Official Luthiers Forum!

It's time to get off the rattle cans but I can't decide which way to go - HVLP conversion gun or HVLP turbine setup.

A conversion gun would be less money but I'd like to hear some opinions.

I live in Ohio so I'm concerned about dealing with moisture in the air lines. Is condensation not a problem with turbines because they operate at lower pressure? Besides the higher price of a turbine, they seem pretty noisy from the online videos I've seen.

Any experiences & opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Do you already have an air compressor? If you don't I'd get a decent gun, and filter. I've never used a turbine so I can't comment about them.....but I've always got by without one.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Thanks for the replies.

I already have a compressor so all I'd need would be a gun & filter(s). An air dryer would cost about as much as a turbine setup so I guess disposable filters are the way to go?

For those of you using conversion guns in areas with high RH, are there any rituals you go through to ensure you don't have a spraying mishap? I'd hate to have some of that water/rust/oil slurry from my compressor's tank mix with lacquer as it's being sprayed.

The cost savings of a conversion gun is very lucrative (more money for wood! ) but I don't want to wind up with a finicky or mediocre tool.

Kevin looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

I've got 3 filters, a water filter at my compressor, another water filter in my booth, and one of the round disposable filters at my gun. This link is a water filter comparable to mine. http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00916009000P?keyword=water+filter&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=L1

I've never had any problems, but I drain my tank often.

Again, I've never used a turbine system. They may be the cat's meow.

_________________
I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

I have no problem recommending a conversion gun. You can often find high quality ones second hand. Water traps and filters are certainly a good idea as well as drops instead of running a hose straight from a compressor. T a short hose from the compressor into a vertical pipe somewhere around 1/3 from the bottom. That same pipe should have a drain cock at the bottom. It's not a bad idea to do the same again where the hose exits at the spray booth/area. You probably already know but compressed air is hot from the compression but when released into the hose/pipe quickly cools at the same time releasing moisture. Drain the pipe every day.

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No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does.
Christopher Morley

I use a jury rigged version of the right way to set up a spray system....I run 30' of 3/8" hose straight up from my compressor, then along the ceiling line on the wall, then straight down to my oil and water traps...from there I feed to my gun...the 30' of hose allows the air to cool down and moisture to condense and hopefully work most of its way back to the compressor....the real way to do it is with steel pipe...disposable filters are a nice way to go and add that last little layer of protection...

drain your tank before EVERY spray session

Thanks for the replies.

Now I have a better idea of what it takes to use a compressed air setup & why turbines are appealing.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

You need a lot of compressor, to run a conversion gun, too.

I've always had a turbine. The first time I used an HVLP, I was shocked at how much less material I used (wasted).

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https://soundcloud.com/jeffreylsuits/he ... -runnin-13

I have a Wagner HVLP conversion gun that I run off of a 2hp. 4 gal tank compressor [ 5.4@40psi, 4.3@90psi ]. I use this set-up to spray stain and finish on kitchen cabinets, so it should be fine for a guitar. Having said that, I am likely going to get a Fuji turbine HVLP as well. The Wagners are much cheaper in the USA than in Canada.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

I went ahead & ordered the Mini-Mite 3.

Ordered it from this guy
http://www.phelpsrefinishing.com/MM3.html

A real person answered the phone, answered my questions, shipped the same day, and emailed me a receipt & tracking number in less than an hour of placing the order. I was impressed after trying to deal with another vendor that has a much bigger web presence.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

My experience with conversion guns hasn't been all that great unless I either thin at least 50/50 which I hate to do or spray 100% but with guns running 60 lbs in, shape the spray round which gives a very small pattern and sprays as hard as a regular gun so I'm wasting finish to the air. I haven't tried an expensive gun and I figure if I'm going to spend a lot of money, I'll just get a turbine and be done with it.

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Hutch

Get the heck off the couch and go build a guitar!!!!

I have both (Turbinaire and Husky). I find the weight of the turbine HVLP gun (with its fat hose) to be onerous at times, even though I have the so-called lightweight end hose - it definately affects the outcome at times. I run my conversion HVLP gun with lightweight polypropelene hose - this is much easier to manage.

Cheers,
Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"