I see that Rockler is advertising 2 HVLP spray guns for under $100. Has anyone had any exprience with these? I am wondering if they work well, or not worth the bother.
I usually use Minwax quick dry poly.
Also, I am thinking of spraying a porch swing glider (using some kine of oil based enamal). If it worked well just for that, I’d be happy.
Thanks for your help,
Bill
Replies
the size of your compressor will answer your question. I remember others saying that a 20 gallon compressor is too small. If you're planning on doing a deck, my guess is that 20 gallons it's way too small.
I just reread your comment, disregard the deck comment. I misread your question. I believe the compressor is still the major factor.
Bill, I checked the Rockler site and am not sure what you are talking about. They have an hvlp system for about $100 ( turbine, hose and gun ) and a separate hvlp conversion gun for about $100. The sytem, turbine, hose and gun is probably pretty cheesy - it can be used to spray nitrocel lacquer, but would probaly not do a great job with water base. I general reccomend water based clear for people like me who do it for a hooby and don't have explosion proof fans etc. The $100 gun would probably be fine for water base ( a lot of people reccomend the astro hvlp guns - which are in that price range or a little cheaper - check http://www.spraygunworld.com and I have a couple and they do a pretty good job. The impooprtant thing with conversion, is you need a decent sized compressor to drive it if you intend to spray large items like tables. Neither gun would be any good for spraying enamel - If you want to spray enamel paint or latex, get a wagner. Good luck. Barry
Buying a self-contained HVLP unit (i.e. one with a turbine) for a $100 is a flat out waste of money.
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"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
20 gal tank doesn't mean much. CFM is the yardstick.
Finally a post based on reality. Agree 100 percent.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
I have two types of HVLP spray systems: a Lemmer conversion gun that I use with my mid-sized compressor that puts out 5.1 cfm (cubic feet per minute) at 90 psi and a Fuji 4-stage turbine system. Here's the details:
Lemmer conversion gun. This compressor-driven system doesn't work very well, but it's only because of the limitations of my compressor. I tried it with one of my friend's 10 cfm compressor and it works extremely well with it. The model of the gun is the 928G. If you are planning on buying a compressor that has the necessary cfm capability to drive an HVLP conversion gun, then you may wish to go this route. You'll also need to ensure that the couplings are also HVLP compatible (they're larger in diameter than the standard ones). There are a number of companies out there that have high-quality conversion guns for sale.
Fuji Q4 Pro turbine system. This system is outstanding and is what I use in my business day in and day out. The turbine is quiet and the gun is very high quality.
Final comments. You get what you pay for. A $100 gun or spray system will quite likely leave you disappointed. If you are planning on shooting waterborne finishes, which is what I mostly shoot, ensure you get a gun with all internal parts (those that the finish flows through) made of stainless steel or plastic, or rusting will become an issue. Be willing to invest some time to become familiar with your system and to experiment with various finishes. You may wish to visit Homestead Finishing's website ( http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/index.html ), as it has quite a bit of information.
Marty
What would your recommendation be if I have adequate air output, i.e., 14.8@ 175? (IR 60 gal, 5hp, 2340L5, two stage)
I am an occasional finisher, laquer, waterborn, etc., and han't been able to justify spending $ 5-6-700 for a good stand-alone rig.
You may wish to e-mail the other individual who stated he's really satisfied with his $100 unit before jumping into a major $ investment.
To answer your question directly, the compressor you cited is more than adequate to handle any HVLP conversion gun that I'm aware of.
Marty
Hello Bill,
I've been using one of those cheap plastic HVLP kits for years! Works great, easy to clean and I shoot Minwax Poly Satin all day long. I've sprayed latex paint as well. Best $100 I've ever spent.
I use an HVLP gun with my compressor for spraying shellac.
Chod,
I'm happy to hear that you're happy with your inexpensive unit. You're the first individual who I ever heard say that such unit worked well for them. Either you're not very fussy about your finishes, or else they're now producing good quality items for very little money. Whose system and model is it, as I'd like to hear more about it?
