May i just rave about my Testors airbrush......

I have the metal Aztek. I still keep it. Use for retouching furniture's chip paint or varnish and priming my models.

But after using the IWATA and INFINITY, they maintained there position in my model workbench. The difference is the trigger. IWATA and INFINITY require less finger pressure to spray compaired to my AZTEK. AZTEK and INFINITY are both easy to clean. But I can spray longer with the IWATA.

But just to proved that my Aztek is here to stay, I ordered this part (Plug in nipple nd 2.7mm with female thread for AZTEK from http://precisiongermanairbrush.com/accessories_harder.html) so it can work along with my Iwata's and H&S.

Here is a great example of "one size does not fit all." I had a Testor's single action a number of years ago and I hated it. Kaysee88 has had good luck with something similar and has made money from it. I happen to be very fond of my Harder & Steenbecks. Others feel that Badgers are the best and some swear by their Iwatas...

In the end, it's all what you make of the particular brush. Although, you would have to pay me a great deal of money to use a Testors.

KAYSEE88 wrote:

well....i just want to say "thank you" openly to my Testors Detail Airbrush don't know which ones you use but mine has served me well 12 years and going AND back then i paid just $28 btw)...some clients even asked if i used Iwatas or Paasches....boy, were they SHOCKED when i told them

It is the modeler, not the airbrush. It is wonderful to have the skill to use a simple Testors AB.

After watching the Brett Green videos on the Testors Scale Model Workshop in recent years, I bought an Aztek A4709 Airbrush kit last year. Not only I could not hold the AB the way that Brett Green does, I was confused by the many nozzles that I had to change and not happy about breaking the warranty if I open the airbrush to clean it. I got a replacement from the vendor when the brand new kit develop leak problem. I promptly sold the new kit on Ebay and used part of the cash to purchase an Iwata HP-CS from Hobby Lobby using the 40% coupon. For lessor modeler like me, the Iwata definitely worked better. And it is cheaper too.

acmodeler01 wrote:

I had a Testors single action a while back, too. I hated it and as my first airbrush, it was the worst possible choice and the experience kept me from buying another airbrush for about 5-6 years. The funny thing is, when I bought my next airbrush, which is the one I currently use, it was a Testors "wally world special", the cheap double action that comes in a kit with a bunch of paints. It isn't even an Aztec, though I think they are very similar. I've had it for about 5 years now and it is still working and does amazing work with all kinds of paint. I really hope it keeps on performing, I love it. Cleaning is a breeze; the only real problem I've had was while cleaning the nozzle thouroughly, I'd take it apart which would stretch the spring and I think bend the needle. Of course, Testors advises not to do this. I got a new nozzle and the only way I've cleaned it has been by shooting thinner through it. I highly recommend the Testors/Aztec brushes (at least the double action) they are great!

HIGH FIVE 4U......

KAYSEE88 wrote:

hi friends... well....i just want to say "thank you" openly to my Testors Detail Airbrush don't know which ones you use but mine has served me well 12 years and going AND back then i paid just $28 .......yes i've heard MANY say how Testors airbrushes aren't great and stuff...well i don't agree the nozzles switch and clean easily the single action gives me AMAZING effects and lines the airbrush takes chemical and physical abuse....NO PROBLEM my models have earned me hundreds and thousands(...I'M A PRO MODELLER btw)...some clients even asked if i used Iwatas or Paasches....boy, were they SHOCKED when i told them SO THERE'S MY 2CENTS......any feedback is appreciated!!!! THANKS 2 ALL......

If it works for you then great. Personally I wouldn't pay for any Aztec airbrush regardless of the price as I don't care for them or their design. 

MikeV wrote:

KAYSEE88 wrote: hi friends... well....i just want to say "thank you" openly to my Testors Detail Airbrush don't know which ones you use but mine has served me well 12 years and going AND back then i paid just $28 .......yes i've heard MANY say how Testors airbrushes aren't great and stuff...well i don't agree the nozzles switch and clean easily the single action gives me AMAZING effects and lines the airbrush takes chemical and physical abuse....NO PROBLEM my models have earned me hundreds and thousands(...I'M A PRO MODELLER btw)...some clients even asked if i used Iwatas or Paasches....boy, were they SHOCKED when i told them SO THERE'S MY 2CENTS......any feedback is appreciated!!!! THANKS 2 ALL......   If it works for you then great. Personally I wouldn't pay for any Aztec airbrush regardless of the price as I don't care for them or their design.

Aztec is good if this is the first airbrush a modeller get his hands on. But for Iwata, Badger or H&S user. I dont expect them switching to Aztek. I will not even advised them to. But a pat on the back who are still having success with it.

Mike your statement fits me. The Aztek works great for me because my primary use is to be able to paint a nice flat coat from a bottle, not a rattler. Nothings against those, but the range of colors etc. plus mixing, in bottles is neccesary.

