Asking for HVLP Opinions

[jwaite550]

I am looking into purchasing a HVLP for light hobby use.  I have a small set of cabinets to build for my daughter's Christmas gift and will paint them white.  I really don't want to brush or roll them and would like to put a protective clear coat on.  That will be the biggest job I see in a year. 
I am looking at the Earlex 5500 and the Fuji Semi-Pro 2.  I know nothing about either and asking for guidance.  Thanks!

 

[jsabados]

I had the same questions about getting into HVLP spraying.  I found that the woodwhisperer had a very good video on the basics with an Earlex 5000.

Here is the link  : 

Good luck, and thanks for reminding me it's time to start working on the Christmas presents!

Jim

 

[roblg3]

When I looked a year or 2 ago, the Fuji mini mite 3 was what I went with. I've found it to be easy to advance VERY quickly with. It suits me fine. I've gotten wonderful reviews of my pieces that I've sold and I'm not highly skilled with it at all. It does take some practice as every finish flows and sorays differently. To spray latex, I'd get a pressure pot because a large tip and thinning seems necessary...

 

[jwaite550]

Thank you very much for your help.  I will watch the video tonight. 

 

[roblg3]

Btw. Bob flexner writes awesomest me books on finishing.

 

[mkasdin]

Ditto Fuji guns. I was looking at their new 5 stage turbine. I would go with at least a three stage turbine for doing latex. Four stages is yet better, since there's less dilution. I am by no means an expert, but I would give Fuji a call and talk to their tech support. Ask him for the number of the dealer in Texas. He was Very knowledgeable, I can't remember the company, but it was his name. Fuji will know who the guys is. Good luck.

 

[tjbnwi]

Ditto Fuji guns. I was looking at their new 5 stage turbine. I would go with at least a three stage turbine for doing latex. Four stages is yet better, since there's less dilution. I am by no means an expert, but I would give Fuji a call and talk to their tech support. Ask him for the number of the dealer in Texas. He was Very knowledgeable, I can't remember the company, but it was his name. Fuji will know who the guys is. Good luck.

Phelps Finishing.
http://www.phelpsrefinishing.com/fuji.html

Tom

 

[jwaite550]

Again, I thank you all for your great help!!!  I will be looking this site over.
Jeff

 

[roblg3]

BTW, tbjnwi is EXTREMELY knowledgeable and helpful with all manner of finishing. Tom basically gave me all the right information that made it easy for me to learn how to be mediocre right out of the box!  Haha

 

[tjbnwi]

BTW, tbjnwi is EXTREMELY knowledgeable and helpful with all manner of finishing. Tom basically gave me all the right information that made it easy for me to learn how to be mediocre right out of the box!  Haha

Thanks Rob.

I do my best to avoid commenting on threads where someone is looking to make a purchase until others have contributed. I don't want to be seen as if I'm pushing a brand.

Jeff,

MM3 is the minimum I would recommend for anyone (for myself a 4 stage is a must). I like gravity guns, but the bottom feed with a smaller turbine may be the better choice. The reason being is you can add a separate pressure pot for heavier material. The smaller 2 quart pot I prefer comes from Homestead Finishing, the reason I prefer it is the clamping system. I don't like screw caps on paint pots. I would not invest in the Fuji pot.

Roger at Phelps Finishing and Jeff at Homestead Finishing are both great guys and very knowledgable.

Tom

 

[jyarbrou]

Would adding a pressure pot to a turbine aid in finish quality and atomization, or just fluid delivery and capacity?

 

[tjbnwi]

Would adding a pressure pot to a turbine aid in finish quality and atomization, or just fluid delivery and capacity?

The pot improves quality especially with heavier viscosity products.

Tom

 

[wptski]

Thanks Rob.

I do my best to avoid commenting on threads where someone is looking to make a purchase until others have contributed. I don't want to be seen as if I'm pushing a brand.

Jeff,

MM3 is the minimum I would recommend for anyone (for myself a 4 stage is a must). I like gravity guns, but the bottom feed with a smaller turbine may be the better choice. The reason being is you can add a separate pressure pot for heavier material. The smaller 2 quart pot I prefer comes from Homestead Finishing, the reason I prefer it is the clamping system. I don't like screw caps on paint pots. I would not invest in the Fuji pot.

Roger at Phelps Finishing and Jeff at Homestead Finishing are both great guys and very knowledgable.

Tom

That 2 qt. I assume is the C.A.T. Bandit model?

 

[tjbnwi]

Thanks Rob.

I do my best to avoid commenting on threads where someone is looking to make a purchase until others have contributed. I don't want to be seen as if I'm pushing a brand.

Jeff,

MM3 is the minimum I would recommend for anyone (for myself a 4 stage is a must). I like gravity guns, but the bottom feed with a smaller turbine may be the better choice. The reason being is you can add a separate pressure pot for heavier material. The smaller 2 quart pot I prefer comes from Homestead Finishing, the reason I prefer it is the clamping system. I don't like screw caps on paint pots. I would not invest in the Fuji pot.

Roger at Phelps Finishing and Jeff at Homestead Finishing are both great guys and very knowledgable.

Tom

That 2 qt. I assume is the C.A.T. Bandit model?

QS64ES or ESS.
http://homesteadfinishingproducts.c...hvlp-spray-equipment/qualspray-pressure-pots/

I Googled the Bandit, it has a clamping ring, I prefer the hand nuts. Still better than a threaded cap/top (in my opinion).
http://www.woodessence.com/CAT-Bandit-2-Quart-Pot-P177.aspx

Tom

 

[jyarbrou]

Are the fallbacks with the threaded cups that they don't seal well and therefore perform worse, or that they are just annoying to use? I had a threaded cup on a rockler hvlp i had and it seemed to work, but it always made a mess and was harder to clean.

The price difference between the threaded pot and the clamp is pretty significant.

 

[wptski]

Are the fallbacks with the threaded cups that they don't seal well and therefore perform worse, or that they are just annoying to use? I had a threaded cup on a rockler hvlp i had and it seemed to work, but it always made a mess and was harder to clean.

The price difference between the threaded pot and the clamp is pretty significant.

They should seal well but a tiny leak will never be noticed as your compressor will just cycle a bit more.

The large zip lock bags, 2 gallon will work on a 2 quart PP as a liner but depending on the thread might cut the bag.  That can handled by shoving in excess bag into the pot and pulling it out on refills.

I have the Fuji 2 quart turbine powered pot that Tom doesn't like but it can be converted to a standard PP with a simple garden hose cap and a 3M mini regulator.  It's threads are like an Acme thread, sharp and will cut the zip lock bag. 

 

[tjbnwi]

Are the fallbacks with the threaded cups that they don't seal well and therefore perform worse, or that they are just annoying to use? I had a threaded cup on a rockler hvlp i had and it seemed to work, but it always made a mess and was harder to clean.

The price difference between the threaded pot and the clamp is pretty significant.

What you experienced and dry finish can make it really hard for this old man to loosen the the cap.

To me cost is always far different than price.

Tom

 

[bdiemer]

I have the Earlex 5500 and I love it. Everything the reviewers say is true except the" easy to clean " part. When you think it's clean, that's when you have to start cleaning.

 

[jwaite550]

Thank you to everyone for their input.  I did go with the Earlex 5500 as the reviews were good and the price was more in my range.
Thanks again!
Jeff