HF Gravity Feed HVLP Spray Gun

[docrowan]

I was looking at the 20 oz Gravity Feed HVLP paint sprayer at Harbor Freight while on my lunch break. SKU number is 43430, on sale right now for 39.99. Does anyone have any experience with this gun? The highly regarded Rockler/Woodcraft style HVLP spray kit is back up to $85, plus I already have an air compressor, the spray kit would take up a lot more room than this gun in my small shop.

[gary]

I have the 43430. I only have used it to shoot Shellac and it works great for that. I've not tired anything else.

It takes a surprisingly small amount of air to run it. I use a PC Pancake compressor with a 10 Gal aux tank attached. I can shoot about 50% duty cycle with that setup.

[ironhat]

I used it last week to shoot Rust-O-Leum which was cut about 25% with ethanol (their Rx - no kidding). I have no complaints about the gun, per se. It's the configuration of the darn thing with the top-feeding cup. You can't lay it down anywhere and there just isn't always a place to hang it by its hook. Another thing. I decided to overcome this drawback by installing quick release fittings. Beware: the air inlet fitting on the gun is 1/4" so you need an adapter for your 3/8" QC. That one struck me after I already had the cup filled - talk about being a dolt. The adjustments are easy to use and they make a noticeable change fairly rapidly. I hadn't shot a gun in 30 years so I initially thought it was the gun until I got the mix ratio right (did I mention that I forgot to buy a viscosimeter/ aka a viscosity cup? Another thing to buy while you're getting the adapter). At $39 it's worth it.

[docrowan]

Chiz,

I saw they had a gravity feed paint cup stand for sale for 7.99. Sounds like I might need to pick one of these up, too.

[pecker]

They have a plastic stand, which is not very good. Try the metal one instead.
Also, get a package of disposable air filters...they come 2 to a pack for about $4, and screw onto the spray gun's air inlet. You can use them a bunch of times before discarding them.


The gun itself has a 1.4mm tip and is geared towards medium bodied paints/finishes. You won't spray latex wall paints with it.