Duratex Hopper Gun Settings and Cab spraying suggestions?

[LelandCrooks]

Yes you can. No don't buy one of these, it's a very specific purpose tool.

You can rent them though.

[Tim A]

But if I want to keep the cost down can't I use my tank and just not do a lot of spraying at a time? Do you mean the compressor will kick on every few min or so? Thats fine. I say that now until I have to go buy another.

It depends on how big your tank is. My 20 gallon is fine, the unit kicks on while spraying but can catch back up.

The key element is this: That gun is constant bleed, meaning there's air coming out of it all the time, even when not spraying. Pulling the trigger simply adds material to the stream.

So if you have a small compressor, you can install a ball valve on the gun after the quick connect. When you're not spraying material, turn it off. That will preserve the air in the tank.

[Scott Brochu]

all ready have a ball valve in line for an extra percaution (unnecary bleeding in hose). so I guess I'm all set. I saw in the LOwes flyer today that hopper guns are on sale for 69.00 bucks I like your recomendation better, 15.

[Tim A]

Yeah, for $15 you could buy a new one for every set of cabs and it wouldn't matter. Kind of like a disposable roller cover. Never clean a gun again!

I think they used to be $29, or $25. They went on sale pretty regularly for $19, and once in a while for $15. Now it looks like the regular price is $19.

[DaveK]

They will give you about a minute or two until your excess in the tank is gone. Then you should wait for the compressor to catch up.

I managed to get by with a Porter-Cable pancake compressor. The CFM spec is a little lower than the hopper gun calls for, but it seems to work for Duratex. The motor kicks on a few seconds after I crack the trigger and never stops so I'm basically spraying using the output from the compressor, not the reserve in the tank. It's not optimal, but it works and saves me having to buy a bigger compressor.

[Mikey]

One of my friends is moving to Arkansas, and leaving me his shop compressor. I have to pick it up today. It's a real beast ... 60 gallon tank with a 7hp motor on top. It's WAY more than I need, but the price (free) is right. Unfortunately, he's taking his pressure pot and Binks guns with him, but he's leaving me a long hose and a few attachments (?).

The Harbor Freight texture hopper looks like it will do the trick for a spatter finish. I also want to be able to spray Kilz oil primer, laquer, and enamel, and Binks guns are pricey, so I was wondering about a couple of different items I found on Harbor Freight's site...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=93305

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=30224

Anyone have any experience with these? The prices seem very low, so I'm just wondering if anyone can confirm that they do the job well and hold-up over time. Any better alternatives?

I was also looking at their Air Nailers. They have many of them for <$40. Is there a particular one that's recommended?

[LelandCrooks]

I was also looking at their Air Nailers. They have many of them for <$40. Is there a particular one that's recommended?

No comment on the sprayers, not my area of expertise. On the nailers, just understand that they're disposable. They do work fine, when they break, no parts. Be sure to get one that shoots up to 1-1/2"
I have a Senco. Lots more money, lots more reliable.

[DJPhatman]

mikey, for the most part, the HF spray guns are crap. Seals blow out, needles bend easily. Best to just avoid them. Watch craigslist for a decent used gun.

[Tim A]

Same with the nail guns. My next door neighbor bought one, it lasted about 2 weeks. My $79 Craftsman is pushing 10 years now.

Harbor Freight is an excellent source for a lot of stuff, but the fewer moving parts the better. The cheap hopper gun is worth the price if you take care of it. Their clamps are ok. Their blades suck raw eggs. I don't think I'd trust one of their regular spray guns. Sears used to sell a bunch of spray guns with a very wide price spread. You can probably spend a few bucks more and get something decent.

[Mikey]

Picked-up the air compressor yesterday afternoon. It's a Kobalt K7060HFV. The damn thing is a helluva lot bigger than me. We loaded it on my truck with a tractor, and it's still on the truck. I'm NOT looking forward to taking it off of there today. I'm going to call a couple of BIG friends to help me get it off this afternoon.

Oddly enough, the only included tool was a texture hopper that he used for doing popcorn ceilings and spattered wall texturing. He won't need it for his new house, so he gave it to me. At least that's one less thing I'll have to buy.

Bummer about the cheap quality of the Harbor Freight tools. The price is right, but I had a feeling that they probably fell into the "no free lunch" category. I'll keep looking for the tools I need for it, and ask here before buying anything. I really appreciate the heads-up on the HF stuff and the alternative recommendations.

[Mark Coward]

Mikey, I bought a set from Lowes, DeWalt 16ga & 18ga guns with compressor for a good price - the guns alone bought individually would cost more than the set. No problems at all.

[gdougherty]

It's hard to go wrong with the big boys. I own a pair of 16 and 18ga Dewalt nailers, Porter Cable, Hitachi, Bostich, Senco and even Rigid all make great nailers. They're all going to be well built and durable, some are even near maintenance free oil-less units. Pick them up, try them out, get whatever feels well balanced and natural to you. These days it seems like all of the major brands have 95% of the same feature set.

[Harley]

....the motor kicks on a few seconds after I crack the trigger and never stops so I'm basically spraying using the output from the compressor, not the reserve in the tank. ....

Get hold of a 2nd hand LPG ( propane ) cylinder - at least 9kg size ( barbeque cylinder size ) or bigger and hook that sucker in line with your system for storage

LPG cylinders are rated for 20 bar operating pressure ( tested to twice that ) so they're more than safe for 110 psi

[Mikey]

Hehehe, some good news! I've been looking to rent a house with a garage and I locked one down yesterday. 3BR, 2bath, THREE CAR GARAGE AND a carport for 2 vehicles ... $600 a month! I signed the lease, handed-over the cashiers cheque, and promptly unloaded my compressor in the garage. Gonna have to install a 220 circuit at the power pedestal for it, but no big deal. ALSO, the house sat empty for the two past years, since the Dad died and Mom went to a nursing home, but his shop is still in the garage (3rd car bay), untouched, and "the kids" told me it's all mine, they have no use for it. Since the house needs some work and cleaning, they didn't even want a cleaning deposit. All I can say is, The Man Upstairs was really looking-out for me. It's gonna be Build-O-Rama time, real soon!