Top Tools for the Job, According to the Experts - Manual Guns
Published by Jeremy Agosta on Feb 03, 2020
Our spray recommendations come from over 50 years of experience in the industry
Top Powder Pick
The first of our top tools for the job is the Wagner SPRINT Manual Powder Coating Unit – Box Feed.
The Wagner Sprint system comes with everything needed to start powder coating, including:
- Corona manual gun PEM-X1
- Control device EPG-Sprint XE
- Injector PI-F1
- Suction lance with fluid cap
- Device cart with vibrating table
- Powder hose 5m (Ø 11mm)
- Mains cable 3m
- Grounding cable 10m
- Connection hose
- Flat spray nozzle
There are a ton of reasons why the Wagner Sprint is our choice for best powder unit. Chief among those factors is consistency.
The fully electronic control unit is the source of this advantage, with a regulated air volume cycle, saving and accessing up to 50 coating programs and constant compressed air quality – regardless of fluctuations in the mains.
Wagner also did a great job giving the Sprint quality of life options. First, the Sprint unit is on a cart, making it mobile and easy to move around the shop from work station to work station. Next, they put the base at an angle, allowing the box to sit in a way that allows the cart to get almost all of the powder out of the carton.
The box fed variant is our pick because it makes switching between different colors a breeze.
Why should you buy it from CET? We test and assemble every unit before we send it out. If you live in the continental US, you’ll also get free freight shipping.
Our Top Devilbiss Pick
TEKNA PROlite
There is one thing putting the TEKNA PROlite on our spray recommendations list more than any other factor: Devilbiss Quick Clean technology.
“Developed for military, aerospace and surgical applications, the coating provides fast clean up, superior durability and high corrosion resistance,” Devilbiss says.
The same coating is used on the inside and outside of the gun, meaning more time spraying and less time cleaning. This is true for both waterborne and solvent-based coating.
More great reasons to picking up the TEKNA PROlite include:
Application Versatility:
- Sizes – full size and touch up
- Spray Technologies – HVLP, LVMP (Compliant), Conventional
- Fluid nozzles and needle set-ups – tuff tip hardened stainless steel nozzles, tungsten carbide, plastic tip needles, and feathering needles
- Available in pressure feed, gravity feed, and siphon feed
Ergonomic Design:
- Lightweight
- Curved handle for increased comfort
- Oversized knobs and air cap ring for easy adjustments and maintenance
- Soft trigger pull for reduced stress and fatigue
- Smooth trigger pull for providing no-kickback during spraying
Robust Engineering:
- Large stainless steel fluid passages for compatibility with industrial coatings
- Long lasting brass inserts and seals
- Hardened stainless steel fluid nozzles
- Large air passages
- Anodized forged aluminum gun body provides durability
Our Budget Devilbiss Pick
FinishLine FLG4
At less than $200, the FLG4 is the most affordable of our spray recommendations.
There are very few budget, entry level spray guns that will preform like they retail for twice what they actually cost.
The FLG4 gun works with a wide variety of coatings to provide a professional, fine, factory finish. It is also waterborne compatible, all parts are anodized aluminum & stainless steel. The gun’s air caps & nozzles provide a high quality finish and it features an ergonomic handle that reduces stress after long spray sessions.
Other Features:
- Fan control adjusts spray pattern from 10” to round
- Waterborne compatible parts
- Forged Aluminum, anodized body for maximum durability
- Precision machined air caps and fluid nozzles provide a high quality finish
- Conventional or HVLP models
- Gravity & siphon models feature DeKups disposable cup systems
- Ergonomic handle reduces stress
- Storage case keeps all your equipment neat and ready to use
- Fluid control knob allows for fluid adjustment
- Additional fluid nozzle sizes are sold separately (1.3mm, 1.5mm, 2.2mm)
Our Top C.A. Technologies Pick
CAT-X | CAT Pack | 3M™ PPS™ Cup
The CAT X is C.A. Technologies premier gun, offering extreme atomization, handle ergonomics and extremely efficient fluid delivery. The CAT-X includes a HVLP air cap and a pressure reduced air cap to meet all the codes and regulations throughout the United States. The CAT-X comes in five distinctive handle designs, allowing you to customize your finishing experience.
These colors include:
- Black Teflon
- Classic Clear
- American Flag
- Marble Red
- Mexican Flag
- Skull Green
Includes:
- 3M™ PPS™ Cup
- 3 nozzle setups
- HVLP / RP air caps
- Mini gun regulator
- Tools
- Gun holder
Our Budget C.A. Technologies Pick
Tomahawk
The Tomahawk is an extremely versatile gun that is lightweight, ergonomically designed, price competitive and high quality. It is designed for the painter who wants a conventional gun for spraying a wide range of coatings from glue to fine finish.
Our price is only $214, making it the second most affordable gun on this list.
Our Top Binks Pick
Trophy
The Binks Trophy comes as a full size and touch up version, each with HVLP, LVMP (Compliant) and conventional versions. The Trophy is also available as a pressure feed, gravity and siphon feed gun.
With tuff tip hardened stainless steel nozzles, tungsten carbide, plastic tip needle and feathering needles available the is something for everyone.
Ergonomic Design:
- Lightweight
- Curved handle for increased comfort
- Over sized knobs and air cap ring for easy adjustments and maintenance
- Soft trigger pull for reduced stress and fatigue
- Smooth trigger pull for providing no-kickback during spraying
Robust Engineering:
- Large stainless steel fluid passages for compatibility with industrial coatings
- Long lasting brass inserts and seals
- Hardened stainless steel fluid nozzles
- Large air passages
- Anodized forged aluminum gun body provides durability
The Binks Trophy starts around $500.
Our Budget Binks Pick
2100
Starting a bit over $200, the Binks 2100 is a simple, easy to use spray gun. Simple to reassemble and repair, the Binks 2100 is a great choice for people looking for a straight forward way to get get the job done.
Features:
- Corrosion resistant stainless steel fluid passages designed for waterborne materials
- Curved, ergonomic handle reduces fatigue
- Integrated head has fewer parts for quick repair
- Stainless steel threads won’t cross-thread, increasing life.
- High trigger pivot point increases fluid flow capability
- Large pattern sizes increase production rates
- Cheater valve adjusts air at the gun, saving operator time
- “Maximum Delivery” air nozzles have better atomization for greater product finish with less material
Available outfits:
2100 spray gun and drip-proof cup outfit:
- 1 Quart drip proof cup
2100 Spray Gun, hoses and 2 quart pressure cup outfit:
- 2 Quart regulated pressure cup
- 5′ Air hose assembly
- 5′ Fluid hose assembly
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