Peter Cunicelli on sat 31 dec 05
Hey all,
I've been using the Paintec sprayer for a little while and it worked well
until the retention valve stopped working properly and I can't get any
pressure. Paintec said that since there's no distributor in my area,
shipping costs for the part would be too much. So, I'm thinking of
getting an air compressor.
Can anyone tell me what I need to look for when choosing one? How much
horsepower? What size air tank?
I haven't gotten into a regular spraying schedule yet.
Thanks for any help!
Peter
(www.petercunicelli.com)
Vince Pitelka on fri 6 jan 06
> I've been using the Paintec sprayer for a little while and it worked well
> until the retention valve stopped working properly and I can't get any
> pressure. Paintec said that since there's no distributor in my area,
> shipping costs for the part would be too much. So, I'm thinking of
> getting an air compressor.
> Can anyone tell me what I need to look for when choosing one? How much
> horsepower? What size air tank?
Hey Peter, didn't we have this conversation recently? At any rate, avoid
the direct-drive "oil-less" or "maintenance-free" compressor units, because
they don't allow you to do anything to prolong the life of the unit. The
compressor spins at the speed of the motor, which allows the manufacturer to
use a smaller compressor pump for the output, and the unit builds up a lot
of heat, and the compressor barrel must be solid aluminum to dissipate the
heat. In my opinion, the only compressors worth buying have a separate
motor and compressor unit with a V-belt drive between them, and haver a cast
iron compressor cylinder, or an aluminum cylinder with a cast iron sleeve.
For a reasonably-priced compressor, I like the Campbell-Hausfeld "Cast Iron
Line." Enter "Campbell Hausfeld G6260" in the search box at www.amazon.com
and you will find a nice 5 HP unit for $420 that produces 6.6 CFM and has a
20-gallon air tank. It is compact and would fit beneath your workbench, and
should be a good unit for studio spraying and for running air tools.
Or, go to http://www.grizzly.com/outlet/H4519 for a nice-looking unit with
cast iron cylinder liners for only $302. This unit has a 3 HP 220V
industrial motor, and produces 10.9 CFM at 40 PSI. For those of you who
don't know about Grizzly Industrial, they sell large power tools made in
China, Korea, etc., and maintain very high quality standards. The equipment
they sell is very popular among woodworkers.
Either of these compressors will last you the rest of your life, and will
have plenty of oomph for any standard spray gun or a conversion HVLP gun
like the one being sold by Geil. I recommend the latter. It will pay for
itself in no time through the higher transfer rate and reduced overspray.
Good luck -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee Technological University
Smithville TN 37166, 615/597-6801 x111
vpitelka@dtccom.net, wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/
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