tatocorvette
Detail Decepticon!
Hello,
I have been overly busy recently so I don't have much play time except late at night for a few minutes.
Recently, talking to a fellow local modeler he told me he had an older airbrush he was not using. "If I find it I'll give it to you". So a few weeks later I gave him some model parts and he gave me this AZTEK 3000s kit.
Actually, somebody here has in the signature something like "AZTEK (Stop laughing)".
The AZTEK is an interesting case for us "wannabe historians".
As we have discussed many times before, the history of the airbrush has been severely (borderline criminally) under-documented. I will really appreciate if anybody can add or correct any of the information I'm sharing here. This is only my own limited research.
Brief history:
The Testors Company, which had been the leader in hobby paints and glues for decades, launched their own airbrush line called AZTEK in the late 80's early 90's.
I have heard but can't confirm, that they acquired this from Kodak. Kodak had originally developed it for photo-retouching but that market was already dying.
The AZTEK line included several models, compressors, accessories, paints etc. Their selling point was that it was different from anything else on the market. And I give them that.
The system relied on replaceable nozzles/front assemblies that included nozzle, needle, air cap etc. in a single unit. So changing the front nozzle was the only thing required to change the characteristics of the unit. Multiple color coded nozzles were available.
Picture from the internet.
Been a hobby consumer oriented product line, ease of cleaning was another strong selling point. Just flush with reducer after each use and you are good to go.
While eventually a metal model was launched, everything was plastic. However, the plastic used was hot solvent resistant, suitable for lacquers, enamels, acetone, etc.
They offered a LIFETIME warranty, which was unheard of for a plastic consumer product. But Testors eventually limited it to 3 years.
The Aztek line created quite a stir in the market with the backing of Testors, a hobby giant. But it was a polarizing product. People either loved it or hated it.
I have seen outstanding works of art with it. After all it is the artist behind the tool that makes the difference.
Testors was eventually acquired by the Rust Oleum conglomerate. After 2 or 3 years of limited availability and rumors, the whole AZTEK line was discontinued around 2020.
Today, you can't really find much information. Mostly ebay listings at best.
It seems to me that at least one of the airbrushes, Model 2000S, was "inspired" from the Conograph/Conopois.
They also had single action, external mix, quick change models etc. But it seems the most common were the dual action models like the one below.
My specimen:
As mentioned earlier, a fellow local modeler gave me this:
There is no indication of model or content in the case.
It is a side feed model 3000s kit with 2 nozzles, 2 cups, air hose, and tools.
The gray nozzle is a medium setup for general purpose. From what I have researched it was the most popular.
The pink nozzle is a "spatter" or stippling nozzle.
At first glance the air connector looked like Badger sized, but it is actually smaller. You are stuck with the provided vinyl hose. Good luck if it failed.
A first for me! It is always red paint but this one had yellow paint!
Quickly cleaned.
Some models had screws, but not this one. This is to deter users from opening the unit.
HUH!? I only had like 30 seconds of total use with it and I was able to do this. I am surprised how good it sprays. Trigger control is hard. But keep in mind, this was oriented to hobby consumers, not high end illustrators.
This is enamel reduced with lacquer thinner.
It felt weird but dropping the plastic cup in lacquer thinner was nerve racking. It did not blink.
I shot clean lacquer thinner and when I took apart the nozzle (Yes, I did. No, I'm not worried about voiding the "warranty"), it was actually clean.
Hmmm. I'm confused.
My personal opinion:
The AZTEK line was definitely different. That in itself did not make it better or worst. Just different. If this was your first and only airbrush, and you grew up with it, it would be great. But if you come from "traditional" airbrushing, the AZTEK is definitely quirky.
For example:
Back-flushing will kill it. Don't even think about it!
Been all plastic, it feels cheap. Even if the plastic can withstand lacquer thinner and acetone. The feeling is cheap, especially if you come from traditional roots.
Nozzles were meant to be almost disposable. But they were not exactly cheap and not that easy to find. I think that was the biggest drawback.
Cleaning was advertised as a strong point. Easy to clean, just spray thinner and you are done. Well, unavoidably, eventual build up will require deep clean. But you needed to send it back under warranty for that. Opening it would void the warranty.
Some models had the air hose permanently attached.
Only flimsy vinyl hoses were available as far as I know.
It was heavily oriented to be used with Propel cans.
Personal conclusion:
Good: Sprays lovely. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised.
Bad: Tactile and overall plastic feel was not the best, but I started to get used to it after a few minutes. I think it is a matter of getting used to it.
Ugly: Questionable long term reliability and supportability. These were meant to be almost disposable by design.
What do you think?
Anybody has any additional information or experience with it?
