Is the Aztek airbrush as bad as people say?

I have heard reviews from both ends of the scale about the brushes.

Most complaints seemed to be associated with cleaning and damaged tips for the airbrushes.
It also appeared that there were some problems with certain paints clogging the tips and so on.

Apparently when it was working it was supposed to be one of the best brushes around, when the Sotar 20/20 came out it became quickly the replacement airbrush of choice for many.

Over here the Aztek didn't seem too sell to well, was only widely available for a short time on the Hobby Shops along with the Model Master paints.

MMF,

Is the Sotar as popular in Japan as the Iwata CM?

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by MikeV MMF, Is the Sotar as popular in Japan as the Iwata CM? Mike

The comments about the Aztek I heard came from overseas people (mostly US).
Honestly haven't looked at airbrushes and what is available/liked now for a few years, too happy with my current brushes.

Most shops over here stock a large selection of airbrushes and compressors, so it is hard to say what sells, also many models are released here under a different name/maker.

Sorry, can't reallt help you there.

P.S.: Having a compressor, spray-booth and atleast one airbrush seems to be the norm over here, you can usually find a pretty good bargain on either.

MMF,

Thanks. I was just curious.

Mike

Mike,
I think this is an example of the differnce between airbrushers, and people who use an airbrush maybe a couple of times a week, for a few minutes each time.
I've always been a fan of Aztek.

Thanks for pointing this out.

Mike

Hi Mike,
On that same note, there's another forum called Hyperscale which regularly features models by Chris Wauchope. The finish and weathering on his models is simply breathtaking and apparently he uses an Aztec 470, so there's another example of what truely exceptional talent can do when armed with what many of us feel is an inferior tool. Unfortunately I'm just not that good so I'll stick to my HP-CS Eclipse, I need all the help I can get!

Cheers...Snowy.

QUOTE: Originally posted by renarts Mike, I think this is an example of the differnce between airbrushers, and people who use an airbrush maybe a couple of times a week, for a few minutes each time. I've always been a fan of Aztek. Thanks for pointing this out.

My pleasure Mike. We all tend to razz people about equipment we don't really like ourselves, but that does not mean that quality work cannot be done with them. I personally would not buy an Aztek because the standard airbrushes that I have always used do exactly what I want and there is no need to try something new. If they work for you that's great, and more power to you.

Mike

Letting the truth be told, I owned and swore by the Aztek for 9 years before buying an Iwata. Most of my award-winning models in past years were finished with the Aztek A470. It's a great airbrush, no dought about it, I think one has to take in account how it's going to be used, the type of media and maintainance like all airbrushes. Over the years I learned how to repair my Aztek when the internals got gummed up with paint causing the airbrush to fail. As a result I haven't had to return/ replace my A470 and I still use it on occassion. The only down side; I think most modelers will admit, is that the nozzles do eventually wear out forcing you to fork out another $8.00 or so bucks to repalce it...if you do the math, over time this gets expensive. This issue was the only reason (in my opinion) some modelers went to all-metal airbrushes, not to mention it's feel, weight and the need to replace them when they quit working. A great brush indeed but it's short-comings still seem to over-shadow the many great benifits.

I like my Aztecs very much...

I have used an Aztek in one form or another before they were even called an Aztek, I now have an A470 and are completely happy with it.

I must admit in the early stages of adjusting to this type of airbrush I had my doubts about it but with persistence I came to like it.

I dont have an Aztek and I doubt I ever will....Why, well it isnt because they are bad. They just arent to my tastes.....Im an appearance kind of guy while the Paasche VL might not be pretty it looks to me better than the Aztek did when they first came out mind you I dont remember when exactly Aztek first came on scene, but my VL was bought back in 93/94...

Are they as bad as people say< I seriously doubt it. I think it's the airbrusher's lack of ability,talent,patience that earns it a bad rap. I'll openly admit it, Im very critical of my work down right mean to myself at times. I suck with a VL I suck with the Omni4000 so I would equally suck with an Aztec....simple fact its me....not the tool!

