Air Compressors Cfm And Fad

[greenmac80]

Ok so here is my question.

 

i'm planning on buying a devilbiss gti pro spray gun.

 

its an HVLP gravity fed gun, according to the website the gun uses 12cfm @30PSI

now convert that to L/Min and thats a whopping 336L/Min.

now a compressor that states a FAD of that or somewhere near costs 1k ish. and its not easy to find one without goin 3 phase power.

 

so here's the weird thing from what i've read there are conflicting definitions to accompany FAD.

some say MOST compressors show their FAD @ 90PSI

and then some other material saying that FAD is rated at 1 bar.

 

and now here is my other thought. i have succsessfully sprayed cars with a difffernt HVLP gun using a compressor as little as 6.5CFM (182L/min)

and it was fine.

 

i've spoken to my local total tools shop and they are saying that the 186l/min compressor will be enough.. but according to the devilbiss site and basing the FAD at 1 bar it just won't cut it.

 

does anyone on this website do home jobs with HVLP's and smaller compressors? or is the FAD actually based at 90PSI?

if the standard it FAD @ 90 PSI then yes that 186l compressor will be enough.. otherwise hell no.

 

would anyone here knoe of another shop in adelaide that specialises in compressors and may know exactly what they are talking about.. (unlike total tools)

cheers, Luc

[altezzaclub]

Hook a second tank up and have a cuppa tea while it fills them both!

 

I can't remember the specs on the family compressor, but my youngest brother did exactly that when he wanted to spray his car, and it works perfectly. When I was using it we could do one side of a car before it ran out. Those were the days of spraying laquers, before 2pot came in.

[greenmac80]

thats the thing even with 2 pack you can't just stop half way around a car. leaves nasty dry spray..

 

i'm asking the question because i want to buy a new compressor. but i don't want to spend unnecessary money and get one thats waay more than needed.

[Redwarf]

I have a tame panel beater that does all my gear, however my I humbly suggest that you buy the best compressor you can afford (even if you can't afford it....) then you'll have all the grunt you need, and is less likely to break down. In thirty years time when you spray a car with the same compressor you'll think "gee I'm glad I bought that one."

[greenmac80]

well i went to my local shop again and a dude there was cluey enough about compressors.

so they sold me the 6.5cfm compressor.. it delivers this at 90psi. which mean that at a measly 30 psi which is recommended by the devilviss site the compressor should have

enough grunt... either way $600 later i should have one big enough.. if not.. which i'm doubting then i can always hook up my spare tank.