Opinion on Azteks

Mike, It is better you specify to what types of paint and your intended subject that you plan to use this airbrush in order for us to give you our feedback.

I'd also recommend that you consider your future needs and wants as well. As your ability and creativeness increase so will your desire for a more capable airbrush. My recommendation is that you go with a good quality, double action airbrush at the beginning and never regret your purchase.

Like Sigman said, post how you plan to use it and we'll help you out.

Look at my previous ordeal with Azteks. I really don't want to explain it again because halfway through I'll feel like breaking something. But now I have an Iwata hp-cs and everything is just fine.
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=15957

I was like you. All I wanted was a simple air brush - nothing fancy so I bought an Aztek 470. I had it about six months and it seemed to work ok. Then the trigger broke. It took me the better part of two months to get it replaced by Testor. It's gurrantteed for life. While I was waiting I went out and bought a Badger Anthem. Wow - there is just no comparison. The action and control is so much better, it cleans up easily and it can do almost anything you would want. I wouldn't buy the Aztek when for comparable money you can get a Badger or another one of the major brands like Passche. In the long run you will be much happier.

I would also suggest that a double action will give you more control and versatility. It takes a little practice but it's worth the effort.

QUOTE: Then the trigger broke. It took me the better part of two months to get it replaced by Testor. It's gurrantteed for life. While I was waiting I went out and bought a Badger Anthem.

Yeah, I should have been smart like that. I broke one, sent it in. Once that one came in (2 months later) it only took a month to break again. Sent it in (After 2 months) and it just came back. Finally I had enough of this mail tag. I finally slapped the money on the table and got the Iwata. But Lucien Harpress, I would not get an aztek and would look into a double action in some other brand.

Lucien;
If I may offer my 2 cents, RUN! RUN! away from the Aztek I got the same 320 model you are looking at and it worked beautifully the first time I used it.. After that it became very sensitive and required alot of pleading and fiddling to get to operate correctly.
I recently purchased a badger 150-7 double action and Cannot believe the difference. The badger sprays fantastic and my aztek is now at the landfill.

Dan

Well. *(clear throat)* I see. Just goes to show you how much I still need to learn.

(Why do I feel like I just dodged a bullet here?)

Well, you asked a question that has been WIDELY discussed in this forum. Check some of the past posts, you'll find pleanty.
THe major consensus is a fairly negative one towards aztec. I however, like them. I'm not gonna lie and say I didn't have any problems. The first one I bought was one of their lower end double action ones, and it worked TWICE, but that was thanks to the jerk at Toys-R-Us who tested it in store for me, and unfortunately, all that lovely paint fully cured within the airbrush and was never removed.
Anywhoo, I got their Mini-blue compressor, with the A470 a while ago, and it's worked fine. Just make sure you clean it throughoutly.
I have a badger as well, but I've used the Aztec exclusively.
Their low end single action airbrushes are probably not the most versatile of models, and if you're looking to use it for wide area coverage all through fine lines, I would probably go with one of their double action ones, and definitely a higher end one. If, however you're just looking for wide area coverage, theirs, for the price, is one of the best.
My opinions anyways, so no one bother quoting me and disagreeing. As I said, it's been discussed and argued over far too much as far as I'm concerned.

ANyways, good luck, and I hope you're satisfied with whatever your ultimate choice is

QUOTE: (Why do I feel like I just dodged a bullet here?)

Well, because you just did.

I have the single action A320 and i like using it as well. Not because it is the best airbrush around or even the most versatile, but because i have persisted and learnt how to use it correctly. I get excellent results with it on my 1/12 scale model autos in regards to general spray work. The Azteks have a steep learning curve and can be very frustrating at times, but as a beginners airbrush they will do all you need, and in the process teach you how to really master all the aspects of airbrushing. I have recently bought an IWATA HP-CR (which i LUV!!!!) and have found that i have been able to get great results from it from day one because of all the things i learnt using the Aztek. Just goes to show....it's not just a case of acquiring the "best airbrush"...it's a case of acquiring the best skills to use the airbrush!

