I just purchased a Walcom STM HVLP gun, as suggested by a number of people in previous threads. But now I realize I don't have a clue about which compressor I need to use with it and the instructions are not specific enough for my knowledge of the subject (barely above zero). Does anyone have a specific suggestion on the compressor I could buy? Please, don't suggest any kind of big 25gal monsters. I'd like to keep the size and price reasonable, I am not entering any scale contests, just looking to blow some PPG paint.
Thanks a lot. Nikita.

I am sure that there is more wisdom than mine out there, but these guns do seem to have a substantial air requirement. You might try looking at Sears. They have many reasonably-priced compressors that will be suitable. Although you may not need the 25 gal. monster you will need one that is more substantial than a hobby compressor.

Mike Danchak

Thanks for the advice guys. I went to CH website and they have a refurbished compressor patrick suggests for about $160. Seems like a good deal. I guess I could go with that.
David, I understand that 30gal compressor is good, but I am going to be painting 1 plane per year and at present I am renting a room in an apartment - I can barely build there...

While we are on the subject of painting, where do you guys get the blue 3M tape? As with the paint gun, I am following the advice of this forum and would try to get it for masking. Wherever I've been, I only saw that wide blue tape, which is said to be no good. Where is the 1/2" and 1/4" tape?

Thanks again. Nikita.

You will be able to get it where you get the paint. It is called 3M fine line tape. You can get it anywhere from 1/8" to 1" wide (maybe sizes outside this range but these are the most common. THe most common in my shop is the 1/4", next would be the 1/8" for doing really sharp curves, and intricate masking. Make sure and pick up some good 3M masking tape while you are at it, the cheapo stuff at the hardware store will make a mess of a good paint job. Something else that you might consider is that the PPG paints are rather toxic, an apartment may not be the best place to be painting with them. You might be able to find a local auto body shop and may be able to rent some time after hours in one of their booths. A local shop here got interested in our models and let a couple of the guys bring their planes up there at night at no charge.

I bought a 5hp 13 Gallon compressor. It is made by Campbell Hausfeld(?). It has worked well for me. I bought mine as a complete setup (compressor, hose, connectors, and a few extra tools). It is great for painting and it is also useful for blowing up various things around the house (bicycle tires, kiddie pools, car tires, etc.) Home depot has them I think for 264.00 as a complete kit or 170.00 alone.

You can see it on their website at www.chpower.com and enter in the product search window the part no. WL6500


Hope this helps.

Patrick.

I am using the Walcom gun, and have been for several years now. What I use is a 60 gallon compressor with a 6.5 HP motor. You will want at least a compressor that puts out 4-6 cfm at 40 PSI. You rpobably don't want to hear it but a 3-5 HP compressor with at the minimum 20 gallon tank is what you will need. I would suggest a 5 HP with a 30 gallon tank. Even though you are not going for a show finish you will need sufficient ari to run the gun. The bigger the tank the less noise you have to listen to.

David Reid