Best budget spray gun setup

[Luke'sScreenName]

So I think I've had enough finger tip neuropathy from spray cans to justify a spray rig.
Mostly small jobs for equipment paint and primer. Also might try out with laquer and varnish.
I have a decent size wheelbarrow air compressor that I think will put out 8cfm @ 80psi.
This won't make me any money so I can't justify a ton of money.
What should I get?
HVLP? Brand? Top reservoir or bottom?
I know next to nothing about this stuff

 

[Bird]

I prefer the bottom reservoir, but that's personal preference. My first spray rig was a one quart gun from Sears; one of their cheapest ones. It did a very good job, but a neighbor had one of the most expensive one quart guns and it would just about cut the time in half because it would cover a larger area with each stroke. And currently . . . I have a 10 year old Campbell Hausfeld from Walmart. Max air pressure is 50 psi, but I usually use less than half that. Air consumption average is 2.0 SCFM, 4.0 continuous (no one that I know of sprays continuously). So your little compressor should be just fine.

The more expensive gun you buy, whether Craftsman, Campbell Hausfeld, or some other brand, will put out more paint at a time (larger pattern) and save time on bigger jobs; won't do any better job though.

 

[/pine]

Spray size patterns are determined by the size (orifice) and configuration of the "tips"...

Thicker bodied materials require a larger orifice...(some materials are best not thinned down)

 

[Clint S]

I have got good results from the purple Harbor freight gun. With The 20% off coupons they are almost throw away after each job. I do clean after use and most last a few jobs, when they get bad or sticky Ijust toss them

 

[boggen]

air compressor + air spray painter gun = yes. BUT warmth of air, warmth of paint, and more so thinness of paint. you may need to add some sort of paint thinner or like for correct spraying.

i tried a direct 1/2 gallon to 5 gallon bucket pump sprayer (no air) and that sucker went through paint quick. it put it on thick and fast. BUT it also need to have the paint thinned, warmer air and paint helps to.

the air compressor + air spray painter gun = not as much paint coming out vs the direct pump sprayer. as a result required a 2 to 3 more coats of paint.

the air spray gun... also allows for smaller "paint jobs" at same time useful enough to paint an entire outside of a house. when i say smaller paint jobs more to refering to how much paint gets used up come time to clean everything out and no extra paint in hoses / jars / etc...

 

[dstig1]

Did you try a handle that makes a regular spray can much easier to use? Available anywhere they sell spray paint cans... If all you are doing is small enough stuff to use spray cans, then that would be your best bet. Cleaning out a spray gun is not the end of the world, but is a lot harder than dealing with spray cans...

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I do have one of those and yes it does work but you have clearly missed the point... I want a new toy! :cool2:

 

[dstig1]

I'm not stopping you... I bought a Fuji HVLP turbine gin several years back... Doe good for me. John phelps in the Chicago area was the dealer, IRC

 

[jwmorris]

I would look on eBay. I sold a few Sadajet HVLP and Binks spray guns a while back, I got for free. As little as they brought I should have just waisted shelf space.

 

[Bird]

Spray size patterns are determined by the size (orifice) and configuration of the "tips"...

Thicker bodied materials require a larger orifice...(some materials are best not thinned down)

True, and the cheapest guns come with smaller orifices.

I also painted a mobile home for my parents once with a Wagner power painter. It, too, did a very good job, but was noisy and the vibration was not easy on my hand. Of course that as many years ago (1985) so the newer guns may not be even remotely similar.