OT - Old Craftsman Spray Gun - Advice on Parts Please

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: OT - Old Craftsman Spray Gun - Advice on Parts Please
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Kelsey on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 01:37 am:

I picked up an old Craftsman suction spray gun this past weekend at a school fundraiser rummage sale for $5.00. The outside was quite a mess, but the needle moved in and out freely and the inside of the can had a thin layer of paint. Since I didn't own a pneumatic spray gun, I thought that $5.00 was a pretty reasonable price.

I own a Paasche dual-action airbrush, so I had a pretty good idea of how this thing was put together. I took it completely apart and cleaned it up with some lacquer thinner. I then tested it with water and the gun shot quite well. I could completely shut off the liquid supply, but not the air.

I am a bit concerned about two pieces that I cannot get replacement parts for: the gasket that goes behind the nozzle and the plastic vent screw. The gasket is split (see photo); fortunately, water wasn't leaking from the nozzle. The vent has a pinhole in it that does leak water. I am not sure if the hole is supposed to be there or not and am not sure what it's purpose is. When I turn the screw portion, it lifts the underside of the gasket. According to Sears' online site, parts are no longer available for this model of spray gun.

I took a photo of the box and it is old enough that it says "Made in the U.S.A" and doesn't have a skew code on the outside. Ironically, I cannot find a copyright date on it. It did not come with instructions.

My questions are:
1) Would anyone be able to ID the year(s) it was produced?

2) Does anyone know where I might find replacement parts for it (gasket and vent hole)?

3) What is the purpose of the vent hole?

Thanks.
 Nozzle GasketPlastic Vent Screw


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 02:33 am:

At the price of paint today, you would be wasting a lot of money with a conventional gun. HVLP guns are so much more efficient, putting almost all the paint on the target, instead of in the air.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Kable on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 03:02 am:

I am presuming the screw you are refering to is the top one.
That is the fan adjusting screw, turn it in stops air reaching the two horns on the air cap and you get a narrow round stream of paint. Open it lets air into the air cap and air then flattens the paint coming out of the center hole where the needle is. Adjust the screw behind the needle controls the amount of paint.

As it has no air valve that I can see it is a cheaper version meant for a compressor without a safety valve to stop over pressurisation of the tank. The leaking air from the gun does it instead.

The air vent in the top of the pot is there to allow air to enter as the paint is drawn out. if it is blocked atmospheric air can not enter and allow the air sucking paint from the front of the air cap to do so.

as the fan control is normally open to give a wide fan it shouldn't matter that it catches on the gasket if the air coming out of the front of the gun is sealed off from the fluid nozzle it should work OK but i would only be using it for preparation work such as primer. As Ralph suggested get a good HVLP gun for finish work.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Hylen- Central Minnesota on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 08:47 am:

Your spray gun looks exactly like one that I used to have. It was either a Binks or DeVilbus. You can try looking up the manufacturer that license built it for Craftsman. But, as Ricks pointed out, you'll be money ahead after painting just one car, if you buy a modern HVLP gun. They put the paint where you want it, without wasting so much on overspray. I've got a couple of Sharpe HVLP guns. They're not too expensive and they throw the paint out pretty well. Remember what Henry Ford said, "If you need a tool and don't buy it, you'll soon find that you spent the money and still don't have it."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SHARPE-5913-SGF98-HVLP-1-3-GRAVITY-SPRAY-GUN-NYLON-C UP-1-3MM-SGF98HVLP1-3-/291225859926?hash=item43ce69f756&item=291225859926&pt=Mot ors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Kelsey on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 08:52 am:

Guys:

Than you for the info and advice. Is there a brand of hplv gun that you recommend that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:09 am:

The 'cheap' HVLP spray guns you can buy at Harbour Freight Tools and at automotive paint stores do a great job.
You can get them for around 40.00.
The local AUB school (auto body repair) instructors use them and recommend them to their students.
The paint jobs that they do with them look as good or better compared to a high dollar paint gun.

I have two and they work really well.

