gun/comp combo (need help asap)

[bigblockin]

I've almost finished all of the filler work on my trucks bed and have decided to prime it myself. So Im looking for a decent sraygun/compressor combo. Im currently looking at a 33 gal. compressor rated at 8.6 cfm at 40 psi and a devilbiss finishline 3 gun with a 1.8mm tip (the one sold on this site). Can you guys give me some input on this combo. My trucks down to bare metal right now so I need to have this taken care of asap. thanks

btw, if it makes a difference i plan on priming my truck in sections over a period of time

[Mooch]

When your buying any gun your compressor must be big enough to supply the gun with the air it needs. The compressor you are talking about puts out 8.6 cfm and the Finishline 3 uses 13 cfm. No match . Even at the lower inlet pressure for the Finshline 3 it wouldn't provide enough air.
For that compressor I would recommend the Astro EVO series. They use less air and spray well. The 1.4 tip evo sprays primer really nice and friends have done a nice job with it on BC/CC and SSU.

Mooch

[bigblockin]

Thanks for the quick reply mooch. I searched for the astro evo you were talking about and found these specs: http://www.astrotools.com/viewprod.asp?id=389. Do you think the average air consumption is close enough to not create any problems during usage?

Also, does the cfm value of a compressor increase as the operating pressure decreases? Im wondering about this since the operating pressure of the astro evo is at 25 psi and the lowest cfm rating i could find for the compressor was at 40 psi. thanks

[Mooch]

The evos use less than 8 cfm at 25 psi inlet pressure. I would estimate that compressor you have would put out around 10 cfm at 25 psi. I like the evos because of the low pressure required which results in very little overspray.
Even though I have several more expensive primer guns ,all I use now is the evos. Btw Len sells them at a fair price also.

The 1.4 tip one will shoot all your primers really well . The 1.8 tip one will handle poly primer really well. I have recommened these guns to several friends and all have liked them. Well made and a bargain at the price.

Several guys on this board own the Astro evos maybe they will chime in .
One thing I never do is recommend any gun I havn't used.
Btw what compressor are you talking about ? Mooch

[bigblockin]

Well Im looking at a basic craftsman 2hp 33 gallon compressor right now. Its a 110 volt and oil less.

[Len]

That sounds like it will work but just barely. You also want to compute what has been found to be "manufacturer's exaggeration" and that the advertised CFM is not always what the compressor can really produce. You would be much better off using a 220 volt 60 gallon model if possible or at least look around for something that will produce and hold a little more air volume.

[Mooch]

I couldn't ever recommend one of those compressors. I know they sell for about $300 and for a couple of hundred dollars more you can get a 60 gal single stage that will be much better.

Mooch

[Phil V]

My advice is stay away from any diaphram oil less air compressors, you will thank yourself later.

[Phil V]

If you're just spot priming ( one or two panels at a time) then a smaller 20 to 30 gallon air compressor will work fine. It wouldn't work for priming a whole car at one time with epoxy or painting a whole car at one time. A minimum air compressor for any serious bodywork or any full paints is a 220V, 60 gallon tank 12 - 13 cfm @ 90 psi. Anything less than that is guaranteed to be an exercise in frustration and wasted paint and materials.

[bigblockin]

Yea, the specs are super close I really want to stay with a smaller size 110 volt compressor but Im gonna continue searching and see what I can find. This setup will be strictly for priming only. I have no intention of painting my truck (at this point at least lol). I'll probably be spraying the fenders, hood, doors, and bed all seperatly as I finish the bodywork on each of them.

[stealth1]

I agree with the other guys at the very least get a 220 volt 60 gallon compressor with 10-12cfm@90psi from your local farm supply store or Home depot for around $400 and if you shop around maybe $350.

The oiless you are looking at is designed for the home consumer using a nailer or maybe staining a deck, not for automotive painting or running a D.A. sander for doing bodywork. I have had both and while the oiless have their place and can be used for some light paint work, you will thank yourself and us later for steering you away from the oiless compressor and getting a good double piston single stage oil lubed compressor with a belt drive and not direct drive which are noisy and wear out quickly.......best of luck

[bigblockin]

$400!?!?!? I've search only tool stores and ebay and the average price I've found for a 60 gallon 220 volts been about $600 and up! Are there any sites you guys would recommend?

[CoolasIce]

Big,
You don't want to ship that badboy. Look locally at Harbor Freight, Lowes, or Home Depot

[stealth1]

I agree with coolasice just go to Home depot that sells the Husky brand for around $400 for a 60 gallon 220 volt compressor or a Tractor supply or Theisens etc. dependant on where u are and if you have a Harbor Freight then go there they often sell U.S. General compressors in the $400-500 range and they go on sale for as little as $350 for a 60 gallon 220 volt compressor. If you can find a supplier of Sanborn compressors they have a model for around $400 that puts out 12cfm@90si and 13.5@40psi and the Sanborn compressors seem to be the best "cheap" compressors on the market for the money.

With Ebay the price of shipping often trumps the price of the product so go local and just take the truck and load it up and bring home and your done and for a home shop any of these $400-500 should hold up fine for the occasional weekend warrior............best luck.

[TimG]

I'd go for the best compresser you can afford,you'd be amazed at all the uses you can find for it.
I use mine to blow the crap out of gutters,I've sprayed latex paint on the house w/a cheapo gun,even tried to clean out clogged pipes{bad move}
I've got a Campbell Hausefiield 2 stage,80 gallon that I bought 12 years ago at Home Depot for $900,at the time,seemed like a lot of money.
But now,cost something like less than $1.50 a week to own it,wouldn't be without one......