HF HVLP vs. Critter Sprayer?

[cgallery]

I only use rattle cans for spraying small projects now (very small projects). For larger projects I brush.

So I'd like to spray some larger projects. Can someone compare the HF/Rockler HVLP to a Critter Sprayer?

Critter Sprayer:
http://www.amazon.com/Critter-Spray-...4285919&sr=8-1

Hmm... Can't find the HF HVLP sprayer now. Here is the Rockler:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10469

I like the ease of storing media in glass jars on the Critter. And it seems like the Critter would be faster to clean?

But I gather (from what I've read) that HVLP has less overspray? Is it easier to adjust one vs. the other? Will one cover faster than another? Will they spray all the same stuff? Is one easier to use?

And how small a compressor can I run a Critter? Can I use a MAC700?:
http://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAC700-...4287662&sr=1-1

TIA for anything you can tell me. I'm sure a lot of readers here are probably at about the same point as I am (just thinking of spraying), so hopefully this helps others, too.

[dabeeler]

Here is what I got and I love it. Service and answers to questions from the folks at Gleem was also very good and helpufl.

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

[radhak]

Can't tell you anything about the other HVLP, but i love my critter.

I think i am just repeating myself on this forum, but here it goes -
- critter has practically no cleaning. you just detach the bottle with the paint/finish, attach another with water/thinner, spray for a minute, you are done.
- you need very little psi. i have managed with 25 psi. advantage of that is the very minimal overspray.
- stop and start any time. just shut the lid on the bottle and your unused finish is ready for storage. so easy to do multiple color in the same time period.

only thing is, it is a small sprayer. (and that's true for the other sprayer too). so dont plan on doing your walls or something. and yes, it is a HVLP, as in High volume of air. So you will see a lot of recycling of the compressor, and i own the PC 6 gallon one.

the makita you have in mind seems to be a good piece, though expensive. again, remember, with 2.5 gallons, its gonna be cycling all the time you are spraying. they say it's quiet, so a plus, maybe. but will it suffice? sure - the critter only needs 3/4 hp, and 2 cfm would do.

[skruffy]

The critter says it needs 3 cfm at 90 psi. Your mac700 puts out 3.3 @ 90 so you should be ok, but the pump is going to be running most of the time since you have a small tank.

I have a PC PSH1 HVLP gun (http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-G...dp/B00005R1IK/) and I use it with a 30 gallon tank. The PC is a great sprayer and I highly recommend it if you're looking for an air gun, though it's rated at 8.4 cfm @ 40 psi which is well beyond what the mac700 does (3.8 @ 40) so it's probably not a good choice for you.

There is no comparison between HVLP and siphon. I'm not familiar with the HF/Rockler unit, but I know folks here seem happy with them. A air siphon gun creates an awful lot of overspray. Combined with the user comment on Amazon that says the Critter only sprays in a circular pattern and I'd definitely go with the HF/Rockler or some other decent (or better) HVLP gun.

Actually the circular-only pattern is enough of a reason for me to choose something else.

It really isn't bad cleaning the canister. And since you really only want to mix and thin about as much material as you need, it's not like you'll have a ton of full mason jars of thinned left overs.

edit: I should mention that most of my spraying experience is from automtive painting over the past 20 years, but I've done wood projects as well. As such, I'm more used to and comfortable with an air gun. But now that I've moved to HVLP, I won't go back, no matter what I'm working on.

[SwingKing]

I've got both but I bought them for different purposes so I can't give a heads-up comparison. I bought the HPLV for spraying finish for furniture projects. I really like it because the overspray isn't bad and it's pretty forgiving of my beginner skills. The HPLV sprayer does good on finishes (shellac, poly) but it supposedly doesn't have enough airflow to spray latex.

I bought the Critter for spraying paint. It does a good job if the latex paint is thinned 50% with flowtrol. I found the spray pattern a bit erratic and sparse, so I personally wouldn't use it to spray something that was hard to check coverage visuallly. I did have to watch coverage carefully with the paint I was spraying to make sure it covered everything.

In my opinion, if I was buying one of these for staining/finishing projects, I'd buy the HPLV. If you want an inexpensive sprayer that will do paint, the Critter is a great choice.

-- Ken

[cgallery]

In my opinion, if I was buying one of these for staining/finishing projects, I'd buy the HPLV. If you want an inexpensive sprayer that will do paint, the Critter is a great choice.

-- Ken

I saw a posting at sawmillcreeek.org that seemed to indicate that the HF HVLP could spray latex that has been thinned.

Anyone else spray paint with the HF?