harbor freight paint sprayers?

[RichSorr]

anyone have any experiance with the cheap $15 electric paint sprayers from HF? I'm getting ready to repaint my pinball, and am wondering if it would be worth getting one. I already have my primer and base color and one of my secondary colors in regular cans. I'm having trouble finding the 3rd color in a spray can.  rebuying everything in spray cans would probably cost me more then one of these spray guns...

[ScottS]

Have you used a spray gun before? Many people struggle to get good results out of a $300-500 gun, let alone a $15 piece of crap... I suspect you'll waste your paint and ruin your project, but I can't say that I've actually used any of their spray tools so take that with a grain of salt.

I don't see any $15 electric guns, BTW. The $15 spray guns I see all seem to require a compressor. And some of them want a huge one at that! One wants 14 CFM @ 50-70 PSI!

[prOk]

harbor freight = CRAP.

[leapinlew]

I've had good luck with most of my Harbor Freight purchases

Router
Clamps
Casters
Drill bits

As for the spray gun, I had one. I used it in conjunction with a roller. I did this because I couldn't get consistent coverage from the spray gun. I don't have enough experience to know if it was either the gun or me. It was nice because I got good coverage in all the nooks and crannies.



What you have to be a good gauge of, is to try and determine your usage vs the durability of a tool. If you plan on using a tool very infrequently, you'll find a less expensive tool will do the job. There are quite a few tool snobs in the world who feel everybody absolutely has to have the best tools for the most precise level of work.

[fjl]

That would be me

[DrewKaree]

Usually if you're referring to an electric sprayer, you're referring to something like a Wagner Power Sprayer.  You often have to thin the paint so darn much to get it to flow nicely that you end up having to do far more coats to get the same amount of coverage, making it a crapshoot at best, and at worst, an extreme waste of time and effort.  If you found a cheaper version of an already-cheap machine, then I'd say the odds that you'll get good results start at slim and end at none, and I'd skew the results more towards the "couldn't PAY me to take that cheap electric sprayer off your hands unless it was as a toy for my kids".

[knave]

What about the Harbor freight Air sprayers...They look ok to me but has anyone used one?

[leapinlew]

This is the one I had:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47016

[miles2912]

I used the cheap HF sprayer to paint my entire cab.  I cranked up the pressure 10 more PSI than it recommended and it sprayed easier.  At fist glimpse some people thought I had used a laminate on the sides.. and then realized that it was sprayed.  I only did 2 coats and thought I should have put on 3, but a year later it is holding up great.

Don

[ScottS]

This is the one I had:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47016

I'm not surprised you had problems! Look at the air consumption: 14CFM @ 50-70 PSI. It takes a huge compressor to deliver than much air! Something like Porter Cable's 400lb 80-gallon, 6HP oil-lube 220V two-stage compressor. Even there you don't have a whole lot of excess capacity: 16.4 CFM @ 40 PSI, or 15.2 CFM @ 90 PSI.

[prOk]

God, so many cheapasses in this forum it seems..  People talking against harbor freight aren't 'snobs', but most likely more knowledgeable in tools and their general quality.   There's a wide variety in tools between the best of the best and the worst of the worst.. generally anything from harbor freight short of clamps and crap fall into the latter category.   Spend just a little more money for a real tool and get a thousand percent more benefit in the long run from it..  I'm not saying go out and get the best money can buy, but just about anything is better than harbor freight.  IF you use the logic of 'i only need it for this one cabinet' then why not rent it, do a quality job, and still spend the same amount of money?

[Havok]

God, so many cheapasses in this forum it seems..  People talking against harbor freight aren't 'snobs', but most likely more knowledgeable in tools and their general quality.   There's a wide variety in tools between the best of the best and the worst of the worst.. generally anything from harbor freight short of clamps and crap fall into the latter category.   Spend just a little more money for a real tool and get a thousand percent more benefit in the long run from it..  I'm not saying go out and get the best money can buy, but just about anything is better than harbor freight.  IF you use the logic of 'i only need it for this one cabinet' then why not rent it, do a quality job, and still spend the same amount of money?

I think pr0k hit the nail on the head - if you think you're only going to use it once or twice, rent a commercial quality unit, and get great results first try. I do buy stuff at HF - fortunately for me, they have a store 5 minutes from my house. Just depends on what you want to get out of what you're buying...

P.S. I am a cheapass, and proud of it!

 

[ChadTower]

A pin is a small cabinet that you can easily cover with a quality roller.  I wouldn't bother with a paint sprayer unless you already had the tools and skills.  It's not so much the cabinet, per se, but the cost of the single use stencil you're going to trash if the method doesn't give good results.

I say go with a good roller for this one.

[shardian]

Those power sprayers tend to spit alot. If you ensure that the mechanism is very clean and oiled properly, you can get good coverage. The finish won't be glass smooth, but can be pretty even. I have a HVLP sprayer I got from harbor freight I am looking forward to experimenting with. I figure the quality from one of those will be slightly better than a Wagoner power sprayer.

[ChadTower]

Keep in mind if he's using a stencil that really limits his ability to sand between coats. 

[leapinlew]

God, so many cheapasses in this forum it seems..  People talking against harbor freight aren't 'snobs', but most likely more knowledgeable in tools and their general quality.   There's a wide variety in tools between the best of the best and the worst of the worst.. generally anything from harbor freight short of clamps and crap fall into the latter category.   Spend just a little more money for a real tool and get a thousand percent more benefit in the long run from it..  I'm not saying go out and get the best money can buy, but just about anything is better than harbor freight.  IF you use the logic of 'i only need it for this one cabinet' then why not rent it, do a quality job, and still spend the same amount of money?

You didn't talk against harbor frieight, you didn't talk at all. You said their stuff was crap - thats all you said. I was saying not everything at Harbor Freight is crap and furthermore explained why.

You can't deny that some folks on this forum are tool elitist. The truth is, some folks like to bang on their chest and proclaim which tool is the best tool for the job in some sort of gross manly display. It seems that many professionals who use tools feel that everyone should use the same quality of tools they do. The inexpensive ratchet set I purchased for $20 serves my occasional need to remove or tighten a nut. It wouldn't be a good set if I was a professional mechanic, but I'm not. The same goes for my hammer, screw drivers, and wrenches. I've also had good luck with my cheapy belt sander, palm sander, jig saw and router.

In my particular case, I've learned that higher quality sandpaper is worth it. So is a mitre saw. As I've worked more and more with the router and become familiar with all the different things it's capable of, I would be inclined to say a good high quality router would be worth it if I continue to do more projects with it.

I try to determine what quality of tools to buy based on how often I'm going to use them and what the potential money savings would be. Sure, I've been burned, but I think I've saved much more than I've lost. To me, spending more than I have to is just as bad as paying too much for a infrequently used tool with features I won't use. 

[ChadTower]

That is wise, too.  I tend to just keep an eye out for the big big discount on the higher end tool that I know I'll need in the near future.  I have the luxury of time, usually, which this guy may not have at the moment.  If you keep a close enough eye you can get the $200 tool for the same $100 as the middle of the road version.

[RichSorr]

eh, just because its cheap doesn't mean its horrible. thats why i was asking. I'm considering taking the cabinet up to my jobs shop and using the paint booth there, but thats a bit of a hassle. I'll probably just use a roller and/or some spray cans

[ChadTower]

With most of the Harbor Freight power tools, it does mean it is horrible.  Take the next step up if you want a tool that isn't total crap.

[RichSorr]

yeah, I usually just use tools from my work. I just can't afford a decent sprayer, just thought they could possibly be easier then using spray cans. no biggie though. i got it worked out

[padstack]

say what you all want, but I have a cordless drill (18v) and a sawzall that I've used for years w/ no issues.  I cut up and entire '94 ford probe (long story) with it and it still runs like new.  Maybe I got lucky, but I've gotten some decent stuff there.

[ddw]

I would rent one from home depot I own 10,00.00 worth of airlesses and and hvlp the performance from that harbor freight tool is not worth using mite as well roll it out with a fine roller. would also recommend a fine finish tip. for the airless good  luck

[RichSorr]

a friend lent me a nice wagner sprayer, its working out real nice.

[bfauska]

10,00.00

Is that what "eleventy" looks like in digits?  No offense meant, before anybody gets grumpy, I just like the word "eleventy" and that seemed funny to me.

<on topic>

The only concern I have with "cheap is OK for occasional use" is that for some tools the cheapness is not because it will wear out faster, it is because it just doesn't do a good job.  I have several cheap tools, and Harbor Freight has it's place, but something that will affect the finished product as easily as a paint sprayer is something I would be concerned about.  If your first project with the sprayer was covering up some graffiti on a dumpster in an alley near your house I would tell you to jump on the $15 sprayer, but for this situation I have to side with the "rent quality tools for limited use" folks and in that case I think go with high quality HVLP.

All that being said, the workings inside a paint sprayer are fairly simple, the precision is the only place that I could expect a cheap product to be lacking and even precision doesn't necessarily cost that much more to make once the tools and process are set-up.  If you do go with the cheapy, tell us how it worked, there is a chance it won't suck.

[fjl]

Renting is a good idea. But it wouldn't be for me. I'm the type who will get a tool and not use it for a really long time. I'd preffer to buy it for myself so I can use it when I have time to. Besides for me, tools are like jewelry. I like having them and showing them off even if I'm not currently using them.

[bfauska]

Besides for me, tools are like jewelry. I like having them and showing them off even if I'm not currently using them.

Me too

I like dangling them from my ears and wearing them around my neck.

[kenzo42]

The harbor freight hvlp turbine sprayer is not bad. I've seen cars that have been painted w/ it and the results are pretty decent. If you're wet sanding b/t coats, I'd think you'd get a decent paint job. However, I've also seen cars w/ rolled on paint jobs that look amazing too.  There is a learning curve and quite a bit of effort involved. You probably can achieve the same thing w/ a roller.

Check out www.thesamba.com, under forums, and then under paint/body. There's a sticky about the HF turbine. He has pics posted.

Again, these are results on an automobile.

Don't forget the 15% off if you do purchase it.

[NiteWalker]

Harbor freight does have it's gems (14" Bandsaw, drill presses, clamps, etc.) but they are definitely not a go to source for tools for me. I'm not a tool snob either, even though I generally only buy the higher priced tools. I don't base my decisions on price or brand though. The single most important factor in making a purchasing decision for me is user reviews and feedback. Before I buy something I check amazon's reviews, look for feedback on woodnet, go to lowe's and handle the tool if possible, etc.

The truth about a lot of the bigger machines is that they're mostly made in chine, some even in the same factory. Take 6" jointers for example. If you look at the offerings from Delta, Grizzly, Jet, Yorkcraft, Shop Fox, etc, you'll likely find few differences. The small power tools is where things get sketchy.

Generally speaking though, HF is definitely below the pack. I'd consider most of their stuff almost disposable.

[shardian]

The harbor freight hvlp turbine sprayer is not bad. I've seen cars that have been painted w/ it and the results are pretty decent. If you're wet sanding b/t coats, I'd think you'd get a decent paint job. However, I've also seen cars w/ rolled on paint jobs that look amazing too.  There is a learning curve and quite a bit of effort involved. You probably can achieve the same thing w/ a roller.

Check out www.thesamba.com, under forums, and then under paint/body. There's a sticky about the HF turbine. He has pics posted.

Again, these are results on an automobile.

Don't forget the 15% off if you do purchase it.

Cool. Thanks for that thread. I have one of the Harbor freight HVLP sprayers sitting in my garage waiting for a pretty day and spare time to coincide.