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I tried searching for this discussion but found nothing.
What are the pros &cons for gravity feed vs. regular in spray guns whether it's hvlp or conventional?

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Mike McNerney

I found the adjustments on gravity feed guns to be less finicky than siphon feed guns.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

I found less wrist and hand fatigue with gravity feed guns.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Some gravity cups swivel and you can spray at virtually any angle, up/down. Siphons don't.
Gravity cups generally smaller, can use smaller quantities of the medium and drain to the last drop (I throw the remainder in case of contamination)
Only have to take off the lid to fill, not the whole pot.
Easier cleaning.
Only real advantage I see to regular pots are volume.
I have both, and only use the regular siphon pot for spraying my sheds with preservative.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

OK I'm going to start practicing today with the gravity which is an hvlp & has less air requirements than my siphon.

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Mike McNerney

Siphon cup guns belong in the Smithsonian..... Gravity feed HVLP guns are so much more efficient. They put more material on the surface and less in the air and your booth filters saving you money on materials and saving the air the rst of us breathe.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

"Some gravity cups swivel and you can spray at virtually any angle, up/down. Siphons don't.
Gravity cups generally smaller, can use smaller quantities of the medium and drain to the last drop (I throw the remainder in case of contamination)"

Using a siphon feed may allow you to spray at some angles without swiveling the cup. Using a jamb gun allows you to use smaller quantities and- almost- drain to the last drop. High pressure guns sometimes atomize the finish better but waste more material.
A good quality gun of either type should work fine, but gravity feed does seem to be gaining in popularity.

We have several Fuji HVLP turbine guns in the shop, including gravity and pressurized cup versions of the T-75. Both guns have identical controls (fan width, material knob, air, and air cap), are pressurized versus pure gravity or siphon, and perform the same. Cleanup on the T-75G is faster and easier, especially with the optional nylon cup. Fuji turbine systems are popular choices with the guitarmakers and repair people here locally, so you might search the archives on HVLP turbine systems for more information and discussion about conventional, conversion, and turbine gun system choices.

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A constellation only takes shape when one maps the whole.
- Beth Brower

I'm guessing conversion HVLP?

Just curious - all things equal (they're not), how does your HVLP have less air requirement than your siphon, unless your siphon is an HVLP too?

And, +1 to cleanup.

Some would also argue you can reduce spatter risk when the pot is getting low.

I'm getting closer to buying. One question still is if I get the smaller a smaller Fuji gun and/or turbine can I still do a piece of furniture with it.

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Mike McNerney

The Fuji T-75G is a full sized gun with the same fan controls, material, and air/pressure controls that conversion gun use and the MiniMite 3 or MiniMite 4 turbines will handle any of the finishes we use for instruments. If you want to use the system for spraying thicker finishes like latex as well as guitar finishes, then buy the MiniMite 4 or MiniMite 5 turbines and the correct air cap and needle set for the T-75G. The boss has shot airplanes, boats, and furniture with the various HVLP systems he's owned...but he does suggest avoiding hobbyist systems that use single or two stage turbine systems...they do not generate the pressure at the tip to properly atomize unthinned finishes.

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A constellation only takes shape when one maps the whole.
- Beth Brower

Spend the extra, and get a 4 stage Fuji, Mike. I bought a Super Gold 4, and it does a great job for furniture and cabinets. Make sure you get a whip hose, as well.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

thanks team

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Mike McNerney

Also consider adding a 3M PPS (paint preparation system) setup as an add-on - replacement cup with liners that eliminates air and allows easier storage between sessions, and spraying upside down/every which way. Currently running a SATA gun on an old-fashioned compressor that only ever gets used for spraying, so seriously considering a Fuji setup instead (smaller, quieter, possibly better)...

A very big +1 on this one. I use the 3M PPS system with my Walcom EGO HVLP gun and it make's it SO much easier.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"