POWER TOOL AIRLESS PAINT SPRAY - useful?

[radhak]

Can I use this for finishing my full-sized bookshelf? (planning to build using Oak trim + Oak plywood).

Or maybe I should ask - what sort of a finish can I give to my bookshelf using this tool?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...119&pricetype=

How come this is so cheap ($20)? The air-compressor + gun easily goes over $100 at HF itself (which are admittedly bargain-basement rates), so what can this accomplish at this price?

$20 is not much to lose, but ff it's gonna be totally useless then I might as well not bother.

[LCHIEN]

I imagine that's a version of the Wagner Power Painter, an airless sprayer that uses a centrifugal slinger to throw paint out in a fine pattern. The Wagner power painter never got very good reviews, I imagine this is about the same.

you might try looking at the Critter
http://www.amazon.com/Critter-Spray-...6?ie=UTF8&s=hi
I've heard some good things about it - works well, works with smaller air compressors, and inexpensive, easy to clean.

[radhak]

Thanks Loring. I was trying to save the hassle (and storage space) of an air compressor, hence the 'air-less' attracted me. Maybe if I use just stains (no paints), it might work out fine..., i wonder.

At the same time, the Critter seems to have received near unanimous rave reviews. What is the smallest compressor I could get to use it?

[LCHIEN]

It sounds like it will work well with (one guy said 2 gallon) pancake compressors putting out 3-4 SCFM. (see this: http://www.micheletrout.com/sprayer.htm). It has also received critical acclaim at the other woodworking forums as well. (do a search on "Critter sprayer" on google) Another cool feature is being able to keep frequently used paints and cleanup solvents in common jelly jars for rapid use and not having to clean a paint pot.

I'd build me a little hangar bracket to hold it when I wanted to set it down.

[MilDoc]

Anyone know how this would work with General Finishes Outdoor Oil? I'm in the process of building a few Adirondeck chairs. Using GFOL requires wiping on, wiping off excess. This would sure make it easier!

[Jim Boyd]

Anyone know how this would work with General Finishes Outdoor Oil? I'm in the process of building a few Adirondeck chairs. Using GFOL requires wiping on, wiping off excess. This would sure make it easier!

For something like that I'd try a ordinary garden pump up sprayer. Just a thought

[91FE]

I'm intrigued by the critter sprayer. I've got a few raised panel interior doors to paint and a 6 gallon pancake compressor. Think this would do the trick?

[mkel2000]

radhak:

I have that same HF unit: I've used it once to spray stain on a fence and I wasn't impressed (of course, I didn't expect much for the price.) It was adequate for what I used it for, but I would never try to finish any woodworking projects with it.

Mark

[radhak]

so looks like to be able to do anything worthwhile I am better off getting the Critter and also an air-compressor. (I like the idea of being able to retain the jars with leftover stains / paints and not having to clean them everytime).

I saw this compressor at Sears :
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

Looks really compact, portable and cheap. Has anybody used this? Would 150 psi be good to also use with a finish nailer? How about for nailing a bamboo flooring?

Of course, that would mean buying a nail gun. It never stops, does it...

Reminds me of the guy who goes to purchase some 'feminine hygiene' stuff and ends up buying a boat (the salesguy persuades him that since his weekend is as such shot... )

[sbs]

I saw this compressor at Sears :
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

Looks really compact, portable and cheap. Has anybody used this? Would 150 psi be good to also use with a finish nailer? How about for nailing a bamboo flooring?

The compressor you link above isn't big enough to run the critter, let alone a floor nailer. It's rated 2cfm at 90 psi. The critter page says 2-3 cfm @90. A floor nailer typically requires 5-6 cfm @90.

Dinky little 1.5gal tank means you'll also be having to stop all the time to wait for it to refill.

[radhak]

The compressor you link above isn't big enough to run the critter, let alone a floor nailer. It's rated 2cfm at 90 psi. The critter page says 2-3 cfm @90. A floor nailer typically requires 5-6 cfm @90.

Dinky little 1.5gal tank means you'll also be having to stop all the time to wait for it to refill.

Hmm. Thanks for pointing that out. Looks like I'd need to step up on the size, i guess.

[greencat]

I know you can get one from HF for less than $150. Once you get one you will mind many uses for it.