hvlp sprayer

[jussi]

Thinking about getting a hvlp sprayer. I'd like to stay under $150, which means a very simple, single stage or conversion system. I've heard really good reviews about Wagners conversion gun.
http://www.gleempaint.com/hvcongunnew.html

Rockler also has one that looks interesting.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?O...Select=Reviews

Is going with a turbine system that much of an advantage over one that uses a compressor? What do you think about the 2 system above? What do you recommend? Thanks

[mcgrath4u]

Keep an eye out at harborfreight.com or your local harbor freight store. They carry the same one that you have posted from Rockler. Usually it will go on sale and you may have a coupon to boot. I'm sure others will chime in shortly.

[maxparot]

Keep an eye out at harborfreight.com or your local harbor freight store. They carry the same one that you have posted from Rockler. Usually it will go on sale and you may have a coupon to boot. I'm sure others will chime in shortly.

Ok here is the chime in. I have that unit from HF it works really well.
It regularly goes on sale for $79 and I grabbed mine last year with a 20% coupon on top of the sale price.

[radhak]

but first, search for the 'Critter' here in BT3C, and on the internet. its a spray gun with simpler mechanism that works better the more expensive ones.

eg : http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=24323 and
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=25407

are a couple such older threads.

i ended up buying it, and have nothing but praise for it. extremely convenient and efficient.

[jgrobler]

Does anyone have the link to the HF one? I did a quick search on HVLP and did not see one that looked like the one on Rockler.

[jussi]

but first, search for the 'Critter' here in BT3C, and on the internet. its a spray gun with simpler mechanism that works better the more expensive ones.

eg : http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=24323 and
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=25407

are a couple such older threads.

i ended up buying it, and have nothing but praise for it. extremely convenient and efficient.

Looks promising, especially for my minuscule budget. a few questions.
1. What operating pressure do you set ur compressor?
2. Do you use some type of filter (water, oil, etc) between it and the compressor?
3. How much overspray?
4. What type of paint (oil, lacquer, water, etc) do you use?
5. How much do you have to thin?
6. And most Importantly how is the spray? consistent or uneven?

Ok that was more than a few. Thanks

[jhart]

Just bought the "Critter about a month ago and used it twice so far, spraying Poly on a cabinet. Very impressed with the unit and absolutely love the simple, easy cleanup, plus storing the un used amount in the mason jars (bought a dozen at the local grocery store).

I used it with the P C pancake compressor at the lowest psi setting (I think it was at 30). No oil as it is an oiless compressor. No water as I always blow out the compressor at the end of each session I use it.

Felt it worked very well with very little overspray. You can adjust the nozzle for the type of stuff you are going to use. Tested the spray pattern, adjusted it twice and it worked perfectly.

I have 2 other sprayers (Wagner and Coleman), not HVLP, that I use on bigger jobs, but hate the clean up on them.

Clean up was simple and easy, another jar with mineral spirits, sprayed into paper towels and done.

I still placed some plastic sheets over some of the areas and tools in the shop as I wasn't sure how much overspray I would get. Did get some, but wasn't bad, no where near the other two sprayers, but will still cover items when using it again as my shop is fairly small.

Just ordered some extra gaskets from Lee Valley (5 for about $4.50, that came yesterday. Wanted to have some extra ones as they look fairly flimsey and I figure they will not last for too many cleanings.

Believe I bought the unit thru Amazon.

[mcgrath4u]

Does anyone have the link to the HF one? I did a quick search on HVLP and did not see one that looked like the one on Rockler.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44677

Rockler is cheaper now, but with a harborfreight 20% off coupon it would be $72.00 or with a 15% off coupon it would be $76.50.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I bought this a couple weeks ago :

http://www.gleempaint.com/wagfinhvrec.html

I have used it a TON since I got it and absolutely love it. I have sprayed dye, shellac and poly mix.

I think the Critter is an interesting concept but my spraying is not located near my compressor thus the turbine HVLP. I did kind of follow the Critter concept and get a few extra plastic and metal cups for the above unit. They allow me to store solvents and finishes in the cups between use.

[radhak]

Looks promising, especially for my minuscule budget. a few questions.
1. What operating pressure do you set ur compressor?
2. Do you use some type of filter (water, oil, etc) between it and the compressor?
3. How much overspray?
4. What type of paint (oil, lacquer, water, etc) do you use?
5. How much do you have to thin?
6. And most Importantly how is the spray? consistent or uneven?

Ok that was more than a few. Thanks

1. I found that i am able to control my spraying with tiny adjustments of pressure, ranging from 20 to 30 psi. Almost like art work...
2. Nope, no filter. as good as an airbrush.
3. There is overspray, but much less than other guns : about 6 inches around your project is all you need to protect. i finally found a highly technical solution : stood up the cardboard box that my cabinet clamps came in (from amazon) on one end and 'opened' it up at the top and bottom 'seams', and used this as the background to my project while spraying. A nice spray-catcher...
4. I have sprayed poly, shellac, tung oil and lacquer. In each case, i diluted it quite a bit, sometimes 50%, with the appropriate cleaner. I now fully agree that multiple light coats work far better than less number of thicker coats. Drying time is less, very little streaks, easier to sand (between coats), etc.

I have heard this works well with Latex paint too, you just might need to use some 'conditioner' sold in HD/Lowes - forget the name, apart from diluting it.

6. My assessment is that the end result is superb (but then, i am comparing it with my own work, so it might just be an indictment of my non-Critter-gun competence ). you get a hang of it so fast that you are able to complete each finish session satisfied with your effort and the end result.
A lot of that has to be due to the fact that there is no 'hassle' involved :each coat took much less time, and I stopped dreading finishing.

Of course, never forget the ease of cleanup. Actually, if you want to really appreciate the Critter's USP (EAZY-CLEAN!!!), you should try other methods or other guns first

Caveats : the most irritating thing about the Critter is that it is 'side heavy'. you keep it down, it tilts over. I found that a roll of duct-tape serves as a nice holder, much needed.
Also, don't expect to paint your room with this, not even a large wall. It has a small nozzle, and you'd better limit yourself to woodworking stuff, upto say, painting a large sized entertainment center.

edit : remember it now - you need to add 'Floetral' to Latex Paints before spraying.

[p8ntblr]

When thinning do you just diltue, test spray, and dilute more if needed?

Or do you use something else. I've heard many hvlp systems come with a "viscosity cup" (not exactly sure if that's the exact name)?

What is the consistency you try for?

[radhak]

When thinning do you just diltue, test spray, and dilute more if needed?

Or do you use something else. I've heard many hvlp systems come with a "viscosity cup" (not exactly sure if that's the exact name)?

What is the consistency you try for?

Trial and error - well, no error, more like lemme-try-and-make-it-thinner.

my first attempt on any piece is always on the back / inside / lower side (which ever is not on prominent display), and always the most carefully done : take my time, spray some, assess it, change the consistency, etc. even if the result is too blotchy, it evens out in the following few coats (by which time i would have it pat right).

in general, my observation is that a bit too thin is better than too thick. you could start with a 2:1 ratio (ie, 2 cups of finish and 1 of thinner).

remember, all this is for the Critter. other, bigger and more powerful sprayers could handle much thicker, i am sure.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

For HVLP systems the viscosity cup is used to determine viscosity of the material. It is a small 1-2 oz funnel. You scoop up some material out of the can and count the time it takes for the material to run through the funnel. Different materials have different time requirements and will be included in the instructions.