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lucien Harpress First off, I have no idea if this has been posted before, so I apologize if I'm beating a dead horse. Anyway, I just have a question about the Testors Aztek series of airbrushes. I am looking at one right now, a high-end single action. (I think it's the 320, but I could be wrong.) My problem- I would like to get a "preview" of it before I buy it. What I mean to say is, what are the pros and cons of this particular airbrush? I haven't heard that much, and what little I have is slightly negative. I would just like to make sure. I don't need an overly-complex airbrush. Single action is fine, I just need a good multi-purpose airbrush with a decent range of spray patterns. (Wide to fine.) You know, nothing to precise or technical. Thanks lots!

Hey, you want my aztek 370 (it broke kinda, so it only works a a single now, and looks like a 320)

But for the nozzle... i dotn have one that works. Oh also i can't give you the bottle things, cause they cause shipping to go up a lot. but the jars are less than $5 and the other ones are under $2 i thinik

WARNING! The following is slightly , but bear with me!

First off, in response to a previous question (no matter what airbrush I end up getting), this is what I plan to use it for-
1. I will most likely use enamal paints, probably Testors 'cause it's what I'm comfortable with.
2. I don't plan to do anything complicated freehand, so I don't need extreme tiny detail.
3. I don't plan to do any subtle weathering with an airbrush, so, once again, I don't need extremly precise detail.
4. If I do need a sharp line, I have no qualms of masking, no matter how extensive. (Call me crazy, but I find it kind of soothing...)
5. Basically, all I need an airbrush for is a smooth, brush-strokeless finish, and to make the demarcation line on aircraft. (Spelling, yes, I know. Ie kan't spel. I think...)

Good, now that that's over, we get to the reason of my disclaimer. (You missed it? I'm sorry...) Other than the Aztek, the only other airbrush I was looking at was a Paasche, most likely an H.

Any opinions on that?

Or should I start another topic?

Or has one already been started?

Why is the sky blue?

What is the square root of pi?

...

I'll stop now.

I own an Aztek double action and a pristine Badger Anthem and I use the Aztek all of the time for now. It's not that I have a problem with the Badger but I think the Aztek is handier and less stressful.

This is what I like about the Aztek:

1) The quick-change nozzle system is the best idea of its kind on the market. I heard stories about how the nozzles clog up but I haven't seen this in practice. I experienced a broken trigger system which occured due to a too forceful insertion of the nozzle as I was learning to operate the system. You can have one nozzle for acrylics and a separate one for enamels which is the way God intended airbrush operation. When you're mixing a million different substances in the same nozzle you're asking for trouble.

2) Paint flow control is very precise with practice

3)The cleaning station is a great accessory and it also servers as a great holder you can put your airbrush into if you need to put it aside for a few seconds because you're manipulating the model. Of all the aibrush design geniuses the Aztek engineer was the only one to understand some kind of a holder or base is necessary. All other aibrushes won't stand on the table or whatever surface you're working on. Pulled by the weight of their heavy braided hoses (the Aztek has a very thin and lightweight hose) they'll flip upside down spilling the paint out of the container.

4) The device is very lightweigh and doesn't tire the hand

5) You can use it with either top feed or siphon feed

6) The airbrush attaches directly to the bottles of Testors Akryl paints so you can start spraying as soon as you purchase the paint. No need for messy transfers from one bottle to another. Akryl don't require thinning.

7) Testors makes a very small, lightweight and handly compressor I use with the airbrush and the system works as advertised.

8) Cleaning is easy with the cleaning station and you can perform extra preventive maintenance by unscrewing nozzles and letting them soak overnight in a small bottle filled with thinner. This ensures the nozzles stay in top shape.

9) There are great custom nozzles on the market for special effects such as ultra-thin line or spatter pattern

And this is what I like about the Azteks:
1)They come in a wood box so when you break it briefly after you bought it it can burn easier.
2)It's plastic (by the way thinner eats at plastic!) so you can easily crush it and put it in its little wood coffin.
3)Laquor paints eat away at the RUBBER "O" ring in the back after extensive laquor use.
4)They come with nice little desposible, highly breakable nozzles that cake with paint like no other.
5)It breaks your whole airbrush when even one drop of paint gets where it's not supposed to go.
6)You can't take apart the factory sealed airtight bodies to fix or clean anything, so if you break it, well my friend you are stuck with(or without) it for another two months.
7)It's plastic and cheap for them to mass produce and get them out there for you to buy(and break) them.
8)Some people will have a fluke and there Aztek will survive to paint another year after year, but this isn't as common as the nasty little stories about the Aztek gone wrong.

