lil blue Aztek is broke--now what?

Bguy,

Why don't you give us an idea of what you are willing to spend, and the guys here can give you recommendations on what to buy?

Jesse

I have no idea what went wrong as I was not there. BUT. A friend of mine was in the same boat as you about a year ago. He didn't buy the whole kit like you did but he had (still has) the little blue comp. His Aztek took a crap so he bought an Iwata CR. He ran his new CR with the little blue noise maker for nearly a year. Recently his wifey "granted him audience" to hear arguments for a new comp. Quietness won her over and now he uses an Iwata Sprint Jet. He keeps lil' blue for a back up.

I don't know what you mean by "compatability" but as I mentioned before there are plenty of fittings and adapters to make it all hook up and work. The "H" is an air hog, for sure. Look at something that's gravity feed. I just checked bearair.com and found plenty of brushes in the $35-55 range that will do all you need them to and do it with your little blue comp. If this price is not afforable then how do you model at all, what with a decent kit starting at about $30 these days?

So, an update: 

 I went to the local art supply store today and tried out the Paache H on the 'blue ice' compressor.  The airbrush salesguy was unsure how the performance would go, and when we got it hooked up (no compatability with either Paache or Iwata systems btw) there simply wasn't any airflow.  The salesguy's boss came along and could only urge "investment" in enough airbrush equipment to buy a new computer. 

 Kind of sad that the only decent offerings in this hobby involve prohibitive entry costs.  I'll certainly consider getting the single action Aztek (which will no doubt break in a week) but maybe I'll just do something else with my life instead.  Thanks again for the help.

usmc1371 wrote:

If you want a cheap fix and be able to use the nozzles and color cups, buy a Aztek A320.  It's a single action, internal mix airbrush for about $30.  If you buy a Badger, Paasche or Iwata, you'll probably need a new compressor too.  I doubt that little blue thing can handle these performance airbrushes. Jesse

Your compressor will work fine, don't worry about it. These brushes will work off of a CO2 can if you want. Iwata even offers a "kit" that includes the CR brush, hose, cleaner, CO2 can and valve and a nozzle wrench. Can be found in most better LHS for around $99. Or you can get just the brush from Dixie or Ebay for around $60.

hkshooter wrote:

The Aztek brushes used to have a life time warranty. Do they still? Or, if it does and you negated it by taking it apart, ...

I think they still have the warranty, and I also think that by prying it apart, said warranty became null and void.

When my Aztek A430 died, I did send it back for warranty repair.  During the three week turnaround, I picked up a Badger 200 NH, and haven't used my Aztek since. 

If you want a cheap fix and be able to use the nozzles and color cups, buy a Aztek A320.  It's a single action, internal mix airbrush for about $30.  If you buy a Badger, Paasche or Iwata, you'll probably need a new compressor too.  I doubt that little blue thing can handle these performance airbrushes.

Jesse

The Aztek brushes used to have a life time warranty. Do they still?

Or, if it does and you negated it by taking it apart, just about any brush can be used with any other support equipment these days. Most all the manufacturers have adapters that will make thier product work with anything else. Name two manufacturers and it's about a guarantee that one of them makes adapters to be compatable with the other.

My advice, dump the Aztek and buy a Badger. Or a Paache. Or an Iwata.