Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Mar 05, 2006 05:20pm | #1

   I think the term High Volume describes the requirement for many HVLP guns. There is quite a difference between brands and models. The guns you are talking about are all Conversion guns, meaning that they operate from a compressor not a special warm air box. I bought a DeVilbiss Finishline many years ago. I have a Speedaire with a 20gal. tank. I often have to wait until the compressor catches up on larger pieces. I've heard that Sata makes a gun with less air volume requirements. I would recommend getting a gravity feed gun as opposed to a siphon cup.

   Good compressors are expensive but they should last a long time. Mine is a cast iron oil type. Runs very quiet, will stand up to continuous use and it only draws 15 amps at the most. Many larger compressors will blow ordinary breakers and fuses. If I let the air out of the tank, mine will start on most any outlet. It has the capacity to blow up truck and tractor tires and run air tools. Unfortunately, these type compressors cost $420 but i don't think the pancake types for $200 are in the same class.

   http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/itemDetailsRender.shtml?xi=xi&ItemId=1611769006&ccitem=

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   Roger99 | Mar 05, 2006 05:26pm | #2

   Hi Frank; I go to a toy workshop every Wednesday and we spray all our toys, 3,800 last year.  We bought a plastic hvlp sprayer outfit from Harbor Freight for about $75 to $100, depending on the sales. We spray about 3 or 4 hours a week and the sprayer lasted about a year. We spray shellac & water based poli throught it. It is a real work horse and is well worth the money. The unit has everything you need and with some effort, you can buy replacement parts for it. We are now using our third unit and love it. Roger

1. 
   Biscardi | Mar 07, 2006 02:08am | #3

   Do you need acompressor to go with it?

1. 
   Roger99 | Mar 07, 2006 07:11pm | #4

   No, the compresssor is part of the sprayer. The system comes with everything you need to spray HVLP. Roger.

1. 
   Biscardi | Mar 08, 2006 05:55am | #6

   Do you think I can spray something as big as a small tractor with it?

1. 
   Biscardi | Mar 08, 2006 05:59am | #7

   Roger,

    

   Is it http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44677 ?

    

   Thanks

    

   FB

2. 
   Roger99 | Mar 08, 2006 05:58pm | #10

   Yes, that is the sprayer we use and like. A real good piece of equipment for the price. Roger.

3. 
   Biscardi | Mar 13, 2006 02:47am | #11

   Roger,

    

   I just ordered the harbor freight sprayer. When I spray shellach, what pound cut should I spray? 4 lbs or 2 lbs?

    

   Frank

4. 
   Roger99 | Mar 13, 2006 06:04pm | #12

   Hi Frank; We spray right out of the can, I think about 3 lbs. We buy it, Zinzor brand,  by the gallon. It is dewaxed, and we use it as sanding sealer before the water based polly. Roger.

5. 
   Biscardi | Mar 13, 2006 06:28pm | #13

   Thanks

    

6. 
   John_D | Mar 16, 2006 12:21am | #14

   I think he means Zinsser brand, if you're looking it up.  They're also on the web.My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

7. 
   Biscardi | Mar 30, 2006 05:01am | #15

   Roger,

    

   I got the HF sprayer. I tried some shellac with it and it seems to work quite well.

    Thanks

   Frank

8. 
   Roger99 | Mar 30, 2006 06:53am | #16

   Hi Frank; I'm glad the HVLP paint sprayer worked well for you too. Roger Solheid.

9. 
   zorrosdens | Mar 08, 2006 09:03am | #8

   Yes you can, you'll just have to keep filling the cup on the spraygun with your paint as you go....the "compressor" on these units are really much like a vacuum motor (and some sound just like that at the unit) for blowing air...no tanks to "hold" air...they also heat the air once they run a little which helps flow your product nicely.  Actually if it was perfectly clean air you might be able to rig a shop vac up and rig the hose hook-up to the blowing end and you would in theory have the same thing.

   I have never done that but it just comes to mind....because they really do sound just like a shopvac, which could annoy till you get used to it.  If you put the unit behind some barrier the sound will be less irritable.

10. 
    Roger99 | Mar 08, 2006 05:57pm | #9

    I think a small tractor would be no problem. We have only sprayed shellac and poly with it. Roger.

3. 
   highfigh | Mar 07, 2006 07:19pm | #5

   I bought a gravity feed conversion gun from Harbor Freight a couple of years ago to see how good it would be ($~49, on sale) and and sprayed my kitchen cabinets with it. I was very happy with the finish. I have a 7HP (or not) 60 gallon compressor. The HVLP guns do send more air through, so a small tank neds to refill in order to have the correct spray pattern, etc. If you look around, the same size compressor can still be bought for about $400. It runs on 220V and while most of the single stage units of this type are made by only a few companies, they are actually pretty good and durable.

   Whatever you use, make sure to get a good air drier and filter. Moisture kills good finishes.

   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."