But I haven't tried yet to get good at camo or fine effects. So we'll see.

I also like it because I used to use a Paasche and taking it apart to clean it meant spending a bunch of time readjusting it to work right. I suppose if someone taught me how to, it would make a diff.

bondoman wrote:

Mike your statement fits me. The Aztek works great for me because my primary use is to be able to paint a nice flat coat from a bottle, not a rattler. Nothings against those, but the range of colors etc. plus mixing, in bottles is neccesary. But I haven't tried yet to get good at camo or fine effects. So we'll see. I also like it because I used to use a Paasche and taking it apart to clean it meant spending a bunch of time readjusting it to work right. I suppose if someone taught me how to, it would make a diff.

Which Paasche do you have? I used to have a Paasche H (single action, external mix) and felt the same way as you do. My thinking about using an airbrush changed completely when I got an Iwata HP-CS. See the post by Phil_H who said it very well. Phil_H uses a Sparmax. I always respect Mike_V's opinion who uses many Badgers.

It is amazing how "master modellers" (Brett Green is British. That's why the double "l" in modeller.) like Kaysee88 and Brett Green can do with the Testor airbrushes despite the design. For the rest of mortal modelers like me, there are easier to use designs. The choice is personal. Let's don't let this thread descent into another "my airbrush is the best" war.

Ever notice how threads about Airbrush brands and models seem to fall into the [vulgar comment redacted by FSM].

I've been using my Aztek A470 for about 5 years now.  I have also used a Paasche H, Badger 100G, and Badger 175.  I think the Aztek is a great airbrush but has one flaw, you aren't supposed to break it down.  I think Aztek really dropped the ball on this.  I've broken down my Aztek a few times.  After reassembly, the airbrush worked like new.  The problem most people have is air leakage.  What I have noticed is paint building up behind the washer.  This stops the needle from seating completely resulting in air leakage.  As soon as I clean this residue off, the air leakage stops.

I agree 100% about "it's the modeler, not the tool".  I've done freehand camo (ie no masking) on 1/35th armor using a Paasche H.  Many people would say it's not possible.  Good looking paint jobs are a result of understanding paint, thinning ratios, distance, speed, air pressure, etc.  Personally, I've never understood the need for some people to pay $400 for an airbrush to paint models.  If I was a professional artist, maybe, but not for a hobby.  To me, buying a $400 airbrush for a hobby is like buying a Lamborgini to drive a commute in city traffic. 

-Jesse

Personally I hate the Testor airbrushes but if you have good luck with them more power to you.

usmc1371 wrote:

I've never understood the need for some people to pay $400 for an airbrush to paint models.  If I was a professional artist, maybe, but not for a hobby.  To me, buying a $400 airbrush for a hobby is like buying a Lamborgini to drive a commute in city traffic.  -Jesse

Jesse, your comment on the Aztek A470 should be very helpful to people who are comtemplating the purchase of an airbrush. One tends to use his airbrush more if it is reliable and easy to clean.

I paid less than $100 for an Iwata HP-CS at the local Hobby Lobby Store using the 40% off coupon. It is everything that I am looking for in an airbrush. Similar AB such as the Badger 100LG, Badger Renegade, Paasche Talon can all be had for less than $100 on the web if you cannot find them locally or at discounted prices.

In some airbrush sites, I read about the Mike Learn hand tuned RichPen, called the MOJO series. I costs $299 a piece. Some of the artist call it the best airbrush in the world. It may be. But you are right that it is an overkill for modelers.

Considering how the price of plastic kits escalated in recent years, the cost of a good AB and compressor sounds like bargain to me.

Bottom Line: It's the user, not the airbrush. You could give me a milllion dollar airbrush and I probably coldn't spray as nicely as some of you guyes woth $20 Ab's. The simple statement is:

A good modeller can make a cheap airbrush great

A poor modeller cannot make an expensive airbrush great.

I love my Iwata Eclispe, but have never criticized another brand. To each his own. Even the expensive ones. If you have the money and you want a big AB, go for it! Support the hobby and the AB maker!

usmc1371 wrote:

Personally, I've never understood the need for some people to pay $400 for an airbrush to paint models.  If I was a professional artist, maybe, but not for a hobby.  To me, buying a $400 airbrush for a hobby is like buying a Lamborgini to drive a commute in city traffic.

$400? Where are you shopping? Beverly Hills?

BeltFed wrote:

I have nothing but excellent results with my Iwatas.  I will NEVER buy anything else.  Iwata products for me.

That is cool but have you tried any others? That is the question.

It is very easy to try one brand and be happy with it and think that other brands are "maybe" as good.

I have used Badgers, Paasche and Iwata and I still say Badger is the best route to go as they are American made and the quality is there. 

