Air comp. or HVLP

**Scottydont** · 08-10-2004, 01:10 PM

I have a compressor I use for nails guns, palm nailer, ect. I orginally looked at the HVLP units that have the built in compressor in the base. I opted for the HVLP gun for use with a compressor from HF for $33 down from $65. Much better choice I think. My HVLP is designed for water based but they do make the same type of gun for oil and water based finishes.

**LCHIEN** · 08-11-2004, 12:07 AM

quote:Originally posted by jking

I have been contemplating buying an air compressor for some time, but have a couple of questions. My primary use would be air nailers, inflating tires, etc. I can see wanting to use a spray gun at some future time. Does it make sense to buy the large air comp. required to run a spray gun, or, would it make more sense to buy a HVLP setup? I'm not too familiar with HVLP...Can it spray all types of materials? I'm thinking of paint, poly, etc. Mostly all for WW projects.

John

I think that would depend upon the seriousness of going with HVLP sprayers in the future.

Look at the difference between a compressor capable of the sprayers and one small cheap $99 pancake unit for nailer and tires.
You're looking at 3x the cost ratio or more. Larger size, too. Plus you'd almost have to go 220V.

I'd say if you weren't sure, just get by with a cheap compressor, maybe if you end up getting a big one later, you'll be glad you have a small, portable one anyway.

**EMB** · 08-11-2004, 12:11 AM

In the past pressure spraying was the norm. Then everyone got concerned about the enviroment and health issues and HLVP came in.
However everyone had compressors not turbines for HLVP, so rather than fight city hall they invented HVLP conversion guns. They are at best a compromise.

You can get HVLP units from HF, Rockler, Wagner and many other companies that start at less $100 and in most cases do a superior job to a conversion HLVP gun.

In your case you don't have a compressor. Doesn't it make sense to buy a smaller compressor to run nail guns, inflate tires and blow dust then buy a HVLP unit designed to work together? HD is selling combos with compressor and nail gun for less than $200 and you can buy a dedicated HVLP unit for less than $100. For $300 bucks you have separate units, you can upgrade one without effecting the other, both are light enough to be mobile, and both store in less space than just the compressor needed to power a conversion HVLP gun.
You figure it out buying a compressor, a conversion gun, hoses, nail guns, air line filters, and all the other stuff needed to HVLP spray on a compressor unit.

To me it is a no brainer. If I already had a compressor then I would go for the conversion gun probably.

**Andrew Benedetto** · 08-11-2004, 04:57 AM

The HVLP guns that do not have pressure feed are not good for latex.

Do a search this has been in the forum before. A compressor in an essential item for any shop or home, the bigger the better.

**Hal4son** · 08-11-2004, 11:10 AM

I bought a HF pancake compressor for nailing, etc. I have used it for spraying also with one of those "Critter" sprayguns, but it heats up rapidly and the thermal reset trips and then I have to wait a couple of minutes for it to cool down before I can resume. I was spraying a 5'x3'x 18" bookcase at the time and could get about one coat on before it would overheat. Which wasn't so bad, since I had to wait for it dry before the next coat anyway. I using a 50/50 mixture of mineral spirits and Poly, and could get 2 or 3 coats on in an hour, spraying outside on the driveway with a groundcloth draped over the fence and underneath the bookcase for the overspray. Can't remember if the Critter qualifies as a HVLP, but it's a neat little spraygun, easy cleanup and it uses standard Mason Jars as containers.

Air comp. or HVLP

Air comp. or HVLP

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