I am interested in getting a spray gun to do finishing of desks, doors, furniture using lacquers, paints, etc..
Can someone recommend a sprayer for this application. It does have to be the cheapest, I’d rather pay for quaility.
I already have a Porter Cable air compressor if that makes any difference.
Thanks, Dennis
Replies
Since nobody has replied, I'll give it a shot. (I'm a newby sprayer) I assume the PC compressor is a small pancake? My understanding is you need at least a 5HP compressor to keep up w/ spraying. So I'll assume you need a turbine hvlp. I bought the fuji mini mite 3, which worked pretty well for me. I do wish that i had gone with the quieter Q series and the 4 stage turbine instead of 3 stage. They also offer the gravity feed gun with it which is also pressure fed and rotates. I just ordered one of those. So in essence, if I had bought the Q4 w/ gravity gun in the 1st place, I probably would have spent less money overall. I got it here:
http://hvlp.net
conversion guns are fine
I don't know the size of your compressor but - you need to know output in scfm at different psi. Using that, you can then look at conversion guns that will work with your outfit. You may find none; then HVLP turbine is your choice.
I have an old CHPower 4hp 13 gal compressor that works an AOM (Asturo) X Series gun with pressure pot with waterborne lacquer up to latex (needed to thin latex 10% and use a 2mm needle). The compressor does not cycle an inordinate amount.
I recommend that you get Andy Charron's Spray Finishing (Amazon carries it) and read it front to cover. Also, a FWW issue recently had a good article on troubleshooting. What pressures, tips, etc. to use are hard to find. Strike up a relation with somebody at the gun manufacturer if you can.
If you go conversion, do not skimp on the gun pressure - start high and lower if necessary. My gun with 35 psi at the gun reduces that to around 10 psi at the tip for atomization. Those numbers vary with the paint you use, of course. I had poor quality until I got that word. The best that you can do is to find a spray painter to get you started.
Don't forget to filter, filter anything that goes into the gun. Filter the paint you put into the pot and filter the air going into the gun. I find that having a separate pressure gauge on the pot and at the gun handle helps. You need only about a 50 psi max gauge on the pot and on the gun. You will have much better resolution than the usual 120 psi gauges. That assumes that you have a gauge on the output of the compressor to start you at around 75 psi. I use a water/rust filter on my oilless compressor and an inline crystal-type water filter at the gun handle. If your compressor is oiled, you will have to put a coalescing filter at the compressor.
Forrest
Spray rig
Dennis,
A few years ago I decided to get equipment to begin spraying my work. I considered a turbine sprayer just like you. What I found for a similar price was the ability to use a compressed air spray rig and I feel it was more beneficial.
I purchased a 3 HP compressor with a 60 gal. tank at Lowes for about $400. I found a gravity feed gun on-line by CA Technologies that is HVLP for about $300. It only requires 29 psi at the tip. It was a set that came with 4 different size nozzles. The gun is the Jaguar SLP HVLP. The compressor is anchored in the storage part of my shop. I have piped PVC throughout the shop so I have air available while building whatever the project happens to be. By having the air piped, it is readily available when using nail guns or a blower. Some frown on PVC piping for air; I have not had any problem. It is easy to install or add on to if needed and is rated for much more than the 140 lbs. that the compressor will pump up.
I have been blessed with a shop that allows a separate storage area, however, it would have been easy enough to add a small lean-to shed to the side of the building if necessary. It is quieter than any Turbine sprayer I have ever heard also.
The finish that the guns sprays is wonderful. Lacquer is very easy to work with. Now, I also spray my stain and sanding sealer when the time comes in the course of the project.
FWW has several articles on piping a shop for air in their archives. You will need a water trap near the compressor. One of the articles will show how to install it. On my compressor I teed off with 2 shut off valves. The upper part of the T is for air only with no filter. The lower part of the T goes into a regulator, regulator to a filter, filter to a 3/8" hose, hose to a smaller gun mounted regulator which came with the CAT set, and then the gun.
One warning; I ordered my spray gun from Sray Gun World. They took a month to deliver it and had lousy customer service in helping me get it any sooner or why there was such a delay. It is available through other sources. Other similar guns may also be available. One last thing. A quality gun even makes a lousy operator look good.
Regards, Screenname56
Jeff Jewitt at Homestead Finishing Products has always given me great information. He carries a number of brands and models, and knows his offerings intimately. His new book on spraying also has discussion of spray guns that you might find helpful.
Spray rig 2
Dennis,
I told you wrong in my post yesterday. The compressor goes into the water filter and the the waterfilter to the regulator.
Regards, Screenname 56
You might look at the Earlex HV5000 HVLP Sprayer. I purchased one from Thepaint Store.com
http://www.thepaintstore.com/Earlex_HVLP_Paint_Sprayer_HV5000_p/hv5000.htm
I have not used it yet but am anxious to try it. It has gotten good reviews. One of the reviews is from The Wood Whisperer. You can see it on his web site. I am changing to all water based finishes, like water based shellac (yes they make it) and water based polyurethane. Most places are becoming tighter on there restrictions about finishes and some companies might go out of business if they cannot meet the new restrictions. The HV5000 comes with a 2.0MM nozzle & tip. I purchased a 1.0MM & 1.5MM nozzle & tips from McFeely's. The price at The paint Store was good, $253.95, best price I found. Oh! the decibel rating on the unit is 75dB. Most companies will not post the decibel ratings for fear that people will notice them and not purchase the equipment because of excessive noise levels. I asked them what the rating was because of other people who might be around or using the sprayer will have to wear ear protection. 85 dB is the max before you really start to destroy your hearing. i noticed you have a Porter Cable compressor. You might want to email Porter Cable and ask the decibel rating so you will know. If it's away from your work area and you cannot hear it you will be okay.
Hope this helps.
Tbear
I bought an Earlex 5000 about a year ago when Woodcraft had them on sale. I've used it a few times with water-based paints (thinned per instructions), and it has done well. I am, however, a complete novice at spraying, and only need to spray occasionally. Professional or commercial use might dictate a different unit and/or approach.
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