Testors Aztek ?

DO NOT GET AN AZTEK... mine crapped out on me in only 4 uses (4 differe days) and i cleaned it very well, u are better off savign for somethign better otherwise urs is just gonna crap out on you.  DO NOT BUY ONE they are CRAP.

get an iwata, 60 bucks or so with hose, it will suit u better.... www.dixieart.com - they rock!

Let's don't start this debate again! there are plenty of Aztec horror stories to fill volumes, and there are people on this forum who have used them for years and love them. If you do a forum search you can find this topic in the archives and testamonials in both directions ad nauseum. Caveat Emptor! ( buyer beware)

Steve

I got my Aztek A470 second hand - therefore no warranty.  So when my airbrush started to act up, I took the airbrush apart.  It really wasn't too difficult, heck I did it after 3 beers.  After giving the insides a complete cleaning, I put it all back together and it works like it was brand new.  I think it would be great if Testors made the A470 capable of easily being broking down for cleaning.  I think the metal A470 has a screw in the handle which would probably help in taking it apart; but I'm not sure.  The reason mine began to act funny was paint had seeped back into the airbrush parts.  There is no way you clean the paint out without taking the airbrush apart.  Like I said, mine was not under warranty, so what did have to lose?  Personally, after having three other airbrushes, I LOVE my Aztek A470.

Jesse 

usmc1371 wrote:

I got my Aztek A470 second hand - therefore no warranty.  So when my airbrush started to act up, I took the airbrush apart.  It really wasn't too difficult, heck I did it after 3 beers.  After giving the insides a complete cleaning, I put it all back together and it works like it was brand new.  I think it would be great if Testors made the A470 capable of easily being broking down for cleaning.  I think the metal A470 has a screw in the handle which would probably help in taking it apart; but I'm not sure.  The reason mine began to act funny was paint had seeped back into the airbrush parts.  There is no way you clean the paint out without taking the airbrush apart.  Like I said, mine was not under warranty, so what did have to lose?  Personally, after having three other airbrushes, I LOVE my Aztek A470. Jesse

I'm with you on the A470, I don't think people use the red 'spanner' either, with the different lengths on the spanner its actually quite easy to clean inside, I use a baby wipe and push that in with the appropiate end of the spanner into the various holes especially the cup holes as you can clean the 'needle' here just look into the end and watch as all the muck cames out on your wipe. The long end is for the cup hole & short end for the nozzle hole (sorry if I'm boring you)

Scott. 

www.freewebs.com/scottellis

MikeV wrote:

Some have good luck with these airbrushes and others do not. Personally I think they are a gimmick and not worth the money and the hassles. I have heard little to no complaints about airbrushes from Badger, T&C, Iwata, etc so why gamble on an Aztek that may give you problems?

I love reading the repeated arguements for and against the Aztek airbrush.  First, let me start by saying, the Aztek (spelled with a 'k' not a 'c') airbrush was a European company bought by Testors.  It is not a Testors product unlike their paints and some of their kits.  Second,  you can get fabulous results with an Aztek A470.  Too many people expect their tools to make a good model.  In reality, it's the talent of the modeler that makes a good model.  Third, the A470 is a much different design than other airbrushes therefore it takes some time getting used to.  Fourth, there is more than just one Aztek airbrush, so don't call them crap unless you've used them all (ie. A270, A430, A320 etc.).  Fifth, if Aztek airbrushes are such a piece of junk, why would a major model company like Testors, invest in them and still sell them.  Personally, I think alot of people who hate Aztek airbrushes are people who are too lazy to read the directions and practice on how to use it.  Enough said.

Jesse  

usmc1371 wrote:

Fifth, if Aztek airbrushes are such a piece of junk, why would a major model company like Testors, invest in them and still sell them.  Personally, I think alot of people who hate Aztek airbrushes are people who are too lazy to read the directions and practice on how to use it.  Enough said. Jesse

The A470 is not marketed to airbrush artists, it's marketed to experienced hobbysist: http://www.testors.com/brand_profile.asp?brandNbr=1

I've used a number of airbrushes, my first being a Badger 150 in 1984.   I understand the mentality though. Something new and different comes along and people bulk at it. 

