Talked to an airbrush artist today who highly recommended Aztec. Good brand?

[Lady Jemima]

After deciding not to purchase a brush/compressor from Airbrush City, I was told that a man in a local hobby shop is a very experianced airbrusher. I went in to talk with him this afternoon, and he really seems to know his stuff (he has 16 different airbrushes and has been brushing for 20 years). He recommended the Aztec 4308 kit. I was suprised at how lightweight it was, and thought the interchangeable nozzles and gravity cup were a bit cheap-looking, but he said he has 4 Aztecs at home and loves them.

There was only one review for this product here at this forum, and I'm curious what everyone else's opinions of this product (or brand) are...

[aixguy]

I have never seen one but every thing I have ever heard is bad.. just hear say.. But I am sure others on here know more than I do about these brushes.

With exception of a handfull of folks everyone i've ever heard speak about Aztek airbrushes talked bad about them....Darla is correct, they are a hobby brush....great for sprayin the occasional model car or something simple....but worthless to the real airbrush community. I'm really surprised to hear someone in a hobby shop recommend one....specially if he's been airbrushing for 20yrs....but he may be one of the handfull I spoke off that like that brush...it might work great for the type of spraypainting he does although I can't imagine what that would be? I've been airbrushing for over 30yrs and i've used a bunch of different brands....I still stand by the main manufactures for good quality airbrushes....Badger,Paasche,Iwata,Richpen,T&C to name a handfull of the best and most popular.....do yourself a favor and stick with these brands....I'd hate to see you wind up with a fancy lookin plastic airbrush in a fancy lookin wooden box that you can't use for its intended purposes a few months from now wishing you'd purchased something else.

[Neil]

As one who tried the Aztec airbrush,my advise is.....buy anything else

[hillbilly1955]

Ditto to the posts above I own one and it's junk

hillbilly1955

[Lady Jemima]

Lol, I just can't go right, can I? I feel like I'm making a fool of myself with all of these questions that seem to get negative answers, but one of these times I'll ask for advice and be given a green light, I'm sure. I was leaning towards the Iwata Eclipse from the beginning...I just need to do some more research, I suppose...

On the same subject, the man also recommended a Craftsman single-stage, single-tank compressor from Sears (for about $75). He said is has a 15-year warrenty. Good one to buy?

[redneck]

Originally Posted by Lady Jemima

Lol, I just can't go right, can I? I feel like I'm making a fool of myself with all of these questions that seem to get negative answers, but one of these times I'll ask for advice and be given a green light, I'm sure. I was leaning towards the Iwata Eclipse from the beginning...I just need to do some more research, I suppose...

On the same subject, the man also recommended a Craftsman single-stage, single-tank compressor from Sears (for about $75). He said is has a 15-year warrenty. Good one to buy?

may I recommend that you have Sears start the compresser in your presence to see how noisy the compressor are if noise will be a problem for you while you are airbrushing
sandstone Ray
erlanger,KY

[Lady Jemima]

I definetly plan on doing that; I won't be buying a compressor that will wake the dead, that's for sure. Though it that was a problem, couldn't you put it outside or in the garage and run a line inside to your brush?

[APRILLE]

with all the problems I have had here, I recommend the Iwata. Join AC moore's website and get the weekly coupons for 50% off one item and then pick the Iwata eclipse up for 1/2 price, the regular price is a bit higher than everywhere else, but the sale prices was less than everyone else. I love my airbrush.

[redneck]

Originally Posted by Lady Jemima

I definetly plan on doing that; I won't be buying a compressor that will wake the dead, that's for sure. Though it that was a problem, couldn't you put it outside or in the garage and run a line inside to your brush?

If compresser is kept outside I would build a building with sound-deading insulation [walls-floor-ceiling]and install a fan to cool the compresser. For the owners of Artec brushes, you could fill them with cleaning liquid and use them to wash your other brushes
sandstone Ray
erlanger,KY

[codepunk]

If I where concerned about noise I would higly suggest looking into using CO2. I would not suggest it unless you are going with a gravity feed brush.