I can't say that I'm a fan of the aztek but it was my brush of choice before I got my Iwata. Hands down I got better results than with my VL (I hated the VL, Spitting paint out of my mouth would work better). The key for me was to ALWAYS take apart and clean the tips.

The thing that irritated me about mine, aside from it being single action, was that it wouldn't spray consistantly. It would spray just fine for 20 seconds, then nothing at all could come out for another 20, then it would suddenly start working again. I tried new tips and complete and thorough cleanings, and nothing really worked. My Iwata was great right out of the box. A good artist could make a nice picture with any tool, I could draw a fine picture with a hunk of cow turd, but I'd rather have a pencil.

I do like the contrast between textures there, and he did a great job on the fur.

One thing that I did like about my aztek is that I had more control over air pressure. Most brushes it's either on or off.

In reading through these posts, Plasticmod tells it just as I would and is absolutely correct in his statement about taking into account how the brush is to be used. I have three Aztek airbrushes, two single actions and one double action. I've been using these airbrushes since there conception and with a little work have produced some spectacular results. My biggest issue with the brush is that I could never push enough paint for my needs, even with the larger turquoise nozzle. I paint larger 1:18th scale cars and the coverage of the Aztek was just not enough, especially when using metallics. Also, the results were often inconsistent especially amongst replacement nozzles. Some sprayed well, while others just didn't work worth a crap and at $8 a pop that can get annoying. I have since picked up an Iwata Revolution CR a few weeks back and the difference is night and day. I have the ability to push a lot of paint now and the results are consistent every time. I have since relegated my double action Aztek to enamels and the task of painting smaller parts in situations where I want to paint many parts several different colors. The Iwata is reserved for automotive lacquers and used to spray the areas where I need broad coverage with smooth application. Not sure I answered the question Mike, but perhaps you can deduce something from it.

QUOTE: Originally posted by John L Not sure I answered the question Mike, but perhaps you can deduce something from it.

Thanks for the opinions John.
My question about "is the Aztek as bad as people say" was more of a rhetorical question leading to the example I showed of that fantastic painting.
As always, skill is what matters and not the airbrush.
Each one of us should be the best you can be with the airbrush of choice for you.
It is a personal instrument that each individual has to decide for themselves which one they like. Some feel too bulky, others feel strange because of the shape such as the Aztek, but all are capable of incredible work.
Let's face it, modeling does not require as much from an airbrush as art forms such as illustration, etc. Most any good double-action airbrush is capable of painting freehand camouflage, mottled German type camo or any other thing we wish to paint. If you want to freehand some nose-art on the front of a 1/48 scale B-17 then of course the airbrush and paint used will be much more critical.

Mike

I've got a Badger and an Aztek. I've had the badger for years and got the Aztek for Christmas. It seems that The aztek works just as good as the Badger for a lot less money. May just be me, but i think the Aztek is easier to clean.

I have three Azteks, including the 470, and two Binks Wren A's that I've used for years. I like both the Binks and the Aztek. There may be other brushes that do extremely fine work, but what I have works well for me.

The Aztek doesn't really deserve the "POS" moniker that many people label it. You would be fighting with a "POS" to get decent work done, but with the Aztek you can get good results after getting used to using it. When I first got the Aztek about 8 years ago, I thought it looked and felt like a piece of ****** but after 5 minutes of using it like it. I was getting much better results than my Badger 200.

I just recently decided to replace the Aztek because of too many tips getting clogged up. They need to be disassembled to clean, but it's to ruined them when doing so. I didn't want to spend anymore money replacing them. I got an Iwata Eclipse SBS and a Badger 360 as replacements. These are nice brushes but I wouldn't say that they totally outclass the Aztek.

Mike -

I have the old Model Master single action, since it first came out, with the original nozzles, last used: last week; as well as a brand new metal body. So, yes, they do hold up, and have been adequate for my purposes, and the cleaning really is a snap, or rather, a twist.

Archer out.