Second,  you can get fabulous results with an Aztek A470.  Too many people expect their tools to make a good model.  In reality, it's the talent of the modeler that makes a good model.

I agree with that comment up to a point.  I've said many times that an airbrush is just a tool and it is the hand that holds it that provides the talent.  I do usually qualify that statement with the comment that it is also necessary to have good quality tools.

I've never owned an Aztek, probably never will, so I can't speak from first-hand knowledge.  I'm perfectly content with my conventional airbrushes and don't have any inclination to change.  I do know that there are some people whose abilities I have a lot of respect for who get very good results with the Aztek line and for that reason I have to think that there is some good in them.

In my opinion the bulk of the problems that people have with them can be traced to improper and/or incomplete cleaning.  Contrary to the manufacturer's claim of "Easy Cleaning" it appears that they are not easy to clean and do require a high level of maintenance.  Unless one is willing to completely disassemble the tips after use and soak them in thinner and occasionally completely disassemble the entire airbrush for cleaning then they can expect to have problems with them.  On the other hand if one does keep them immaculately clean then they can probably expect good results from them.  Again, this is just my opinion and based on posts I've seen here and not first-hand experience.

Add me to the Aztek horror story. Mine died after about 10 uses. (as soon as I used Lacquer paint) I will never recommend a plastic airbrush anymore. It's a toy, not a tool.

After my Aztek crappy putty died, I got a Badger Anthem (155) which I loved. Now I have an Iwata HP-CP and it's incredible. But if you don't make many detail, the badger is a great brush. You should take a look at the Iwata HP-CS or Revolution, which are cheaper than mine.

usmc1371 wrote:

Personally, I think alot of people who hate Aztek airbrushes are people who are too lazy to read the directions and practice on how to use it.  Enough said. Jesse

Sorry dude, gonna call BS on that one. I read the instructions as well as watched the video. I followed all instructions to the letter and ya know what? It still clogged up on me after a couple of uses. I even went extra lengths in flushing the brush out using various solutions. Still clogged.

It wasn't until several folks here helped me out and suggested I disassemble the nozzles and clean them out. Which a person is told not to do by the instructions and video. I'm not gonna fight about whether the brush is crap or not. I simply do not have enough experience with AB's to make that call and I will admit that since I've started disassembling the nozzles and cleaning them I have not had as much issues. But I will state and stand by that the product is not as advertised/marketed.

medic5555 wrote:

All I know is that I have an Aztek and a Paasche and I can't get the Paasche to work nearly as well, way more expensive to boot. So if someone wants to trade an Aztec for a Paasche, throw a message my way, I'd sooner have something that I can use

Can't trade. Already have 2 other AB's but I would be willing to sell my 4709 set in the wooden box if your interested.

MikeV wrote:

usmc1371 wrote:   Fifth, if Aztek airbrushes are such a piece of junk, why would a major model company like Testors, invest in them and still sell them.  Personally, I think alot of people who hate Aztek airbrushes are people who are too lazy to read the directions and practice on how to use it.  Enough said. Jesse   How many airbrush artists use them? I think that speaks volumes. If you like them and have good results with them then more power to you. Some of us have been airbrushing since before Azteks were even invented and that is why we see them as a gimmick.

Ahhh the perpetual Aztek discussion, alright then here's my .

I was a happy enough owner of an A470 for a couple of years and got some pretty good results out of it.  I went through a few nozzles (yes I did break them down completely for cleaning) over that time but apart from that it was OK to work with.  Unfortunately over time paint had seeped into the back of the a/b which eventually caused it to stop working.  I tried breaking down the body of the a/b to clean it but the innards were just too far gone.

I have since bought an Iwata HP-CS (from Dixie Art ) and the difference is chalk and cheese, the Iwata feels right and is a far more precision instrument than the Aztek, it easily breaks down for maintenance and is happy with lacquers, acrylics and enamels.  So do yourself a big favour and get either a Badger, Iwata or Paashe, you won't be sorry.

Happy modeling

Apparently some people just can't read.  The Aztek airbrush is NOT marketed as a 'professional' airbrush such as one used by photo retouching specialists, airbrush artists or the like.  Look here (again): http://www.testors.com/brand_profile.asp?brandNbr=1

It is clearly marketed for the "EXPERIENCED HOBBYIST". 

