To Aztek or not to Aztek....

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Tools
1

Hi guys,

I have been thinking about replacing my old Tamiya air works. Everybody rants and raves about the Aztek air brush at my local hobby store, what makes it attractive to me is the fact that you dont have to take it all appart for cleaning, however, I wondered how long would those tips last for an average user, at $14.00 or 15.00 cdn. It could get expensive, what is your overall experience with this kind of air brush?.. I am no air brushing expert, but I certainlly want something that will be fun to use, rather than a chore if you know what I mean…

Thanks, Carlos.

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Some people love them. Some people hate them. The “reviews” seem to be mixed pretty evenly.

Personally, I’d recommend a Thayer & Chandler Omni 4000. $65 US at Bear Air. I don’t know a Canadian/Canadien supplier, but we have several Canadians here, so hopefully one of them will chime in.

BTW: This should be in the Painting and Airbrushing Forum. I suggest you post your question there, where it’s likely to attract more of the right attention.

…and [#welcome] to the forums!

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Bear Air and Dixie Art can both ship to Canada. They charge a bit more for the shipping (which is included if you’re in the states), but even with that and any duty that might be gouged applied by our friendly government, they would still be cheaper than buying at the LHS. If you have a friend in the States, the shipping would be free to them, and mail is fairly fast and inexpensive. You can avoid any taxes or duties that way.

I echo the comment on the pros and cons of the Aztek. People who like them, love them, and people who hate them, do so passionately. I played with one at the LHS and didn’t like the feel compared to a Badger 100/150 series, which I ended up with.

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Hey Carlos, I was looking at the Aztek’s at my LHS when I first started shooping for an AB.

The LHS used to carry Iwata’s years ago, then switched to Badger’s and now nothing but Aztek’s. The owner said the Aztek’s were as good as any of them but cheaper in the long run. Well I was new to that LHS and on another visit ran into an old customer that took me aside. He told me I could do better than the Aztek’s and for cheaper money too. So I shopped around, gathered information and prices, and even tested a few brands.

I ended up with an Iwata and have now progressed to two Iwata’s and a Thayer & Chandler Vega. From what I have dug up, Aztek’s seem to come with their share of problems. So far I am happy with my choices and they were cheaper than the Aztek’s offered at my LHS.

For the money and continued expense (tip replacement) I’d look at what Badger has to offer before running out and dropping a dime on the Aztek.

Another note regarding LHS’s and AB choices…
It is a tad cheaper and easier for hobby shops to stock and get replacements parts for Azteks than it is any other brand.

Just my [2c]

5

When I started airbrushing (last June) I fell into a Paasche VL, and an Aztek 370. (The 370 is a dual action internal mix airbrush that has a permanently affixed hose. It sells in a set with a can of air and one of those round Testorspaint organizers. $39 at Walmart.)

Reading what I had about Aztek brushes, I almost threw it away. I kept it though, but started using the Paasche. After a few weeks of getting comfortable with the Paasche, I gave the Aztek a try.

I bought two tips (it came with an general purpose acrylic). I bought a fine tip and a general purpose tip. I immediately liked the side feed cup, and the cleanup was simpler and faster. (Although if the difference was more than 2 minutes I’d be surprised.) I did find the Aztek easier to clean, though, and now it’s like a 2 minute job. (I disassemble the tip after each use… not recommended by the manufacturer, but it’s really fast actually.)

When I switched to acrylics, I settled on the Aztek. The Paasche was awful about tip dry, yet running the same paint through the Aztek almost never results in tip dry. And the results I got were better with the Aztek.

The one thing the VL had I wish my Aztek had was a fine adjustment dial, which is on the Aztek 470. At some point, I’ll get one of those.

As my airbrush skills have developed, I find I really enjoy my cheap little Aztek. I’ve since used a Badger and an Iwata airbrush, and they were great. I found no problems with them.

Still- I’ve not found any reason to switch. I’ve been using the same tips since June, and have disassembled them after every use, cleaned 'em, and put them back together. No problems at all.

I guess the moral of the story is that exactly what several folks told me early on- it’s not the airbrush but the hand that holds it. Thought I’ve heard complaints from former Aztek users sometimes, I’ve never experienced any of them. I can do fine lines, wide areas, free-hand,etc., and I feel like the only thing holding me back from getting the results I want is my own skill.

