Replies

1. 
   Ronaway | Feb 23, 2006 07:58pm | #1

   You may want to look at some conversion cup guns. There are some really good ones that require a lot less air than you might think. I've had both and I really like a gun with a 3/8 air hose hooked to it much more than the bulky hose hose required with the turbine. Talk to Jeff Jewitt at Homestead Finishing. He will have all the onfo you need to make an informed decision.

   Ron

2. 
   mike802 | Mar 01, 2006 07:45pm | #2

   Hi Woodk:
   I spend a lot of time painting cars with HVLP spray equipment, as auto restoration is my hobbie. HVLP in general works very well, you use much less material and create less over spray. You can do very nice work in a home built spray booth. Mine was built by dedicating one bay in a three bay garage. The "booth" must be very clean and well lit. I accomplished this by finishing the walls with sheetrock and painting everything white. Of course I used many florescent lighting fixtures on both the ceiling and walls. I have one window, in which I have a fan that can be installed when I am spraying. I don't, but you may want to incorporate a filter to help minimize over spray from blowing around town. This is of course not an OSHA approved booth, but it works well for me. This arrangement is large enough for most woodworking projects as well If I ever decided to use spray finishes. I do not use a turbine, I had a friend try one, who happens to be a professional auto refinisher and he did not like it. He said they work ok for small projects, but on large ones, or many small ones, after a while the turbine heats the air to much and the material you are spraying becomes to dry, or to heated. This causes problems with your flow out and could result in a rough finish. I would suggest making sure your air compressor in compatible with your spray guns air requirements, using a good oil and moisture separator with proper air line plumbing and you should not have any problems.

3. 
   BArnold | Mar 02, 2006 04:19pm | #3

   Woodk,

   There are cheap turbine units out there, but from what I've seen they're too cheap!  I had one that did OK, but will never buy another one.

   For the cost of a top-of-the-line turbine unit, you can purchase a larger compressor plus a conversion gun or two.  You'll need a compressor with at least a 10cfm rating and one can be bought for $400-$450.  I have a Porter-Cable HVLP conversion gun that cost about $100 and an older Husky I got at HD for about $80.  I also have a detail gun that I picked up at Harbor Freight for about $35 that is great for smaller projects.

   Regards,

   Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
   Mensa Member
   Click Here if you're interested in a good, inexpensive website host.

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1. 
   Woodk | Mar 02, 2006 07:25pm | #4

   thanks for the help guys.  I went ahead and ordered a Wagner HVLP conversion gun.  It has glowing reviews at Gleem paint and also at other woodworking forums.  I am a bit suspect of my 2.5hp 11gallon Grizzly compressor.  But, Gleem paint assures me that I won't have any issues.

4. 
   lumberjacksson | Mar 02, 2006 07:27pm | #5

   Check out Fuji's new MM3 and MM4. They are 3 and 4 stage turbines with basically the same gun as the Q3 and Q4. They were designed to compliment the Q3 and Q4 which have the the noise reduction feature. Without the noise reduction, the MM3 and MM4 retail for a couple hundred less. I've ordered the MM3 myself with the conversion kit to change between gravity and pressure feed.

   If you call the owner, he'll be more than happy to discuss your needs. I talked with him for about a half hour yesterday!

   Andy