The Eclipse would be an excellent choice...it'll paint most anything you wanna paint.....chances are the Craftsman compressor is fine....noise might be a factor since most of those smaller units are fairly noisey....YES, you can put it in your garage or another room and run a hose to your airbrush.....the best bet is to keep your regulator assembly close to your painting area so you can change pressures without having to walk to the garage or next room. I think your on the right track....nothing wrong with research....but at some point ya gotta use all that research knowledge and make that purchase.....you've been given alot of great info to draw your knowledge from over the past couple of postings.....I'm sure you'll use it correctly and make a purchase you'll be happy with.

[triman]

hello there lady. I agree with the others stay away from Aztec. My reason for saying this is, those little plastic nozzel/needles are only good for about 3 uses and then your off to the store for new ones at $10 Cad. It doesnt seem to matter how much cleaner you run through them it never gets clean and if you try to pull the needle out, and it will come out, it will never seal right again. I know this to be true because like you I believed the man in the hobby shop instead of the people here plus it was very inexpensive compared to the others. Any ways good luck and u cant go wrong with Iwata

triman

[redneck]

I've trouble with anything that is made out of plastic instead of the right metal,plastic & cast metal is ok for stationary items,not for something that do work[airbrushers is only one example] buying new tools and throwing them away after you use them 1 or 2 times is a waste of time and money

sandstone Ray
erlanger,KY

[HOLIDAYNATION]

My Lady,

Being new to all of this, and the airbrush, I can assure you, doing your research here rather than at a store will serve you very well. Everyone on this sites appears to be very helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. I too am in my first few months of airbrushing, and have had the same questions run through my mind as you. I did a lot of reading, and questioning, and thankfully came across this site whilst doing so. This is my first post and no doubt somewhat behind the times as usual, but thought I would show my support. Although I have not tried the Aztec I have read tons on the web etc. and can not suggest it. I can however offer this. I have bought, several airbrushes of various makes and.....the elclipse bcs is a brilliant siphon feed brush...although many would suggest gravity feed, I would suggest a first brush and if using only one brush, get a eclipse bcs siphon feed. This is why, One feature I love about this brush is the fact I can change paint so easily. (This is an aside, but I also have a Campbell hausfeld (which is basically a badger 150) kit that was given to me, it came with a little metal colour cup). I have since purchased more of these cups as they are brilliant. You can line up your colours, and one bottle with cleaning solution, and have at er'. Although I have other airbrushes, I tend to always have the siphon feed in the line up, it feels great, easy to use, easy to clean, and can do most of what I need, inclusing painting on material which requires more paint due to soaking in. I have a C plus for fine lines, but have had a terrible time learning with this, and although I do use it, it has taken much practice to learn to control it, versus the BCS. For the budget minded, there is also a site for "BOSSTOOLS" that sells a neiko USA kit that looks identical to the badger 150. It is under 40 bucks Canadian, and I use mine quite frequently, with it's small needle it does good with fine lines, and whilst not your grand brush like the Iwata's, for the money is a great tool to learn with and have in your arsenal. I am also in the process of trying out the vega 1000 and 2000 which come in around the 100 dollar mark Canadian, they have interchangable needles and are light, and appear good, but alas I have not had much time with it yet. As for the compressor, I use a 3 gallon Campbell Hausfeld that I bought brand new for 80 bucks, it isn't really quiet, but doesn't disturb the other folks in my house while I am painting and has more than enough power. With the storage tank it kicks of and on keeping it at presure, and I admit at first when it would kick on it would make me jump, but rarely causes me concern now. Compared to the price of others it is good. I am investigating the co2 thingy as suggested to me by a brusher I bumped into in the store, but can't believe the tank/co2 lasts that long. Anyway, Just my 2cents as a new AB'er in support of another new AB artist, I have been painting oils off and on as a hobby for years and accidentally came upon airbrushing, and absolutely love the feel and new found joy of art this has brought me. Happy painting.

Eric