If you can try out several airbrushes, do so. But ultimately, compare features and prices and so forth, and make what you feel is the best buy. Then practice and work at it.

I know a guy at the LHS who can do the most amazing stuff with his top of the line Iwata. I asked him what he thought of Azteks, and he said he preferred Iwata… then showed me a kit or two that he did with an Aztek that made my jaw drop.

So do your research, make your best choice, and keep working at it! Ultimately, it’s not the airbrush, but you!

Good luck!

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Jon really said it all - every airbrush has its pros and cons. I don’t think the Aztek are really that much cheaper in price by the time you add up the tips and such. But they are cheaper in that at least with the 470, it can paint from thin line to fairly broad. In terms of quality, I had no qualms with Aztek since the 470 had a life time guarentee on the body - but now its been changed to 3 yrs. I only had to replace 1 tip in 5 years- only becuase I bent it due to my own carelessness.

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Not meaning to knock Aztek airbrushes, especially since I never used one. But from what I have read and hear through my research, I think you can get more airbrush for your money.

Here’s a quick run-down in U.S. prices of some equivalent type AB’s -

Badger model 100LG $64.95
From fine detail to background coverage
1/3 oz. permanently-mounted color cup

Iwata Revolution CR $64.97
fixed 1/3 oz gravity feed fluid cup with lid

Omni 4000G $69.00
Gravity Feed w/ 1/3 oz. cup

Paasche VSR90 $69.95
Gravity Feed, Double Action, Internal Mix
1/8 & 3/16 oz. color cups, #1 & #2 needle
tip & aircap components, hanger, wrench and head protecting cap.

HANSA Hobby Line 581 $96.55
nozzle: 0.2 mm
2 ml flow cup

Aztek - A4704 Set List $99.99
A470 Airbrush a 6’ (1.8 mm) hose
General Purpose Nozzle / .40mm
7.5cc Gravity Feed Color Cup
Instruction manual & video
Plastic storage case

Iwata Eclipse HP-CS $109.97
Double Action, Gravity Feed, 1/3 oz. fixed cup

HANSA Topline 381 $112.93
nozzle: 0.3 mm
cup: 7 ml flow cup with lid
end piece with adjustable paint control (chrome plated)

Aztek A4702 Set $119.99
A470 Airbrush & 6’ (1.8 mm) hose
General Purpose Nozzle / .40 mm
7.5 cc Gravity Feed Color Cup
Instruction manual
Compressor adapter
Plastic storage case
Instruction manual & video

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I got my Aztek A470 with 6 nozzles and 6 cups in a wood box for $100 at Bear Air.

Jesse

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I ordered an A470 last week from Blick, and it showed up Friday. I love it- that adjustment wheel rocks! it made post-shading a breeze, and the trigger is much more precise than the A370. Cool!

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jwb, good luck with the 470, I like the AB too.

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I have a 430 in addition to my two Badgers. What are the main differences between the 430 and the 470?

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[#oops]If I had known there were so many that liked the Aztek, I would have gladly donated mine to them (A470 with wood case). But I got[censored]at it and threw it all in the trash

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The 470 has an fine adjustment wheel that’s pretty cool. It lets you use the brush in a single action way. You push the trigger down for air, then dial in the paint flow. When the paint flow is where you want it, you only have to push the trigger down for the precise delivery you want. It works great on post-shading!

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Oh man…

I’ll send you my address- keep it on hand. If you get mad at something, send it my way! LOL [;)]

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Do you build car models[banghead]

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Thanks, Jon. If that’s the case, then it appears I have a 470! [:O] Doh! I’ve had it for a few years and used it only one or twice, having stuck mainly with my 2 Badgers. Maybe it’s time to break out the aztek and give it another try.

…and judging from your P-40, I can see why you are singing its praises! [tup]

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LOL- no but my son does!

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LOL- well there ya go! Give it a try- if you don’t like it, let me know. [;)]

Thanks for the kind words- I’m having a great time with that P-40. My son gave it to me for Christmas. My wife gave me a signed pic of some AVG birds, with Tex Hill’s sig. So I’m hoping to make it a nice display.

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Sounds like a great family you got there, and you’ve come up with an interesting concept for a display for your P-40. Keep us posted! [tup]

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Your P-40 will look great like that. The funny thing is that I have the same setup, I have Tex Hill’s P-40 (#104) along with a signed photo of him that he personalize for my sons when we met him a few years ago at an airshow. I love looking at that display.