Also, please understand, I have never said the Aztek A470 was superior to any other airbrush mentioned so far.  But I firmly believe, for most modelers, the A470 is a exceptional airbrush able to perform all the requirements for model building.  Remember, this is a modeling forum, not a forum for T-Shirt artist or people who make paintings and the such.  I've looked at Mike's website and his work is outstanding.  If I was using my airbrush for more then making models I won't use an A470 either.  You know, use the right tool for the right job. 

The point is, this is a forum about making models.  The Aztek line of airbrushes are excellent for that.  These are airbrushes designed and sold by a company who specializes in models and that is what the airbrush is marketed for.

usmc1371 wrote:

Apparently some people just can't read.  The Aztek airbrush is NOT marketed as a 'professional' airbrush such as one used by photo retouching specialists, airbrush artists or the like.  Look here (again): http://www.testors.com/brand_profile.asp?brandNbr=1 It is clearly marketed for the "EXPERIENCED HOBBYIST".  Also, please understand, I have never said the Aztek A470 was superior to any other airbrush mentioned so far.  But I firmly believe, for most modelers, the A470 is a exceptional airbrush able to perform all the requirements for model building.  Remember, this is a modeling forum, not a forum for T-Shirt artist or people who make paintings and the such.  I've looked at Mike's website and his work is outstanding.  If I was using my airbrush for more then making models I won't use an A470 either.  You know, use the right tool for the right job.  The point is, this is a forum about making models.  The Aztek line of airbrushes are excellent for that.  These are airbrushes designed and sold by a company who specializes in models and that is what the airbrush is marketed for.

Sorry dude, gonna call BS on that one. I read the instructions as well as watched the video. I followed all instructions to the letter and ya know what? It still clogged up on me after a couple of uses. I even went extra lengths in flushing the brush out using various solutions. Still clogged. It wasn't until several folks here helped me out and suggested I disassemble the nozzles and clean them out. Which a person is told not to do by the instructions and video. I'm not gonna fight about whether the brush is crap or not. I simply do not have enough experience with AB's to make that call and I will admit that since I've started disassembling the nozzles and cleaning them I have not had as much issues. But I will state and stand by that the product is not as advertised/marketed.

The instructions do in fact tell you not to disassemble the nozzles, but yet to get the nozzles clean that is exactly what you have to do.  I've owned three of these airbrushes and have always cleaned them as thoroughly as I could, typically with the solvent necessary to clean the particular medium I was spraying (earlier it was mostly enamels, now mostly acrylics).  Yet each of my Azteks pooped out on me.  Nozzles became unusable.  I got sick of expending roughly $8-10 each on a new nozzle, and occasionally the freaking thing wouldn't spray properly thinned paint even though it would spray air.

I finally threw my hands up in frustration and acquired a Badger 360 from DixieArt () and have been using it ever since.  I've had absolutely no complaints with this airbrush, and I really like the control I have over cleaning it.  Everything can be disassembled without any instructions advising against that process, and I can visually ensure that all of the parts are clean immediately after using.

I did manage some very good paint jobs with all of my Azteks, so I have no complaints over its performance.  My primary complaints with it was the difficulty in cleaning and the expenditure of funds to replace clogged/non-functioning nozzles.

usmc1371 wrote:

Apparently some people just can't read.  The Aztek airbrush is NOT marketed as a 'professional' airbrush such as one used by photo retouching specialists, airbrush artists or the like.  Look here (again): http://www.testors.com/brand_profile.asp?brandNbr=1 It is clearly marketed for the "EXPERIENCED HOBBYIST".  Also, please understand, I have never said the Aztek A470 was superior to any other airbrush mentioned so far.  But I firmly believe, for most modelers, the A470 is a exceptional airbrush able to perform all the requirements for model building.  Remember, this is a modeling forum, not a forum for T-Shirt artist or people who make paintings and the such.  I've looked at Mike's website and his work is outstanding.  If I was using my airbrush for more then making models I won't use an A470 either.  You know, use the right tool for the right job.  The point is, this is a forum about making models.  The Aztek line of airbrushes are excellent for that.  These are airbrushes designed and sold by a company who specializes in models and that is what the airbrush is marketed for.