Thanks for your information.
Marty
I have some experience with an inexpensive Wagner HVLP unit, bought factory refurbished at Gleem Paint on-line. It is similar to this unit:
http://www.gleempaint.com/wagfinhvrec.html
It was not a "waste of money" as it did very well with spraying black lacquer for the project I had at the time and saved me an enormous amount of time. That being said, I would not use it to spray anything very thick, and I would not use it for anything bigger than a small chest. It simply isn't designed for that.
I did correspond with someone who had the same unit and used it to finish a chest-of-drawers with. I just wouldn't take the chance. Scroll down to the bottom of that page, and you'll get some marketing "testimonials" that contradict my concerns.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I should have been more specific on the spray guns I was refering to.
Rockler has two HVLP spray guns; (order # 61577) for $79.99 and a gravity feed gun (order #38269) for $49.99.
The $49.99 one looks like it's back ordered, so it looks like a few people are buying it. I hope someone with first hand experience can share their thoughts.
Bill
Sorry! When I looked at Rockler, there was an all-in-one unit for $99 so that's what I thought you were talking about. I've looked at guns, but my little compressor wouldn't stand a chance of pumping out enough air!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
That HVLP that they sell is cheap, the turbine one. I bought it, don't waste the money it's not worth it. Get a good sprayer either suction, gravity feed or pressure pot and a decent compressor. You will thank yourself later.
I'm not looking for a sprayer -- already have one, it was cheap and did what I needed it to do (a Wagner). You must have meant your post for the OP of this thread.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Yeah sorry, meant it as a general reply :)
I agree. I've had that Wagner Fine Coat for at least 15 years. The only problem I ever had was stepping on the hose and I had to ask them for some new gaskets.I've sprayed latex paint, oil finishes and water based finishes with no problem, even on verticals.John
"The only problem I ever had was stepping on the hose...." You too, huh? Figured out really fast that that wasn't a good idea, ROFL!!
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 10/4/2006 6:57 pm by forestgirl
It occurred to me to ask if you would care post a picture of you ROFL?John
I'm not at all photogenic, even when not ROFL, so no I think I'll spare everyone.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I was just pulling your string.John
"I was just pulling your string." Ahhhh, that's why I feel so unraveled this morning! I thought it was lack of coffee!
Back to HVLP, I looked at that inexpensive gun at Gleem paint. Seems like a possibility! Can't believe they actually used it successfully with a small compressor (pancake). Cool.
http://www.gleempaint.com/hvcongunnew.htmlforestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I have the 2qt pressure pot version of that gun. I just got this gun a couple of weeks ago and it actually worked with my pancake compressor. I sprayed four face frames, one side panel and four cabinet doors. The compressor only came on a couple of times for each coat. I set the pot at 5psi and the gun at just 15psi. The compressor was at 100psi so 6 gallons really lasted a long time.
I don't know the Rockler units but Grizzly has some conversion HVLP guns that are under $40 and some pros are using them and happy too. I think that for you that means you'd get by just fine with one of them.
I shoot an Apollo four-stage setup designed for HVLP. I have to say that I have been extremely pleased with unit and results. My only complaint is that the air gets warm after about 30 minutes and if you are shooting something fairly volatile (like lacquer) this is an issue. The unit was not cheap ($1000) so I can't testify to how well a $100 solution would work. I bought the unit after messing up the finish on a project tha I had spent the better part of a year building. I had a Sears Crapsman compressor and gun... ugly, ugly, ugly. My time is worth the difference as a non-professional woodworker. I can imagine that a pro has that issue ten times over.
Bill in N. CA
I've been using the Rockler HVLP system for about 6 months and I like it. I was not going to spend $400+ on a professional quality system and I have been quite happy with this system. I spray Minwax poly mostly and it works fine. I'm sure the system is limited compared to higher priced HVLP systems but I'm quite happy within the limites of this system. It's all the system I need.
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