And this is why I love the Aztek AB's so much!

I also have two horror stories about the Aztek when it gets messed up.

9)I was using the gravity feed one day and I was gently rubbing out the extra paint left in the feed and then the plastic pipe that plugs into the internal organs of the Aztek snapped off. All I had was part of the gravity feed loged in the AB and the snapped off gravity feed that was now rendered useless. Got the exacto and tried fishing it out and after cutting some of the airbrush away (doesn't that sound weird metal AB owners?) it came out and I was back in my LHS getting a $5 replacement.
10)Got my Aztek (370 or 360) and after a year the paint mechanizm broke and it became a singal action AB. Sent it in to the factory for replacement and got it 2 months later. well, 3 months after the replacement that one breaks. 2 months later it comes back (I am building a model for someing right now and there asking me where is it?) and finally the best day of my ABing life comes. I order an Iwata hp-cs and it comes to my house and I spray with it for one second and I sensed that I had real AB quality in my hands!

I can imagine that an Iwata, Bagder and Pachee would have very intricut and detailed CAD drawings and the intricut high quality parts would be precisly machined in lathes. Iwata even tests each AB before you do, thats how much they care. But with Azteks, I can't image too many CAD drawings and the parts are molded out of and just like the stuff that we build-our plastic kits!!![:0]

I have to agree with MonsterZero on his reason why he likes using an Aztek, Ive used Azteks for years now and am very comfortable with them. Will admit though it took a while to adapt my techniques to suit this type of airbrush.

Well, I will not argue about the fact that solid-steel Badger Anthem, which is built like a battle tank, will last a lifetime while an Aztek could break down after a few years. However, I think the problem is that Azteks are fragile, as opposed to being flawed. With proper handling and maintenance they'll last.

BTW, the story about thinner eating the plastic in the Aztek is not true. It doesn't take a lot of chemical engineering to make a plastic that's 100% resistant to thinners and that's what the Aztek plastics are like. You can melt it with concentrated acid I guess.

I'll have to agree with MonsterZero here. I own a A4706 Aztek, and it has not only worked very well for over a year, but it also made me put away my old badger AB. And, by the way, I've more than once forgotten to retrieve the nozzle from the thinner cup after soaking it overnight, and let it stay there for a week or so...and the plastic doesn't even seem to notice...

Okay, I'm gonna try someting-

(For my own personal use,) If you had to choose between these two, would you get a-

A. High-end, single action Aztek.
or
B. Paasche H

This mini-poll is completely voluntary. It's just so I can get a good idea of what would be good for me. If you need to know what I need it for, I think I put that somewhere back there a couple posts.

Oh, and 1337, if you're serious, then I'll seriously consider it!

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lucien Harpress Okay, I'm gonna try someting- (For my own personal use,) If you had to choose between these two, would you get a- A. High-end, single action Aztek. or B. Paasche H This mini-poll is completely voluntary. It's just so I can get a good idea of what would be good for me. If you need to know what I need it for, I think I put that somewhere back there a couple posts. Oh, and 1337, if you're serious, then I'll seriously consider it!

Aztek or Paasche ? Aztek definitely; if you think that Aztek is badly made, what do you think of chrome plating that breaks just looking at it, conical connection of parts with no washer and using chucks to set them when some modern airbrushes are assembled with two fingers ?
On the other hand, there are affordable airbrushes away from these two, I think and I am sure they would be acclaimed by a number of people

QUOTE: Originally posted by dolittle I have the single action A320 and i like using it as well. Not because it is the best airbrush around or even the most versatile, but because i have persisted and learnt how to use it correctly. I get excellent results with it on my 1/12 scale model autos in regards to general spray work. The Azteks have a steep learning curve and can be very frustrating at times, but as a beginners airbrush they will do all you need, and in the process teach you how to really master all the aspects of airbrushing. I have recently bought an IWATA HP-CR (which i LUV!!!!) and have found that i have been able to get great results from it from day one because of all the things i learnt using the Aztek. Just goes to show....it's not just a case of acquiring the "best airbrush"...it's a case of acquiring the best skills to use the airbrush!

Chap, I think you are a very wise guy

QUOTE: A. High-end, single action Aztek. or B. Paasche H

My response is unfair because I've never owned an Aztek or a Paasche and my perception them is based solely on the information I've seen on this forum. However if I had to choose between those two, and could only pick one of those two, I'd go with the Paasche because of their excellent reputation. If I could pick something different in the same price range I'd go with another Badger because I know what they are like.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lucien Harpress Oh, and 1337, if you're serious, then I'll seriously consider it!

Yeah, im serious. All i need is email... email me i_r_rule@hotmail.com or quake36@hotmail.com... i_r_rule more so than quake36. However, there are 4 conditions

1. You need to supply your own bottle/gravity feed's.

2. You need to supply your own nozzles

3. You need to supply your own airsource

4. shipping.

However, I have calculated that even after all these conditions, its still under $20 canadian. It's a decent airbrush, but you may/may not need to send it back to aztek, since the trigger is broken. Thats only a 2 month delay.

Thanks, 1337

Allright, first off I want to say sorry about the thinner eating away at plastic thing. I had no clue that Aztek plastic was engineered to resist acids. I still think that the Aztek is on the bottom of the Airbrush chain though (Sorry, not to offend aztek users). I have noticed that everyone says that a type of AB is good, but words can only go so far to tell somebody how good it actually is. I decided to do some drawings with my new Iwata hp-cs as a comparitive between my Aztek 4308. My goal was to push the limits of each AB and see how it comes out. After doing my Iwata's drawing I went to do one for my Aztek and found out that the nozzle just broke on me, so there will never be a comparitive drawing. All I can do is just show you what the Iwata hp-cs can do. Here's the limits of the hp-cs.

The face is any old face I made up, but it shows the shading capabilities of the Iwata hp-cs.

The small line where the arrow is isn't a hair that got in the scanner. Thats a very fine line.

When I went to spray with the Iwata for the first time I got a precision flow of air (bear with me, this is hard to explain) that was way better than the Aztek. After just getting my new Iwata I've only sprayed about an hour in total on it and I'm allready spoiled. When I went back to my Aztek I felt the air in my hands and it felt like a cheap plug in fan was blowing air at irregular intervuals (now this wont be the case with a new Aztek, just one really bad nozzle in nead of replacement). I didn't bother cleaning my Aztek too well after its last use because I knew I was getting something better. But I could even tell in the difference between airflow how precise Iwata is. My

Nice job ArmorMaster Does the capability of the Cs and BS the same coz am planning to get one for small amount painting for detailing?

Thanks sigman, but I don't have the Iwata bs, just the hp-cs so I don't know if they are the same. All I can say is I like my new Iwat hp-cs and I wouldn't give it up for anything!

Ryan,

Just for comparison purposes this picture was painted with an Aztek by a very talented artist named Paul Corfield:


I am no fan of the Aztek by any means but it just goes to show that any airbrush can be made to paint practically anything with practice.

Mike

MikeV, Airbrushing is like golf. As the saying goes, "Its the Indian and not the Arrow", but having a better equipment is a plus.

Yes MikeV, I've seen that picture somewhere in the ABing forums a while ago. Your absolutly right, by any means that picture is awsome for any medium of paint or equipment. But I can imagine there was a little bit of stencil work involved in that. But I'm not going to set aside the reality that it's an awsome painting!

Hey MikeV, which Ryan? (I am also Ryan)

I like aztek... for 15 minutes after i bought one!!! (Except my 220, which I sold for 10 bucks). I have used the side feed badger 100, and compared to the aztek, its like god.

however i prefer iwata. I have handled the revolution cr, and the hp-c. I like them both. even more so than the badger. they dont sputter, skip, flood the area with paint, and are not too light, just heavy enough but not too heavy. My hand getsl ess tired than when using the aztek with the "ergonomic design". some day i think i should get the trigger type tamiya.