apollo turbine spray systems

[lambeater]

Been looking for a good turbine spray system for mainly my woodworking projects, cabinets etc. Everything seems to lead back to Apollo and their spray system. Question is what model for a home shop. Will mainly spray waterbornes  just not sure what is a good system. Do I need a 5 stage or is that overkill and expense.

thx
Lambeater

 

[Scott B.]

Been looking for a good turbine spray system for mainly my woodworking projects, cabinets etc. Everything seems to lead back to Apollo and their spray system. Question is what model for a home shop. Will mainly spray waterbornes  just not sure what is a good system. Do I need a 5 stage or is that overkill and expense.

thx
Lambeater

I have only used the 1050vr from Apollo, which is a five stage. If you are considering waterborne paints and primers (in addition to clears), I would highly recommend it. We have other 5 stages and even 3 stage, and the 1050vr is the happiest across the board in different viscosities and product types. You need one that is comfie in the 9 psi continuous range, which means the turbine has to be good, but its not all about the turbine. The design of the system and its ability to deliver cool (or at least not hot) air to the gun is critical. Apollo has that figured out. Also, the gun, its quality of atomization makes a big difference. It is an investment. I have seen guys buy lesser systems to save a few hundred bucks, but the problems it creates over time makes it hard to justify the compromise. In my opinion, buying a little more system than you need is better than buying a little bit less, because you will spend less time messing around with different tip sizes and material reductions to get good results. Its pretty much plug and play with the 1050.

 

[RonMiller]

I have a 4 stage Apollo 1025 with slight use for sale in the FOG classifieds, if that's of help. About 1/2 price and the uses you describe are the "unused parts" of my gun.

 

[tiralie]

Question is what model for a home shop. Will mainly spray water bornes just not sure what is a good system. Do I need a 5 stage or is that overkill and expense.

I went back and forth on this when I bought my Fuji 4 stage. As I stated else where I didn't think the extra .5psi difference from a 5 stage was worth the premium and wasn't going to make any difference to me since I didn't know what I was doing anyway.
My Fuji is a good system, and even I can get good results with it as long as I don't try to spray heavy (viscosity) coatings without being thinned.

What kind of waterborne coatings will you be spraying?

While budget is always a consideration, I think that if you are planning on spraying primers and pigmented lacquers than get a 5 or 6 stage machine.

If you have read the posts on finishing there is really no one good tool for every application or coating type.

I believe more pressure is better than less and as long as the gun can handle the higher pressure, investing in a turbine that generates the highest psi at the gun gives you a lot more flexibility (speed) as well as a coating that is more evenly atomized than a turbine that generates lower pressure.

If you are only ever going to spray clear coats (ie. no primers or pigmented coatings) and volume/time is not an issue, then a good 3-4 stage turbine will work well.

For water borne spraying, look for a gun with Stainless steel fluid passages. If I was buying a gun (separate from a turbine) today I would look at an Accuspray 10G with a PPS.
Also get a whip hose if one is not supplied with your turbine. Because turbine hoses are large diameter they are heavy stiff, a whip will help make it easier to maneuver the gun and cool the hot air generated by the turbine.

Every ones requirements are different so if I was buying a system today I would probably buy a 5 (Apollo) or 6 stage machine because I believe I (should) be able to get a wider, more even spray pattern delivering more coating. Capspray makes a 6 stage HVLP turbine that delivers 11.5psi from the turbine.

Good luck. Spraying is a lot of fun both to learn and perfect.
Tim

 

[lambeater]

Thanks for the info guys. My main finishes are general enduro var and waterborne acrylic lacquers from target. haven't really sprayed any colors yet although I might try but mainly clear or tinted finishes.

thx
Lambeater

 

[lambeater]

Well I am still on the fence regarding a spray unit. Don't know if anyone owns or uses a Lemmer T90 4 stage with the 3m system but it seems to get good reviews. I do like the Apollo but no real support in BC. I can deal with KMS local and have parts or support from Vancouver or Calgary over night. Anyone had experiences with this Canadian made spray system.

thx
Lambeater

 

[tiralie]

