I thought I already posted this question, sorry if I'm redundant. Is there a best buy HVLP gun for shellac and lacquer spraying? I see good offerings on toolking ($54 w/regulator) and very high priced units on sraygundepot, (hundreds)etc. Money is tight, I need what gets the job done, pretty doesn't matter. Not sure if "get what you pay for" applies, if so, what is the price point of diminishing returns for my needs? Thanks
I don't know about lacquer, but ...
While you generally get what you pay for, I've been spraying shellac with an el cheapo Campbell-Hausfeld HVLP turbine unit from Home Depot ... IIRC, it was +/- $149 a year or so ago.
I am perfectly happy with the job it with does with Shellac, using the included valve/parts, once you get the air and material flow adjusted properly.
I am certain that these adjustments are more refined/repeatable on the more expensive units, but I simply test spray scrap boards at the start of each spraying session to the get these adjustments right for the temperature, humidity, cut, and type of solvent I happen to be using that day.
Harbor Freight has one that looks very similar for
I bought the small HVLP gun (5.5oz cup) from Harbor Frieght to spray Auto clear coat. That stuff is a bit on the thick side. Anyhow it worked so much better than my $800 HVLP outfit I sold it on eBay. I set the pressure to about 40 psi and it will lay down a nice smooth even coat. Clean up is fast and easy. Dont let the cheap price fool you. It is a good buy.
William Lee
Neither shellac or lacquer is of a particularly thick viscosity so most likely any conversion gun will spray both lacquer and shellac just fine. Those under $100.00 HVLP turbine systems Harbor Freight and Rockler have for sale will also do a good job.
What you don't get at the lower prices is longevity and the ability to spray thicker liquids such as latex.. While they last, and that could well be quite some time if you aren't spraying every day and take care of the unit, they do, as you say, get the job down.
Of course that doesn't mean that it will do the work for you. There is still, whether it is an $800.00 system or a $50.00 system, a learning curve. .
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