Official Luthiers Forum!

I have made 5 guitars and working on a few more. I have used Tru-Oil, brushed varnish, and rattle cans. Since I am only making about 1 per year it hard to justify an elaborate and expensive spray setup...

Is the Earlex HV3500 HVLP Sprayer with 2.0mm Needle/Tip any good? I was thinking about using KTM-SV... Would this be suitable? Do I need the 1.5 mm needle/tip?

Any advise or comments would be appreciated.
Steve

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

BUMP ...doesn't anyone have an opinion?

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Hi Steve
I use the Earlex HV5000 and I really get on well with it. I don't know what the difference is between my model and yours.
I use the tip which came with the gun. I'm not sure but I think it's 1.8mm.
I use EM6000 and it works really well with the Earlex and I get a real good finish. I cannot give any opinion on using KTM-SV but see no reason why it shouldn't work.
Like you, I have tried all sorts of finishes but I am very, very happy with the Earlex and it easily provides me with the best finish I have achieved. I would definitely recommend it for small time builders like ourselves.
Good luck
Mat
(The pic is the last guitar I built using the Earlex to spray the finish)

I use a low cost HVLP gun with a compressor with EM6000. I've gotten good results with this setup as well. My one limitation appears to be bursts....I'll need to experiment more to be able to work out the bugs. In terms of just laying down a clear coat though, this kind of setup is working well.

Trev

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com