Lemmar turbines are probably fine, they were rated fairly highly in an early review. A turbine is a turbine is a turbine as they say, my understanding is most of them are using the Ametek Lamb turbine engines and then add features such as noise reduction and controlling pressure etc. I would go with one of the other guns mentioned above though. If you are looking for a complete system I would still get an Apollo or Fuji, parts are readily available and there is a community that can either help you or get you into  [wink] and out of trouble.
If you are dealing with Woodessence for your Target products, they sell and support Apollo and can get Fuji parts. Shipping is surprisingly quick from Saskatchewan to Oakville so it shouldn't be too bad to the hinterlands [big grin] of BC.
I have found the support from Fuji to be excellent. While their head office is in Ontario, not far from me, any parts I asked for on warranty were shipped by post the same day.
Tim

 

[CarolinaNomad]

I'm in the same boat.  I thought I had narrowed the selection to Apollo 1050vr but after reading this thread, I'm looking at the Capspray 115.  Steeles Paint has the 115 priced at $1490 with the new gun.  And they will include more nozzles and Titan will give you last years model gun.  Apollo 1050vr from Wood Essence is $1640 with more nozzles.  So my issue now is Capspray is cheaper, yaaaaa!  But why is it Cheaper than the Apollo considering it has 1 extra turbine.  I think it boils down to the type of gun.  Is the Titan gun as good as the Apollo?  Or am I over analyzing this and just go with the cheaper machine.

 

[polarsea1]

Having owned and used both the Fuji QP4 and various conversion guns I like the conversion guns better. I do have a suitable air compressor and I only spray in my shop so portability and the upfront costs of an air compressor aren't an issue with me.

 

[CarolinaNomad]

I made my decision and got the Apollo 1050vr.  Apollo and Capspray Fugi and others had great reviews from numerous professional painters.  It came down to the variable speed rate.  I will be spraying the entire range of material.  If I sprayed anything from middle viscosity or lower, I could have gotten away with a smaller machine.  But I do spray a lot of latex.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[deepcreek]

I just bought an Apollo 1050VR/7500QT I found on Craigslist.  All I need is a few extra tip/nozzles and I should be good to go for anything I want to spray.

 

[lambeater]

Well after much thinking on the price differences I finally settled on the Lemmer T90 4stage with speed settings and 3m cup. Question for the guys with turbine sprayers, When I connect up the hose on the gun the unit still leaks air around the couplings. Is this normal or should it be totally sealed.
thx
Lambeater.

 

[tiralie]

When I connect up the hose on the gun the unit still leaks air around the couplings. Is this normal or should it be totally sealed.

Mine is mostly completely sealed. When the turbine is on and the the air control turned off, the valve leaks a bit from the pressure in. Check the connection between the air control valve and the quick connect for the gun. Sometimes this gets loose when spraying.
Tim

 

[lambeater]

Thx Tim, had another look and if I push gun into quick connect a little further it seals off. Almost like the nipple end on the gun is too short to totally touch the seal at the bottom of quick connect. Will call Lemmer next week, maybe they allow it to vent from there.

Lambeater

 

[tiralie]

Thx Tim, had another look and if I push gun into quick connect a little further it seals off. Almost like the nipple end on the gun is too short to totally touch the seal at the bottom of quick connect. Will call Lemmer next week, maybe they allow it to vent from there.

I just checked the quick connect on Fuji Q4 and there is a gasket below the bearings on the female quick connect coupling. I am pretty sure the turbine HVLP quick connect fittings are all the same so yours should be similar.
I would also recommend a whip hose. If Lemmer doesn't make one you can get a generic one that will work. It will help you maneuver around your work without having to drag around the heavier turbine air hose and it will put less stress on the hose to gun connection.
Tim

 

[lambeater]

Will get the wip Tim. Also solved the quick connect issue. Found seals were put in backwards on both quick connects. Just reversed them and no more leaks.

Lambeater

 

[tiralie]

Will get the wip Tim. Also solved the quick connect issue. Found seals were put in backwards on both quick connects. Just reversed them and no more leaks.

Good to hear you were able to fix the problem.
Good luck spraying, it's fun.
Tim