posted
I've wanted to purchase one of these for a while. What is my best bet as far as balancing quality with price and versatility? What things should I take into consideration when shopping for one?
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
We use a gravity fed DeVilbis HVLP connected to conventional air. It's a great system. HVLP's are also available with their own portable air supply "Fans"...I've never used this type.
posted
What things should I take into consideration when shopping for one?
Kelly, there are a ton of HVLP guns out there from $50 low end guns to top flight automotive ones.
If you're planning on spraying HDU primers or latex paints, many of the department stores carry suitable guns at resonable prices, but take note that they don't have a whole lot behind them. Spare parts and warrantys are scarce with these models.
Devilbiss, Snap-on Tools, Craftsman...and many others...carry HVLP guns. Each has several to choose from. If you're planning on using it more like an automotive shop would, take a few minutes and stop by at one. Most auto body shop owners are much like airbrushers...they have their favorites and can usually tell you about other brands they've tried in the past.
Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have the same type as Duncan. I saw the turbine type demo'd at a show once, then rented one. The turbine units are a little different. They use a turbine for an air supply instead of a compressor. The hose is quite large to accomodate the large volume of air. The overspray produced by these models is only slightly higher than an airless gun since they spray at about 7 psi, and the turbine heats up the air which makes the paint dry even faster. The problem is these units start at around $700 and go up from there.
The standard gun type hvlp uses a standard compressor and creates a lower spraying pressure and a high volume of air with internal chambers and valves. In my opinion, they still create a lot od overspray, but not as much as the old type high pressure guns.
You pretty much get what you pay for. The atomization of the material, available parts and service will be better with quality guns like Sata, DeVilbiss, Iwata, and Binks.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5397 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I bought a Lex-Air turbine about 20 years ago, still running strong, would do it again.
-------------------- Carper's Signs 594 Union School Rd. Mount Joy, PA 17552 carpersign@earthlink.net Posts: 157 | From: Lancaster, PA, USA | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
The Turbine sprayers are more expensive, but they are true "high volume low pressure" units.
The turbine supplies the large volume (low pressure) of air to push/atomize the paint to reduce overspray.
The turbine units cost more, but they spray heavy latex finishes easier than an hvlp "conversion" gun, and put a much better finish down.
The hvlp "conversion" guns use a regular air compressor to supply the air to push/atomize the paint.
Being that a conversion gun uses a regular air compressor, the volume of air is less, so they need more pressure to push/atomize the paint compared to a turbine unit.
With either a turbine, or conversion gun, if you plan on spraying latex, you will need the biggest tip/cap combination to allow that thick latex to get through.
Also, consider a top cup gun. A top cup gun uses gravity to feed the paint instead of a siphon like a bottom cup gun. (uses less pressure)
I use a $100 Porter Cable top cup hvlp conversion gun. I also bought the largest tip/cap combination they had (2.2) for about $35. I spray latex with it with good results.
I do want a turbine unit badly though.
Good luck.
Peace out, Bob
[ April 03, 2006, 08:52 AM: Message edited by: Bob Kaschak ]
-------------------- "The 3-4 minute mark of "Freewill" by Rush.
Bob Kaschak Artisan Sign And Design Peru New York Posts: 1873 | From: Upstate NY | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I just sold my Lex-Aire paint system which I had painted my Cortez with. To bad no Letterhead was interest enough to purchase it when I had it up.
Oh well
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
Thanks guys, sorry I missed it Joey - I probably had no clue what it was if I saw it. Is this what you have Dunc and Dave? Does it look like it might be what I am looking for. I'd like something I can use for spraying primers as well as latex and that I could use for both signs and murals. Thanks to the Google link at the bottom of the page.
I'm looking at the master kit in the center of the page.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
That looks exactly like mine...but I didn't get the fancy plastic case. The Cup lids are actually disposable...but we used our for at least a year. You can buy a replacement two pack for about $16. at Acklands. The Gravity feed cup is definitely the way to go. The HVLP certainly has less overspray and you don't need as much pressure. Binks is good too, but more $
posted
Kelly, I got a Devilbiss finish line last year with the 1.5 nozzle. Its great for priming and coating out panels. But its too much nozzle for clear coats.
-------------------- Ron Costa Sign and Design 28 Ingerson Road Jefferson, NH 0358 Posts: 620 | From: New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged |
I bought a Harbor Freight gun with the biggest needle (I can't remember the size). I just sprayed fours signs today and I'll be doing 5 more tomorrow. I've never had a problem with it spraying latex. I thin with water and sometimes a mix of water and Floetrol. It is a gravity feed so I use all the material in the cup.
I'll never go back to hand painting backgrounds on sandblasted signs again.
Below is a link to the one I have. They are on sale right now for $39.99. I'm going to buy one or two more just to have handy.
posted
Harbor Freight spray guns are one of the best for painting signs and the like. I use both the "inexpensive" and the expensive Sata line but need the control for automotive type painting using the Sata brand. Most of the inexpensive HVLP are less expensive copies of the namebrand kind, because they only use less expensive metals to make them.
Hetz
[ April 05, 2006, 05:00 PM: Message edited by: Jim & Chris hetzler ]
-------------------- Jim & Chris Hetzler JC Hetz Studio 513 W 3rd St. Muscatine, IA 52761 563-263-2803 jhetzler@machlink.com www.jchetzstudio.com
"We are the one that makes you look good!" Posts: 137 | From: Muscatine,Iowa,USA | Registered: Sep 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
49 dollars... That gun would get me laughed at at work here....Hehe.... I work at a body shop where we do alot of Painting... I would like to try one of them for that price... Most of the guns we have here start at about $400-$500. I se a 3M HVLp that rocks for basecoat. As for laying down perfect clear you can't beat the Anest Iwata... Holy Cow... that sucker will make you paint like a Pro! fantastic Quality.. We have Sata's, Devilbiss', Devilibiss OMX, Iwata is definitely thr Bomb for my application....
good luck... I would not use a junk gun myself.. Rubbing out time , compared to the cost of an Expensive gun that will lay clear perfect( with the right person holding it)... Spend the Big Bucks for me..
Posts: 84 | From: Gladstone , Michigan | Registered: Jun 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Don't confuse laying down latex paint on a dimensional sign with finishing out a custom bike or car.
I have the same gun that Amy bought from Harbor Freight, although mine came from somewhere else. It's only function is to splatter latex primer and paint on HDU. It is easily cleaned with a water hose, but it is never going to produce a mirror image on a car. That's not it's intention.
David McDonald gave me good advice when he said get the cheapest with the biggest opening...and a stainless steel needle (no rust). If some time is going to elapse between jobs, just wrap a wet rag around the head or drop the whole thing in a bucket of water. I've been using mine for years and just spray, run some water through it, and put it back on the shelf.
I have other guns for finer work and for spraying enamels and clears.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
| IP: Logged |
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic