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Hi,
I was just wondering if anyone out there can suggest a cheap and reliable compressor like this one. Would this work for spraying shellac or lacquer?
Tracy

such a compressor is quite big enough for hplv(high pressure low volume) spraying operations with this proviso; direct drive oilless compressors are noisier than an oil lubricated compressor, and the smaller the tank the more frequently they have to cycle on, hence the more noise they make.

oilless compressors such as this one have the advantage for spraying operations that their air output is free of oil vapor, though you still have to be aware of the moisture that the air compression cycle causes to condense.

but if you are thinking only of spraying operations you may want to think of going to a hvlp(high volume low pressure)system. these are are available as dedicated turbine units or as conversion guns using hp air compressors. they are easier to use, more ecnomical in the application of finish, and the dedicated turbines are much quieter(like a very quiet vacuum cleaner), and take up less space. i think this unit would be too small to power a conversion gun.

if you are thinking of using vacuum, say for brace clamping or work holders, derived from a compressed air venturi this would not have the instantaneous air volume you want because of its small tank. if you are thinking of using air powered tools such as sanders and die grinders, inline drills, etc. it would also not be adequate.

like with many multi use resources, compressed air will open up new techniques and uses once you have it. if you have the space for a bigger unit i would recommend you get one. if limited by space or you absolutely know you want it only for traditional hplv spraying it would be a suitable alternative. crazymanmichael38491.4365277778

I agree with Michael for the most part. I'm not sure if those small pancakes produce enough air for a spray gun though. I say this because I think their stated output is exaggerated. I say this from personal experience. I have one and have been very disappointed with it.

I is rather noisy and when received, it leaked from every place it COULD leak . I had to take it completely apart and basically rebuild it. Even now, it takes forever to come up to pressure. Thus, my worry that its output is overstated.

BTW, these units come out of China and cost in quantity is US$20-25 per. I know because I have been approached to import them and the one I have was a demo unit.

This is my site:   www.aircompressorexchange.com

Regards, Steve Brown

Oh! I forgot one important thing. There are very small filter units made by a company caller LaMann that should help you with particlates, oil and even some water. They cost about $50 for the size you need.

Steve

I don't know anything about this unit (also from China) but I have seen an HVLP system that was virtually identical to this one in the Luthier section on eBay for $170 IIRC. This one is $69.99 for the whole enchilada.

http://www.harborfreightusa.com Do a search for item# 44677 The direct link seems not to work.Jerry Hossom38491.31

I setup with a 2.5 hp oiled pancake but I piped it to feed a 8 gallon tank and put particulate & mosture trap filters between the two tanks and on the outlet side of the 8 gal tank. It's working pretty well for me. I tried it with only the small tank and it recycled way to fast. by the way I am not driving a hvlp conversion gun. I am driving a small touchup gun running at 40psi on the gun. It sprays shellac,nitro and waterborne good enough for me right now. but I will be upgrading fairly soon. It got me started though.