Replies

1. 
   zolton | Aug 10, 2009 04:38am | #1

   If the metal pieces are small, why not just use spray bomb enamel? It goes on way thinner than latex and would probably hold up better. Cheaper too. Hard to beat about $4.00 per can...

   Yeah, I know I'm really avoiding the real issue of buying a new tool. But if this is the only use you foresee for it, the cans are more economical.

   Zolton

   If you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon

1. 
   BillA | Aug 10, 2009 04:45am | #2

   What is spray bomb?

   Also, I had the color mixed to match something else and it only comes in a 1qt can.

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 10, 2009 05:56am | #3

   "What is spray bomb?"  Spray cans of paint -- Krylon, etc.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   Hastings | Aug 10, 2009 03:40pm | #4

   Bill A:

   The Wood Whisperer did a video review of the Earlex HVLP system and seemed well satisfied with the results. It costs about $300 plus. Do Google search and watch the video.

   Can't speak to the cheapie Wagner, but I don't think you will find many finishers using them.

   Hastings

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | Aug 14, 2009 06:34am | #12

   "Cheapie Wagner" 

    Well now, I might just have a Cheapie Wagner for sale.  Haven't used it in years.  New price was $2,700.00 plus sales tax but I got it marked down.    Since it is slightly used, I might take less.  It's an airless, three quarter gallons per minute and hardly used; well compared to renting one, it might have paid for itself a couple times.

   Edited 8/13/2009 11:42 pm ET by Tinkerer3

3. 
   forestgirl | Aug 12, 2009 12:43am | #5

   Bill, I have one of the low-end Wagner HVLP units.  It did an acceptable job spraying lacquer on small trim, and I've read reviews of people who've used them to finish boxes and even small furniture pieces, but I don't know how well it would work with latex enamel.

   The unit I have is an older version of this unit at Gleem Paint.  They have excellent customer service, you could take a look at the PDF owner's manual, and if you think it might work for you, give them a call and chat with one of the tech guys/gals. 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   
   

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   Edited 8/12/2009 12:26 am by forestgirl

1. 
   BillA | Aug 12, 2009 05:27am | #6

   hey, thanks a bunch. I will check it out.

4. 
   RickL | Aug 12, 2009 09:54pm | #7

   I have several guns from a $69 Wagner electric spray gun, Lexaire HVLP and turbine and a $500 Binks conversion HVLP gun.

   I have to admit my $69 Wagner does a very nice job spraying latex. I just add Floetrol to make the latex spray flow better.

5. 
   Kirk | Aug 13, 2009 06:35pm | #8

   The critter sprayer may work well for this.

   
   

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   Edited 8/13/2009 12:15 pm ET by Kirk

1. 
   BillA | Aug 14, 2009 04:51am | #9

   Just read the reviews. Sounds like a great product. What air pressure works for you?

1. 
   Kirk | Aug 14, 2009 05:10am | #10

   I started out just under 30psi per the instructions but ended up going up to around 45psi, I also thinned out the paint a little with Floetrol, though this may or may not be necessary depending on what kind of finish your using.

1. 
   BillA | Aug 14, 2009 07:40am | #13

   Know a good place to buy one? I saw it on Amazon but it is not in stock.

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 14, 2009 08:17am | #14

   I was going to ask the same thing.  A Google hit seemed to imply that Woodcraft carries them, but I couldn't find it there.

   Note the fact that the spray pattern can't be adjusted (e.g., vertical, horizontal and such).  I found that feature quite handy on the Wagner.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   Kirk | Aug 14, 2009 05:21pm | #15

   I got mine through Amazon, but if you search for "K-Grip Siphon Spray Gun" you'll fine it at Woodcraft and a few others, though it's a few dollars more than the Critter listed on Amazon.

3. 
   BillA | Aug 14, 2009 06:26pm | #16

   thanks. i found it on Amazon but they were out of stock

4. 
   forestgirl | Aug 15, 2009 01:07am | #17

   http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2021142/2021142.aspx?tab=information#informationforestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

5. 
   BillA | Aug 15, 2009 09:35pm | #18

   thanks. I stopped by Woodcraft yesterday and picked one up, along with a maintenance kit. But forgot to buy a couple of extra jars. Dumb of me.

   Incidentally, I emailed Critter asking for retailer in my area but have no answer yet. Also called the 800 number and got a voicemail message - the guy sounded like he was speaking from inside a barrel 10 feet away from the microphone. Good product, but probably a small business....

6. 
   Jimurock | Aug 15, 2009 09:52pm | #19

   If the Woodcraft product is otherwise identical with the Critter, then it will work with any size of standard Mason jar.  Just don't tell your wife what you want it for.  Even if you have to buy them, they're cheap enough and readily available.  I suppose plastic is safer, but I like to see what I'm doing.

   Jim

7. 
   BillA | Aug 16, 2009 02:47am | #20

   good point

8. 
   forestgirl | Aug 16, 2009 06:18am | #21

   "...the guy sounded like he was speaking from inside a barrel 10 feet away from the microphone."  That can be a symptom of a bad VOIP connection -- phone that uses broadband internet instead of phone lines.

   We use an MCI calling card for all our long-distance, and though we have a regular land line, the call is relayed over internet connection.  Once in awhile we get a baaaaaaaddddd connection.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   Edited 8/19/2009 12:31 am by forestgirl

9. 
   BillA | Aug 19, 2009 06:54am | #22

   Huh, hadn't heard about that one.

10. 
    forestgirl | Aug 19, 2009 07:32am | #23

    Hadn't heard about that particular problem, or about VOIP??  We're inundated with ads for VOIP, both from Qwest and from Comcast.  Haven't taken the bait, yet.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

6. 
   IdahoDon | Aug 14, 2009 05:33am | #11

   I love my little touch up spray gun made for small auto body repairs---doesn't spray latex, but for many little jobs it's quite easy and not too messy to mix up some enamel.  At $30 or so it's one of the best bargains out there and runs off of most portable compressors if you aren't doing a lot of stuff.

    

   Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

7. 
   Tives1978 | Jan 12, 2015 07:31am | #24

   Fuji 2903-T70 Mini-Mite 3-T70 HLVP Spray System is the best paint sprayer brand known to me so far.. It is portable and easy to transport. I have just buy my mini-mite 3 few months back and refinished an antique bed. Turned out great. Easy to use, adjust and clean. Be sure to properly thin your material and do test sprays. Seems to be a solid unit at this point and will update after more projects.