A good paint job is only as good as the preparation work anyway.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:39 am:

Eric is right on. The first thing that comes to mind with Craftsman (or Kenmore for that matter) is who actually manufactures it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky, Lytle TX on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 10:09 am:

Most of those old guns could be set up as "bleeders" or pressure feed. It sounds like it's set up as a bleeder if the air continues to blow. This was for set ups that didn't have a regulator and to keep the can from exploding. IIRC, Sears brands came set up that way. You should be able to get a copy of the manual that will describe how to change it to pressure feed. It's been so long since I've used a bottom feeder, I forget how the change is done. The hole in the top of the cover is to allow venting. Venting is necessary for bottom feeders to allow the paint to be siphoned up the paint tube. In pressure feed mode, the vent hole should turned off or closed.

I think I have one of those. I'll check the model and get back after lunch. (I waiting for glue to dry.) I don't remember seeing an air cap seal like that though. They are usually just a flat ring. I'll see what I have but you're welcome to any parts that match.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Warren Webb on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 10:17 am:

Sears has the manual online and you can order parts online.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Kelsey on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 11:00 am:

Warren:

Most of the parts are unavailable via Sears site, which is why I was asking if anyone knew of another source for parts.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Craftsman-Parts/Craftsman -Parts/Model-919156350/0247/0733300/00013184/00001?blt=06&prst=0&shdMod=91915635 0


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Bender Tulsa Oklahoma on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 11:01 am:

It is a DeVilbiss spray gun label for Sears. Parts are not around but I may have some left in our dead inventory. Think they were made in the 80's and early 90's.
PM me with what you need and will check if we still have some
Or call Spray Equipment of Oklahoma. You can get contact info at seook.com


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Sullivan, Powell WY on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 11:03 am:

>>>The 'cheap' HVLP spray guns you can buy at Harbour Freight Tools and at automotive paint stores do a great job.
You can get them for around 40.00.

Agreed, plus you can get the disposable cups for them. I use the disposable cups for paint and use the metal one only for solvent clean up. For my limited use, they work more than great. That said, the one I bought - I did not purchase the finest (smallest) nozzle, which I regret. The second smallest, I forget the size, is what I have. It puts it on pretty heavy unless dialed WAY back. I also own one like you pictured. Greatly prefer the Harbor Freight HVLP after trying both with the same primer.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Kelsey on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 05:26 pm:

Guys:

Thank you so much for the information! I had heard from a guy that is doing the bodywork for me that the Harbor Freight spray guns work great for the first use and after that, the quality goes down. Apparently, those here on the forum that have bought them have a different opinion?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Kable on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 08:33 pm:

Jim, if a gun worked great first time and then the quality went down I think you would have to say it wasn't cleaned properly after the first use. Even the cheapest guns work for extended periods if you clean them properly, it can be hard to remove some paints after they have dried or cured in the small holes inside the gun, You have to strip the gun right down each time.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed in California on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 08:46 pm:

I have a 600.00 dollar SATA for my main body gun, and I use el cheap harbor freight guns to paint my smaller parts ect.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Thomas on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 10:20 pm:

I've tried both, Harbor Freight and a good SATA. All you have to do is look at both to see the difference. They look the same, but take them apart, and you will see the machining and finish is not even close.

I think what most guys are seeing is not the gun, but the paint. The new paints are so easy to use, you could almost put it on with a brush and roller and it would look "pretty good."

The other thing, is paint jobs are a very subjective item. I have seen jobs that others just thought were wonderful, and all I could see were the dry spots, orange peel, etc. A really good paint job, looks like a mirror, a perfect reflection of what ever is in front of it. That takes 3 things. 1 Good preparation. 2 an expensive gun, 3 a person who knows how to use it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Hylen- Central Minnesota on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 10:02 pm:

Ken brings up a good point about "bottom feeder" or siphon feed spray guns. One reason that gravity feed spray guns have become so popular, is that they waste less paint. Automotive paint is expensive and you can't get the last ounce or so out of the siphon feed cup. That costs money, enough to pay for a spray gun over time.


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