Replies

1. 
   LarryPile | Feb 04, 2003 05:21am | #1

   Check out Jeff Jewitt's homestead finishing website.  He sells guns and gives great advice...the best in the business!

   http://www.homesteadfinishing.com

   lp

2. 
   clampman2 | Feb 04, 2003 07:30am | #2

   Andrew,

   I have used both and prefer the conversion gun possibly because prior to my introduction to hvlp, I used to spray with a pressure pot and high pressure gun.

   Since I had all the stuff, big electric compressor and pressure pot, I bought the first conversion gun binks came out with.

   I have since stuck on binks' upgrade on that gun and greatly improved its performance. I have trouble spraying with anything that has big hoses, or cups attached. Once you spray with a pressure pot, it is hard to go back to a cup. Once you get used to small hoses, it's hard to use big ones.

   I think a lot depends on how much you spray, how big the jobs are and how often you change the type of material you are spraying.

   Good luck.

   Clampman

1. 
   Robbie | Feb 04, 2003 07:50am | #3

   I have an Accuspray system with the turbine.  Works great, but I would concur regarding the hoses.  They can be cumbersome. 

   I now have a compressor also, but have not yet used it for shooting finishes -- but I can if I want to.

   That being said, a compressor provides more options for less money.  If I were doing it over again, I would do the compressor because of its versatility.

   Still love the accuspray guns, though.

   BW

3. 
   Elcoholic | Feb 04, 2003 06:58pm | #4

   I have heard conversion guns are air hogs.  I'd rather listen to and pay the power bill for a turbine than a 5 hp compressor.  The Accuspray gun is awesome and they have a good hose with a whip section to eleviate the bulky hose issue.  2 weeks ago I recommended the Accuspray to a buddy.  He had never used an HVLP - turbine or otherwise, and was having problems with his old beat-up DeVilbis HP gun shooting sanding sealer and white lacquer.   I went over to check his progress and the cabinets looked and felt great - right off the gun.  Unfortunately I'm still using my Binks HP, but will be switching over just as soon as the right commission comes through the door.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

4. 
   Sancho | Feb 05, 2003 04:26am | #5

   I had both and Im happier with my accuspray conversion gun. But In all honesty my turbine powered wasnt the best . I think you get more bang for your buck with a conversion gun. Cuz with a turbine your locked in useing it just with the spray with a compressor you can use it for a variety of tools

    

   At Darkworks  Customer satisfaction Job One..Yea yea were all over it , I ll have it done by next Tuesday Oh yea I need another draw.........

5. 
   TomT226 | Feb 05, 2003 03:21pm | #6

   Andrew,

   I've got a Asturo 9010 with a 2 qt pressure pot that I bought from Jeff Jewitt at Homstead Finishing. Had the unit for about a year, and it's a fine, resonably priced gun. I tried turbines, and the thick hoses are cumbersome, and the finish is not as good as with a conversion gun. The Asturo has about a dozen tip sizes to choose from for different materials. The fit and finish of the Asturo is superior to any Binks gun I've ever seen, and the pot sure makes spraying more effecient. Talk to Jeff.

1. 
   Robbie | Feb 07, 2003 05:22am | #7

   Elco:  My Accuspray is five years old.  I think it is a 23K turbine.  It works just fine.

   However, I do hate the hose that came with it.  It is very rigid, heavy and has far too much memory.  Can you describe the new hose that you are talking about with the "whip" section.  That sounds like it could solve the only "gripe" I have with Accuspray.

   Thanks,

   rob

6. 
   Paul_Snyder | Feb 07, 2003 06:13am | #8

   Andrew - get the compressor and conversion spray gun. Turbines suck - really - they're vacuum cleaner motors hooked up backwards. Here's the spray equipment I own;

   3 1/2(*) turbines with Graco guns (I sold the Accuspray)

   2 Asturo ECO HVLP conversion guns

   1 CapSpray 10,000 2 gallon pot/compressor cart with conversion gun

   1 Asturo K24 Double Diaphram Pump

   (*) 1/2 turbine = 2 stage motor

   Here's the spray equipment I use at work;

   Kremlin Air-Assisted Airless

   Kremlin K21 HVLP conversion gun w/2 quart pot

   Binks gun with pot (2 quart or 2 gallon)

   4 DeVilbiss cup guns

   The best spray system is the air-assisted airless. But it's not a good choice unless you're doing production spraying. The best all-around system is the Asturo ECO with a pressurized pot. It's the most versatile, sprays beautifully, can be adjusted for almost zero overspray, and can run on a 1.5 HP compressor. The Asturo hooked up to a pressure pot uses around 5 CFM - you can run 2 of these spray guns with a 5 HP compressor under normal spraying conditions. You can also use the ECO with a cup when you want to.

   The Kremlin K21 is a nice spray gun, but I like the Asturo better.

   For entry level spraying, get the compressor and the Astro HVLPDX5 (under $100)(Astro - not Asturo). This spray gun is gravity fed and requires 10 CFM. It's made in Taiwan and is a very good copy of the Sata spray gun (#1 choice with car painters). When/if you need more spraying "power," move into a 2 quart cup with a spray gun (like the Asturo) hooked up with hoses for air and fluid. The maneuverability (sp?) of a spray gun that is attached only to flexible hoses is a real joy - you can spray at any angle by simply turning the gun in that direction.

   You may be wondering why I own turbines. They were the first equipment I owned (before I knew better). I bought them one at a time for different reasons. Once I got my first conversion gun, the only use the turbines saw were to blow the dust off pieces before I sprayed them. Now they're sitting, waiting for me to make them look nice so I can put them on eBay (though I do use one occassionally to blow the lint out of the clothes dryer).

   Paul

   F'burg, VA

1. 
   Jeff | Feb 09, 2003 02:36am | #10

   Any ideas where to purchase stuff.

   Must be shipped as no one stocks up my way.

   jeff

1. 
   Paul_Snyder | Feb 09, 2003 03:44am | #11

   Hi Jeff - some online sources for spray equipment include the following;

   http://www.finishsystems.com

   http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net

   http://www.spraygunworld.com

   http://www.airmaxproducts.com

   http://www.homesteadfinishing.com

   http://www.targetcoatings.com

   http://www.compliantspraysystems.com

   http://www.1st-in-hvlp.com

   http://www.mcsupply.org

   If you know the system you want, you can usually find a deal by shopping around. I have seen some very good deals on http://www.ebay.com from time to time.

   Paul

   F'burg, VA

1. 
   clampman2 | Feb 09, 2003 05:54am | #12

   Paul,

   I've been following your posts on spraying, chatoyance etc. and would like your advice if you don't mind.

   I have an old Binks Mach1 conversion gun and spray exclusively with a pressure pot. I only spray my own work, but most of these jobs are big (libraries, kitchens etc.). I often spray on the job, since changes are rampant, and like the idea of using less air.

   I checked out Jeff Jewitt's site with the Astur0 eco/1 and the eco/ssp. Can I lay on material as fast with the ssp as with the old Binks, and still get good atomization? Can the inlet pressure be jacked up higher that the specs without blowing seals etc. should I feel a need to? And is it easy to clean after spraying stuff like conversion varnish etc?

   Do you think this SSP is the best conversion gun on the market? I want the best, and don't mind spending the bucks.

   Incidentally, I did a number of samples on a highly figured cherry board, and decided against BLO prior to conversion varnish, and wound up doing a wash coat of shellac first.

   Thanks for the great input.

   Regards,

   Clampman

1. 
   Paul_Snyder | Feb 09, 2003 07:36am | #13

   Clampman - the best spray system is an air-assisted airless (AAA). The Kremlin is most popular followed by Graco. The AAA uses a very small amount of air and overspray is VERY minimal. The fluid comes out pretty darn fast compared to standard spray guns, so it takes some practice to get the hang of spraying with it. But the pay-off is really worth the learning curve. This is an excellent system for shop or on-site use.

   I'm not certain that you'll see too much difference between the Asturo and the Binks Mach 1. The Asturo will atomize a little better, even at lower pressure, but when moving quickly is the main concern, I do increase the pressure and live with the overspray. Sounds like you're in the same mode when it comes to spraying - the spray gun can't spray fast enough and it's hard to get by without cranking up the fluid and air. The Asturo is easy to clean, but the Mach 1 is just as easy. I do like the Asturo the best of the spray guns I've used, but part of that is the way it feels in my hand - purely a sense of comfort. It does atomize the finish extremely well, especially with the "SS" air-cap, and that has allowed me to get some excellent "off the gun" finishes when needed. I recently did some large speakers in an automotive paint using the ECO, and they came out great - I'm going to do my daughters car this spring using it.

   If you're looking to improve speed, reduce overspray, and maintain high quality - look into the Kremlin AAA; it's the next logical step in a spray system. Keep the conversion gun and pot - there's always a need for this system to back up the AAA. Early last week I did an on-site job that included crown molding with dental work the size of your fist and I had to use the conversion gun to spray the sides and corners of the dental - the AAA would have been too difficult to control fluid flow and avoid runs while working from a ladder.Paul

   F'burg, VA

2. 
   clampman2 | Feb 09, 2003 08:05pm | #14

   Paul,

   Thanks a million for the advice. I will most definitely check into the Kremlin AAA very quickly. You hit the nail square on regarding my preferred spraying mode.

   It's a shame your're in VA and not CT. No one around here does quality spraying on site that I'm aware of. I'm so jammed for time that I'd prefer to sub it out to someone good.

   Thanks again for all your help.

   Regards,

   Clampman

2. 
   Jeff | Feb 09, 2003 08:43pm | #15

   Paul

   I have a batch of equipment, but need to upgrade somewhat.

   The sites will be helpfull, it's hard to find good suppliers here

   in my neck of the woods.

   I haven't been able to get on ebay for a year for some reason.

   Jeff

7. 
   waterhead | Feb 07, 2003 11:20pm | #9

   Andrew,

   I have the Wagner CS9100 turbine and associated Capspray gun. As you observe there is little choice of guns with turbine units and I do not rate this gun highly. The turbine is overly powerful for my favoured finishes (Nitrocellulose lacqer and water-borne acrylic) and the air adjustment on the gun is very coarse - next to useless.

   The mobility of the turbine is nice, you can spray anywhere without hauling a compressor around. I got used to the heavier hose so that is not really a problem after a while. This means for me that I can spray under the cover of my garage and not compromise my small shop space - except that recent freezing mornings are causing me lost time as it is too cold to spray.

   If I was buying again, I would go for a bigger compressor (so that I can run every kind of  of air tool as well as spray), a very long air hose - to reach the garage and a first class conversion gun.

   Chris