I just purchased a 5 gal compressor (5CFM@40PSI / 4.1@90PSI) and was wondering if I could spray with it? Also, what type of gun would you recommend? I haven’t sprayed before, but am interested in beginning.
Seems to be an art that isn’t too difficult to learn, but can save a lot of time. I was wondering if I could spray 20 kitchen doors or whould my compresser not be able to keep up?
Thanks,
Nathan
Edited 5/5/2007 6:26 am ET by Nathan Barnard
Replies
Could you have meant to say 5 CFM (cubic feet per minute), not GPM (gallons per minute) and a 5 gallon tank?
John W.
Yeah, you're right. I guess it says 5 SCFM @ 40PSI (Standard Cubic Feet per Minute). Think it'll keep up with a spray gun?Nathan
I think I would look on SATA's site to see the various CFM's that are required for their guns. I think their top draw HVLP gun requires around 15 CFM but you wouldn't need anything like that. Have a look and see what is available. Sata is top of the line type equipment and you may want to go lower end to start out. I use a Sata 3000 HVLP for almost everything I paint. You can paint cars with it as well as projects like you are doing. I also use a siphon type of Devlibis that requires a lot less CFM and it does a fine job as well. You can pick up a knock off gun, (copy) for just a few bucks to start out with. Most gun makers show a minimum CFM required for their guns. Good Luck,
RGJWe only do this once. Enjoy the ride.
Nathan,
Check out spraygunworld. They have a ton of info on spray guns, great customer service and they will be more than happy to answer any questions you have. I have no affiliation, just a satisfied customer. The first link is to the woodworking section of the site, the second is to the section on low cfm guns. I just got the SATA KLC RP from them and I love it. Very low cfm requirements and a real quality gun.
http://www.spraygunworld.com/Information2/Woodworking3.htm
http://www.spraygunworld.com/Information2/LOWAIRGUNSWood.htm
Look around the site. There's a lot of good stuff there. They offer recommendations based on price, cfm, brand, just about anything.
Rob
Nathan,
I've been looking into this myself. I getting set up for spaying a large job and wanted to use this job as reason to upgrade my finishing capability. What I'm looking into is a HVLP spray gun. I found most sprayguns needed 7 to 10 SCFM. Today I bought a 26 gal, 2 hoursepower compressor with 7 SCFM. This matches the spec for the 1.4mm gun I ordered.. Your compressor sounds a little small for the HVLP system I've been looking at. But there might be a gun out there that will work with your compressor. Grizzy has a mini guns that only needs 5 SCFM and regular guns that need 4 to 7 SCFM.
"...could spray 20 kitchen doors or whould my compresser not be able to keep up?"
IMHO the quick basic answer is...
It could, with the right gun and even then you would might have to take a break for a few minutes to let the compressor catch up. I run an Asturo ECO/pressure pot set up off a 5 gallon Rol-Air compressor with no problems. I'ts rated at 5.something @40. My gun consumes 5.1 c.f.m. but operates at 21 p.s.i. at the gun.
Not knowing the brand of your compressor you should check out the duty cycle as well.
I'll never run at at production speed with only a 5 gallon compressor but it's much easier to transport that my other 30 gallon beast which will support a wider variety of spray guns.
If you haven't done so yet checkout the Homestead Finishing web site for more info. Jeff the owner knows his stuff.
http://www.homesteadfinishing.com
DW
Nathan,
I second the recommendation for spraygunworld.com. Make sure you tell them the specs of your compressor. A conventional Devllibis might be the ticket. Sata might be a little pricey for a rookie. You could try and Astro as a decent Taiwan gun. They will help you completely. It doesn't sound like you gave the right specs for your compressor. Your pump is light , but if you don't have a least a 20 gallon tank I don't think it will keep up.
Terry
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