chosen airbrush brand/type, then more power to you friend.  later.

I've enjoyed my 470 too. I always take the tips apart when cleaning them- quick simple procedure that's no more difficult than taking apart my Paasche VL.

I really like the fine adjustment wheel on the 470 too. 

  Nice to see a fellow Aztek "liker".  I've had mine (A470) for two years now.  I've owned a Badger 175, 155 and Paasche H.  I still have the Paasche H.  I really like my Aztek.  I can do fine lines to broad coverages.  Gravity feed to Siphon feed to Side feed. 

  The only thing I don't like is the fact you "can't" take it apart to clean it.  I've actually taking my apart 3 times.  It's not hard to do.  After some detail cleaning, it was working like new.  I've noticed the same problem over and over again.  Paint will collect at the base of the needle inside of the body.  Every time I clean it, the airbrush works great again.

  Some people love them, some hate them.  But mostly, I think some people don't like things that very from the normal.  The A470 is one.

Jesse