Replies

1. 
   GJMID2 | May 22, 2003 06:03am | #1

   I tried a knock off HVLP(it appears to be an exact copy of the PC) and the results are very good--Although I haven't tried to use it with my pancake compressor, I doubt if it will keep up with the full sized gun--If you are patient, you can give the compressor a chance to catch up. I still use a small standard touch up gun for small jobs, but the larger HVLP works great for large cabinets etc.

1. 
   forestgirl | May 22, 2003 08:32am | #2

   I'm aware that the pancake compressor isn't appropriate for use with a regular HVLP gun.  The Porter Cable was the first "gravity feed" HVLP gun I've seen and am curious about what kinds of requirements it has with respect to air flow.  Am just starting to consider the whole HVLP thing, but a whole system is out of the question right now.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   TomT226 | May 22, 2003 02:24pm | #3

   Went through the same thing a while back. If you want to lower the CFM requirement for HVLP, buy a gun with pressure feed. Either a cup or pressure pot.

   A suction gun eats up a lot of CFM just getting the medium into the fluid supply areas. A gravity feed may be better, but with heavier materials, still slow.

   Plus, a pressure feed will operate at any gun position without loss of material feed.

   Check out www. homesteadfinishing.com.

1. 
   forestgirl | May 22, 2003 06:01pm | #7

   Thanks Tom, this is information that will get me started.  Got to do some reading about HVLP (and spray systems in general) as I "don't know from pressure pots." forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   jc21 | May 22, 2003 04:36pm | #4

   You might try calling the nearest PC factory service center. The one here is really knowledgeable ............ they might be able to help. They also have recon stuff for sale (new tool warranty), might save you some money.

1. 
   forestgirl | May 22, 2003 06:03pm | #8

   JC, thanks, good idea.  Have to check over in Seattle.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   Len | May 22, 2003 05:28pm | #5

   I have the PC detail HVLP and the Wagner HVLP conversion gun. Both have done a really good job for me. I have a 2.5 hp, 30 gallon speedair compressor and it keeps up fine.

   I like both. The PC is alright for the small projects. It's easy to clean up. But I really like the Wagner. You can use it with a pressure pot and it produces a nice finish with a lot of different viscosity of materials. To date I have sprayed latex, polyurethane and stains with it. All without a problem. I did buy the optional tips later but I haven't tried them yet. Even though, the PC is easier to clean I find myself reaching for the Wagner more. If you can afford it.  I would opt to get the Wagner since it's really more versatile.

   Here's a link to where I bought the Wagner. Really good service and price. Although they didn't put in another box and it was just sitting on my doorstep when I got home.

   http://www.gleempaint.com/hvcongunnew.html

   Here's another link that might be useful.

   http://home.pacbell.net/jdismuk/hvlp.html

   Hope this helps,

   Len

1. 
   forestgirl | May 22, 2003 06:06pm | #9

   Thanks for the links Len.  My compressor is way smaller than yours, but I'll look at the Wagner gun and read up on HVLP in general, see what I can come up with.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   Len | May 22, 2003 06:27pm | #10

   A pressure pot basically it works like this. Pour paint into the pot or in a lot of cases put the paint can in the pot. A feed tube is put in the paint. The feed tube is attached to the spray gun. The compressor is attached to both the spray gun and the pressure pot. The compressor pressurizes the pot and forces the paint from the pot through the feed tube to the gun.

   Len

4. 
   DPulliam | May 22, 2003 05:33pm | #6

   I have the PC full size gun and like it.  It seems do a good job with oil and wb polys and lacquers.  I am far from being an expert sprayer but it works good with a 4 HP 20 gal. compressor.  I think it uses about 8.5 cfm.  Hope this helps.

5. 
   migraine | May 23, 2003 02:09am | #11

   I just bought a PC gravity gun that it is not HVLP.  The HVLP and nonHVLP are both sold by Rockler in their catalogue and their stores.  I love the gun I just bought.  Seams they are both very similar.  The one thing I noticed is that there does not seem to have different tip/needle sizes available.  This is important dependent on the various viscosities of materials.  It worked grea on lacquer but paint needed alot of thinning.  Keep this in mind.  I think I paid $67.00 for the nonHVLP gravity gun.

   I have various type of spray equiptment.  Every thing from airless to pressure pots with HVLP and "illegal/non compliant" nonHVLP spray guns and also many different cup guns.  I feel this is a well made product.  Especially compared for the $150-$250 brands out there.

6. 
   RickW | May 23, 2003 06:13am | #12

   If you're looking for an inexpensive HVLP gun, check out the Astro HVLP gun.There's a lot of info on it and it's use in the Finishing forum on the WOODWEB.The link will take you to the finishing forum, and then do a search for "Astro".

   Hope this helps.

   Rick W.

   http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/finishing.pl

7. 
   Ricky_Yu | May 24, 2003 11:06am | #13

   In the Porter-Cable catalog, three sprayers are listed. They are the PSH1 (HVLP Gravity Feed Spray Gun), the PSH2 (Gravity Feed Detail Spray Gun), and the PSH3 (Gravity Feed Spray Gun). As an eariler poster noted, the PSH1 has an average requirement of 8.5 scfm @ 40 psi. The PSH2 is 3.6 scfm @ 60 psi and the PSH3 is 9.6 scfm @ 40 psi. Hope this helps.

1. 
   forestgirl | May 24, 2003 05:59pm | #14

   Very helpful, Ricky.  I didn't see any CFM spec on their web site.  The PSH1 may be just the ticket for me for small workpieces.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   rckendall | May 24, 2003 07:01pm | #15

   Forest Girl,

   I agree with Tom and Len that the pressure fed system is way more efficient. I also looked at the PC but bought an Accuspray w/pressure pot because it is a better gun and it would run on my little pancake compressor. They say it needs 2 hp.

   Hope this helps.

   Richard

   Edited 5/24/2003 12:03:24 PM ET by Richard