Which compressor/spray gun (budget = $500)

I have a budget of around the $500 mark to purchase a compressor and spray gun.

I would like to be able to spray finish coats on projects I have made. Can I get a suitable unit for this type of money or should I spend the money on just the compressor now and wait until later to buy the gun?

What do you all suggest?

Thanks in advance

Ash

Ash,
depends on the size of your projects. If you're just spraying turned pens and small bowls then no problems, but if you want to spray a boardroom table then you'll need more than $500 worth of compressor and spray gun.

Mick

Hi Mick
The projects I usually do are furniture type e.g. coffee table, tv unit etc. although I may have the need to spray a paling fence in the future.

Ash

Ash,
I don't think that $500 will be enough in that case. A compressor large enough for that type of work will start at around $500, then you'll need a decent filter/drier/regulator (about $100), hoses and fittings (about $50) and then your spray gun ($100 ++++).

Mick

Thanks again Mick
Any recommendations on compressor make & model ??
I am happy to go with the compressor first and save the hard earned for the gun next.
Cheers
Ash

I'd go for a belt rather than direct drive, as far as specific brands go, perhaps someone who has more recently bought a compressor would have recomendations (I bought my Ingersoll Rand more than 15 years ago).

Mick

As far as spray guns you would have to go a long way to get better value for a first gun past the "STAR S770" for arround the $100 may bee less.
However carbatec brisbane have the HVLP porter cable on special (brisbane only) for $125 down from $200 if there are any left. I now have two of these One Ive had for a while & I like it a lot.
On the compressor you are limited by how much power you have available.
A 15cfm would be a good choice BUT you will need a 15 amp power point.
13cfm would be reasonable. If you have any long term view definitely belt drive.
Check out hare & forbes ( just to check out at first ) their pilot range are a reasonable indicator of reasonable. Other vendors will offer this brand.
If you are serious think about getting a second reciever (tank) wich will give you more stored air but more importantly it will allow much better moisture extraction.

The WTD 12 cfm belt drive 2 hp is selling in Perth at $395-00. It is black, quiet and very efficient, the rating is correct, not a thumb suck figure. There was a post on here abt 6 to 10 weeks a go when someone eventually bought on from Perth and had it sent to the east coast. Search will find it.

Ashley,
You can get by with a 40 litre 2.5 hp compressor to do the jobs that you want done. Your budget is within limits to get yourself a good set up. Ive got a gravity HVLP spray gun that is magnificent to use as are the other guns that I use. I find the touch up gun pure "magic" and it performs well way behond what many believe it can do. Its all in the hands of the operator if you botch a spray job! These gun are "clones" of expensive brands without the hole in the pocket syndrome. :rolleyes:

I have a drier filter that extracts any dust, water and "oil" if present. This fits to the end of the gun and can be interchanged from gun to gun. Its great to use. ;)

The finish I get is good as any pro can do and preparation takes more time than the paint job itself. I just love the touch up gun , gravity gun and the larger volume capacity gun. :p These all run fantastically using a direct drive compressor that is a real charm. All i can say- this is hard to beat and falls well within your budget for a professional set-up without the placebo effect of spending ridiculous amounts of money on achieving professional results.

here are some photos of the guns:- :) :) :) :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ho/kithvlp.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...randfilter.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...o/complete.jpg

:p :p :p

ViolinCrafter,

Do you have any idea what the cubic capacity of your compressor is?

I have a 2HP/ 30L tank (direct drive) which from my sums pumps out about 4cfm (.11 m3/min).

I can happily drive my Star S770 (the gun doesn't get ahead of the compressor, but thought one would need at least 12-16 cfm to power a HVLP gun.

Regards,

P

Thanks Ash for starting this thread because I need help on this subject also.

I recently picked up a 2HP 24litre direct drive compressor at a garage sale. The unit is in VG condition and I bought it with the intention of utilizing it for blowing dust out of power tools etc. I have yet to buy accessories but in looking around realized that I may also be able to use it for spraying.

As has been identified there are many different types of compressors and spray equipment and so I wondered whether those of you who know about these things would share the low down and application on such things as compressor capacity, gravity feed versus suction feed spray guns, high pressure spray guns, touch up spray guns, high pressure low volume spray guns etc. There also seems to be an assortment of fittings, is there no standard?

Thanks for any replies that help a novice with this subject.

Regards from Adelaide
Trevor

I'm no expert but will just throw in a few tidbits of useful information I have found...

The S-770 Spray gun mentioned above can be had at TradeTools (QLD) for $49. I bought a "TradeAir" badged S-770 at bunies for $54.
Spare pots are going for $19.99 at Supercheap Auto. I haven't bought one yet but I'd assume they would fit the S-770.

The small touch up guns in the cheap range all look exactly the same, from the same factory no doubt. You can pay up to $50 for these but the best price I have seen, and paid is $32 for "Scorpion" badged touch up gun from the local Repco store.

I have a 2HP 24L compressor I bought about 4-5 years back now - paid $220 back then (which was cheap at the time). Powers all the above fairly well. Suitable for the occassional spray finish but would cycle a fair bit if I tried to paint a fence no doubt :)

No problerms with all the nail guns either. I use quick connector fittings with the nail guns but these seem to cause some grief trying to get a regulated pressure when used with the spray guns or my little airbrush for model painting (not sure why - no expert).

Hi Folks, :D
If you set the gun up correctly and you dont intend on painting the "Opera House" and concentrate on coffee table sized items there is no problems with spray painting such items. The HVLP gun for me works fine and I adjust the air to about 43 - 50 psi and fine tune the adjuster at the bottom of its handle which allows for VOLUME of air capacity. ;)

Also its essential to get the balance between AIR flow and PAINT adjustment at the nozzle for required atomization. Anyway TO MUCH PAINT OR AIR FLOW WILL RUIN THE FINISH. To much air flow or HIGH VOLUME WILL GIVE ORANGE PEEL,,, to much paint and dreaded RUNS! The HIGH volume does not nesessarily mean ALL OUT EXHAUSTION of your compressor but a keen adjustment at the gun and or other gauges to achieve a level flow. :mad: :mad:

As with anything, the smaller the project the less demanding compressor is needed the larger the project such as a "JUMBO JET" you need serious cfm to handle this unless of course its done in sections as most things at that scale would be! lol Imagine if you had to paint a "jumbo" in one go!

This would require a compressor the size of who knows what! (only a joke) :cool:

To use a HVLP spray gun a 14 cfm would require you to move very quicly so as to prevent runs all over the place. Mines fine tuned to suit the compressor at a workable and detailed method as in fine adjustments :D !

Dean you are correct about generic brands that come out of one factory with different stickers to it. I find that the Gravity feed is a copy of a much more expensive unit for less than a fourth of its price. It comes with good accessories unlike its brother clone or visa versa. The case also is nice for shelving it when not in use! It once retailed for $299.00 but can be bought for $100-$150 on a midnight special! :o :o :o

Violincrafter,

Where did you source your kit?

Thanks to all

Violincrafter - I am a little confused as to which gun would suit my purpose. I don't understand the different uses for the different guns etc.

Could you perhaps enlighten me a little more? Also, what brand/model of gun and compressor would you suggest as the best for for my application(s).

Thanks in advance

Ash