Replies

1. 
   goldhiller | Mar 22, 2003 05:31am | #1

   Jim,

   You may find the info you're looking for if you search out this article at Fine Woodworking - Turbine HVLP Sprayers Keep Getting Better

   This should take you there............

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00051.asp

   Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.

   
   

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   Edited 3/21/2003 10:35:44 PM ET by GOLDHILLER

1. 
   twotowers | Mar 22, 2003 08:08pm | #3

   Thanks Goldhiller, that was very helpful!

   Jim

2. 
   Sancho | Mar 22, 2003 07:18am | #2

   Jim if you have a compressor I would go with a conversion gun (one that uses a compressor rather than a turbine) for 400 bucks you can get a real nice one. Check out http://www.compliantspraysystems.com or http://www.homesteadfinishing.com you can go wrong with either of them

    

   Darkworks:  The French "Cheese eatin surrender monkies"..Grounds Keeper Willie

1. 
   twotowers | Mar 22, 2003 08:11pm | #4

   Thanks RonT,

   Unfortunately I have a small compressor and would have to buy another to buy the gun - which I don't believe can be done for $ 400.00

   Jim

1. 
   Sancho | Mar 23, 2003 06:56am | #9

   My LVLP is can spray easily with my 4 gal 1 1/2 hp  twin tank emglo is called the versaez system through accuspray. http://www.compliantspraysystem.com its will run you about 400 bucks, thats what I paid for mine and I love it. 

   Darkworks:  The French "Cheese eatin surrender monkies"..Grounds Keeper Willie

3. 
   Paul_Snyder | Mar 23, 2003 12:30am | #5

   Jim - there are a number of low volume, low pressure (LVLP) spray guns that work with small compressors. They range in price from just over $100 to around $500. For $130, the Wagner conversion spray gun is a good choice. It sprays well and will run off a 2 HP compressor.

   The manufacturers still call these spray guns high volume, low pressure (HVLP) because more people understand what that means. But, a number of new spray guns use very little air to atomize the finish and are more accurately "LVLP."

   Paul

   F'burg, VA

1. 
   twotowers | Mar 23, 2003 02:14am | #6

   Paul,

   Thats interesting, everything I have seen seems to require 220 volt, 6+ horse compressors and have tanks the size of my oil tank... It looks like the 1 1/2 hp unit I just bought is only good for small nail guns.

   If you wanted to spray lacquer, varnish stains and paint. and you wanted to be able to spray finish coats that were smooth enough that you wauldn't have to sand each coat, what exactly would you buy?

   Jim

1. 
   Paul_Snyder | Mar 23, 2003 05:24am | #7

   Jim - I did a quick search at google.com for the Wagner conversion HVLP spray gun and came up with this site first - http://www.gleempaint.com/hvcongunnew.html

   This spray gun works with a compressor as small as 1.5 HP. I got one of the Wagner guns (Maxum II) as part of a package deal a while back and have done a little spraying with it. It sprays well with the 1.5 HP compressor I have. Personally, I don't like the fan width adjustment (loosening the air-cap), but see in the article on turbine units that this is standard on the spray units in this price range.

   My favorite spray gun is the Asturo ECO connected to a pot. I use it to spray finishes and use something else to spray stains. Instead of paint, I usually use pigmented lacquer (available in water-base and solvent base). Pigmented lacquer sprays the same as regular lacquer so there's no need for a larger needle/nozzle. The Asturo also works well with the 1.5 HP compressor.

   I use a number of different spray guns and they all spray a Class A finish. There are subtle differences in comfort (hand fit & weight), balance, trigger pull, fine adjustments, fluid flow range, and atomization between them and it's only these minor differences that make the Asturo my favorite.

   Paul

   F'burg, VA

1. 
   twotowers | Mar 23, 2003 06:05am | #8

   Thanks Paul!

   Jim

2. 
   twotowers | Mar 31, 2003 11:15pm | #10

   Paul,

   Thanks for the information. I decided to buy the Wagner conversion HVLP spray gun which you recommended. I am working on a sleigh bed and am looking forward to being able to tone the finish.

   thanks for the general info, suggesting a gun and recommending a catalog house!

   Regards,

   Jim

4. 
   measuretwice | Jun 24, 2003 10:01pm | #11

   Hi Jim

   I'm writing this long after you posted it, but...anyway

   I have owned a Campbell-Hausfeld EasySpray HVLP unit for about 3 years now, used intermittently.  I am quite dissatisfied with it.  Way too much dinking around to get the paint viscosity and other parameters "right" -- I'm halfway thru a project before I manage to avoid either orange-peel or runs.   WAY too much  work to clean it!!  Poor documentation.  Pathetically small air filter.  Poor finish on needles, and they are not hardened steel.  You have to unscrew and retighten ring every time you change spray pattern.  Needle control not fine enuf.  Hose crushes relatively easily if you step on it...need I go on?

   I recently got an air compressor, Sears 25 gal tank 2 stage 175 psi max, and am thinking of getting HVLP conversion gun for it, based on info here in Knots and also FWW Jul/Aug 1995 article.

   Please let me know how you have proceeded vis-a-vis spray painting.

   "God spare the peoples of the world from statues of living rulers"