Thanks,
Ismael
I have been overly busy recently so I don't have much play time except late at night for a few minutes.
Recently, talking to a fellow local modeler he told me he had an older airbrush he was not using. "If I find it I'll give it to you". So a few weeks later I gave him some model parts and he gave me this AZTEK 3000s kit.
Actually, somebody here has in the signature something like "AZTEK (Stop laughing)".
The AZTEK is an interesting case for us "wannabe historians".
As we have discussed many times before, the history of the airbrush has been severely (borderline criminally) under-documented. I will really appreciate if anybody can add or correct any of the information I'm sharing here. This is only my own limited research.
Brief history:
The Testors Company, which had been the leader in hobby paints and glues for decades, launched their own airbrush line called AZTEK in the late 80's early 90's.
I have heard but can't confirm, that they acquired this from Kodak. Kodak had originally developed it for photo-retouching but that market was already dying.
The AZTEK line included several models, compressors, accessories, paints etc. Their selling point was that it was different from anything else on the market. And I give them that.
The system relied on replaceable nozzles/front assemblies that included nozzle, needle, air cap etc. in a single unit. So changing the front nozzle was the only thing required to change the characteristics of the unit. Multiple color coded nozzles were available.
Picture from the internet.
Been a hobby consumer oriented product line, ease of cleaning was another strong selling point. Just flush with reducer after each use and you are good to go.
While eventually a metal model was launched, everything was plastic. However, the plastic used was hot solvent resistant, suitable for lacquers, enamels, acetone, etc.
They offered a LIFETIME warranty, which was unheard of for a plastic consumer product. But Testors eventually limited it to 3 years.
The Aztek line created quite a stir in the market with the backing of Testors, a hobby giant. But it was a polarizing product. People either loved it or hated it.
I have seen outstanding works of art with it. After all it is the artist behind the tool that makes the difference.
Testors was eventually acquired by the Rust Oleum conglomerate. After 2 or 3 years of limited availability and rumors, the whole AZTEK line was discontinued around 2020.
Today, you can't really find much information. Mostly ebay listings at best.
It seems to me that at least one of the airbrushes, Model 2000S, was "inspired" from the Conograph/Conopois.
They also had single action, external mix, quick change models etc. But it seems the most common were the dual action models like the one below.
My specimen:
As mentioned earlier, a fellow local modeler gave me this:
There is no indication of model or content in the case.
It is a side feed model 3000s kit with 2 nozzles, 2 cups, air hose, and tools.
The gray nozzle is a medium setup for general purpose. From what I have researched it was the most popular.
The pink nozzle is a "spatter" or stippling nozzle.
At first glance the air connector looked like Badger sized, but it is actually smaller. You are stuck with the provided vinyl hose. Good luck if it failed.
A first for me! It is always red paint but this one had yellow paint!
Quickly cleaned.Some models had screws, but not this one. This is to deter users from opening the unit.
HUH!? I only had like 30 seconds of total use with it and I was able to do this. I am surprised how good it sprays. Trigger control is hard. But keep in mind, this was oriented to hobby consumers, not high end illustrators.
This is enamel reduced with lacquer thinner.
It felt weird but dropping the plastic cup in lacquer thinner was nerve racking. It did not blink.
I shot clean lacquer thinner and when I took apart the nozzle (Yes, I did. No, I'm not worried about voiding the "warranty"), it was actually clean.
Hmmm. I'm confused.
My personal opinion:
The AZTEK line was definitely different. That in itself did not make it better or worst. Just different. If this was your first and only airbrush, and you grew up with it, it would be great. But if you come from "traditional" airbrushing, the AZTEK is definitely quirky.
For example:
Back-flushing will kill it. Don't even think about it!
Been all plastic, it feels cheap. Even if the plastic can withstand lacquer thinner and acetone. The feeling is cheap, especially if you come from traditional roots.
Nozzles were meant to be almost disposable. But they were not exactly cheap and not that easy to find. I think that was the biggest drawback.
Cleaning was advertised as a strong point. Easy to clean, just spray thinner and you are done. Well, unavoidably, eventual build up will require deep clean. But you needed to send it back under warranty for that. Opening it would void the warranty.
Some models had the air hose permanently attached.
Only flimsy vinyl hoses were available as far as I know.
It was heavily oriented to be used with Propel cans.
Personal conclusion:
Good: Sprays lovely. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised.
Bad: Tactile and overall plastic feel was not the best, but I started to get used to it after a few minutes. I think it is a matter of getting used to it.
Ugly: Questionable long term reliability and supportability. These were meant to be almost disposable by design.
What do you think?
Anybody has any additional information or experience with it?
Thanks,
Ismael
Would love a 2000s as that looks quite cool