As a beginner-intermediate modeller I made the mistake some years ago of buying the aztek set with the clear blue equipment (compressor and airbrush)--cost me $200 but it was all I could even hope to afford at the time.  Within months the cheap plastic internal parts of the brush snapped and broke off inside, rendering all of my equipment useless.  Aztek utterly refuses to back up their products, so I lost hundreds of dollars to a company that suckers in beginners with low prices.  I've seen comments here about how a master can use such equipment for years without mishap, but I find that cost issues ensure an aztek is used most commonly by first time buyers, which translates into less experienced modellers. 

I'd say it's rather difficult to become a master (i.e. somebody who can use aztek equipment reliably?) when your most basic equipment falls apart on you.  My model building was interupted for a long time by this incident, but I'm fortunate to use a much better quality airbrush now.

BGuy wrote:

As a beginner-intermediate modeller I made the mistake some years ago of buying the aztek set with the clear blue equipment (compressor and airbrush)--cost me $200 but it was all I could even hope to afford at the time.  Within months the cheap plastic internal parts of the brush snapped and broke off inside, rendering all of my equipment useless.  Aztek utterly refuses to back up their products, so I lost hundreds of dollars to a company that suckers in beginners with low prices.  I've seen comments here about how a master can use such equipment for years without mishap, but I find that cost issues ensure an aztek is used most commonly by first time buyers, which translates into less experienced modellers.  I'd say it's rather difficult to become a master (i.e. somebody who can use aztek equipment reliably?) when your most basic equipment falls apart on you.  My model building was interupted for a long time by this incident, but I'm fortunate to use a much better quality airbrush now.

say, BGuy.....just curious, what airbrush you're using currently???

Hans von Hammer wrote:

Ever notice how threads about Airbrush brands and models seem to fall into the [vulgar comment redacted by FSM].

Y'know... An email with a request for me to edit my own comment would have been better... 

there will always be the badger vs iwata debate.  Personally, i have an Iwata HP-B, and now that I know how to use it, i love it.  I will upgrade some day to the CMB, but thats a long way away.  I know several modelers who get fantastic results with Aztec AB's and Badger AB's.  I am the kind of guy that when he finds he gets good results with one product, I stick with it.  Iwata stands by their products, just as Badger does.  I guess you cant go wrong with either manufacturer.

BeltFed wrote:

I will upgrade some day to the CMB, but thats a long way away.

I wouldn't waste your money. This is modeling not custom paint on an Orange County Chopper.

keilau wrote:

In some airbrush sites, I read about the Mike Learn hand tuned RichPen, called the MOJO series. I costs $299 a piece. Some of the artist call it the best airbrush in the world. It may be. But you are right that it is an overkill for modelers.

Take what Mike Learn and those automotive painters say with a grain of salt as they are paid to push the products they use. Just look at Airbrush Action Magazine, it has become a giant advertisment for Medea (Iwata).

BGuy wrote:

Aztek utterly refuses to back up their products, so I lost hundreds of dollars to a company that suckers in beginners with low prices.

That's not completely true.  Their dual action airbrushes, A430 and A470 are covered by a lifetime warranty that Testor's does cheerfully honor.  My A430 died for no good reason, I sent it back, and they sent me a new one.

BGuy wrote:

I'd say it's rather difficult to become a master (i.e. somebody who can use aztek equipment reliably?) when your most basic equipment falls apart on you.  My model building was interupted for a long time by this incident, but I'm fortunate to use a much better quality airbrush now.

On the flip side, I agree with you there.  During the three week turnaround of the A430 replacement, I started using a Badger 200, and have not used the Aztek since.

I think you may be dealing with some out of date information.  Testors *started* the line with lifetime warantees, but this was *long* time ago.  By the time I bought my set, I understand, they had piddled the warantee down to virtually nothing.  I've still got my broken airbursh stored away in case they ever change their mind. 

Can anybody give us some detailed info on what Aztek warantees have been, when they changed, why, and what they are currently?

BGuy,

Unfortunately, I can't answer you question directly.  What's wrong with your Aztek?  I've taken mine apart many times.  Let me know what the symptoms are and I might be able to diagnose the cause of the problem.

-Jesse

BGuy wrote:

I think you may be dealing with some out of date information.  Testors *started* the line with lifetime warantees, but this was *long* time ago.

My information is certainly somewhat out of date, although the replacement was within the past five years, so I would not describe it quite as a *long* time ago.

BGuy wrote:

Can anybody give us some detailed info on what Aztek warantees have been, when they changed, why, and what they are currently?

As to when, the warranty change was definitely within the past five years.

As to why, a cynic would suggest that Testor's was losing too much money replacing broken airbrushes.

As to the current warranty, I went to the Testor's website and found that no warranty was mentioned.  According to this retailer, the warranty at least for the A470 is three years.  Checking the description section in the links to the A430 or the metal body version by the same retailer again had no mention of warranty, one way or the other. 

Andy